CVT, CV, Chain, FNR questions

[s1eeper]

I've been surfing the forum for a few weeks now just getting a feel for how this all works. Boise State is participating in the western comp and our all rookie team is pressing hard into the design of the buggy; I am on the driveline group. Its a challenge since we don't have an old car to use as reference. Usually I've found good answers and these are ones that I couldn't answer with the search function.

1. We have a new Polaris CVT, drive and driven:
ASM-DRIVE,CLUTCH,LOW,BASIC (1322359)
ASM.,CLUTCH,DRIVEN,HVY RET (1322180)
I have been unable to find a spec sheet for these and would like to know the ratio range it covers, as well as the center to center dimensions.

The comet 40 series looked like a promising alternative but the ratio's are too narrow. I'm looking for a less than 1:1 high and greater than 3:1 low. Unless anyone can think of a way around this (gearing, tires?).

I know there's other brands but I'm having a heck of a time finding the CVTech website, let alone a retailer. Anyone know the site name?
Other brands sites I've found:
http://www.gagedengineering.com/
http://www.hoffcocomet.com/comet/index.asp

2. I pulled some Polaris rear bearing housings with outer CV joints from a salvage yard and don't know what to use as an inner joint. Options are the ball type CV, tripod CV or ujoint. The rear suspension is a multi-link which I do not know if it will require plunge on the axles.

3. Read the chain post from earlier, so #40 chain will not hold up? What is the most readily available that meets the strength requirements of the mini-baja?

4. Due to our rookiness, we do not plan on using any sort of gear box, just a chain drive final off the driven jackshaft. How many times has reverse helped in competition? If we can get a functioning car done soon enough we are going to try building our own and upgrade later.

Thanks and I'm glad to see we aren't the only rookies out there.

[jeiB]

hey,

im on a baja team as well, so i know a few things.

1. there is also the CVTech CVT (from Canada), very good and tunable. Most of the teams from Quebec region use it. Its also dirt cheap ($100 without shipping for a 250$ clutch)
The new model is 3:1 low and 0.43 high (although im not sure if its torque or speed based)

2. i have seen all three being used. we have used the cv joints from a sportsman 300 (big but reliable). we are going for rzr cv this year.

3. im not familar with chains but there are calculations u can do to make sure the chain can handle the torque.

4. reverse really depends on the competition u go to. For example, last year in oregon (and 2yrs before that), a reverse gear would be VERY useful especially in the rock crawl section. But personally, i dont liek have a reverse, makes things more complicated for something that you may never use

gl

Jeremie