Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

The tyre is still up this morning. I don’t know if the roundness of the wheel has been affected, more just the rim at its last fold.

I dunno, I’ll have a better look in the daylight.

Hammers fix everything. 😎

#Naaaaht

After spending 2 days under the car trying to fit the new exhaust and manifold myself and coming across the different flange issue I mentioned I finally took my car to an exhaust shop called Flowtech. I like them because they do fancy welding but they also do quick and dirty if you need a cheap fix so I asked them to lop the wrong flange off and fit the right one, patch up any blows, and then get rid of the drainpipe tailpipe and fit something more subtle. Quite pleased with the tailpipe and the sound, it’s a 2.25” bore centre pipe again and it’s quite bassy low down. I seem to have lost the noise of the throttle bodies again so I might go back and ask for another silencer.

3 Attachments

I get what you’re saying and from my understanding Jonathon Ward of Icon started by doing FJ resto mods so I like to think that the end result is borne through experience.

@Dammit

This is news to me. I used to have adjustable drop links the only reason I don’t have them now is because I bought cheap ones and they rusted away.

It was my understating that lowering a car reduces the distance between the two drop link mounting points and if you don’t fit shorter drop links then you’re preloading the ARB causing a stiffer ride and also not allowing the ARB to do its job properly.

What have you guys learnt that negates that theory?

Also good job on the coilovers! Need a hand fitting them?

I’ve got them in my E39. They’re really good, much better than my HIDs were, and no warm up time either.

If you don’t have projector housings then I believe there’s LED bulbs specific to reflector housings H7-R, which give the correct beam pattern, unlike HIDs in reflector housings which are terrible and blind everyone on the road.

These LED bulbs blow all high end halogen bulbs out of the water!

interesting! Do you know what make / model you have?

I just read a lot of contradictory opinions on car forums, and the last time I did came away feeling they're not worth it for me personally.

As I understand it (could be wrong) they're worth it on very low cars as where the distance between the the two drop link mounting points has dramatically reduced. For a small drop I'm not sure they're worth taking a maintenance-free part (a solid bar with rubber bushings) and replacing it with a part that requires maintenance to ensure it remains well-greased and doesn't rot.

My plan is to get the coilovers fitted, get the wheels aligned and ask the professionals. Will attempt to fit them this weekend but if I fail miserably then will probably take all the help I can get. Much appreciated for the offer!

Before and after (think they’ve uploaded wrong way round, dirty is before, slightly cleaner is after.

Took it for a spin up the motorway and can’t feel anything from it so hopefully it’ll be ok.

2 Attachments

Nighteye.

They do with and without fans. I bought the ones with fans but I’d recommend without as the fans means they don’t fit with oem bulb holders. I also think you don’t need fans as the wattage is actually lower than the original halogen bulbs so lower power = less heat.

You can buy shorter “standard” drop links on MX5 Parts, I think they’re made by IL Motorsport. They come with rubber bushings and are tougher.

I kept breaking droplinks due to jumping kerbs on track which is another reason why I bought the adjustable droplinks.

Funny you mention those IL Motorsport ones, they're actually en route from MX5 parts. I remember you saying about breaking them now when dropping curbs, I guess if they work for you and don't keep breaking then they're the obvious choice.

Looks OK to me, seen way worse that have never been rectified (you can see the bead of the tyre plainly hanging out) and those folk have not died (though probably better for humanity if they at least got shaken a little).

Would just whack a spare on from a breaker, £5-10 normal rate for a small car steelie.

rear axle is in! front goes in tomo. we are days away from a rolling chassis.

I feel like ayrton senna already.

2 Attachments

Amazing!

Are you indoors as well?

Come along way from grinding seam sealer outside the lockup.

Sounds good. You got a breaker recommendation?

The car is in Bob's lockup ATM, alongside a ;59 Morgan, an ;81 Morgan +8 and a Lotus Elan 26r (plus a sprint and a drophead). once it is on its own wheels it will come down to Scuderia Fredo . By that time it will have a screen, cage and wheels, then it will be me on brakes, fuel and bolt on bits, before engine, dash and electrics.

if anyone fancies being a part of the most exciting racing team since Red Bull, let me know. summer will be busy.

ronnie james in the pit crew?

he's driving...

You know I’m down!

Cool, cheers. Had a look and they have quite a few options but most seems to be for reflector lights? Do you know the actual model you have?

There's one North of Glasgow, Stewarts I think, Muirhead. There's another one there owned by an Asian family, steer the fuck clear of them is all I'll say.

Prob more near your way but I don't go south very often.

That one is one of the few that are organised, clean, sensible price, stick to the price they quote, habe a huge stock of cars but mostly because they aren't twats like most scrappers.

Cheers, I’ll give it a google.

That looks ok really, seen way worse. An alloy wheel would be more of an issue.
But yeah, an eventual replacement will be cheap

Happy to hold spanners and learn stuff.

I also make tea.