So the site is finally up!! I'll be posting some pix and info on here as well. The main thing we are working on now is getting the chain tensioner right, but it drives great! You can check out the time line of the build at www.smartzuki.com
You must have missed the SmartZuki build page.....goes through the entire build
Ahh, I see. I clicked on 'gallery' and there was a section called build photos, with the 8 pics I saw.
EDIT: Home from work, I had a chance to go through your build. Great job on the build and the detailed play by play. 5 times changing your gearing only means chain & sprocket maintenance will be much easier, since you are gonna go through those more often than the average Busa rider
If the standard Smart weighs 1750lbs, what is the post-op weight?
Thanks le skid...special kudos to my good friend Mark that was the genius behind the build and Yoshi at Sinister Sand Sports for such a solid job on the subframe and kit. If I remember right in talking to Yoshi, we lost about 150 lbs with the build, but I'll have to double check. I know the orginal U shaped subframe was pretty heavy!
No plan on selling them for profit at the present time, just really set up the site as a place for people to come for information and some eye candy. Unfortunately, it's not a really cheap process to do it right, we probably have about $24K in ours right now. That doesn't include any labor and that's also getting the Smart car itself for around $2,500!
The biggest expense is in the rear end and subframe, but it's not a place you want to go cheap if you plan on taking it on the road as you could be putting yourself or others in harms way.
Pretty cool. I saw you recomemended a clip style master link on the chain to ease the install. The rivet type master is MUCH more reliable. Looks very nice.
ECU Unleashed may be able to help you eliminate some of your error codes.
I recognize that one wouldn't use it for commuting, shopping, picking the kids up at school etc... Hence my question: Is that all they're good for? (spinning around in circles with the engine screaming to keep the wheels broke-loose).
A 1700lb car with 175 hp is going to be fairly quick but can a smart car turn and stop? It would be neat to see video of one on a smaller track or road course, to see what it can do WITH traction.
Our first set of gearing was like the video, the thing wanted to hop the front wheel off the ground. The problem is, going down the road in 6th gear at 45mph, you're around 7500 RPM....not a fun way to drive around town
Once we get it on the road, I'm going to see what is involved in running it out at our Autocross track here in South Florida. I know we will have to quiet it down as they have db restrictions there because of the location. I have a feeling it will grip fairly well based on the little road testing I have done with it. More to come!
Attached is a shot of the reverse motor in ours....it's a 1-1 ratio and is controlled by the lever arm. If I'm in first gear, you change the position of the lever via the switch under the seat and you're in reverse. Reverse isn't really a huge deal as the car is pretty easy to push around, but thought it would be nice to have!
Attached is a shot of the reverse motor in ours....it's a 1-1 ratio and is controlled by the lever arm. If I'm in first gear, you change the position of the lever via the switch under the seat and you're in reverse. Reverse isn't really a huge deal as the car is pretty easy to push around, but thought it would be nice to have!
Don't you have to be in neutral to use the reverse motor?
Linear Mode
