Hi Simon
Thanks for the reply.
14" would adjust the final drive ratio, with only 1300cc of Cold War Power we have found that we can struggle if we have grip. Bamforth is almost too steep if there is grip, so the lower final drive of 13" is important.
Also, I have not seen Estelle's with 14" wheels, S100's had them which is where the 14's have come from. Trying to be 'pure' I decided I would not use 14's.
Do you know what tyres the mk1 and mk2 Escort's guy's are using?
Regards Arron
Arron, you are correct about the 'final drive ratio'.....the advantage of the 14 inchers is, a slightly longer footprint. Early Estelles [105, 120] had 14 inch wheels. [I bought the last 6 brand new wheels from Kings Lynn back in the 1990's], so they remain 'valid' even for Rapids.
However, 13 inch wheels are a lot easier to come by these days....as they will get bent at some point or other.
I have only failed to ascend Bamford once [with an engine fault]...with 14 inch wheels. But I haven't been 'out' in my Skoda for many years now.
Best bet for final drive ratios is to obtain a 4 speed 'box. If 5 gears is an absolute necessity, , it's all about transaxle side plates....and the differential..... If a swing arm 5 speed box is available, this will likely have the 4.2 final drive ratio, and can be converted to semi trailing arm suspension too...or, vice versa. My Rapid, which is safely rotting in a field nearby...has a semi trailing arm suspension, but a 4.2 ratio 5 speed box.
This was also available for the Estelle....called the 120LX.
Somewhere I have a 4.6 'mountain' ratio ....as used in the world cup rally by the 1000MBs .....spas one's top speed, but , climbing is good. The only issue is, the pinion shaft doesn't work in the later 4 speed box...however, the pinion happens to be the same size/number of teeth as the 4.2 ratio boxes, so, with a bit of howling it may be possible to use the bigger crownwheel?
Too much techno info? Sorry...
