wheel 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

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)

14

JACKING UP THE CAR
The use of wheel chocks or blocks is required when ja cking up the car.
Jack stand locations are suitable for full lift and sin gle end elevated requirements.
Use care to not damage the radiator or after cooler r adiator when positioning jack.

Use rags or cardboard between the jack and the frame, as well as between the jack stands and frame,
to avoid scratching the frame’s finish.

Procedures:
1. Position the floor jack directly under the front lo wer A-arm bushing bracket.
2. Locate the jack stands on right and left sides of car directly under the longitudal tube of lower chassis.
3. Locate one of the jack stands directly under the rea r bottom cross member as far to the left side as
possible.
4. Position the floor jack directly under the rear bot tom cross member at the centerline of car.
5. Locate one of the jack stands directly under the rea r bottom cross member as far to the right side as
possible.



Never get under your vehicle when it is only supported by a jack.

21

PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTMENT


There are two adjustment points on your vehicle’s par king brake assembly, the parking brake actuator and th e
cable slack. Refer to the photos on the following page . To adjust the assembly:

1. Place chocks or blocks in front and in back of the fr ont wheels to prevent the car from rolling.
2. Place the parking brake handle in the forward-most position and put the car in neutral.
3. Jack up the rear of your Atom until the rear whee ls are clear of the ground.
4. Place safety stands under the car.
5. Ensure that the car is stable.
6. Make sure that there is a little slack in the cables where they exit their covers at the rear of the car near
the rear axle.
7. Take a 1/4 in. Allen wrench and turn the internal hex bolt in the center of the large end of the parking
brake application lever clockwise until the wheel cannot be turned by hand. (Track & Race package.)
8. Turn the Allen bolt counter-clockwise about 1/16 of a turn. At this point the parking brake is initialized
and the cables can be adjusted.
9. Loosen the locknut on the cable housings with a 9/16 in. wrench and screw the adjuster barrel counter-
clockwise until there is less than 1/2 in. of vertical sla ck in the cable.
10. Tighten the locknut while holding the cable housi ng stable with a 1/2 in. wrench.

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.

24

WHEELS




Team Dynamic Team Dynamic Dymag
Pro Race 1.2 Pro Race 2.0
12-Spoke 5-Spoke “webbed ends” 5-Spoke Magnesium
15 x 7 +35mm offset 15 x 7 +35mm offset 15 x 7 +3 5mm offset
16 x 7 +38mm offset 16 x 7 +38mm offset 16 x 8 +3 8mm offset
Wheel nut type: M12 x 1.5mm Wheel nut type: M12 x 1 .5mm Wheel nut type: M12 x 1.5mm
Lug nut torque: 80 ft-lbs Lug nut torque: 80 ft-lb s Lug nut torque: 80 ft-lbs

37

GM ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK/FILL LOCATIONS

For Atoms with GM engines, the dipstick is located ju st forward of the right rear wheel.

48

A-ARM ADJUSTMENT
A-Arm adjustments are made with the double threaded "adjustment thimbles" (see photograph) which are
located on both the front and rear upper A-arms for u se in adjusting wheel camber. The same mechanism can
be found at the rear lower A-arm for toe adjustment . The adjustment thimbles are secured with lock nuts whi ch
must be re-tightened after any adjustments are made. The vehicle must be re-aligned after any camber
adjustment is made.

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.