| A Choice Of Options |
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| Sunday, 02 July 2006 | |
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A Choice Of Options The number of options that have been fitted to Rockets is mindblowing for just 48 chassis. If you want something, the odds are that the factory has already done it. Here are some of the more obvious ones.: Six-Speed Gearbox The extra gear closes gaps within the set, rather than providing a higher or lower gear overall. Third and fourth gear are very close indeed, and the benefit is only really noticeable on track. Not an essential option. Race Suspension AVO dampers with 27 degrees of tunability, compared with ten on the standard items. Requires a revised upper rear wishbone. Not an essential option. Track Tyres Avon ACB 10 crossply tyres, still road legal. Does not require setup modifications. Superb dry weather grip, and very predictable breakaway. But with negligible tread pattern, wet weather performance is compromised. ACB10 tyres are available in a range of compounds. We have experience of the medium compound, and expect a life of up to 5,000 miles (mainly road use) - rubber hardening will happen sooner than loss of tread depth. The soft compound is likely to be a good choice for occasional trackdays. The super-soft compound has been suggested as viable, even for road use. An interesting option, if you will use your car only on trackdays or fair weather days. Quiet/Loud Exhaust The loud exhaust gives slightly more power particularly at the top end. Requires retuning of the carburettors. We have no firm data*, but the quiet exhaust should be slightly below 100dB, and therefore acceptable to a few more circuits. The loud exhaust will not be below 100dB, and you are unlikely to be able to drive on restricted circuits. Note that both exhausts require regular repacking (easily done – see Maintenance). Noise levels will increase significantly as the packing is blown out. *Please contact us if you have any results from testing. Roll Hoop Taller drivers may feel rather exposed. A National standard roll hoop can be fitted at the engine bulkhead. Three options are available: Full Race: Only suitable for track-only chassis Welded in. the passenger seat is lost Quick Bolt-in Preferable if the passenger seat is used regularly (either for passenger or luggage) The passenger cover is cut away so that it can be withdrawn through the triangulation bars. Removal is quick, but the cover is weakened. Extra mounting screws are added to reduce rattling, and the cover will eventually crack. Slow bolt-in Preferable if the passenger seat is used infrequently A foam-filled rigid passenger cover (as on the full race option) is used. To access the passenger space, the triangulation bars need to be unbolted and withdrawn. This is much less convenient than the Quick Bolt-in option. Clear Screen Surprisingly useful in poor light & rain, and more in keeping with the classic design. Intercom The driver may hear the passenger shouting. The passenger will not hear the driver. A useful option for touring. Headrest A rubber cushion mounted to the passenger cover. Some drivers (particularly helmeted) have banged their heads on the cover under acceleration. Oil Catch Tank Collects blown-out engine and transaxle oil, keeping the underside and exhaust cleaner. A neat solution if your car suffers a fine oil trail. Charger/Auxiliary Battery Points Allows a charger or auxiliary battery to be connected without removing the engine cover. useful if you do not use the car for extended periods. See notes in the Maintenance section. Fan Override Switch Just a switch on the dashboard to manually control the radiator fan. Quite useful if your travels are likely to have you caught in traffic, as you can predict any heat build up. It does of course rely on you watching the water temperature dial. Race Dash Display A full Stack unit with additional features. For race use only. Fire Extinguisher A range of options from handheld to National specification plumbed system. Car Cover A tonneau cover is supplied as standard, though it does collect water and doesn’t fit with the roll hoop. Useful for emergencies only. The factory can supply a fully tailored cover (with or without roll hoop), colour coded (panels and seam piping) and with underbody tie-down straps. Indoor (fleece) and outdoor (water resistant) types are available. Ask the factory for details. None of the options listed really make one chassis more desirable than another, and none should really be critical to your choice of chassis. If you are buying a secondhand chassis, we would suggest that you use the car for six months or so before you decide which extra options you would like. Trackback(0)
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