Beck 550 spyder, AX Candidate? Options

[Joseph Mills]

Looking at some of the specs on this kit made me start thinking how good a candidate it might be for auto crossing.

As far as I know Beck is the only kit that has a hand made tubular frame instead of a VW frame. Maybe that accounts for it's lightweight?

Something around 1200 pounds total! (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/ohmy.gif)

We all know that light cars turn corners fast, and with even meager HP it's going to scoot in a straight line.

Suspension... well, maybe that is the bugaboo... Volkswagen. VW's on an autocross course are always scary with their positive camber from the swing axles. Maybe limit the amount of travel? Are there after market handling kits for such? Or additional link systems that bolt up?

Would a kit car be up to handling the torque and twisting forces of AX?

Thoughts? (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/idea.gif)

[lapuwali]

QUOTE (Jake Raby @ Aug 12 2005, 10:53 AM)

The only issue I foresee in AX is the fact that the car is so light that it will push the front wheels under full power- Hell I have that problem in my beetle. lapuwali, have you ever driven a 550 Replica??

Nope. Have you ever driven an F-Vee? How about a FIAT 850? An early Triumph Spitfire? All swing axle cars, all with more or less the same handling problems, all fixable the same way.

No need to get into a pissing contest over this. I know what I've seen, and I understand the theory, and I've seen cars fixed. The F-Vee is pretty much the pinnacle of handling technology when it comes to mid-engined, swing-axle cars, so it's a very good idea, IMHO, to look at what works on them when trying to work out an ultimate swing-axle rear suspension.