Support Team Shaun_E Posted November 2, 2004 Support Team Share Posted November 2, 2004 With my chassis going to Arch this weekend, I have just thought of something else I could have done to it. The car is a 1997 and has the anti-roll bar over the diff and the dampers that bolt under the de-dion tube and trailing arms (i.e. no watts linkage). I understand that the later chassis' use a watts linkage, have the ARB under the diff and the dampers bolt through the de-dion. Is this newer set-up much better than the old one and would it be worth having the chassis modified to accept it? If I did have the chassis modified, what new bits would I need and what bits would I need to replace? Shaun Yellow SL #32 Edited by - Shaun_E on 2 Nov 2004 16:21:23 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgrigsby Posted November 2, 2004 Share Posted November 2, 2004 Hmm I think it's the other way around for the dampers, the older ones bolt through the Dedion tube (ie my 1992 ones do) and the later ones bolt through a welded on brackt under the dedion tube. As for the rest... not sure I'm afraid. Rob G www.SpeedySeven.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Support Team Shaun_E Posted November 2, 2004 Author Support Team Share Posted November 2, 2004 Perhaps mine is some sort of hi-brid 😳. I am sure that the dampers bolted through a bracket on the bottom of the de-dion. I'll check tonight. Yellow SL #32 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted November 2, 2004 Leadership Team Share Posted November 2, 2004 Have a chat with Bruce when you get to Arch - there's a fair amount of cost involved. Advantage of the mod is very little unless you want to be able to brag about having a Watts link when down at the pub Stu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Support Team Shaun_E Posted November 2, 2004 Author Support Team Share Posted November 2, 2004 I plan to discuss with Bruce but really want to know whether it would make any noticeable difference. Your comments suggest that it won't in which case it's not for me. Yellow SL #32 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nemesis Posted November 2, 2004 Share Posted November 2, 2004 I have been informed that the Watts Linkage makes little difference the person who informed me of this has prepared race/championship winning cars! I would suggest that you invest your money elsewhere! Nemesis Don't click here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Support Team Shaun_E Posted November 2, 2004 Author Support Team Share Posted November 2, 2004 Cheers Chris - would that be the Freestyle mob by any chance? Yellow SL #32 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tight fart Posted November 2, 2004 Share Posted November 2, 2004 I've heard some "chassis tuners" remove it !! pics here www.p1spot.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmyslr Posted November 2, 2004 Share Posted November 2, 2004 Agree with latter, mine now in box in garage with more basic gubbins in its place. I did not argue with those who seem to have a very good idea about what they are doing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bare Posted November 2, 2004 Share Posted November 2, 2004 Caterhams' "Watts" is an Imposter.. it only barely meets the written description of a Watts linkage..and the Handling result is understandibly lacklustre. It is possible to have a 'real' watts inna 7.. just study the Lotus Series 1 Seven or the Lotus 11..of 50! years ago. A surprisingly Simple Mod.. even the Clones manage it. Caterham simply cannot 'fool' with the Sacred Series 3 layout can they:-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Morris Posted November 2, 2004 Share Posted November 2, 2004 JUST MY OPINION..............! Have built two Watts linkage cars since building my own De-Dion car in 97............basically the things PANTS.....! Even more bushes to wear out, more weight to carry and for what..........! Have you seen the state of the UK roads...first one I built I had trouble to stop laughing when putting all the little bits together.............! Save the money and fill up with Opitmax.............! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Support Team Shaun_E Posted November 2, 2004 Author Support Team Share Posted November 2, 2004 Guess I'll scratch that idea then . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted November 3, 2004 Share Posted November 3, 2004 Shaun, If you are having a lot of work done at Arch, it is a simple alteration. You might want to have it put in whilst having all the work done, just in case the chassis guru's change your mind in the future. Putting it in retrospectively on a painted chassis is going to be expensive. Watts Linkage is not cheap and the dedion tube may need to be changed too. Just a thought. Best regards Anthony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Support Team Shaun_E Posted November 3, 2004 Author Support Team Share Posted November 3, 2004 Anthony - thanks for your objective comments. Since my chassis is being completely stripped, if I was ever going to make the change then now would be the time. It seems from the above comments that I will not notice any difference in the handling and as I don't really want to spend too much money I think I'll forget about it. Yellow SL #32 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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