Turning My SLPJ Group C car into an acceptable 1700
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 2:25 pm
Having been given No Option other than to have to Re-Build my Plafit 1700 SLPJ chassis to be able to enter in the NSW 2011 State Titles Group C class, I have chosen NOT to go down the arguably unnecessary, complex and expensive GCK conversion 'path'.
As by definition and Design, the SLPJ is arguably Closer to a Standard 1700 chassis than the GCK 'converted' cars, I have chosen to use the normal 1700 Black Base plate. The SLPJ base plate is (as supplied in the Kit), 10mm longer than the Standard 1700 base plate, so have chosen the 10mm longer Black Base plate for the re-build.
Considering how well the SLPJ car worked, I took careful measurement and note of the cars overall weight and it's Front to Rear weight balance ratio and have used those as a baseline for the re-build.
As Mark Fox had also Won one of these chassis at the APC and had expressed an interest in running with me in Group C at the State Titles, I had the opportunity to do a proper Back to Back comparison of the Two Cars, utilizing the same basic Tyre/Wheel combination's and my Lancia LC-2 body.
From these First Tests, may I say I am somewhat Pleased with the outcome so far and with a little bit of Tuning, am rather confident of it being theoretically as effective a 'Weapon' as the SLPJ was !!
On a somewhat slightly dusty and unused track with No Applied 'Traction', the car was capable of getting Under 6 seconds and as the New rear tyres started to come in, provided a Very Similar Speed and confidence in cornering as the SLPJ used to provide.
So whilst still relatively annoyed and unhappy that I have Had to do this, I am at this stage hoping that the cars Will be able to be Extremely Competitive!
I have attached a few pics of the Two cars (as tested) and of the Base Plates, for the Benefit of those that perhaps believed there was Something Very Special about the SLPJ.
As can be seen, the 'Differences' from a Standard 1700 are Minimal, Especially compared to the VERY different GCK chassis Kit converted cars, which Completely change the Basic design of the 1700 chassis , by providing a Lower Motor mount and a Semi Flexible and Adjustable Rear end!!
I have also included a couple of pics of Mark's car.
I already had both a Spare Lancia and this Nissan body, BUT as I had always intended to 'Model' this particular car (even for myself to use) and as Mark has Always run Pink cars,..it was a 'No Brainer' as to which car he preferred,..
So, although the car may Not Ultimately be As ridiculously effective as my previous SLPJ, it Sure Ain't that Far Off in overall performance and Both Mark and Myself Will be approaching the Group C class Very Seriously and as competitively as we both can.
Guess we will see you all 'On Track',..hopefully, Many Laps behind us !!!,...
As by definition and Design, the SLPJ is arguably Closer to a Standard 1700 chassis than the GCK 'converted' cars, I have chosen to use the normal 1700 Black Base plate. The SLPJ base plate is (as supplied in the Kit), 10mm longer than the Standard 1700 base plate, so have chosen the 10mm longer Black Base plate for the re-build.
Considering how well the SLPJ car worked, I took careful measurement and note of the cars overall weight and it's Front to Rear weight balance ratio and have used those as a baseline for the re-build.
As Mark Fox had also Won one of these chassis at the APC and had expressed an interest in running with me in Group C at the State Titles, I had the opportunity to do a proper Back to Back comparison of the Two Cars, utilizing the same basic Tyre/Wheel combination's and my Lancia LC-2 body.
From these First Tests, may I say I am somewhat Pleased with the outcome so far and with a little bit of Tuning, am rather confident of it being theoretically as effective a 'Weapon' as the SLPJ was !!
On a somewhat slightly dusty and unused track with No Applied 'Traction', the car was capable of getting Under 6 seconds and as the New rear tyres started to come in, provided a Very Similar Speed and confidence in cornering as the SLPJ used to provide.
So whilst still relatively annoyed and unhappy that I have Had to do this, I am at this stage hoping that the cars Will be able to be Extremely Competitive!
I have attached a few pics of the Two cars (as tested) and of the Base Plates, for the Benefit of those that perhaps believed there was Something Very Special about the SLPJ.
As can be seen, the 'Differences' from a Standard 1700 are Minimal, Especially compared to the VERY different GCK chassis Kit converted cars, which Completely change the Basic design of the 1700 chassis , by providing a Lower Motor mount and a Semi Flexible and Adjustable Rear end!!
I have also included a couple of pics of Mark's car.
I already had both a Spare Lancia and this Nissan body, BUT as I had always intended to 'Model' this particular car (even for myself to use) and as Mark has Always run Pink cars,..it was a 'No Brainer' as to which car he preferred,..
So, although the car may Not Ultimately be As ridiculously effective as my previous SLPJ, it Sure Ain't that Far Off in overall performance and Both Mark and Myself Will be approaching the Group C class Very Seriously and as competitively as we both can.
Guess we will see you all 'On Track',..hopefully, Many Laps behind us !!!,...