Ariel.Club Forum

That sounds really good, would love to join you :)

My cars back now so just need to sort a track day so you can see the sequential in action.

Think the manual may be a better choice for a mainly road car though (although I would do sadev)

Will be in touch

Cheers

Stuart  :vroom: :vroom:

I like the idea of the sequential, but even the suppliers of the Sadev were unsure if they should suggest this is a great choice for what will be mainly a road car, in relatively regular use

..... Then there's the cost.

My first atom will be manual :)

[quote="dc5ian"]
i looked into sequential and dog boxes as my gearbox needed a full overhaul.

i wouldnt get the quaife, i know someone who has blown a few up, even with an ignition cut before every gear change.

the sadev its ridiculous amounts of money.

left this one
[url=http://www.eliseparts.com/products/show/85/1289/6-speed-sequential-gearbox/]http://www.eliseparts.com/products/show/85/1289/6-speed-sequential-gearbox/[/url]

but i still couldn't justify the money yet, and with 400bhp, 330ftlb i didnt wanna risk spending 12k on something that wouldn't last.
i ended up changing the gearbox internals from a honda accord which have longer ratios. im geared to 217mph and can do 67mph in 2nd gear so my 0-60 times must be really quick.
[/quote]


Well, this one is interesting.
If you think a Sadev is expensive, try speccing a Xtrac ;)

In fact a Sadev is not more expensive than the Eliseparts one, what will make it more expensive is due to the fact that the EP one was designed from the beginning as a straight swap for the Honda box, when a Sadev is universal and will fit anything. The EP one is a well designed product apparently, just a bit heavy.

Sadev gearboxes are very good, not state of the art, but very close to and they have the huge benefit of being widely used in Europe.
There's also now a higher torque version of the ST82 which would have been the best choice for the V8 if it existed at that time (lighter and faster than the older ST90).

It could be that I end up (maybe) with the 3.5R Manual, it's certainly a lot more affordable, and probably more saleable too when I come to sell it. It's obviously likely to be a better all rounder for general use. I have to get some serious gear change practise in, my heel and toe is far from good ! :(

[quote="PAJ"]
As a biker, and someone that thinks most cars are woefully slow
[/quote]

Most passengers I've driven fall into two camps.  Car drivers think it's mind boglingly fast.  And most bikers thing it corners amazingly.  It makes sense when you think about it.

So perhaps, if you're a biker, the paddle shift and extra grunt will be all but wasted... but then I think (really stretching my memory) the 3.5R has slightly wider rears... which will surely help the cornering.

I'm looking forward to it. As a biker, and someone that thinks most cars are woefully slow and uninteresting, enjoying a little character, and hoping for something I can take off in for trips to Europe, I hope the atom fits the bill as a relatively rare 'talking point' that I'm going to plan to use as much as I can.

I'll post my thoughts and experience when I'm back. Hopefully they've got demonstrators of what I'd like to try. Ie, a 310 manual..... And if the 3.5R Sequential is there

Ok will be interesting to hear your thoughts and the answers you get

Stuart

Thanks Stuart. I go to the factory on Thursday.... Armed with questions

Many thanks

Hi Paul

I have had 4 atoms the first 3 with manual gearboxes the current one with the Sadev.

Long term and regular mileage i can't really comment as all my Atoms have neen track cars and whilst i have probably done lots of track mileage non of my cars have done serious road mileage.

I think you should ask the factory regarding the gearbox as any maintenance is gearbox out and back to SWR Motorsport (UK Sadev Agent) for rebuild. (which wont be cheap)

If you visit the Sadev site i'm sure they talk about rebuilds at fairly low mileage but i would guess that is based on track / race use rather than road.

Ariel fitted the Sadev to the 500 but i would doubt any of those have done higher mileage.

I dont think we will know how it stands up for a few years yet as only a handful of cars out there.

I think most performance cars Ferrari/Porsche/Aston/Lambo etc have gone paddles/sequential and manuals a thing of the past )Just my view please dont shoot me!!!!)

Good Luck with your choice.

Cheers

Stuart  :vroom:

Interesting about the drive ability and improvement with the remap, thanks for the info

Stewart, regarding the sequential, I'm keen to have an 'all round' choice, which may well in the end be the manual, but I think you've had more than one sequential gearboxes in atoms ? How many miles have you done with them, and could you see it being reliable during road use. How about tackling a euro tour (ignoring the fact that the manual in easier to live with) can you see the Sadev standing up to typical all-round use and a good few thousand miles a year ? It doesn't sound easy or cheap to repair ? Or realistically, is it still repairable by a motorsport specialist within the realms of reasonable affordability ?

Paul

[quote="Atomstew"]
What about DDM works twin charged (turbo & supercharged) with 700hp.

[url=http://www.ddmworks.com/Ariel-Atom-700_ep_41.html.]http://www.ddmworks.com/Ariel-Atom-700_ep_41.html.[/url]

Has to be the most powerful to date.

:vroom:
Stew
[/quote]


wasnt that the one that couldn't put any of the power down.

at 400bhp i can pretty much nail it in 2nd gear without too much wheel spin. i couldnt imagine 700bhp. i need a new manifold if i want to max out the turbo and hit the 500 bhp mark, i wouldn't go past that to be honest.

What about DDM works twin charged (turbo & supercharged) with 700hp.

[url=http://www.ddmworks.com/Ariel-Atom-700_ep_41.html.]http://www.ddmworks.com/Ariel-Atom-700_ep_41.html.[/url]

Has to be the most powerful to date.

:vroom:
Stew

Some of the maddest modified Atoms must be those created by the Swedes - some of those cars are just manic - I seem to recall one of the turbo charged cars that was driven from Sweden all the way to Guadix was well over 400bhp

[quote="PAJ"]
I'm the OP, derail at will !!
[/quote]

Good answer.....very keen to see the curves, especially post safety recall  :vroom: