Dumb idea..but here goes...

ffelan · Post by **ffelan** » 18 Oct 2004, 04:19

I wish to take my Xantia on a trackday..
How do i best set the suspension.... very low and very stiff if possible.. is a std uk 1.8 16v sx....
would changing the spheres for alternate/activa/aftermarket ones help... had hear activa ones are "stiffer"..?
also can anyone confirm
a: my engine is basically the same as a Xsara vtr
b: the head is very similar to the MI16 peugeot unit
c: am i insane?

Stempy · Post by **Stempy** » 18 Oct 2004, 04:41

Track days are great but I'm not sure a Xantia is the ideal tool for the job. Instead of spending money on suspension alterations buy a cheap mini and thrash that around.

ffelan · Post by **ffelan** » 18 Oct 2004, 12:24

thats the whole point...
i tracked a CLK when everone said it wouldnt be quick... and ran with Evo 6's on the MLR trackday...
then i tracked a Skoda Octavia and pretty much beat all comers (mind you with a turbo and 300 hp it was a bit of a weapon.....)
thus i needed a new silly idea.. and i couldnt think of a rarer track car than a Xantia...
we have figured how to get 180+ hp from the engine and also an aero/weight reduction package.. its just the susp...

Homer · Post by **Homer** » 18 Oct 2004, 13:03

rather than mess around with your car why not pick up a hydractive or activa version.
A 2.0 Turbo Estate would suprise people and can be easily chipped to produce around 180bhp.

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » 18 Oct 2004, 13:17

I don't think your 1.8 cylinder head is the same as the Mi 16 one and I doubt if this engine is the same as the saxo one which I think is descended from the smaller series as used in the AX etc.
I would have thought that Activa suspension was the best to have and would have thought a V6 or a CT Turbo was the one to have. I doubt if they cost significantly more anyway.
jeremy

rossd · Post by **rossd** » 18 Oct 2004, 13:41

The head is the same basic design as the later 2.0 16V which in turn was based on the 1.9MI16 head.
Yes, the 1.8 16V engine used in the Xsara VTR is the same basic unit as used in the Xantia, probably a different ECU etc, but essentially the same.
Are you insane? Nah, its good to see something different!!

vanny · Post by **vanny** » 18 Oct 2004, 13:44

http://s7.invisionfree.com/ActivaNet/index.php?act=idx
have a look at that link, go to the bottom to the for sale section and there is a real cheap Activa going for around the £1000 with a spare engine complete. On the QT its a beautiful car and i know andy is only selling it beacause the neighbours are pissed with him having so many cars, and his missus is even more pissed with him having so many cars!
Tracking a Xantia isn't a daft idea, its brilliant! Theres something about tracking a random car that is really pleasing, i think it puts other people off, and really annoys them as you go flying by!

ffelan · Post by **ffelan** » 18 Oct 2004, 14:55

appreciate the posts..
my car is sorted.. stripped.. cage will be in by tomorrow.. agree ref activa.. but mine was "free" so inherently cheaper.
susp and brakes is / are main concern.. going for a psa calpier spacer and 283mm gti discs i think with 4.1 fluid and ds3000 pads. should stop.

Post by **Jon** » 18 Oct 2004, 15:00

"i think with 4.1 fluid"
In a Xantia? That uses LHM.

ffelan · Post by **ffelan** » 18 Oct 2004, 15:02

also si the box / clutch common to other models.. i will need a much sturdier clutch as will be running 240mm slicks....

mseymour · Post by **mseymour** » 18 Oct 2004, 15:33

The ride height is governed by the height correctors - you can fiddle with these to lower it.
Assuming it doesn't have hydractive suspension, you could try spheres for a hydractive car - that will give you a much harder ride. If it does have hydractive, just unplug it and you'll get stiff suspension.
Unless you're somehow replacing the entire braking system, don't put anything but LHM in it.

ffelan · Post by **ffelan** » 18 Oct 2004, 15:49

sorry am misunderstanding here?
is the braking system connected to the suspension?
how do i avoid boiling the fluid?

Kowalski · Post by **Kowalski** » 18 Oct 2004, 16:59

Don't overheat the brakes and the fluid won't boil.

ffelan · Post by **ffelan** » 18 Oct 2004, 17:17

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Kowalski

Don't overheat the brakes and the fluid won't boil.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
i guess you dont get the trackday culture then....[:D]
what temp does LHM boil at then i know how much heat i can or can not get into the brakes...? in comparison to 4.1 or super 4.1 brake fluid...?

Homer · Post by **Homer** » 18 Oct 2004, 17:25

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ffelan

is the braking system connected to the suspension?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Yes. Brake pressure is supplied from the high pressure pump running off the engine.
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">how do i avoid boiling the fluid?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
It's not something that happens, well not on a standard road car anyway.
I think someone needs a crash course in cit mechanics.
If you search through the threads on here you'll find details of a BX or a Xantia used for racing. If I remember rightly on that car the pump had been removed (the suspension was pressurised before a race) and the braking system had been replaced with a more conventional system.
Going back to the Activa/Turbo CT/V6 debate. The hydractive estate is actually lighter than the Activa saloon. they have the same engine but I think a different gearbox. V6 is auto only in the UK so my choice would be a TurboCT Estate with the hydractive fuse removed to put it in permanent hard mode. But if you could lay your hands on a manual V6.....
And considering what I've been offered part ex for mine.......