MadManMike Posted May 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2016 To be fair, MX-5's are pretty dull lower in the rev range, so don't let that reason put you off the RX-8. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark W Posted May 25, 2016 Report Share Posted May 25, 2016 Mike speaks the truth. When Stan let me borrow his car for a week last year, before I got my own, I didn't really push it too much for the first few days, and didn't go much above 4.5k. Once I got comfortable with it and realised it wasn't going to explode or just spontaneously shit the bed, I got it into the high 6's and it was a completely different feeling to drive. Speaking of, got the 15's back on my car today with some fresh-ish tyres on, and having been driving round on little baby wheels for the past week my car now feels lumbering and weird. I really liked how it drove with the worn tyres on the 15's before so I'm hoping it'll just be a case of getting the feel for it again on the different wheel size, but part of me is wondering whether I've made a booboo. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamKidney Posted May 26, 2016 Report Share Posted May 26, 2016 Another quiet afternoon at work. 16s on. Paint on the cover was tatty and flaking so I've redone that in OEM black too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamKidney Posted May 26, 2016 Report Share Posted May 26, 2016 Annnnddd they're coming back off. They scrub the rear arch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dann2707 Posted May 26, 2016 Report Share Posted May 26, 2016 Next design is on the cards next week 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartMini Posted May 26, 2016 Report Share Posted May 26, 2016 The Celica is fully legal now and took it for a 'spirited' drive yesterday. Its amazing the way it just pulls and pulls. Found a few teething issues, the front tracking is out, going to swap the front and rear wheels as i could notise the budget tyres on the front. The gearchange doesnt feel that great, and the idle speed was all over the place (mainly sitting at 2k!). Today i stripped and cleaned the idle control valve, as its common for them to get coked up. Before: After: Replacing the phillips head bolts with actual bolts: Idle speed now: Actually.... Im starting to think the idle speed is a bit too low now. I've worked on carburetors where the idle is controlled by a stop screw on the butterfly valve. So whats the purpose of the stop screw on throttle bodies? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurtisRider Posted May 27, 2016 Report Share Posted May 27, 2016 So I decided I would hold out on a rolling cabinet unless something came along for the right price...but I also kind of need a unit to drag about in the mean time. ECP have these Sealey topchests on offer right now, use the code: Discount25 and it makes them £33.74! Sealey drawer unit I then found a very small steel cabinet for £10 on Gumtree, it has bearings on the lower draw but no the upper ones, I may add some soft close bearing units I have sitting in the garage just to make it all work smoothly. Im going to attach wheels to the base, add some angle steel so the topchest will sit happily on there, then respray it red with black draws. I may also fit some different handles I have spare from an old project just so it looks smarter. That should do the job for now! I've got some non slip matting coming to line the draws (I have a few other topchests). This should be far better than the cheapo units and cheaper too. I also wanted extraction above my welding/grinding areas, but the vent arms are pretty pricey usually at around £400+. I got this for £13.50 off eBay This has angle adjustment, a massive bearing unit to allow it to swing and some spare ducting. I have a fan already so this should be quite an easy thing to hook up. I also bought a nice steel hoover unit with loads of spares for £10, my workshop is slowly getting well kitted out for not much 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87Monty Posted May 27, 2016 Report Share Posted May 27, 2016 (edited) . Edited May 30, 2016 by 87Monty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamKidney Posted May 27, 2016 Report Share Posted May 27, 2016 Got them to fit after some fettling 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamAllen Posted May 27, 2016 Report Share Posted May 27, 2016 (edited) Why have rado's become silly money Edited May 27, 2016 by AdamAllen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pashley26 Posted May 27, 2016 Report Share Posted May 27, 2016 Pooperoo passed a legitimate MOT today. So I drove it home. Slooooow. Might sell it and buy a redtop. Mapping next month, pikey launch trolling and 400BHP please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted May 27, 2016 Report Share Posted May 27, 2016 Attended a speed awareness course today... actually wasn't too bad but 4 hours was a long time! On a side note, what are people's opinions on the Octavia vrs mk2? May be my next choice once the LC gives up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolfa Posted May 27, 2016 Report Share Posted May 27, 2016 9 hours ago, SamKidney said: Picture of a Civic Has that rear quarter had a bit of a mend/spray? There looks to be a pretty distinct square of mismatched colour there... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiamWood! Posted May 27, 2016 Report Share Posted May 27, 2016 54 minutes ago, Jolfa said: Has that rear quarter had a bit of a mend/spray? There looks to be a pretty distinct square of mismatched colour there... I think he said the arch has had some work done to it previously yeah. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamKidney Posted May 28, 2016 Report Share Posted May 28, 2016 10 hours ago, Jolfa said: Has that rear quarter had a bit of a mend/spray? There looks to be a pretty distinct square of mismatched colour there... Yeah and it's not a brilliant one at that. But the shell was dirt cheap so I can't complain. Goes in for paint and new arches in July Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolfa Posted May 28, 2016 Report Share Posted May 28, 2016 (edited) Surely you'd have been better off shelling out (pun intended) on a decent shell in the first place than reshelling into a dog that needs money throwing at it? Edited May 28, 2016 by Jolfa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamKidney Posted May 28, 2016 Report Share Posted May 28, 2016 1 hour ago, Jolfa said: Surely you'd have been better off shelling out (pun intended) on a decent shell in the first place than reshelling into a dog that needs money throwing at it? It's not a dog all round. It's very clean otherwise for the age and pretty much any shell I'd have bought would require the same work. Just the way these cars are. I could have it sprayed and be done at that but I already have rear arch replacements and two new front wings so I'm just going to have the full lot done 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete.M Posted May 28, 2016 Report Share Posted May 28, 2016 I need me an mx-5. Does the extra "chassis bracing" on the post '94 model have any real impact? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark W Posted May 28, 2016 Report Share Posted May 28, 2016 I've got an Adam-made front chassis brace on mine and it reduced the scuttle shake loads, so it's definitely doing something down there. @dann2707 - ended up getting bored today, so headed out for a drive. Decided to check out some bouldering places on the Llanberis Pass. Drove the B-road I was telling you about in that last post, and a couple of the passes I mentioned. You really, really need to do them, I'd forgotten how nice they were. Top down, new tyres with actual tread and grip and everything, sun, rad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dann2707 Posted May 29, 2016 Report Share Posted May 29, 2016 21 hours ago, Mark W said: I've got an Adam-made front chassis brace on mine and it reduced the scuttle shake loads, so it's definitely doing something down there. @dann2707 - ended up getting bored today, so headed out for a drive. Decided to check out some bouldering places on the Llanberis Pass. Drove the B-road I was telling you about in that last post, and a couple of the passes I mentioned. You really, really need to do them, I'd forgotten how nice they were. Top down, new tyres with actual tread and grip and everything, sun, rad. Cheers mate. Yeah we have that road you said down for the trip! Which is awesome. Can't wait Today me and matty fitted the cage. I love it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark W Posted May 29, 2016 Report Share Posted May 29, 2016 1 hour ago, dann2707 said: Cheers mate. Yeah we have that road you said down for the trip! Which is awesome. Can't wait You can do the Evo Triangle then do the B4501 which will take you down to midway through the B4391, and you'll still get to do a pretty fun stretch that links to the A483, but it's definitely worth doubling back on yourself a bit so you can come into it from the very top end. To give you an idea of the extra loop you'd be doing, the B4501 takes you from the blob at the far right of the Evo Triangle down to the blob marked Frongoch. As you can see from that map, the remainder of that route is some twisty, twisty shit that would be perfect for a car like yours. Covers big wide fast A-roads, then mega tech little switch-backy roads going through forests and stuff too. I'd forgotten just how good it was until yesterday. It'll obviously add time to your journey down but you'll be missing out on some super good roads for not taking that extra detour. If it takes you the 1hr58min they suggest there you're driving like a massive pussy, just as a little FYI. I was going to try and single out a bit that was the 'best' from that additional loop but it's kind of impossible to do that. The bit by Capel Celyn is rad because it's just really wide, sweepy, chicane-y A-roads where you're running alongside a really scenic lake setup, then you get into some more tech roads over the hills towards the B4391 blob, then the bit from there past the two A4085 blobs up to the A498 is mega tight and twisty, but still with good visibility so you can commit to shit without worrying about anyone coming the other way and taking you out. The A498 bit and on is all fun mountain pass action, going through some really rugged scenery and stuff. Basically, just f**king do it Just to add - I climbed some random hills and shit while I was there so got some higher up scenic kind of shots, but also some other ones too. I don't have any of the more tech tree-lined bits because there's not much time for f**king around on those bits. These are all in that additional loop: 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadManMike Posted May 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2016 I need to get my engine swap done ASAP so I can head up there! Went for a blast to Cheddar today, it was a bit busy though so fairly restrained driving really. I did overestimate my cars overtaking ability at one point, forgetting it's not as quick as the Golf... Good day though, I'm now covered in aloe vera gel and stinging on the arms! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark W Posted May 29, 2016 Report Share Posted May 29, 2016 If your car managed Curborough it'll manage that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadManMike Posted May 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2016 Yeah but I'll be on my own there with no tech support and in the middle of nowhere At any time my engine / cam belt / clutch / alternator belt may go as they all need doing - I'd rather not be in a Welsh valley when that happens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dann2707 Posted May 30, 2016 Report Share Posted May 30, 2016 Cage fitting, pics and miniature Boris within! I'll finally do my write up for the cage and other things this weekend. This is how the eBay cage comes after unwrapping it. Obviously it needs painting as the raw look doesn't do it justice. My initial impressions are that it looks well built, the welds are fairly shoddy in places but it's mig and it will never look as beautiful as tig. 20160528_132902 by dann2707, on Flickr I cleaned it all up with P800 wet and dry first and degreased it, thenetch primered it with a few tins first. 20160528_135803 by dann2707, on Flickr Then two tins of matt black. As I went straight from etch primer to paint it looks like it's been anodised. Really happy with the outcome doing it that way. 20160528_144431 by dann2707, on Flickr 20160528_144438 by dann2707, on Flickr And Matty came over to help with the build. He's currently in the back. 20160529_121340 by dann2707, on Flickr 20160529_121348 by dann2707, on Flickr If you look closely you may be able to see his shaft because upshotcrotchshot 20160529_121411 by dann2707, on Flickr The harnesses are out as are the seats 20160529_122258 by dann2707, on Flickr We then slid the cage in, it's pretty f**king tight and the subframes do have to come out to give better access as we found out. 20160529_123440 by dann2707, on Flickr 20160529_123445 by dann2707, on Flickr 20160529_125747 by dann2707, on Flickr 20160529_133155 by dann2707, on Flickr The cage was then offered up to the rear arch after the fabric was pulled back etc 20160529_133207 by dann2707, on Flickr The feet were also offered up to where they were going to be drilled. 20160529_133210 by dann2707, on Flickr At this point we needed some nuts and bolts. The holes in the feet are M10 so we got: 10 x M10 x 40mm bolts 10 x nyloc nuts 10 x M10 washers for the nuts 10 x M10 ID, 40mm OD washers for the spreader plates 20160529_145009_HDR by dann2707, on Flickr Drilled the holes 20160529_154134 by dann2707, on Flickr And fed the nuts through. These absolutely have to be with the thread coming through the car 20160529_154137 by dann2707, on Flickr 20160529_163745 by dann2707, on Flickr I made some spreader plates out of 2.5mm thick steel. Matty marked them and I drilled and cut the plates out with the grinder 20160529_163753 by dann2707, on Flickr Ignore the loose threaded bar in the background, thats for my subframes that I had to loosen earlier. 20160529_163756 by dann2707, on Flickr Then sealed them with silicone 20160529_165402 by dann2707, on Flickr 20160529_165405 by dann2707, on Flickr My fingers looked tasty 20160529_165455 by dann2707, on Flickr We then fitted the seats back in 20160529_165410 by dann2707, on Flickr 20160529_165419 by dann2707, on Flickr After removing my runners to make them fixed the seats were consequently lower so I got some aluminium 10mm thick plates made up to raise me so I fitted them inbetween the subframe and the seat side mounts 20160529_180538 by dann2707, on Flickr Then fitted the cage back in The harnesses were then looped around the cage and all secured and shortened to my preference 20160529_194452 by dann2707, on Flickr Cable tied up of course for neatness. 20160529_194506_HDR by dann2707, on Flickr 20160529_202718 by dann2707, on Flickr 20160529_202726_HDR by dann2707, on Flickr 20160529_202742 by dann2707, on Flickr 20160529_202748 by dann2707, on Flickr 20160529_202748 by dann2707, on Flickr Then today I cleaned Boris and Abi rinsed. My headlight condensation has come back so ill be fixing that asap. 20160530_131318 by dann2707, on Flickr 20160530_131325 by dann2707, on Flickr 20160530_131341 by dann2707, on Flickr I love how you can see the cage from the outside 20160530_131350 by dann2707, on Flickr 20160530_132043 by dann2707, on Flickr 20160530_132051 by dann2707, on Flickr 20160530_132102-1 by dann2707, on Flickr 20160530_132127 by dann2707, on Flickr 20160530_132149_HDR-1-1 by dann2707, on Flickr random underground pics 20160530_173524 by dann2707, on Flickr 20160530_173538 by dann2707, on Flickr 20160530_173549 by dann2707, on Flickr 20160530_173603 by dann2707, on Flickr Got my car tracked by BRAM racing, thoroughly recommend them as always. Went for -2neg camber up front with 15 mins out. Also the rear doesn't look great, wonder if that's due to the arb? 20160530_225422 by dann2707, on Flickr Abi made me a miniature Boris as my birthday present, she got hold of a model from France, she could only get it in black so got some arctic blue paint made up and painted it. She's even fitted the rollcage in the back with cotton buds and the front splitter with painted blue tac. And the bumper ties and RSA harnesses, even painted the rear lights as she knew I changed them to ph1 lights 20160527_094535 by dann2707, on Flickr 20160527_094547 by dann2707, on Flickr 20160527_093609 by dann2707, on Flickr 20160527_094605 by dann2707, on Flickr 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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