For sale rally VX.

[Joe_Black]

Joe,
About the other rally VX that you were interested in, was it a manual tranny?
MUA-5 perhaps?

It was the exact same VX that's currently offered. Maybe the previous deal fell through or the new owner is selling. But I have heard that the rally versions used the current Trooper 5-speed and the TOD had a selector switch wired in to choose pre-set front/rear ratios in addition to auto.

Thanks for the Seariders link Transio! I've put in a request to them for RORO and container shipping with the VX info based on Nagoya as the originating port (where the VX was previously). I'll post what I find out!

[mbeach]

But I have heard that the rally versions used the current Trooper 5-speed and the TOD had a selector switch wired in to choose pre-set front/rear ratios in addition to auto.

That would be an awesome setup. I've been researching the manual swap as part of my ongoing quest for legal and reliable power (without gaining weight). I had assumed that the 5mt Troopers used a MUA/MSG-5 with an integrated T-case and the TOD was not an option.

Please buy this one if you can get it here -I'd love to see you reverse engineer the suspension and drivetrain for the rest of us.

[Joe_Black]

Please buy this one if you can get it here -I'd love to see you reverse engineer the suspension and drivetrain for the rest of us.

LOL! I tried the first time it was for sale and the shipping killed the deal. Now it's not a good time, as much as I'd love to have it. After reviewing video of the last rallycross with my VX I decided to switch back to the XR4Ti and purchased two additional cars for rally. As much fun as the VX is, I push it too hard and would likely roll it if I were to continue campaigning it.

However, in my much delayed mod-project list is a relatively simple conversion to our suspension to use more common eye-to-eye shocks like rally Bilstein and Fox units. Doing the dual-shock setup as pictured on the rally VX is even simpler as all they've done is mount two OEM top brackets in there and the matching receivers at the wheel. You've just got to be sure the geometry is right for the anticipated travel before welding everything up, ideally using a template for accuracy and repeat installation.

[mbeach]

The eye-to-eye conversion is no problem, and I would most likely do it even with the dual shock configuration. For the sake of more shock options if anything else.

I found it interesting that all of the race versions that I saw retained the torsion bar front end. The Geolandar version had rear coilovers, but nothing too exotic up front.

How is your sway bar project working out anyways?

[Jonnie]

It was the exact same VX that's currently offered. Maybe the previous deal fell through or the new owner is selling. But I have heard that the rally versions used the current Trooper 5-speed and the TOD had a selector switch wired in to choose pre-set front/rear ratios in addition to auto.

Thanks for the Seariders link Transio! I've put in a request to them for RORO and container shipping with the VX info based on Nagoya as the originating port (where the VX was previously). I'll post what I find out!

Gawd, I want a 5 speeed.

Jonnie

[transio]

Gawd, I want a 5 speeed.

I second that. Or even a 6 speed!

[Joe_Black]

How is your sway bar project working out anyways?

That one moved to the end of the line as it represented the least improvement for the most money. What really clinched that opinion was reviewing photos and video from the rallysprint Heraclid and I competed in last year. I pushed the VX harder than I ever had, speeds over 80MPH, and over half of the course was asphalt including a GP-style flat course. The VX's exhibited very little body roll and stayed very plated, opting to slide rather than hop when losing traction to momentum. Stiffer sway-bars would've produced more hop and possibly roll-over.

Photos can be found on my site here: http://www.rallyrebels.com/Media/ERS100904.asp

[dutchie]

If one of you guys is really interested, I can get a quote for shipping this baby to the US.
I have to know which port it's supposed to arrive, the weight and overal dimensions.
The car is for sale on Yahoo auction, which means as much that someone has to bid, pick up the car and put it on the boat.
I'd love seeing someone actually racing this thing!

[MachineVX]

I'd love that 5 spd, too. I wonder if there's a way to retrofit one to the VX!

[Joe_Black]

I'd love that 5 spd, too. I wonder if there's a way to retrofit one to the VX!

You bet! The VX has the points to mount the clutch pedal and associated hardware, so just find a late-model 5-speed Trooper and raid the parts. The big issue is a sensor controller to replace the feed from the 4L30E, but that's not major and has been done to some degree by others who have hacked the TOD.

[Joe_Black]

I'd love seeing someone actually racing this thing!

The only issue is it would have to be imported as a race car, which means after 3 - 5 years (depending if you pay duty) it has to be either exported or destroyed. There is a way around this, but it involves getting a salvage title from a donor VX and perhaps the donor as well depending on how good your relationship is with the local scrapper. So that caveat is something to consider for those contemplating import.

[dutchie]

The only issue is it would have to be imported as a race car,

Why it's streetlegal, so why not import it as a "normal" car...or are there problems involved with the fact that it's a righty?

[Joe_Black]

US vehicle importation is extremely restrictive. It would have to be fully converted before shipping to comply with current emissions and safety requirements in addition to the left-hand drive change. As a race vehicle it's just a one-page form and a couple stamps.

[Bulldoggie]

Why it's streetlegal, so why not import it as a "normal" car...or are there problems involved with the fact that it's a righty?

When I was overseas, (Japan) We saw alot of cute cars /trucks we thought would be fun to ship home. The right hand drive is a problem, but the headlights on a RH drive point to the wrong side of the road. Safetyglass not up to U.S. standards, different emission standards, and just plain U.S. protectionism for products made is U.S.A. (including all lamps).....
It was too much to believe!
I still remember this cute little Suzuki, Two-Stroke, 6-speed that was faster and SMALLER than the old Honda 6oo's (air cooled, Honda's very first import)

[transio]

you can import just about anything if you separate body from drivetrain and put it back together. registered as a kit car.