Back In Action!

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Hi Folks, Well, it's been over a year since my last update and a lot has happened in that time. Sadly most of this has had nothing to do with the car and much to do with moving house...

Anyway, having moved house back in August last year and having converted my new garage from a dark dungeon with one power point and one 60 Watt bulb into a lined garage with 5 fluorescent tubes and numerous powerpoint, we are ready to get back to work!!!

Progress in recent weeks:

1. Reconditioned driveshafts using driveshaft boot kits sourced from MNR. Also bought new rear hub nuts from MNR.

2. Tidied up wiring loom at the back of the car in readiness for fuel tank fitment. This mainly involved fitting rivets in the middle of my self adhesive harness clips since I understand that the SVA inspector will insist on mechanical attachment and not just self-adhesive.

3. Designed and ordered fuel tank from Allyfab.co.uk (should be delivered w/b 27/03/06)

4. Added clips to wiring and fuel pipes in tunnel before fitting propshaft.

5. Fitted propshaft which was originally bought ages ago from http://www.autopropuk.co.uk/

6. Sourced propshaft retaining bolts (diff end) from burtonpower.com (M10 x 1.00mm x 18mm set screw - 10.9 grade)

7. Sourced Mikalor stainless steel exhaust clamps (SVA friendly) from burtonpower

8. Sourced M8x50mm socket cap bolts from Namrick to secure driveshafts to differential.

9. Ordered ITG air filters from Steve Turner of Turner Automotive Design Ltd to suit my HIF6 SU carbs.

10. Sourced stub stack rampipes to suit my ITG air filters from Calver Special Tuning. (see Calver Special Tuning) These are the most beautiful stub stack ram pipes I have ever seen. It's just a shame I need to cover them up with my air filter since they are a work of art. I will post a photo when I get a chance. Keith Calver is a nice genuine guy to deal with!

11. Started looking at how on earth I'm going to hide my SU carbs and air filters! I think I have a plan though and will post some pics when I get a chance.


 

April 2004 Update

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I've not been updating the website but I have been busy trying to finish off all the little bits and pieces which are preventing me from painting the chassis and/or getting the engine started. The main problem with starting the engine is with the exhaust silencers as it is too noisy to start it without silencers. I had been debating whether to build or buy but opted in the end to buy a pair of Jetex Turbex silencers from Demon Tweeks. These are 625mm long and 125mm diameter with a 3" pipe bore. The pipe is bigger than I wanted (3" instead of 2") but I'll just step the pipe up from 2" to 3" where it enters the silencer. Hopefully this will help by slowing the exhaust gas down and allowing the silencers to do a more effective job. No I'm not convinced either...

Click images below for high-res and description

A few other things to report:

I've ordered my bodywork kit from GTS Tuning. This will be a seven piece kit comprising the Bonnet, nosecone, scuttle, rear arches and front arches. Unfortunately I will need to cut the first three bits in half and widen them by 4 inches each to fit my chassis which is a shame as the quality of GTS fibreglass bits are said to be second to none! I must also give a mention to Darren George and Mark Bean from GTS who seem to be highly committed, very friendly and happy to give up their evenings to advise on and sell car bits. I called Darren at about 9:30pm the other night to order my GRP bits and caught him in Marks and Spencers getting his dinner! Despite my offer to call back another time he was happy to talk and emailed me later that night with the information I was needing. Top blokes!!

I've also ordered my aluminium sheeting, from Aalco in Cambuslang, which will be used to panel the sides and rear of the car as well as the seatback and tunnel sides and top.

I also received a bunch of bits from MAC#1 Motorsports including a set of 4 point seat harnesses (Sabelt Clubman) in blue with bolted mounts and pushbutton release. These are great value at £80 inc vat for a pair. A fellow builder Paul Gooderman has made me up a set of mountings which should fit through the crosstube in my rollbar and which are threaded with 7/16UNF threads to match the harness bolts. Thanks again Paul!

Other things I got from MAC#1 are a roll of brake pipe £6.99 for 25ft and various pipe clips and spiralwrap etc. I would highly recommend them as they seem very happy to give advice and you don't get the impression that they are trying to get you off the phone as quick as possible as you often do with some other retailers. Their prices are also good and delivery was prompt.

That's all for now, I'll post some more pics once my bodywork parts arrive and once the chassis painting is completed.