engine ARIEL ATOM 2 2006 Owners Manual

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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.

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)

5

DASH LAYOUT



The LCD panel includes readings for the total mileage , the trip odometer, the water temperature and the fuel
gauge. The fuel gauge will flash when the tank is app roaching empty. The panel settings are pre-programmed.
If you wish to modify the default settings, please con tact Brammo Motorsports for programming instructions.

NOTE: If your vehicle is equipped with non-canceling tur n signals, they must be cancelled manually.
1. Tachometer
2. Immobilizer
3. Charge System Warning
4. Parking Brake Indicator
5. Left Turn Signal
6. High Beam Indicator Light
7. Right Turn Signal
8. Lighting Indicator
9. Oil Pressure W arning
10. Speedometer
11. Turn Signal Switch
12. Horn
13. Engine Start Button
14. Ignition Power Switch
15. Emergency Flashers Button
16. Fog/Rain/Light
17. Marker/Lighting Selector/High
Beams
18. LCD Panel
19. Dash Programming Button

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VEHICLE RUN-IN PROCEDURES
Your vehicle does not need an elaborate break-in; however, it will perform better in the long run if you follow
these guidelines: Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast or slow, for the first 500 miles (800 km).
Do not make full-throttle starts.
Do not exceed 5,000 engine RPM.
Avoid downshifting to brake or slow the vehicle.

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GM DRIVETRAINS

The Ecotec 2.0L SC (Supercharged) is compact and lightw eight, and its Eaton M62 Supercharger adds 40
percent more power to the Ecotec 2.0L engine compared to a naturally aspirated version. The M62
supercharger utilizes a helical roots compressor and integr al pressure control, producing a maximum of 12-19
PSI of boost. The boosted intake flow exits into an all-new matched intake manifold with an integral air- to-
liquid heat exchange intake charge cooler system. A comp act single-track, six-rib belt supercharger drive
system utilizes a linear tensioning device to further st rengthen the already impressive system performance and
durability. A microprocessor manages the M62 supercharge r, fuel, direct spark delivery systems and the
engine’s 68-mm Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system . ETC delivers outstanding throttle response,
improved reliability and better integration with cru ise control electronics for greater overall performance a nd
drivability.
The Ecotec 2.0L SC engine is built with a six-quart oi l sump and a crankshaft driven pump. A block-mounted
oil cooler, or optional remote cooler, is included to e nsure proper lubricant cooling that promotes long engi ne
life.
The 2.0L SC engine is built exclusively at the FGP (Fi at-GM Powertrain) engine facility in Kaiserslautern,
Germany. This plant uses a die-cast production techniqu e that yields a block that is well suited for high-stress
applications including turbocharging and supercharging.
Often referred to as the Global Four Cylinder, the starting point for the 2.0L SC is the Ecotec 2.2L (RPO L61).
This engine has leveraged GM Powertrain’s worldwide de sign and engineering capability by drawing on the
best practice of technical centers in North America and Eu rope. The Ecotec 2.2L created a template for
subsequent global powertrain development that laid th e groundwork for engines such as Powertrain’s new
Global 3.6: V6. Most important, the Ecotec 2.2L is a world-class gasoline engine with obvious benefits for the

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customer. At 307 pounds fully dressed, the L61 is the lightest engine GM has produced in its displacement
class, and one of the most compact four-cylinders in the w orld.

Before going into production, every Ecotec engine va riant is subjected to the toughest and most
comprehensive validation process ever carried out at GM, having to pass all of the dynamometer and vehicle
tests traditionally run by various GM organizations wo rldwide, including the most severe trials. Coinciding with
the rollout of the Ecotec program, general engine dur ability testing on lab dynamometers was increased by 60
percent. This has been carried forward to the new Ecot ec supercharged engine.

*The preceding specifications and text regarding th e GM drivetrain have been adapted and copied with p ermission from the General
Motors Corporation.

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ENGINE MOUNT SPECIFICATIONS
GM engine mount torque

Front & rear: M12 x 1.75
40 ft-lbs
Right side: M12 x 1.75
40 ft-lbs

Honda engine mount torque


Front & rear: 12 x 1.25mm
47 ft-lbs
Right side: 10 x 1.25mm
33 ft-lbs Note: Engine bolts, for both engine types, are coated wi th blue “thread lock” at the factory.

30

ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Spark Plugs in GM Engines

Gap: 0.045 in. (1.14mm)
Recommended torque: 15 ft-lbs (20 Nm)
Service: Inspect before every track event and change i f necessary.
Type: LTR5GP NGK PK16PR-P11 ND LTR51X-11 NGK
PT16VR13 ND
(or equivalent)
Spark Plugs in Honda Engines

Gap: 0.039 – 0.043 in. (1.0 – 1.1mm)
Recommended torque: 15 ft-lbs (20 Nm)
Service: Inspect before every track event and change i f necessary.
Type: NGK: 1FR7G11K, 1FR7G11KS DENSO: SK22PR-M11, SK22PR-M11S

Ignition Timing and Battery (both engines)

Set by the processor and/or the ECU. Not adjustable.