Baggin it!

What the hell is lever suspension? I don't know but i'll give anything a try.

I guess it is well known as Bagi suspension but I really don't know much about the theory, for me it's all practical testing. It took me a while to get this kind of setup working smoothly and with least resistance and there are a lot of variations on the interwebooks.

Newer variations of this setup have the rocker arm on the shock tower and a more complex lower mount.
Not wanting to move my body mounts, this was a good solution.
Pay special attention to binding of the ball ends and make sure there is no binding for least resistance.

Simply getting everything to fit right was a real challenge. You want to have a decent selection of spacers, screws and ball ends before you start a project like this. 

My first attempts were not so great. And my first test run was still a bit too stiff.


Don't worry about the shape of the lever too much. But it should be unequal length. the longer end compressing the shock.

1. Compression adjustment.

This length of the lever makes the difference to compression rate, so using spacers to make it longer or shorter are a tuning point. Mine is 5mm longer on the shock side.

2. Ride height

Ride height is adjusted by the turnbuckle length. Preload of spring should be ignored in theory. But in reality I tune my car a lot using preload settings.

I didn't really notice any major advantage or disadvantage as yet.
So I'm having a second crack at it as I've got it a bit softer and working more smoothly.

See how the second test goes.

RWD Regulations Introduced.

There has been an introduction of RWD events in Japan that require a level of regulation for RWD drift.

Have a read if you have a Rear Wheel Drive gyro assisted drift chassis.

Aussie Style.

this post should strike a note with many Australians. A legend and his baby bro.

You will have seen my "Lil' Gemmi" over the last few days... But the on track adventures with this Holden Dealer Team Commodore were pretty cool.

 The narrow Gemini is a stark contrast to the ultra wide commodore.

Made famous by Peter Brock, these machines were at the fore front of Australian touring car development in their day.

Sliding the Gemini is fun.

But when you have that period correct image, it gets better.

Some cool laps indeed.

I might have to make up some Country Dealer Team stickers.

Better get out of the way when that V8 rumble comes from behind.

A fw scars starting to appear on the gem. Maybe that primer grey will have to come out.

Kerb hopping the VK looks awesome. Just need a drivers head to complete the picture.

Awesome fun at GCRC

GCRC Sunday School

Back to Ol' School on a Sunday.

Just part of the collection at GCRC this weekend.

A most excellent line up.

with a most excellent room to play in.

A mix of japanese machinery and some Australian muscle and one that kind of bridges the gap between cultures. 

The lil gemini is a Japanese Isuzu that was re-branded by Holden. Many Australians  would have ridden in one of these in their lifetime.

Rx3 Savanna, Datsun 280zx with extras.

Shortened and lowered, the result is pretty cool.

Aussie machinery.

Holden Commodore in dealer team attire.

Skyline regulars always on form.

Gran Spec KE.

Ready

Slide time!

 MSt... no... JXR

No only older generation but I guess this laurel is getting there.

as is this 180sx.

Wave hello! Driver images are always cool.

this one is a work in progress.

but adds to the awesomeness.

What a day.

Lil' Gemini Video

lil' Gemmi from RE-Xtreme on Vimeo.
RE-Xtreme Gemini TX replica RC @ GCRC Raceway

GCRC Genimi 12 hour

Debut today in the GCRC almost 12 hour tuning session.

Chassis Track & Body width.

How wide is wide? 180mm? 220mm?

I faced a dilemma with the Gemini body. 180mm is very far from my comfort zone.

You can really see the difference. The De-Anodised DRB is for the Rocket Bunny 86. and the red DRB is for the Gemini. As you can expect tuning will be different.

I usually run +9 or +12 offset rims on bodies with wide fender conversions so going back to a stock body required a few firsts.

The Rocket Bunny 86 and RWB 993 that i have share the same layout. +12 rim on 3mm hub up front and +12 rim on 8.5mm Hub with 1.5mm spacer at the rear. I usually compromise the chassis setting a little to achieve fit and finish.

Apart from having to trim the front bumper support to clear the super short front overhang, the rim selection for the Gemini requires +1 offset possibly +2. No more No less. So potentially I can get away with +3 rim with a 3mm HUB.

I currently running a set of Street Jam reversible +1/+10 rims to create the right image and fit.
I also have a set of CE28N that will be used also.

 Setup for GCRC has us all settling on about CS 2.5~4.0 with 3.2 being the norm.

My Gemini runs the RED DRB tuned to CS 3.0. I'll be changing the pulley configuration soon, but ratio will remain the same. Just the way the ratio is created will be different.  

My favourite chassis is still my ultra predictable CS 2.2 DRB. It will soon have my own brand chassis.

Isuzu Gemini Project Update #5 Release

Lil' Gemmi is ready.

This is a replica of my first car. The 1976 Holden Isuzu TX Gemini did many a trip to university and also to the university of Rally. 

While to opel kadett C is slightly different in front and side louvre design. the majority is correct.

Of course everyone took their bumpers off. Thats just what was done. I did.

Tow hooks, Wipers. I decided for no mirrors as they only had one that fell off anyway.

I added a tiny exhaust until it gets some PIPES! for it's ass.

So off to the track... for a day of tuning.