maintenance ARIEL ATOM 2 2006 Owners Manual

iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Non-Liability of Manufacturer.................................................................................................... 1
Using This Manual.................................. .................................................................................... 2
Specification Overview ............................. ................................................................................. 3
Vehicle Layout ..................................... ....................................................................................... 4
Dash Layout........................................ ........................................................................................ 5
Safety Harnesses ................................... ................................................................................. 6-7
On-board Extinguisher System ....................... .......................................................................... 8
Start Sequence ..................................... ...................................................................................... 9
Shift Patterns ..................................... ......................................................................................... 10
Vehicle Run-in Procedures .......................... .............................................................................. 11
Brake Bedding Procedures ........................... ............................................................................ 12
Jack Points ........................................ ......................................................................................... 13
Jacking up the Car ................................. .................................................................................... 14
Tie Down Points for Transporting Your Ariel Atom ... .............................................................. 15
Brake Packages..................................... ................................................................................ 16-20
Parking Brake Adjustments.......................... ........................................................................ 21-22
Tire & Wheel Maintenance ........................... .............................................................................. 23
Wheels ............................................. ........................................................................................... 24
Drivetrains ........................................ ..................................................................................... 25-28
Engine Mount Specifications ........................ ............................................................................ 29
Electrical Specifications .......................... .................................................................................. 30
Fuse Panels ........................................ ................................................................................... 31-34

iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Fluid Levels & Types for GM Engines....................................................................................... 35
Fluid Levels & Types for Honda Engines ............. .................................................................... 36
GM Oil Dipstick/Fill Locations ..................... .............................................................................. 37
Honda Oil Dipstick/Fill Locations.................. ............................................................................ 38
Dip Stick Indicator for Honda Engines .............. ....................................................................... 39
Adding & Changing Engine Coolant ................... ................................................................. 40-42
Transmission Oil ................................... ..................................................................................... 43
Body Panel Removal & Installation.................. ......................................................................... 44
Air Filter Removal & Installation .................. ........................................................................ 45-46
Suspension Adjustments ............................. ............................................................................. 47
A-Arm Adjustment................................... ................................................................................... 48
Vehicle Ride Height Adjustment ..................... .......................................................................... 49
Damper Adjustment .................................. ................................................................................. 50
Seat Adjustments ................................... .................................................................................... 51
Tow Points ......................................... ......................................................................................... 52
Maintenance Schedules .............................. .......................................................................... 53-58
GM Engine Replacement Part Information ............. ............................................................. 59-60
Honda Engine Replacement Part Information .......... ........................................................... 61-62
Brake Pad Options .................................. .............................................................................. 63-66
Standard Paint Codes .............................. .................................................................................... 67
Service Notes ...................................... .................................................................................. 68-70
Track Notes ........................................ ................................................................................... 71-73

2

USING THIS MANUAL
The Ariel Atom 2 Owner’s Manual provides you with an overview of the primary compone nts and suggested
general maintenance of your vehicle. Each vehicle may be equipped differently, depending on the options you
selected when you “built” your Atom. If the manual do es not provide needed information about your vehicle,
please contact Brammo Motorsports for assistance.
Your Atom is equipped with either a General Motors (GM) Ecotec LSJ, or a Honda K20A Engine .
Information on a page, or in a section, pertaining sp ecifically to either the GM or the Honda engine will be
clearly indicated.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION


Read this manual before driving your vehicle. Some of the information needs
ongoing and close attention and is labeled as follows:
NOTES indicate a unique comment or explanation. They will b e written in italics. WARNINGS & CAUTIONS are in red, and/or are labeled with a
symbol.

6

SAFETY HARNESSES



Your vehicle is equipped with a SCHROTH safety harness system. Your harness must be worn, adjusted and
maintained properly. Demonstrations and instruction s regarding the effective and safe use of your racing
harnesses are included in the SCHROTH on-line user manu al, which you will find on the CD in your Ariel Atom
Owner’s Packet. Reading and adhering to the informa tion in the SCHROTH on-line user manual is imperative
for the safety of drivers and passengers of your vehicle. Information on the CD includes but is not limited to:

Wearing, adjusting and releasing the racing harness
Anchorage locations and geometries
Belt routing
Overview of the Anti Submarining Mechanism (ASM®)
Care and maintenance of the harnesses
Replacement information (Harnesses must be replaced be fore the expiration date listed on the label.)

To access the on-line user manual:
1. Insert the CD into your disk drive
2. Open the SCHROTH CD Rom folder
3. Open the folder titled “English”
4. Open the HTML document titled “main.htm”
5. Click on “Installation and Instructions”
6. Open each folder in the left column for instructio ns and information

WARNING: SCHROTH racing harnesses are designed for individuals weighing more than 88 lbs
(40 kg), and with a height greater than 4 ft. 11 in . (150 cm).

23

TIRE & WHEEL MAINTENANCE
NOTE: Due to a wide range of driving conditions and techni ques, tire maintenance will vary.
Ariel Atoms are equipped with ultra high performan ce, wet/dry (not all-season) tires. Tire sizes are:
Front 195/50R/15 or 205/50R15 Rear 225/45R16 or 225/45R16
Front tire pressures of 18 PSI, and rear tire pressu res of 20 PSI are the recommended tire pressures for
most applications. Minimum and maximum tire pressures ar e listed on the sidewall of the tires.
Drivers should inspect tires for proper pressure and tre ad wear before every track event. A wide range of
wear patterns are possible due to different driving co nditions.

If you are losing traction it may be time to change t he tires.
Suspension settings may affect tire wear patterns.
Grainy tread may indicate a suspension issue.
Tires may last up to 20,000 miles (32,000 km) under conservative driving conditions or as little as 300
miles (480 km) for track conditions.

The wheels should be re-torqued before every track eve nt. The lug nut torque is 80 ft-lbs.
Most Atoms have different size tires on the front an d the back, and cannot be rotated. If you car’s tires a re
the same size, rotate them every 500-1,000 miles (800- 1600 km). Dismount the tires from the wheels
before rotating them.

46

AIR FILTER REMOVAL & INSTALLATION (PLASTIC INTAKE)

If your car is equipped with a GM engine that was purch ased after November 2006, it may have a plastic intake
and require one additional step for removal.
Follow the previous instructions, and then remove the a ir filter retaining clip after the snorkel is removed. This
step will not require any tools.



NOTE: The Filtercharger® element must be cleaned and serviced with K&N cleaner and air filter oil per the
prescribed routine maintenance procedures as outlined in the product literature that accompanies the
Filtercharger®. For additional information, refer t o the K&N “Helpful Hints” document in your Owner’s Packet .

53

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

The following schedules describe the maintenance require d for your Atom. Your vehicle is dependent on these
services to retain its safety and dependability. Refer to the Fluid Level/Fluid Type sections on pages 35-36
and the Replacement Part sections on pages 59-62 for qu antities and product types. Refer to the specific
component sections for locations, descriptions and/or accessing instructions.

Schedule I: General Reference
Refer to this schedule as an overall guide for perfor ming specific operations at specific mileage intervals.

Schedule II: Before Every Track Event
Follow the steps in this schedule before every track even t. Follow this schedule in conjunction with the other
schedules.


Schedule III: Initial 50 Miles (80 km)
Follow the steps in this schedule immediately following the initial 50 miles (80 km) of driving your vehicle.


Schedule IV: Initial 300 Miles (480 km)
Follow the steps in this schedule immediately following the initial 300 miles (480 km) of driving your vehicle.


Schedule V: Every 1,000 Miles (1,600 km)
Refer to this schedule at every 1,000 mile (1,600 km) interval of driving your vehicle.
Follow this schedule in
conjunction with schedules I & II.

54

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR THE ARIEL ATOM 2

SCHEDULE I: GENERAL REFERENCE

Component Service/Operation
Engine Oil
Check before every track event or every 1,000 miles (1,600 km). Change as necessary. Engine Oil Filter
Replace during every oil change. Engine Coolant
Check before every track event. Replace every 30,0 00 miles (48,000 km). Supercharger
Aftercooler Coolant Check before every track event. Replace every 30,0
00 miles (48,000 km). Air Filter Check before every track event. Clean and oil ever
y 5,000 miles (8,000 km). The Filtercharger®
element must be cleaned and serviced with K&N clean er and air filter oil per the prescribed routine
maintenance procedures as outlined in the product l iterature that accompanies the Filtercharger®. Spark Plugs
Inspect before every track event and change if nece ssary. Transmission Fluid
Inspect for leaks before every track event; change every 10,000 miles (16,000 km). Brake Fluid
Inspect levels, condition, and any leakage before e very track event. Brake Rotors Replace when thickness decreases to 19mm, when puls
ation is noted, or if cracking or other physical
damage is found during inspection. Refer to the br ake bedding procedures on page12. Brake Pads Inspect for pad damage, thickness issues or deterio
ration before every event. Replace brake pads
when brake rotors are replaced. Refer to the brake bedding procedures on page12. Brake Hoses &
Lines Inspect brake lines for rubbing, scraping, or any d
amage. Fuel Lines &
Connections Inspect lines for rubbing or scraping before every
track event. Exhaust System Use a wrench to inspect flange bolts for tightness
every 5,000 miles (8,000 km), check gaskets at
this time. Tires
Inspect tires for proper pressure and tread wear be fore and after every track event. Wheels Check wheel nut torque after the first 50 miles (80
km) of operation and before every track event
thereafter. Ensure lug nut torque is 80 ft-lbs. Drive Belt
Check belt for cracking or abnormal wear every 3,00 0 miles (4,800 km). Rod Ends Inspect rods ends on Push Rods, Steering Rods, and
A-Arms for any signs of fatiguing or wear,
replace if parts appear worn. Verify that all chec k nuts are tight on all rod ends.

55

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR THE ARIEL ATOM 2

SCHEDULE II: BEFORE EVERY TRACK EVENT
Component Service/Operation
Engine Oil
Check before every track event. Change as necessar y. Engine Oil Filter
Replace during every oil change. Engine Coolant
Check before every track event. Supercharger
Aftercooler Coolant Check before every track event.
Air Filter
Check before every track event. Spark Plugs
Inspect before every track event and change if nece ssary. Transmission Fluid
Inspect for leaks before every track event. Brake Fluid
Inspect levels, condition, and any leakage before e very track event. Brake Rotors Refer to the Brake Bedding Procedures on page12. I
nspect and replace when thickness decreases
to 19mm, when pulsation is noted, or if cracking or other physical damage is found during inspection.

Brake Pads Inspect for pad damage, thickness issues or deterio
ration. Replace brake pads when brake rotors
are replaced. Refer to the brake bedding procedure s on page12. Brake Hoses &
Lines Inspect brake lines for rubbing, scraping, or any d
amage. Fuel Lines &
Connections Inspect lines for rubbing or scraping before every
track event. Exhaust System
Visually inspect exhaust flange bolts for tightness and/or damage. Tires
Inspect tires for proper pressure and tread wear be fore and after every track event. Wheels
Ensure lug nut torque is 80 ft-lbs. Drive Belt
Check for abnormal wear. Rod Ends Inspect rods ends on Push Rods, Steering Rods, and
A-Arms for any signs of fatiguing or wear,
replace if parts appear worn. Verify that all chec k nuts are tight on all rod ends.

56

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR THE ARIEL ATOM 2

SCHEDULE III: INITIAL 50 MILES (80 KM)
Component Service/Operation
Engine Oil
Check and fill as necessary. Engine Oil Filter
No service required. Engine Coolant
Check and fill as necessary. Supercharger
Aftercooler Coolant Check and fill as necessary.
Air Filter
No service required. Spark Plugs
No service required. Transmission Fluid
No service required. Brake Fluid
Check level. Fill as necessary. Brake Rotors
Refer to the brake bedding procedures on page12. Brake Pads
Refer to the brake bedding procedures on page12. Brake Hoses &
Lines Inspect brake lines for rubbing, scraping, or any d
amage. Fuel Lines &
Connections Inspect for damage.
Exhaust System Visually inspect exhaust flange bolts for tightness
and/or damage, check gaskets visually to ensure
they have not developed a leak. Tires
Inspect for any unusual tread wear. Wheels
Ensure lug nut torque is 80 ft-lbs. Drive Belt
Check for abnormal wear. Rod Ends Inspect rods ends on Push Rods, Steering Rods, and
A-Arms for any signs of fatiguing or wear,
replace if parts appear worn. Verify that all chec k nuts are tight on all rod ends. We recommend
replacement of all suspension rod ends at 3000mi or sooner based upon driving habits.