Discussion
OK guys - have just bought a Robin Hood S7 kitcar, primarily to use on track days and possibly hill-climb occasionally. It'a got a 2.9 Cosworth V6 (about 190bhp in a 750kgs package), with 7.5Jx16in wheels front and back. I guess I should fit Toyo R888 GG compound tyres, but can I get away with just fitting Toyo tyres to the rear and leaving the current road tyres on the front or is this a false economy? Is there a better road legal track tyre solution than R888s?
Happy New Year to all by the way!
Richard
Happy New Year to all by the way!
Richard
Aha,
At last someone asks a tech question I can input to.
Definately dont mix the tyres, the RH has the rear end of a Sierra (almost all of the heavy bits anyway) and the back will overtake very quickly.
When I had my Westfield for Sprint I changed from 15 inch rims to 13s and fitted Yokohama A048R's with a 60 tyre wall. This gave a more progressive break away and are very grippy. Not bad in the wet if they are warm but scary cold and wet.
At last someone asks a tech question I can input to.
Definately dont mix the tyres, the RH has the rear end of a Sierra (almost all of the heavy bits anyway) and the back will overtake very quickly.
When I had my Westfield for Sprint I changed from 15 inch rims to 13s and fitted Yokohama A048R's with a 60 tyre wall. This gave a more progressive break away and are very grippy. Not bad in the wet if they are warm but scary cold and wet.
If it weighs in at 750kg the engine will be more than half of that!!!
I've used Dunlop DO1Js in the past, although Andy can probably get you a better price on Toyos. One thingto keep in mind, some sprints and hill climbs mandate List 1A tyres especially in "Prodcution" or un-modified classes. Both 888's and DO1J's are List 1B. My favourite flavour of List 1A tyre is the Dunlop SP Sport 9000, when I got my e30 it was on Bridgestone RE010's and the car always felt a bit nervous in the wet and/or on the limit, once they were canvassed I swapped to the Dunlops and things felt much more progressive and comfortable for that matter. They're also bloody good wet tyres too IMO. Anyway I digress.
As above swap all 4 or nothing.
Regards
Iain
I've used Dunlop DO1Js in the past, although Andy can probably get you a better price on Toyos. One thingto keep in mind, some sprints and hill climbs mandate List 1A tyres especially in "Prodcution" or un-modified classes. Both 888's and DO1J's are List 1B. My favourite flavour of List 1A tyre is the Dunlop SP Sport 9000, when I got my e30 it was on Bridgestone RE010's and the car always felt a bit nervous in the wet and/or on the limit, once they were canvassed I swapped to the Dunlops and things felt much more progressive and comfortable for that matter. They're also bloody good wet tyres too IMO. Anyway I digress.
As above swap all 4 or nothing.
Regards
Iain
Your right there Iain, if of course it is 750Kg. The kitcar world quotes weight in the same terms as TVR quoted BHP and Audi quote fuel consumption ie my Griffith listed as 320 where 270 to 285 would have been more likely, my A6 Avant is supposed to do 50 mpg combined and actually does 38 and the Hood (dependant on which of the S7 variants it is. Could be Dolomite, Cortina or Sierra) probably doesnt weigh much less than the donor car.
That said, of course they are huge fun.
Word of caution though Richard. Robin Hoods were/are the very cheap end of the Lotus 7 style of kit car and required some pretty good engineering skills to put together. I have a lot of respect for those that made good cars out of these kits.
I mixed with these guys for 3 or 4 years and have seen up close many examples and can conmfirm what I was told way back in 2003. Robin Hoods are either very good or very bad. Get someone you trust with the spanners to give it a once over before driving it in anger.
That said, of course they are huge fun.
Word of caution though Richard. Robin Hoods were/are the very cheap end of the Lotus 7 style of kit car and required some pretty good engineering skills to put together. I have a lot of respect for those that made good cars out of these kits.
I mixed with these guys for 3 or 4 years and have seen up close many examples and can conmfirm what I was told way back in 2003. Robin Hoods are either very good or very bad. Get someone you trust with the spanners to give it a once over before driving it in anger.
Thanks for the iput guys. You are right Mal, the car was a "bit of a dog" and was bought by a motor engineer 3 years ago who has lavished much time and £6k on getting it right. The 2.9 Scorpio Cosworth engine is mated to 5 speed Granada gear-box with a Sierra back axle. The previous owner ran out of funds to get it tested, as an IVA now costs around £500! Have only found one problem to fix before IVA as the rear fog lights don't go off when the headlights are switched to side only - should be an easy fix!
Richard
Richard
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