The other news is that my parts from the UK have arrived. There are some good points and some bad points. Without labouring the point, it appears that the "kits" from Raceline haven't been developed into proper kits, in that the maps don't exist for the kits yet. So you buy all of the component parts, then there's nothing in the car's brain to run them. Hence the computers and looms are on their way back, and we'll develop our own maps using Motecs.
Given that the components could have all been sourced locally, thereby by-passing all of the exchange rate issues, shipping time and cost etc, this is somewhat annoying. However, I'm a pretty calm individual so I won't let it bother me. Frank's confident that with Motec ECU's, we can get these things running well in no time.
However, the other parts form a nicely comforting (if somewhat small for the money) pile of goodies. I've got:
- Kent cams, verniers and valve springs for the top end.
- Some Jenvey direct-to-head throttle bodies for the intake.
- A nice light-weight flywheel and AP racing clutch.
- A new water-rail (neater than the standard)
- A new fuel rail (with a fuel pressure regulator)
Just need to get the injectors and the engine parts are all in hand. As discussed before, with some engine work on the head, this should take it to around 220-225 bhp. I'll take some photo's this weekend and add them to the blog. However, Frank might be ahead of me and sent these off to the engine builder (Peter), so perhaps the next time I see them they'll be on the engine.
The other progress is courtesy of Kerry, who's building a chromed Birkin, as he owns and runs his own chroming company. Kerry has chromed all of my front end suspension, including the springs. Now, apparently this isn't recommended for hardcore racers, as the suspension can become brittle as part of the etching process, and cracks can appear underneath the chrome without appearing in the chrome itself (as it's a relatively plastic coating). However, given I'll only be doing the odd track day, this shouldn't be such an issue, and I reckon it'll make the car look damn good. I'll also polish the windscreen mounts and frame, plus chrome the rear roll bar to make the whole thing coherant.
I'm also thinking of getting a frog stitched into the boot cover, but I'll have to think on that.
Anyway, photo's will be forthcoming, especially once everything is painted. Can't wait!!!
people.
4 comments:
Why green..... are you off your rocker, maybe just plain simple in the head!!!!!
Why green? And why something so - well some would say striking, others would say billious - as Hothouse Green? Good question....
First and foremost, I want something that screams out. I mean, let's face it, we're all tearing around in hand-built, custom creations that are extremely loud and extremely fast. These cars are not for shy and retiring types who don't want to get any sort of attention. So, for my money, why paint it something quiet and unassuming? Go yellow, orange, bright blue, flame red or, indeed bright green.
Second, I like this particular green. I think it looks good in the sun, has depth, looks good on curved surfaces, and is also quite different.
If you were to head to Frank's shed, you'd see the following colour schemes:
* Chrome and black
* Orange and black
* All black
* Deep metallic blue
* Bright blue with a yellow stripe
* Bright green (well, soon)
There's another one being built that will be burgundy, and another I'm not sure of, with a lot more to come.
But basically every colour under the rainbow. When this lot gets together, it will be a collection of unique cars. I think Westfields suffer from having too many yellow versions out there - a lot of the photo's have a string or either red or yellow chassis sitting in a row.
So yes, maybe it'll be a little confronting, but then that's the whole point of the car - loud, fast, unusual. Give it a skin to match ;-)
jeff: you're sad.
move to melbourne and become (70%)cool!
Gosh, I'll never be that cool....
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