KM Concept conversion

[Hog]

Is there a UK stockist for the conversion?

What parts do I need to order to complete the conversion - the oOple review of the kit mentions a couple of bits that need to be purchased - or has this now been addressed by KM Concepts?

Cheers.

[vader]

don't bother, for the same price you can get a second hand xx4

[Hog]

Didn't ask for your opinion on the car or any other for that matter.


Now - has anyone got anything constructive to reply with in response to my original question?

[vader]

ha ha

[turbo_brick]

i ordered mine from speedtech, was delivered in about a week and no extra import charges, only part you have to buy is the drive cup thats on the end of the slipper shaft.

[Hog]

Thanks TB - I'll probably get a better price from SpeedTech anyway even with carriage.

Was it difficult to convert? More importantly - was it worth it?

I converted my MR4BCS to saddle pack and it made the car a world apart from the standard setup, I'm just hoping the KM conversion will do the same.

[pro4nut]

I would recommend speedtech they really are very good. 7 days for mine to come through and parcelfarce even 48 houred it on their leg of the journey.

What does it do?

I don't know yet but buy an undertray while your shopping, i have also bought the optional layshaft one way front shaft direct from kmrc so i can run all the drive options from the standard car.

it gets its first run in practice at stotfold on the 8th so i will let you know what i think then. i will say i have my standard lazer set up identically to run at the same time and a test driver for a second opinion. i am however only F3 so my opinion is probabley best taken with a pinch of salt.

[Hog]

Outside running will be minimal - perhaps 5 meets this year - so an undertray is a luxury item for me. Normally race indoors on polished wood. But if cheap enough I will get one.

Thanks for the advice - hoping to get all sorted before my first regional on 22nd April.

[pro4nut]

The undertray will be an extra $11.99 the postage won't change, oh and a screw kit is worth it as well.

Mine gets its first run tonight indoors on carpet and i expect no real differance at all................

[jim76]

Originally Posted by Hog

Outside running will be minimal - perhaps 5 meets this year - so an undertray is a luxury item for me. Normally race indoors on polished wood. But if cheap enough I will get one.

maybe just get some clear chassis protecting tape stuff? the only advantage of the undertray is to velcro the body on.

Originally Posted by pro4nut

i will say i have my standard lazer set up identically to run at the same time and a test driver for a second opinion. i am however only F3 so my opinion is probabley best taken with a pinch of salt.

who's the test driver then?! i'm looking forward to trying the KMC though as i have heard good and bad things in equal measure. I'm happy with my standard lazer, but if the KMC is more responsive etc then i may convert.

[pro4nut]

I would add the quality of parts seems very good, and the price is very reasonable with current exchange rates. to be honest Jim i will need a second opinion, car feels more balanced in the hand, i really think that jumping will be the differance, well time will tell.

Back to spraying shells for me.....

[jim76]

have they resolved the issue around the top deck not laying very flat? there was a thread when it first came out saying the owner had to bodge some spacers under the front of the top deck to stop it bending etc, (can't remember the exact problem, but it seamed to fall apart after a few meetings due to the strain of it not lining up properly?)?

[JCJC]

Dont forget to pass it in this direction Wayne, who knows you may get time to drive it yourself!

[omen1975]

Originally Posted by jim76

have they resolved the issue around the top deck not laying very flat? there was a thread when it first came out saying the owner had to bodge some spacers under the front of the top deck to stop it bending etc, (can't remember the exact problem, but it seamed to fall apart after a few meetings due to the strain of it not lining up properly?)?

Top deck is perfectly flat on both my conversions, sounds like they may have left out the supplied spacer that fits up front between the bulkhead and top deck. The conversion was the best thing I ever done to my ZX-5's.

Hope this is of help,
omen1975

[Hog]

Omen1975 - what areas were improved over the handling of the production kit?

I race on polished wood floor, and sometimes I seem to get oversteer one direction, understeer the other, and I assume this is because of the cell layout. I had a similar problem with the MR4BCS which I cured totally by converting it to saddle pack. Also jumping was easier 'cos the car wouldn't roll to one side.

Is the same true of the converted ZX-5? How about general responsiveness and grip?

[omen1975]

Originally Posted by Hog

Omen1975 - what areas were improved over the handling of the production kit?

I race on polished wood floor, and sometimes I seem to get oversteer one direction, understeer the other, and I assume this is because of the cell layout. I had a similar problem with the MR4BCS which I cured totally by converting it to saddle pack. Also jumping was easier 'cos the car wouldn't roll to one side.

Is the same true of the converted ZX-5? How about general responsiveness and grip?

Hog I found that same problem when jumping with the production kit, our track is outdoor and we have a jump called the triples and its one of those jumps where you just cross your fingers and hope you land ok, with the old chassis It was like 50/50, but after installing the KMRC chassis I hit the triples for the first time and the smile on my face was priceless. I found it gave me more confidence and with more confidence I drive a better race.

I found with grip and jumping that there has to be a medium, this greatly depended on the use of the anti squat shims, (Add shim to the rear front arm holder for better jumping but less traction or leave shim out for more traction and less jump ability) as for the front anti squat (Add shim to the front arm holder for more steering response but more sensitive to bumpy tracks or leave shim out for less steering and better bump ability).

I dont use any shims up front as I like a little understeer, but at the rear I use a number 1 or 2 shim. I try not to change to many settings as I find the more you keep changing things the harder it is, I like driving the car with the one setting and getting used to it.

With the understeer/oversteer problem you have I recommend a front one way and a sway bar if you arnt already using one.

Hope this info helps.
omen1975

[Hog]

I run the rear anti-roll bar, but never have got on with a front one way in any car I race. I prefer permanent 4WD and the advantage it gives me under braking - especially on a slippery surface. Even outdoors I find it less "snatchy" on bumpy grass. Just me I guess

Thanks for your comments though Omen - I'm still deciding whether to hit the "checkout" button on SpeedTech's site or save my money. I'm edging towards the conversion......

[Minster68]

Hog,

You know you want too, maybe with the conversion on your car it won't be used as a target for everyone else to bash into.

Mind you, your quick enough with out it, so maybe you should save your money and give the rest of us a chance.

[Hog]

Originally Posted by Minster68

Hog,

You know you want too, maybe with the conversion on your car it won't be used as a target for everyone else to bash into.

It's not everyone else that bashes into it mate, just the same old faces.

Originally Posted by Minster68

Mind you, your quick enough with out it, so maybe you should save your money and give the rest of us a chance.

Evidently not quick enough or else I wouldn't keep getting bashed into!! And I was only good enough for 3rd in next week's B heat after last night, so you don't need a chance

It's not just the speed - I need to have confidence in the cars ability in the air as well as we head to the outside season.

[Minster68]

Hog,

I raced Lee's ZX5 with the conversion kit on for a few heats last year and it felt loads better then my standard one. Balance and steering felt so much better. As soon as Ross gets the money together i will order him one, another few hundred news papers to deliver and he should have the money.