VTS rear axle to westcoast'ish saxo - Saxperience

PolishSaxoOwner · 4th January 2018, 00:43

Hey guys.
I own a phase2 euro style VTS'ish car - originally had a 1.4 engine, I bought it with 98hp VTR engine. It is lowered in the front.
It has ABS (from factory), thought drums in the rear and rear axle is narrower.
VTS's crash from time to time or are broken for parts in Poland too, and I've seen some decent looking VTS/VTR <most euro VT cars have ABS anyways) rear axles. Had no luck looking for one lately, thought if I had the opportunity, then a VTS axle with regeneration included would amount to around 1000-1300 PLN (220 in your shekels), which I guess is not too bad and would make sense to me.
That is, if it makes any sense practically.
Considering that it has the vtr engine in good condition, and overall is pretty healthy I guess It could be reasonable to change the axle to VTS one if i get a chance to grab one. Less hassle than for most of you, since your RHD westcoasts didn't have ABS, right? Also pl mechanics are wizards when it comes to refurbishing shit for relatively little money.
What would you guys do? Also considering that VT saxos are really rare in Poland.

welshpug · 4th January 2018, 06:58

axle is not narrower, but skinny wheels and drums may make wheel centres narrower.

what torsion bars and arb are in your axle?

PolishSaxoOwner · 4th January 2018, 08:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by welshpug

axle is not narrower, but skinny wheels and drums may make wheel centres narrower.

what torsion bars and arb are in your axle?

Im 99% sure it is the stock axle, with stock everything from a 1.4 VTS. From all the info I could gather it should be a bit stiffer than standard saxo suspension on LHD models and these cars had different gear ratios too. I don't know how this compares with rhd westcoasts.
I've only found the stock wheel track numbers for stock suspension on it which are:
front: 1381 mm rear: 1301 mm. It would kind of make sense why the front wheels look more like on "proper" VTR/VTS cars i see there in relation the the wheel arches, and rear are kinky like that from reading these numbers.

This is how the wheels I have look on it:
pic 1&2 - same 14" steels, just different angles and one photo has hubcaps:
https://imgur.com/rdwBc6A
https://imgur.com/cFjTMo2

pic 3 - stock 1.4 vts 14" alloys -
Couldn't find an UK model with these on google image search, pops up with 1.4 VTS thought. Also found their name using VIN search, which also included stock options list (copy&paste from the list - WHEEL STYLE: PAMPLONA TOWN 2 WHEEL) Searching with precisely that phrase returns photos of kick scooters or the gorgeous spanish town, thought I managed to find a diagram on some russian site with no data, just a drawing of a VTS wheel, VTR wheel and this one. Lost the link and couldn't find it since.

https://imgur.com/cFjTMo2

I can't find rim dimensions on either, as the steels are what they are - random steels for winter tires and the alloys have an odd name

There is a photo of a random 1.4 vts from an auction site with vtr wheels.
https://otomotopl-imagestmp.akamaize...js-sieradz.jpg
Looks the same on the rear, so I guess it has to be an issue with the drums.
Is it possible to swap the drums for discs? How about the handbrake linkage?

Is there any way to adjust the height on the stock rear axle?
From my limited knowledge there should be a way to set it further apart, which should make the car lower and perhaps the wheels further apart from each other. Is this correct?

So, in general - drums in the rear don't seem to matter that much in terms of performance, it is mostly a road car for me anyways.
Handles much better than a completely stock flatarch 1.1 or something saxo I had an opportunity to drive at one time, it is also stiffer and lower, but I guess it's still not as good as the pure VTR/VTS models.
Would for example putting on spacers on the rear versus putting a VTS axle on instead make a difference in terms of handling?
What if i leave it like it is?

PolishSaxoOwner · 4th January 2018, 08:34

Sorry, put wrong pic as pic 3

welshpug · 4th January 2018, 12:09

I think it'll be the narrow base model drums that pull the wheels in, the axle itself is the same.

PolishSaxoOwner · 4th January 2018, 12:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by welshpug

I think it'll be the narrow base model drums that pull the wheels in, the axle itself is the same.

So does it mean that it should be possible to easily swap to disc brakes?

welshpug · 4th January 2018, 12:16

yes, you would need the stub axles, brake caliper bracket, wheel bearing and any spacer that sits behind the bearing.

and discs and pads and pair of calipers, and new brake lines.

PolishSaxoOwner · 5th January 2018, 00:09

And if I wanted to go with the spacers, how big should they be? 20mm?

PolishSaxoOwner · 5th January 2018, 00:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by PolishSaxoOwner

And if I wanted to go with the spacers, how big should they be? 20mm?

I mean spacers alone

PolishSaxoOwner · 11th May 2018, 20:31

Guys im gonna post there so I don't open up another thread.

My drums are on their way out after winter, both sides lost threading on one hole due to rust so they have to come out.

Now this changing to discs thing. Are there any more things I need to know apart from what welshpug said?
I'll have it done by a shop anyways, but I want to make sure I understand everything.
What needs to be done to the handbrake setup?
What about the ABS electronics, sensors, other magical implements (I seriously don't know).
Are they the same if the car came with drums originally?