Subaru Brat, It's Time To Bring It Back On The Road

[jeekelemental 528]

I bought my Brat in the summer 2007 and it's involved in an upgrading project since 2008 with a particular focus on the front end (as documented by the several pics in my showroom here on TC and on my blog). I never finished and it's my worry... 'till today.
After several brainstorming sessions with my team of engineers I've decided to go for a push rod scheme.



Rockers are made starting from Cr01 rockers.

[jeekelemental 528]

Completed with shafts, the damper need a softer set-up.

[chevelle 997]

Looks good How does the body mount at the front now?

[jeekelemental 528]

Looks good How does the body mount at the front now?

I have to check if there is room enough behind the shock to place the stock body mount. If not I will ask to my staff to find a good solution

[jeekelemental 528]

TLT-1 cantilevers work very well for this kind of setup. The more direct angles will soften your suspension too.

Dorvack.

Thanks!

Yesterday I noticed a little of stiffness so today,after lunch, I've lowered the damper solving part of the problem. I have to admit that I've used a FF03 damper with a Touring set up and, this evening, I will do a better set up.

[jeekelemental 528]

I'm hearing a voice: "longer shock, longer shock" and "shorter rod, shorter rod"

[jeekelemental 528]

Longer shock in place. Standard oil and Super Astute spring, the suspension now is smoother and progressive.

Not sure if dampers are definitive (I don't like them).

[jeekelemental 528]

Stock body mount fits comfortable!

[emory70 153]

Love seeing creativity in a custom build. Bravo

[Grastens 2795]

Excellent work! The setup looks quite professional. It reminds me of the TRF Frog build from a while ago, except that being a Frog meant that a proper push-rod suspension had to be done within the confines of the stock setup.

Looks like a great upgrade for any O.R.V. with a car bodyshell, but might be sufficiently-gnarly for a suped-up Frog, too!

[jeekelemental 528]

Many thanks guys! If I think on all the attempts made in the past years... gosh!

[chevelle 997]

Stock body mount fits comfortable!

Excellent

[jeekelemental 528]

Thank you all guys. I have to say that I'm proud of this modify to the front suspension. During the past years I've attempted many schemes (two shocks, built from scratch shock towers, monoshock, different front uprights and God knows what else) all made modifying, adapting or building the parts because the guidelines of this project are "bolt on" and reversibility.

And it makes all harder

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.asp?cid=93146&id=22640

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.asp?cid=93163&id=22640

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.asp?cid=93712&id=22640

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.asp?cid=94763&id=22640

Concerning dampers I have to admit that I don't like the YR used until today: I bought them years ago and my aversion is purely aesthetic; to me they look raw giving to the car touch of "unfinished"... can't explain better with poor english.

If I will save some money I will swap them with my beloved CVA.

Some mods are already in place: the differential take advantage of the classical reinforcement via M2 rod through the outdrives.

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.asp?cid=98441&id=22640

To simplify my life I've planned the use of GPM's adaptors but I'm still without ideas about wheels and tires .

[chevelle 997]

Nice Evolution mate Any shot's of your Brat body

[jeekelemental 528]

Body is far to come

I agree that balance, now, is completely different, future drive tests will suggest the correct set up: it will be part of the fun!

I hope that the new front helps the car to handle better and docile as I like

[chevelle 997]

Body is far to come

I seem to have a thing for this model/chassis with a few builds on the go

[jeekelemental 528]

Sometimes inspiration takes strange ways: today I was completing the list of the next buys and considering if to buy or not the front hex adapters I've decided to keep the DB01 uprights and to make some minor modifies to gain precision for the jointings. Kingpins holes have been widened until I made room enough for brass bushings and some ball-ends have been sacrificed for a better finish but in complex it continues to looks raw.

[jeekelemental 528]

Uprights completed! I switched to a two kingpins set-up instead of a single long screw. It's a little more complex to build but IM it looks better. Unfortunately I hadn't low profile self locking nuts so I've used normal nuts and threadlocker.

[jeekelemental 528]

Uniballs have been raised up to limit bumpsteer.

[jeekelemental 528]

With provisional tires and wheels.

[chevelle 997]

OOh that's a nice mod I added bearing carriers to mine, but yours means no mod to the wheel and easy change

[jeekelemental 528]

Looking good.

Can you change that plastic front camber link to a turnbuckle? You might need to adjust camber when setting up the chassis.

Dorvack.

Edit: Never mind. That might be a bit of a tricky fix...

Yep, I guess it's possible

I must confess that I've thought about it but I decided to keep it simple also because a turnbuckle, IMO, could amplify the suspension twist that now it's limited by the shape of the upper arms.

But I could be only much scrupulous for nothing

[jeekelemental 528]

Edit: Never mind. That might be a bit of a tricky fix...

Not so tricky, IMO: plastic adjuster fits well the stock stepscrews and some spacers would make it stable between the alu parts. A short turnbuckle and the job is done! But my doubt about suspension twist remains

[bsy2010 218]

Uprights completed! I switched to a two kingpins set-up instead of a single long screw. It's a little more complex to build but IM it looks better. Unfortunately I hadn't low profile self locking nuts so I've used normal nuts and threadlocker.

Probably the best front hex conversion I have seen so far! Great idea!

[jeekelemental 528]

Many thanks sir :-)