Stuff found on the 'net that needs categorising and cleaning up:
[edit] Lectric Leopard
Post found at [1]
Mentions R5Gordini (Andrew) by name, and an old version of this site...
[edit] Lectric Leopard Suspension Upgrade
Lectric Leopard is an electric Renault 5
Lectric Leopard suspension upgrade (long)
* To: <ev@listproc.sjsu.edu>
* Subject: Lectric Leopard suspension upgrade (long)
* From: "Chris Tromley" <chris_t@microtrac.com>
* Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2001 13:24:00 -0500
* Importance: Normal
* Reply-To: ev@listproc.sjsu.edu
* Sender: owner-ev@listproc.sjsu.edu
I'm in the (long, slow) process of converting my '80 Lectric Leopard into
the LeSled. (A Leopard is a conversion of a Renault LeCar(R5) by US
Electricar.) It's going to be heavy (around 3000 lbs?) with its 20 US145
batteries. The handling of Leopards is pretty wallowy as is, so my plans
would normally just make matters worse. But I think I found a solution with
Renault R5 Gordini Turbo parts. (The Gordini was never sold in the US.)
Below is a table of suspension component sizes. The car has torsion bars
and anti-roll bars front and rear. Sizes are diameter in mm. The stock R5
info is for '77 & '78 R5s from the SCCA Showroom Stock Specifications. The
Leopard info is from direct measurements of my car (front torsion bar size
is an estimate - comparing my plastic-covered bars to some spares I have).
Gordini Turbo specs are from my new parts. Change is the increase in
- stiffness* of the Gordini parts compared to the Leopard. Stiffness is
proportional to the 4th power of diameter.
Stock Lectric Gordini
R5 Leopard Turbo Change
Rear Torsion 19 19.3 21 140%
Rear Anti-roll none 14 19.5 380%
Front Torsion 16.6 16.6 19.5 190%
Front Anti-roll 16 16 17 127%
Stock Leopard LeSled Change
Total Weight 1800 2600 3000 167% (from stock)
115% (from Leopard)
The Gordini pieces should put me back in the ballpark for how a car "should"
ride and handle. This swap will NOT give me ultra-tight,
weasel-in-a-drainpipe handling. Even the stock Gordini Turbo leans a bit
more than most sports cars (it's French, after all).
Since my final weight distribution and center-of-gravity height will also
influence the final outcome, ballpark suspension stiffness is all I expect
for now. I'll try it, and then tweak it if necessary with anti-roll bar
diameters later. I should also mention that a stiffness increase should be
matched with a damping increase. I have a set of Koni adjustable shocks
that should work nicely.
So, where did I get this stuff? I surfed around a bit for R5 info (try
Andrew Berridge's page for a good start
http://freespace.virgin.net/john.berridge1/Renault5s/index.html). Andrew
told me about Renault Turbo Spares in England, run by John Titterington.
They are a used parts supplier for all turbo models of Renaults. RTS has no
web page, but John can be reached at john.titterington@tinyonline.co.uk and
by voice/fax at 011-44-1254-886885 (011 is the code from the US). John was
quite helpful and patient. I was able to pick up my parts on a trip to
England, but he can ship to the US as well.
There are even stiffer parts out there from the R5 Alpine. The torsion bars
are a little stiffer and the anti-roll bars much more so. I'll use Alpine
anti-roll bars for "tuning". I stayed away from these at first because I
could only find them new and pricey. French Stuff at 818-244-2498 imports
these. Or if you want to go all out, see http://www.r-sport.net/ (may need
to reassemble link if it wraps). These guys are all-out racers. No prices
shown. If you have to ask....
When looking for this stuff, remember that different models are available
only in certain countries. What we in the US were told was an Alpine Turbo
is actually a rally car with the whole drivetrain moved to the back seat(!).
The R5 Alpine parts mentioned above come (I think?) from a French model.
Make sure you know what you're asking for. For example, anything from '85
on is the "new" R5 - a completely different car, with coil springs.
Some have wondered how an 1800 lb. R5 will survive as a 3000 lb. EV. It's a
valid concern in general, but this car looks like it will take it. The rear
pack is only growing by 80 lb. compared to a Leopard (105s to 145s). The
front pack will rest on two very substantial beams that support the engine
and suspension. Sheet metal needs to be cut and reshaped for the extra
front batteries, but not where it will affect structural strength.
Brakes are also an issue. A racer with an R5 told me his car had very
competitive brakes, using only stock components with racing linings and
cooling ducts. His weight is roughly half that of my EV, and his racing
speed is easily double my speeds. The energy the brakes have to dissipate
is proportional to weight and to the square of speed, so using his set-up
- should* give me brakes twice as good as I need. We'll see. If not, disc
brakes can be adapted for a price. Oh, and another racer trick - replace
your plastic-caged front wheel bearings with steel-caged versions if you
want them to last.
This is my first EV. I've heard how you're supposed to start slow and make
your mistakes cheaply. I just can't bring myself to do that. This car will
be a stretch for a newbie. But if it's successful, it will qualify as what
I would describe a "no excuses" EV - decent acceleration and speed, good
ride and handling, comfortable seating for four, a trunk, and 80+ miles of
range.
Wish me luck. And if anyone is interested in more arcane R5 trivia, feel
free to contact me offlist.
Chris
[edit] Insurance Groups
make & model series cc from to doors body fuel gearbox group
RENAULT 5 1 845 1977 1984 3 Petrol Manual 3
RENAULT 5 AUTO 1 1289 1978 1981 3 Petrol Automatic 6
1 1397 1981 1985 3 Petrol Automatic 7
1 1397 1981 1983 5 Petrol Automatic 7
2 1397 1985 1987 3 Petrol Automatic 7
2 1397 1985 1987 5 Petrol Automatic 7
3 1397 1987 1989 3 Petrol Automatic 7
3 1397 1987 1989 5 Petrol Automatic 7
RENAULT 5 AUTO PRIMA 3 1397 1989 1990 3 Petrol Automatic 7
3 1397 1989 1990 5 Petrol Automatic 7
RENAULT 5 CAMPUS 3 1108 1987 1992 3 Petrol Manual 4
3 1108 1987 1992 5 Petrol Manual 4
RENAULT 5 CAMPUS CAT 0 1390 1990 1992 3 Petrol Manual 4
RENAULT 5 CAMPUS PRIMA 0 1390 1992 1996 3 Petrol Manual 4
RENAULT 5 EVENT 3 1237 1988 1988 3 Petrol Manual 6
3 1237 1988 1988 5 Petrol Manual 6
RENAULT 5 FLAIR 0 1108 1983 1983 3 Petrol Manual 4
RENAULT 5 GORDINI 1 1397 1979 1982 3 Petrol Manual 13
RENAULT 5 GORDINI TURBO 1 1397 1982 1984 3 Petrol Manual 14
RENAULT 5 GT TURBO 2 1397 1986 1987 3 Petrol Manual 14
3 1397 1987 1991 3 Petrol Manual 14
RENAULT 5 GT TURBO RAIDER 3 1397 1989 1990 3 Petrol Manual 14
RENAULT 5 GTD DIESEL 0 1595 1986 1987 5 Diesel Manual 8
RENAULT 5 GTL 1 1108 1981 1984 3 Petrol Manual 4
1 1108 1981 1984 5 Petrol Manual 4
1 1289 1976 1981 3 Petrol Manual 6
1 1289 1979 1981 5 Petrol Manual 6
2 1397 1985 1987 3 Petrol Manual 7
2 1397 1985 1987 5 Petrol Manual 7
RENAULT 5 GTL 'LE CAR 2' 1 1108 1984 1985 3 Petrol Manual 4
1 1108 1984 1985 5 Petrol Manual 4
RENAULT 5 GTL AUTO 1 1289 1979 1981 5 Petrol Automatic 6
RENAULT 5 GTS 3 1397 1987 1989 3 Petrol Manual 7
3 1397 1987 1989 5 Petrol Manual 7
RENAULT 5 GTS PANACHE 2 1397 1986 1987 3 Petrol Manual 7
RENAULT 5 GTS PRIMA 3 1397 1989 1991 3 Petrol Manual 7
3 1397 1989 1991 5 Petrol Manual 7
RENAULT 5 GTX 3 1721 1987 1989 3 Petrol Manual 9
3 1721 1987 1989 5 Petrol Manual 9
RENAULT 5 GTX PRIMA 3 1721 1989 1990 3 Petrol Manual 9
3 1721 1989 1990 5 Petrol Manual 9
RENAULT 5 L 1 845 1972 1977 3 Petrol Manual
RENAULT 5 MONACO 3 1721 1988 1991 3 Petrol Manual 9
RENAULT 5 MONACO AUTO 3 1397 1988 1991 3 Petrol Automatic 7
RENAULT 5 PRIMA GTD 0 1595 1989 1990 5 Diesel Manual 8
RENAULT 5 PRIMA TD 0 1595 1989 1990 3 Diesel Manual 8
RENAULT 5 PRIMA TL 0 1108 1989 1991 3 Petrol Manual 4
RENAULT 5 PRIMA TR 0 1237 1989 1991 3 Petrol Manual 6
0 1237 1989 1991 5 Petrol Manual 6
RENAULT 5 SOLEIL 0 1108 1982 1982 3 Petrol Manual 4
RENAULT 5 TC 2 956 1985 1987 3 Petrol Manual 3
RENAULT 5 TC RIO BASE 2 956 1987 1987 3 Petrol Manual 3
RENAULT 5 TD DIESEL 0 1595 1987 1991 3 Diesel Manual 8
0 1595 1987 1991 5 Diesel Manual 8
RENAULT 5 TL 1 956 1972 1979 3 Petrol Manual
1 1108 1979 1984 3 Petrol Manual 4
1 1108 1980 1981 5 Petrol Manual 4
2 1108 1985 1987 3 Petrol Manual 4
2 1108 1985 1987 5 Petrol Manual 4
3 1108 1987 1989 3 Petrol Manual 4
RENAULT 5 TL 'LE CAR 2' 1 1108 1984 1985 3 Petrol Manual 4
1 1108 1984 1985 5 Petrol Manual 4
RENAULT 5 TL I-D 3 1108 1989 1989 3 Petrol Manual 4
RENAULT 5 TL RIO 2 1108 1987 1987 3 Petrol Manual 4
RENAULT 5 TR 3 1237 1987 1989 3 Petrol Manual 6
3 1237 1987 1989 5 Petrol Manual 6
RENAULT 5 TR ALLIANCE 3 1237 1989 1990 3 Petrol Manual 6
RENAULT 5 TR FAMOUS FIVE 3 1237 1990 1991 3 Petrol Manual 6
3 1237 1990 1991 5 Petrol Manual 6
RENAULT 5 TR I-D 3 1237 1989 1989 3 Petrol Manual 6
3 1237 1989 1989 5 Petrol Manual 6
RENAULT 5 TS 1 1289 1975 1981 3 Petrol Manual 6
1 1397 1981 1985 3 Petrol Manual 7
2 1397 1985 1986 3 Petrol Manual 7
RENAULT 5 TSE 2 1397 1985 1987 3 Petrol Manual 7
RENAULT 5 TURBO 1 1397 1982 1984 3 Petrol Manual 14
RENAULT 5 TURBO 'LE CAR 2' 1 1397 1984 1984 3 Petrol Manual 14
RENAULT 5 TX 1 1397 1982 1985 3 Petrol Manual 7
[edit] Crashed Renault Super 5 - Belgrade, Serbia
Crashed Super 5
[edit] The Band: Renault 5
Yes, there is a band called "Renault 5". See here, and select Renault 5 from the list of performers: [2]
Text on the page:
Renault 5
Style: Ska
Language: Bilingue / Bilingual
Trumpet, trombone and saxophone, Renault 5 will make you cheer, laugh, cry, dance, sing, sleep, hug, wash, meow, love and cheer. Did I already say "cheer" ? Like none other, this band is ready to give a mediocre show. The members are discouraged and would like to move to Nebraska.
