suspension ARIEL ATOM 2 2006 Owners Manual

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

3

SPECIFICATION OVERVIEW


Engine Type:
General Motors: GM Ecotec LSJ
Honda : K20A

Transmission:
General Motors: 5-speed synchromesh with limited slip differential
Honda: 6-speed synchromesh with limited slip differential

Vehicle Capacity: 2 people

Safety Harness Restrictions: Individuals must be over 88 lbs (40 kg) and over 4 ft . 11 in. (150 cm) tall

Curb Weight: 1350 lbs (612.36 kg)

Body: Fiberglass composite, or carbon fiber composite

Suspension Type: Multilink Independent with pushrod actuation

Wheel Size: Front: 15 x 7.0 in. + 35 mm offset, Rear: 16 x 7.0 in. + 38 mm offset

Tire Pressure: (recommended) 18 PSIG Front, 20 PSIG Rear

Fuel Type/Capacity: Premium fuel, 9.7 gallons (36.7 liters)

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.

35

FLUID LEVELS & TYPES FOR ATOMS WITH GM ENGINES
Fluid levels (GM engines)

Engine oil capacity: 6 quarts (5.20 L)
Transmission oil capacity: 67 ounces / 2.1 quarts (189 grams/1.99 L)
Brake fluid reservoir capacity: Fill to the indicated capacity line on the reservoir
Fuel tank capacity: 9.7 gallons (36.7 L)
Cooling system capacity: 2.75 gallons (10.395 L)
Supercharger after cooler coolant: 2 in. (apx.) below the filler cap when hot
Front lower A-arm ball joint grease: As needed

Fluid types (GM engines)
Engine oil: Mobil 1™ Synthetic 5-30
Transmission oil: Saturn Manual Transmission Lubricant
(The use of standard GL-4 lubricant is not recommended. )
Brake fluid: Dot 4
Clutch fluid: Dot 4
Fuel: Premium Unleaded
Cooling system: Dexcool (Dilute with water 50:50 if not pre-dilute d)
Supercharger after cooler coolant: Dexcool
Front lower A-arm ball joint grease: High quality bearing/suspension grease

36

FLUID LEVELS & TYPES FOR ATOMS WITH HONDA ENGINES

Fluid levels (Honda engines)

Engine oil capacity: 5.5 quarts (5.20 L)
Transmission oil capacity: 64 oz/2.1 quarts (189 grams/1.99 L)
Brake fluid reservoir capacity : Fill to the indicated capacity line on the reservoir
Fuel tank capacity: 9.7 gallons (36.7 L)
Cooling system capacity: 2.75 gallons (10.395 L)
Front lower A-arm ball joint grease: As needed

Fluid types (Honda engines)
Engine oil: 5-30 Conventional oil
Transmission oil: Honda/Acura Manual Transmission Fluid
Brake fluid: Dot 4
Clutch fluid: Dot 4
Fuel: Premium Unleaded
Cooling system: Acura/Honda Anti Freeze Coolant Type 2 (only avai lable premixed)
Front lower A-arm ball joint grease: High quality bearing/suspension grease

47

SUSPENSION ADJUSTMENTS


Suspension Settings
Setting Front Rear
Ride Height 133.35 mm (5.25 in.) from lowest
part of A-arm pivot 106.35 mm (4.1875 in.) from bottom center of rear
most chassis tube under transmission Camber
-1 degree -1 degree 15 mins Toe 1 mm (.040 in.) toe out each side 1.5 mm (.059 in.) toe out each side Tire Pressure
18 PSI, 12 PSI minimum 20 PSI, 12 PSI minimum

49

VEHICLE RIDE HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT
If the vehicle ride height must be adjusted, you must use the spring platform/perch on the shock body instead
of the suspension pushrod. This is also the proper method for adjusting corner weighting during suspension
set-up. Adjusting ride height with the pushrod will ne gatively affect your vehicle's suspension and bellcrank
geometry.

50

DAMPER ADJUSTMENT
Your Ariel Atom comes with one of three damper options: (1) Rebound Adjustable, (2) Compression/Rebound
Adjustable, or (3) Compression/Rebound Dial Adjustable. Your vehicle will arrive to you with dampers set and
vehicle corner weighted from the factory. Adjusting t he suspension will require you to re-corner weight the
vehicle and should only be done for fine-tuning or pe rsonal driving preferences.

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.

57

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR THE ARIEL ATOM 2

SCHEDULE IV: INITIAL 300 MILES (480 KM)
Component Service/Operation
Engine Oil
Check and fill as necessary. Engine 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
Inspect before every track event and change if nece ssary. Transmission Fluid
No service required. Brake Fluid
Check level; fill as required. Brake Rotors Inspect and replace when thickness decreases to 19m
m, 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. 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.