MOD: HOG for 8448

[Kumbbl]

8448 is a great supercar but it has two drawback:

a) suspension is too soft

b) no HOG which is really bad for the gullwing version because it is really hard to steer even for children

well, drawback a) is very simple to fix: just replace the original shock absorbers with the hard spings (e.g. from 8458 silver champion, Part 731c04 at bricklink - quite cheap) - works very well and the suspension is now exactly right, not too stiff, not too soft

Here comes a simple MOD for the lack of a HOG:

it does not violate the modularity of the model, i.e. you can build this new HOG-drivetrain just into the chassis and then add all the other stuff as rear and front suspension, gearbox, engine etc as described in the official building instructions...also adding the mini 9V motor as described in the BI is still possible. And after applying all the red panels the additional gray gears are well covered so the beautiful look is not disturbed... and i'm sure everyone of you has the skills to apply the HOG an base of this modification ;-)

For the convertible version there is nothing to add: in this case no HOG is needed because you can steer with the steering wheel and the new HOG-preparation is just driven without using it - works like a charm...

In this brickshelf folder http://www.brickshel...ry.cgi?f=540020 you can find some zoom pictures....

BTW: IMHO there is no other good way to apply a HOG because a HOG-drivetrain below the gearbox would reduce the ground clearance too much and beside the gearbox (as with 8880 e.g.) there is really no place cause of the design of the 8448-gearbox...

anyway... maybe you find this useful if you are a fan of this old beauty or if you have kids who wants to play with the gullwing...

Edited February 14, 2014 by Kumbbl

[MrNumbskull13]

In real cars the suspension does sag a bit, but these are some cool ideas. :)

[Kumbbl]

In real cars the suspension does sag a bit, but these are some cool ideas. :)

yes, you are right but the original suspension of 8448 is too soft ... anyway: this MOD is not essential but IMHO with the harder springs it works better...

A remark and addition to the HOG-mod: With the HOG drive-train shown in the first post you can not mount the co-drivers seat at least not unmodified. You have to remove one of the black Technic, Liftarm 1 x 3 Thin (Nr. 6632) of the mounting-rack of the seat and replace also the right of the 3M axles with a 2M axle at this mounting rack... but in general i prefer the original and more stable mounting rack of the seat and also two equal built seats, so i have modified the HOG-drivetrain slightly:

I'm sure you find the difference... ;-)

Mounting sequence when installing the co-driver seat:

1. remove the left axle (that one which has the bevel gear on the left and the pinion on the right and is connected with the black cross axle joiner)

2. mount the co-driver seat

3. re-mount the axle removed in 1

4. Voila