Hi Guys,

I've been looking on the forum for a few weeks and thought its about time I said hello

So I have always been a Ford man and I've just sold my Moonstone 3dr to get something a bit cheaper to run and more track focused. I have just bought an MNR Vortx RT from Pure Lotus in Harrogate.

I have been trying to find some history on the car, Chris from MNR has told me the car was originally owned by Dave Watson who race's in the 750 Motor Club / RGB and then they sold it to Chris Simpson from Ripon. If anyone knows anymore info on the car that would be great

I haven't manged to take any photos yet but hopefully the weather will be nice this weekend and i'll be able to use the car, in the meantime I have found this one on here




The car has got a few silly problems so I'm properly going to be pestering you guys quite a bit lol

Regards
Simon

Welcome to the forum . Very nice looking car too.

thats my old car. i bought it part built and put it through sva. that pic is outside my house

Well, I can help you with it's earliest days. I bought it as a kit from MNR. My blog covers its build, starting here. Sadly a lot of photos are now missing.

It was originally built to go sprinting and hillclimbing - hence the original small fuel tank etc. The recession effectively led me to sell it to Daniel before it was finished and he then made the strides required to convert it to a road-legal car.

Daniel then sold it to Dave.

It's changed quite a lot since I owned it - different wheels, front arches, driver's seat, gear change system, my design of livery (based on the Porsche 908/3 in Gulf livery) never fitted etc.

quote:

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Originally posted by daniel mason
thats my old car. i bought it part built and put it through sva. that pic is outside my house

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quote:

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Originally posted by daniel mason
thats my old car. i bought it part built and put it through sva. that pic is outside my house

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Where about do up live digimon?

I'm near Dartford. If you want to meet local LCB peeps then log onto SKCC.

Welcome along.

i have had far too many cars obviously
im wheeler dealer style trading up until i have either a single seater or aero car!

That car brings back memories.

Tim, remember the day we had chains around the front chassis legs trying to straighten them out after the crash?




















Only kidding

Nice car.

Where abouts in South East Kent are you?

quote:

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Originally posted by fesycresy
That car brings back memories.

Tim, remember the day we had chains around the front chassis legs trying to straighten them out after the crash?




















Only kidding

Nice car.

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quote:

---

Originally posted by daniel mason
thats my old car. i bought it part built and put it through sva. that pic is outside my house

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quote:

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Originally posted by TimC
Well, I can help you with it's earliest days. I bought it as a kit from MNR. My blog covers its build, starting here. Sadly a lot of photos are now missing.

It was originally built to go sprinting and hillclimbing - hence the original small fuel tank etc. The recession effectively led me to sell it to Daniel before it was finished and he then made the strides required to convert it to a road-legal car.

Daniel then sold it to Dave.

It's changed quite a lot since I owned it - different wheels, front arches, driver's seat, gear change system, my design of livery (based on the Porsche 908/3 in Gulf livery) never fitted etc.

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quote:

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Originally posted by bi22le
Where about do up live digimon?

I'm near Dartford. If you want to meet local LCB peeps then log onto SKCC.

Welcome along.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Ben_Copeland
Where abouts in South East Kent are you?

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quote:

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Originally posted by fesycresy
That car brings back memories.

Tim, remember the day we had chains around the front chassis legs trying to straighten them out after the crash?











Only kidding

Nice car.

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Ah not far then !

Good good could do with a few more people's down in this corner!!

Give me a shout if you need any help, I'll be happy to pop over when possible and give ya a hand

Mines on the road now, so hoping to get some use out of it this year!!


[Edited on 24/5/13 by Ben_Copeland]

quote:

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Originally posted by Ben_Copeland
Ah not far then !

Good good could do with a few more people's down in this corner!!

Give me a shout if you need any help, I'll be happy to pop over when possible and give ya a hand

Mines on the road now, so hoping to get some use out of it this year!!


[Edited on 24/5/13 by Ben_Copeland]

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So Question number one lol

The speedo on my MNR isn't working, I have gone back through the old MOT's on-line and the mileage hasn't changed in 3 years

The car has got an aftermarket Koso RX-2 gauge with a magnetic sensor, I have tried moving the sensor within 1mm of the two magnets on the prop shaft and set the gauge to 2 pickup points but no joy. Is it common for these sensors to fail?

Does the sensor have a little LED on top?

It's worth checking the cable as well in case it's broken sonewhere

Also put a multimeter and see if there's any resistance change across the sensor as the magnet passed?

I guess they can go randomly.

Not that I have seen, it looks like this

I will try a multimeter tomorrow and see if it reads any resistance when a magnet pass's the sensor

Question number Two

FAO Daniel Mason & TimC

Do you know if the engine has had a baffled sump plate fitted to your knowledge?

quote:

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Originally posted by Digimon
Question number Two

FAO Daniel Mason & TimC

Do you know if the engine has had a baffled sump plate fitted to your knowledge?

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That's great thanks for replying so fast

Few new photos after a good clean







[Edited on 26/5/13 by Digimon]

Looking good! Did you get it out this weekend? Deal car show was on yesterday but couldn't get over.

looking good si.will have to gor for a blast soon.jules

quote:

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Originally posted by Ben_Copeland
Looking good! Did you get it out this weekend? Deal car show was on yesterday but couldn't get over.

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quote:

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Originally posted by hopsky1
looking good si.will have to gor for a blast soon.jules

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Once I get my overheating issue sorted and suspension setup nicely, we can meet up and have a run out if you like. Be good to get the car on a decent run!

Sounds good to me mate, where have to sort something out soon

I've ordered some goodies for the car this week, I can't get the SPA water temp gauge to properly it's just too complicated and after spending 2hours at the weekend with the manual I’m still no closer to getting it working, so I’m going to replace it with a nice simple gauge





I have also ordered a Quick Shifter, after being in Hopsky’s car a few weeks back this is a great bit of kit for the money

Pleased your having fun looks in good nick still..

Get your arse up to Newark show organise a convoy it'll be a good show there's a live band on again this year on the Satarday night !!

Very interested in the quick shifter. Can you give me any more details on it or is there a website for them?

what happened to the kliktronic push button gearshift i had? that was a great setup!

quote:

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Originally posted by big_l
Pleased your having fun looks in good nick still..

Get your arse up to Newark show organise a convoy it'll be a good show there's a live band on again this year on the Satarday night !!

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quote:

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Originally posted by johnny chimpo
Very interested in the quick shifter. Can you give me any more details on it or is there a website for them?

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quote:

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Originally posted by daniel mason
what happened to the kliktronic push button gearshift i had? that was a great setup!

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quote:

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Originally posted by johnny chimpo
Very interested in the quick shifter. Can you give me any more details on it or is there a website for them?

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We I've not had a very good weekend with the car, I got the quick shifter fitted and then went got a quick test drive and the bottom end has gone its now making a horrendous knocking noise

We have spent today getting the engine out and hopefully take it apart this week to see if we can find whats damage

Oh bugger

Give me a shout if your stuck for any tools or need a hand mate. I've rebuilt a few engines.

Ahh not ideal !

quote:

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Originally posted by Ben_Copeland
Oh bugger

Give me a shout if your stuck for any tools or need a hand mate. I've rebuilt a few engines.

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Am I stuck with the early 4XV R1 engine or can I fit a later fuel injected engine?

Are the engine mounts the same on the later engine's?

Anyone know?

Cheers
Simon

Not easy to swap them over,

The 5pw is taller, and the mounting points are diff in the head, will need the cradle and mounts modifying to suit,
You will also need an alternative fuel pump and another fuel line added.
I've been looking at this myself lately but stuck with carbed R1 power.
I have a spare 4xv as well as 2 complete engines worth of spares if you need anything
5jj is a drop straight in choice as well,

[Edited on 4/6/13 by gaz_gaz]

[Edited on 4/6/13 by gaz_gaz]

Something i've looked at too, you need new cradle, power commander, speedo healer if you dont have one, shed load more wiring etc. A definite job for winter. The 5jj is a straight swap and has a stronger gearbox so would be the one to look out for.

There are usually half a dozen cheap 4xv short motors on ebay I would get one to see me through the summer and then look at rebuilding/upgrading come winter time. Short motor swap and you would be back on the road in no time.

That should be a 5JJ engine in there - that's what I fitted. Many of the part numbers still start 4XV but it was a 5JJ when I built it. I have no idea what the engine number was to check it.

Check the ECU number.

[Edited on 4/6/13 by TimC]

quote:

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Originally posted by Digimon
Am I stuck with the early 4XV R1 engine or can I fit a later fuel injected engine?

Are the engine mounts the same on the later engine's?

Anyone know?

Cheers
Simon

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quote:

---

Originally posted by Digimon
Am I stuck with the early 4XV R1 engine or can I fit a later fuel injected engine?

Are the engine mounts the same on the later engine's?

Anyone know?

Cheers
Simon

---

Thanks for your reply's guys, looks like i'm going to stick to the 5JJ engine then just got to find one now

Tim, your right its got a 5JJ engine still

Ring MNR, they have a low miles 5jj they bought from a forum member.

I personally had an engine rebuilt by Jon JEBS performance who was recommended by Malc at Yorkshire engines,
Not much more than a replacement second hand engine and he turned it around in a couple of weeks.

I have just stumbled across an image of the original receipt for the motor!

Receipt

That's brilliant thanks Tim, ill have a look at the weekend and see if its the same engine.

I guess its done well if its still got the original engine fitted, how long do they genuinely last once fitted in a car ( Just out of interest )

Thanks
Simon

I've been busy this weekend, picked up a replacement 5JJ engine from a nice chap in High Wycombe. It's pretty much built up and cleaned ready to be fitted back in the car, just waiting for 2 sump gaskets so I can fit the baffle plate

TimC - I had a look at the old engine and it is the same one you fitted so its not done bad

Hopefully someone will be able to answer this one, the original plug has been cut off the generator ( Alternator ) and all the wires are white

Does it matter which order they are plugged back in or can they go anywhere?

The replacement engine still has the original plug and i'm not sure which wire is which now




[Edited on 10/6/13 by Digimon]

Hi the genny wires are all same so it don't matter which you connect them to

cheers Malc

That's brilliant thanks for your help

Well the new engine is in and running, its been quite a learning curve we had the engine in a out quite a few times because I couldn't get the chassis engine mount bolts to start but the 3rd time the engine was taken out my dad noticed the mounts on the gearbox case are not taped from the factory, the bike must use really long bolts doh

Hopefully someone will be able to answer this one, R1 owners out there is it normal for these engines to breathe heavily at the moment ive only got a little K&N filter on the breather and im getting fumed out and small amount of oil is getting past the filter. I'm hopefully doing a trackday at the end of the month and I'm thinking it needs a proper catch tank and a return to the carbs/air filter to draw the fumes away, what have other people done to get around this problem?

The only other problem i've got is the clutch is slipping at high rpm but i'm going to fit the clutch from the old engine as that was ok, i've not tried yet but can i get the clutch cover off with out removing the engine cradle ???

got two new gaskets for the baffled sump



engine in all plumbed and running


Finally fitted the quick shifter but I've not set it up yet

I can get the clutch cover off my mnr without removing the cradle

Also if you jack the car up to the third hole of a plain axel stand you wont need to drain the oil.

Something to consider I have fitted two clutch diaphragm springs, this has improved clutch feel (made it heavier) and should improve clamping force.

[Edited on 21/6/13 by gaz_gaz]

I've got a 5pw r1 engine in my MNR and after its winter layup there was a lot of smoke/fumes coming from the breather the first few times it was started up. I done a bit of googling and this seems to be normal if its been sitting for a while, so could be the same reasons for yourself.

It might be worth investing in a catch tank if you've not got one that way you can monitor how heavily it is breathing.

Well done on getting your car sorted so quick. I'm pretty sure if my engine pops the car will be off the road till the following year at the earliest.

[Edited on 21/6/13 by johnny chimpo]

Thanks for the tip Gaz ill definitely do that when I swap the clutch out

Hopefully mine will be the same as your car johnny and it will clear up in time

Another thing to check with clutch is that the cable outter is seated correctly still one of my fave MNR's

ATB Agriv8

Got the clutch sorted today, swapped them over and fitted two diaphragm springs.

wow what a difference, thanks for the tip Gaz

Glad to help.

Just noticed your comment on the breather, I get a bit of vapour from mine, used to have the same filter as you but I've just fitted a cheapy oil catch tank (£20 from ebay)
The new engine you've bought wasn't the freshly rebuild item that was for sale was it?

[Edited on 23/6/13 by gaz_gaz]

No I got the engine from eBay, it had 29k on the clock

[Edited on 24/6/13 by Digimon]

Installed an oil catch tank tonight thanks to hopsky1 for the tank














I'm really happy with how it’s turned, the return to the carb’s has a taper so it's done up nice and tight but I’ve put the split pin through it just in case it decided to fallout at some point

looking good si.ive got fuel pump probs with minegot a new one orderd hopfully be here friday nothing like last minute .com lol

Thats not good mate, hopefully you get it all sorted in time

Time to get out and play!

Would come visit but my head gasket went yesterday returning from work so I've got to change cylinder heads too

That's crap mate, hope you get it sorted soon

My first track day was a success the car didn't blow up and I managed to keep it out of the gravel traps





One of my dads mk1 escort










[Edited on 2/7/13 by Digimon]

Pleased you had a good day and everything went ok


Any chance we could have a few more photos of your Dads Mk1 please as it looks very nice indeed

Here's a few more photos of the Mk1 and spec

ST170 engine
Ported Head, Matched Intel Manifold
VVT Delete CatCams + Cat Pulleys
Jenvey Throttle Bodys
Omex 600 management
ARP Conrod bolts
ARP Flywheel bolts
TTV Racing flywheel
Race Line bits and bobs
4 speed Tran-x straight cut gearbox
Tran-x LSD
Quick Rack
GRP4 front struts
GRP4 Alloy Hubs with larger wheel bearing
Rally Design tension kit
Gaz Gold Rear Shocks
Decambered leaf springs
AP Racing 4 pot Calipers
Sierra Cosworth Rear Calipers





















[Edited on 3/7/13 by Digimon]

Thanks for that

Always good to see a nice Mk1 and that looks lovely

Nice to see it being used in anger aswell instead of being wrapped up in the garage

quote:

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Originally posted by Digimon
That's crap mate, hope you get it sorted soon

---

I had a interesting day at Lydden Hill on Saturday, one my bonnet clips came undone on the 2nd lap pulled of and a nice marshal put it back down for me. Went back out and did 10 or so laps later and this happened down the start / finish strait





Strangely tho because I wasn't the only MNR Vortx and the other one had the same problem but lucky he's bonnet didn't come off.

Lots of gaff tape later......





Lucky the bonnet didn't hit any other car's but it did rip the air filter off and smashed wing mirror

I have emailed MNR about a replacement bonnet so hopefully its not to expensive

Unlucky, bit of a weird one that both MNRs had similar problems.

I think last time i enquired about a new bonnet, it was about £135 ish.

Nearly lost my bonnet on the motorway when I forgot to clip it down properly.

Luckily it caught of the exhaust manifold, I slowed down and it popped back down again.

Hopefully the weather will improve a little and we can go for a blast together.

quote:

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Originally posted by johnny chimpo
Unlucky, bit of a weird one that both MNRs had similar problems.

I think last time i enquired about a new bonnet, it was about £135 ish.

---

quote:

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Originally posted by Ben_Copeland
Nearly lost my bonnet on the motorway when I forgot to clip it down properly.

Luckily it caught of the exhaust manifold, I slowed down and it popped back down again.

Hopefully the weather will improve a little and we can go for a blast together.

---

Hi Si,

Long time no see, I'll have to come have a look at the car when I'm down, looks a great bit of kit Must get mine finished!

quote:

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Originally posted by Dan.
Hi Si,

Long time no see, I'll have to come have a look at the car when I'm down, looks a great bit of kit Must get mine finished!

---

Been in a BEC was fun, but I fancy my turbocharged death trap lol

Update time

I've got some rear wing piping to tidy up the wings, they look so much better now with the piping



When fitting the piping i've found on one side the rear wing was pot riveted on but the other size was bolted with captive nuts, so I have replicated what has been done on the other side using rivnuts and pot rivets





One of the problems I have with the since I've had the car are the diff bolts keeps coming loss. I have got some Nord-Lock washers that Caterham use on here car's + new bolts so they are all matching. Hopefully this will fix the problem.





Next I have got to start looking at repairing the damage that the bonnet did when it come off last year

About time mate

Thought mine was all finished but I've got to take gearbox off again

ahah I know it has been a while, I really want to get the car ready for the track day in March so I don't have long.

Whats up with your car mate?

Just the clutch release bearing is buggered so need to slide gearbox back so I can change it was supposed to get it tuned today as well.

Managed to get some more done today

Wing piping all done



Tried one of the slicks from my dads escort, I can't believe how much lighter the 13" wheels are compared to the 15's




Next up is the L200 bonnet scoop I got from eBay last year but haven't got around to fitting until now



Holes drilled

looking good si.wing pipeing looks so much neater.i hope your not running slicks in march lol

I'm not sure mate, I would like to give them ago because they are a lot cheaper to replace than the R888

but on the other hand I don't want to risk getting oil starvation because of the extra grip

quote:

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Originally posted by Digimon
I can't believe how much lighter the 13" wheels are compared to the 15's

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I've always had a soft spot for the minilight style wheels, they do look good on the car

Starting to look like I might be ready for the trackday at Lydden this weekend

Ordered a new Pipercross 600 Air Box to replace the damaged filter



The car had a 500 series filter, I got a 600 series blank from Dan ST Engineering



All done, had to cut a little out from the noise, its a really tight fit under the bonnet but its not to bad





And to finish of some tape on the headlights to hide a stone chip



[Edited on 25/2/14 by Digimon]

Really like the trim on the wings where did it come from?

Have you fitted the air box to quieten it down for track days? Has it made it quieter

Same trim as I used, can be had from here...

http://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/c-296-pvc-piping.aspx

quote:

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Originally posted by Barry Ashcroft
Really like the trim on the wings where did it come from?

Have you fitted the air box to quieten it down for track days? Has it made it quieter

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quote:

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Originally posted by Ben_Copeland
Same trim as I used, can be had from here...

http://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/c-296-pvc-piping.aspx

---

quote:

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Originally posted by Digimon


Hi Barry,
I have had problems with the car cutting out when I pull in after a 20min session on track.

I think it’s because of the really high temperatures in the engine bay, the car won't restart until I remove the bonnet. Hopefully now I have a cold air feed from the front this will resolve the problem.

---

quote:

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Originally posted by Ben_Copeland

quote:

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Originally posted by Digimon


Hi Barry,
I have had problems with the car cutting out when I pull in after a 20min session on track.

I think it’s because of the really high temperatures in the engine bay, the car won't restart until I remove the bonnet. Hopefully now I have a cold air feed from the front this will resolve the problem.

---

You need more vents in the back of your bonnet, or flair the side panels Ive done both to get rid of the turbo heat!!

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Really like the flared side panels and have wanted some for my MNR for a while but can't seem to get anywhere that can make them from carbon and do a decent job. Anyone else done this to they're MNR?

quote:

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Originally posted by Barry Ashcroft

You need more vents in the back of your bonnet, or flair the side panels Ive done both to get rid of the turbo heat!!

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Hi Simon, looking great, to flare the sides chop them down at the scuttle where the flare will be, turn them upside down (and swap sides) hey presto flared sides, with nice top edge, just need to make brackets for the bottom edge

quote:

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Originally posted by Digimon

quote:

---

Originally posted by Barry Ashcroft
Really like the trim on the wings where did it come from?

Have you fitted the air box to quieten it down for track days? Has it made it quieter

---

Hi Barry,
I have had problems with the car cutting out when I pull in after a 20min session on track.

I think it’s because of the really high temperatures in the engine bay, the car won't restart until I remove the bonnet. Hopefully now I have a cold air feed from the front this will resolve the problem.

quote:

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Originally posted by Ben_Copeland
Same trim as I used, can be had from here...

http://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/c-296-pvc-piping.aspx

---

That's the one

---

quote:

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Originally posted by mark chandler

What fuel are you using? Ethonal boils at 80 degrees, most fuels have high ethanol content these days so you need to use shell optimax, BP super unleaded etc to try and minimise.

Last year I saw a couple of mini's with glass fuel bowls where the fuel was literally boiling before getting to the carb, they had supermarket petrol.

Regards Mark

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I learnt a very valuable lesson at Lydden on Saturday, if some random person walking by offers to help you push the car and you don’t really need any help just say no.

Before I could stop him he started pushing in the black panel, I’ve now got a nice split down the back

But at least I didn't crash the car in the damp and cold conditions on Saturday, I had some excellent sideways action out of the North Bend

Oh not good :-(

Good that the track day went well, any photos or footage?

Will you need to replace the whole body tub, or is it able to be repaired?

quote:

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Originally posted by johnny chimpo
Oh not good :-(

Good that the track day went well, any photos or footage?

Will you need to replace the whole body tub, or is it able to be repaired?

---

Missed this. Gutted. I wouldn't let anyone push the car unless it was via the roll cage

Ducting fitted, not 100% happy with it but it will do the job for now





[Edited on 9/3/14 by Digimon]

Another little update, the buckle on my TRS harness broke on the last track day. I got a bargain 6 point harness from eBay I have also beefed up the seat mounts with some 3mm steel bar


The seat was originally just mounted to the alloy floor with big ish washers



The 3mm bar has been welded to the chassis with the extra holes for the 6 point harness eyes, they don't have the ideal spacing but there just isn't the space should be ok though








The floor used to flex when the seat was rocked, the seat is solid now and the movement has gone

[Edited on 20/4/14 by Digimon]

Much better they shouldn't be direct bolted through the floor.

Shame you couldn't come out and play this weekend lol

I know im gutted mate would of been nice to use the car, I'm sure I will get to a stage where the car is reliable but until then I'll just have to keep improving it lol

Here’s a few more photos from the Apex Festival from a few weeks back, it was a brilliant show

Another photo from the Apex Festival, I think this is my favourite photo of the car

That last picture looks awesome!

Hi digimon..........I'am in Deal too.........pop into Ebdens Garage and say hello................

quote:

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Originally posted by johnny chimpo
That last picture looks awesome!

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quote:

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Originally posted by t11
Hi digimon..........I'am in Deal too.........pop into Ebdens Garage and say hello................

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Lovely car

Shocked at the seats being mounted through the alloy floor.
Is that how all MNR's are?

quote:

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Originally posted by CosKev3
Lovely car

Shocked at the seats being mounted through the alloy floor.
Is that how all MNR's are?

---

quote:

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Originally posted by CosKev3
Lovely car

Shocked at the seats being mounted through the alloy floor.
Is that how all MNR's are?

---

quote:

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Originally posted by loggyboy

quote:

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Originally posted by CosKev3
Lovely car

Shocked at the seats being mounted through the alloy floor.
Is that how all MNR's are?

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Why shocked?

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quote:

---

Originally posted by loggyboy

quote:

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Originally posted by CosKev3
Lovely car

Shocked at the seats being mounted through the alloy floor.
Is that how all MNR's are?

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Why shocked?

---

Ok little update

I've not had much time to work on the car for the past few months but I have got a few more bits done.

I've given up with the dual SPA gauge I just couldn't get the oil pressure part to work so I'm going to replace it with four Stack gauges



I got some really funny looks from the miss when I started drilling holes in a quality street lid but I have to say this worked a treat to mockup the wiring lol





Installed in the car



I've just got to work out how to install the oil temp/pressure senders yet but I have got a oil filter sandwich plate which is looking promising

The water temp wiring is all done



I have also been working on moving the steering wheel closer to get a more comfortable driving position but that crated a new problem with the gear cable being to short

Instead of replacing the cable or moving the mounting point, my brother machined me a spacer. I've only done one trackday since and its worked a treat








The exhaust has come up really nice with a little polish

Looking good

Where are you putting sandwich plate, behind filter or oil cooler?

If your going behind filter I would be interested in knowing which plate you've used please.

Oooooo nice, are you coming to Brandshatch - Total Kitcar Live mate?

quote:

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Originally posted by CosKev3
Looking good

Where are you putting sandwich plate, behind filter or oil cooler?

If your going behind filter I would be interested in knowing which plate you've used please.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Ben_Copeland
Oooooo nice, are you coming to Brandshatch - Total Kitcar Live mate?

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Well you can always come with me as passenger if your car isn't ready

On a different note, I know some of you guys were interested in my dad’s mk1 Escort.

It's going though quite a big change at the moment, if you wanted to have a look check out the link below

http://www.turbosport.co.uk/showthread.php?t=627342

quote:

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Originally posted by Ben_Copeland
Well you can always come with me as passenger if your car isn't ready

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Yeah of course mate. No worries

quote:

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Originally posted by Digimon

quote:

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Originally posted by CosKev3
Looking good

Where are you putting sandwich plate, behind filter or oil cooler?

If your going behind filter I would be interested in knowing which plate you've used please.

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I'm going for behind the filter but it will need modifying a little to fit around the webbing on the engine, I'm not 100% convinced it’s going to work but a friend has managed to do it on his 5JJ R1 mini

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quote:

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Originally posted by CosKev3

ah right, so is it fitted with the small bike size filter, or hes running a big oil filter?

I've binned my oil modine cooler, running a air to oil cooler in its place hence I'm interested in fitting a plate behind filter for oil pressure and temp senders

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Can younot drill and tap the oil cooler bolt for the take off?

I know a few have for oil pressure only but could you use a T fitting to take both.

quote:

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Originally posted by adithorp
Can younot drill and tap the oil cooler bolt for the take off?

I know a few have for oil pressure only but could you use a T fitting to take both.

---

Oil temp needs to be either sat in the oil in sump, or have oil flowing around/past it.

A dead end is no good, but ok for pressure reading.

Oil temp could be mounted straight into bolt, which is what I'll do if I can't find a suitable sandwich plate for filter to sit on.

Long overdue update on this, I've been working on the car when time permits

first up is a VDO dip fuel sender with a Motorsport Tools VDO boss, had a local company tig weld it for me. Its so nice having a fuel gauge now.








New wheel for this year, second hand set of 13" R500 wheels with Avon ZZR tyres, turns out these are a pain in the ass to fit.
They don't fit over the sierra brake caliper's the wheel hits the hand brake arm but that was an easy fix, I have bent the arm down so it runs closer to the caliper. While they were off the car I have refurbished them. Next up the wheel then hit the rebound adjuster on the shocks. I used 10mm spacers with longer wheel studs to get around that problem

New wheels



I picked up a sandblaster from eBay for £60










Finished of in the oven when the Mrs was out with some B&Q enamel paint









I've also replaced both Wilwood mater cylinders because they were sticking when the car wasn't used for a week or more.





Two nice torques fittings



and some new bonnet clips, these shouldn't come undone like the rubber ones I had before

About time. Will you be braving it to Stoneleigh?

You can get a spring which is one coil shorter than standard on the Sierra calipers. Then those wheels fit perfect!
A forum member was selling them a while ago.

The car has also had an initial corner weighting session which showed up a problem with the front springs being too soft. Not knowing what rate springs were fitted I went away with the car and returned once they had been replaced.

when corner weighting the car we encountered a problem when trying to balance the cross weights.

The best way I can describe the problem is, when the front of the car is pushed down the springs are not strong enough to fully return the car back to a consistent ride height. In other words if I was to lift the car up it would almost stay at that height and not return back down fully and vice versa, if you push down hard on the car it will not fully return back up to a consistent height.

I have now fitted some 175lb springs which has resolved the problem.














Weight of the car with half tank of fuel and me in it came in at 542kg



I can't recommend Steve at Dover Cambelt Centre enough, don't let the name "Cambelt Centre" put you off. Steve really knows his stuff and was incredibly helpful. The car is amazing to drive now its completed transformed

Steve @ Dover Cambelt Centre
2-3 Ethelbert Road, Tower Hamlets, CT17 0DR, Dover, Kent
01304 448878
07973 304038


Some random photos

quote:

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Originally posted by Ben_Copeland
About time. Will you be braving it to Stoneleigh?

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quote:

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Originally posted by daniel mason
You can get a spring which is one coil shorter than standard on the Sierra calipers. Then those wheels fit perfect!
A forum member was selling them a while ago.

---

A cracking looking MNR that, and I love the history it has and all people involved in ownership are on this Forum, just excellent...

Finally got the oil pressure gauge working from the oil cooler bolt



I picked up a nice aluminum radiator from the stoneleigh kit car show on Sunday made by www.coolexperts.co.uk, it was brilliant to meet other MNR owners just a shame I couldn't stay for longer











I've also installed my flat shifter properly and it works a treat

The problem you describe on the springs sounds to me that you have something sticking on the bushes/arms

AA

quote:

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Originally posted by Angel Acevedo
The problem you describe on the springs sounds to me that you have something sticking on the bushes/arms

AA

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quote:

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Originally posted by Digimon

quote:

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Originally posted by Angel Acevedo
The problem you describe on the springs sounds to me that you have something sticking on the bushes/arms

AA

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That's all sorted now, before I ordered new spring we checked the front for any binding problems. The new springs + setup have transformed the car

---

quote:

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Originally posted by Angel Acevedo
Glad to know, but curious to know what were your findings and course of action.
Best regards.
AA

---

Hopefully this mesh will protect my new rad from stones, the four posts on the front came in handy

It should help but expanded mesh is quite restrictive to air flow. Woven mesh is a lot better.

Oh bugger, I've got a track day coming up this weekend hopefully it will be ok if not I'll have to remove it. Thanks for the heads up

Was gonna say the same. I had height issues till I removed the small holed mesh and replaced with much larger holed mesh

The car was faultless again at the Apex Festival, had a brilliant weekend with the VW boys.

The new radiator was brilliant and the mesh didn't course any problems with the temps

Good little clip of the amazing VW demo cars including my little MNR 3mins in

After the Apex Festival I have decided to give up on the pedal shift setup. I just can't get on with it, I have tried all different spacing to try and get it more comfortable / less fatiguing on my hands ( I know I'm a big girl lol )

After seeing Austen's MNR Race car at Stoneleigh I went off to B&Q to get some steel bar


Boom, I'm really happy with how this has come out my tig welding is getting better all the time, its so much nicer to use and my down shifter are a lot smother and better timed

Interesting shifter!

Certainly different but so please solution without having to make a whole new linkage... and easily referable should you change your mind.

I didn't realise that Austen had followed suit; I think I'm claiming this idea.


Appreciate that it's a large image - sorry.


[Edited on 28/5/15 by TimC]

quote:

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Originally posted by daniel mason
Interesting shifter!

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quote:

---

Originally posted by adithorp
Certainly different but so please solution without having to make a whole new linkage... and easily referable should you change your mind.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by TimC
I didn't realise that Austen had followed suit; I think I'm claiming this idea.

Appreciate that it's a large image - sorry.


[Edited on 28/5/15 by TimC]

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You can just about see the gear lever that Austin has made for his GM car in his video on youtube

quote:

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Originally posted by Digimon
I like the wooden grip

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by TimC

It's a bit of fun really - I took inspiration from the balsa knobs on the Porsche 917.

Great to see that my old MNR is charging-well.

---

Gave the MNR a good spanking yesterday, it didn't miss a beat all day

My winter upgrades have started for this year. I've been wanting to freshen up the front since I got the car and since it needs a new front wheel bearing anyway this is a good excuse to make a start.

I've picked up the following bits over the past few weeks

2 x M16 caliper seal kit
M16 caliper stainless steel locking tabs
2 x Quinton Hazell wheel bearing kit
M16 Ferodo ds2500 pads




















Some sandblasting later and some Plasti-Kote stove paint recomended from the TurboSport forum

I've not been looking forward to the next bit but I have got some carbon CSR wings to fit

I'm going to try and make my own stays over the next few weeks

Nice job on the hubs and calipers, look spot on.

Thanks Kev

I've not been able to work on the MNR much lately because I have been working on my dads mk1 Escort. It's gone through quite a transformation over the last 18months. if anyone whats to have a look here's the link

http://www.turbosport.co.uk/showthread.php?t=627342


Wrapped my exhaust today with PitKing Products Volcano Exhaust Wrap from JJC Rally

Can't believe I needed 100ft of the stuff but it does look good

Made a good start on getting the other side finished off on Sunday, almost finished rebuilding the other caliper





One more of the wrap for good measure

Oil Cooler time, I have been working on this for sometime now and its finally all finished

The parts I've used for others wanting to fit an oil cooler to the 4XV/5JJ engine are...

C43 Oil to Water Laminova cooler, I've got a Medium (180mm long) is equivalent to a 16 row
Torques Universal Oil Sandwich Plate with AN-08 fittings and Take Off Cover with M20x1.5
2 x Straight AN-8 oil fittings
2 x 90 Degree AN-08 fittings
1 Meter of AN-08 oil hose
M20x1.5 joining bolt, I used the oil fitter adapter from my old R1 engine

Because of the oil filter bolt I needed to machine the back of sandwich plate to allow more room for the bolt to sit, I also needed to shorten the cover because it bottomed out on the joining bolt

I have also drilled and tapped a 1/8NPT hole into the cover to keep my oil pressure feed in the same place, I know the oil temp sender isn't in the best place but it will give me a good idea of what the oil temp is doing

Any reason you went for an oil to water cooler and not an oil to air cooler (std row rad)?

I have just rewatched the Llydden Hill vid you posted up from last year (I think). That white and black scooby needed to move the fudge over!!

I like the added benefit of the water preheating the oil and when looking at my car it was going to fit really neatly in the engine bay

I know he was getting annoying, even after slowing down I managed to catch up with him again lol

I have replaced the breather tank today because what ever I try I can't stop the old one from leaking.



I've also relocated it so the hoses are a lot shorter, I think it looks a lot better in the front. I used 28mm exhaust clamps to save drilling into the chassis

Another successful day at lydden, my oil temps are really good and the oil pressure is about 5psi higher at idle when hot



[Edited on 26/5/16 by Digimon]

[Edited on 26/5/16 by Digimon]

Great Video! Esp the sound without vibrations or wind noise.
I could see you getting faster and smoother every lap a really good watch.

quote:

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Originally posted by miskit
Great Video! Esp the sound without vibrations or wind noise.
I could see you getting faster and smoother every lap a really good watch.

---

Not much of an update but I have made up a little rear diffuser from 1.5mm aluminium

Trying to get my car past the noise tests at brands hatch and other tracks I've made my standard MNR exhaust repackable. It might not work and it doesn't look the best but it's worth a try, if it doesn't work I'll have to look at a much bigger exhaust.

I had an old stainless steel exhaust I used for parts, I have extended the perforated tube and banded the end cap with captive nuts.

I have got Acousta-fil packing and some exhaust paste to finish it tonight

Good effort !

Where you not trying to sell it last month

Thanks mate

Yeah I was thinking about it but i'm not sure if its the right thing to do, its been such a good car

Continuing on with the exhaust, the manifold has been blowing since I fitted the exhaust wrap but the last time I used the car it was really bad.

Ordered up some new copper gaskets and changed them over last night, no wonder it was blowing I've lost half gasket on cyl 3

I've finally finished my front recovery eye this weekend. I've made it removable so I can fit just for trackdays, its turned out quite good I can lift the car up without the bar flexing and touching nose cone

Looks good,but aren't you concerned about the damage it could cause if you have a off on track?

Without it fitted a small off could be a new nose cone and rad,with it fitted if the exhaust clamps hold you will sustain chassis damage,if the clamps break it would probably spear the engine?

That is a concern, I have been thinking about recessing the hoop back more.

This was the best solution I could come up with, if I do need recovering I didn't want anything pulling on the front suspension. I've heard Brands Hatch require a front towing eye before going out on track

SPA Francorchamps update

This was my first time going to SPA and I have to say it has been an amazing trip. The circuit is just out of this world, im already looking at changing the diff ratio from 3.64 to 3.14 to get a higher top speed for next years trip and if funds allow engine swap to the injected 5VY R1 engine.

We meet some amazing people and had some of the best food ever, I would recommend everyone to go out to SPA at least once its a truly is a magical place

Good to see my old car going strong.
3.38 diff would be better suited I'd imagine

quote:

---

Originally posted by daniel mason
Good to see my old car going strong.
3.38 diff would be better suited I'd imagine

---

Looks great

Straights are a bit too long for a BEC though to be in its element?

I didn't last long with the 3.64 diff in mine even on the road, was way to revvy sitting at 60-70mph.
Put a 3.38 in mine and it's way better

[Edited on 10/4/17 by CosKev3]

You're car looked really good going round.
A 5vy and 3.38 is defo the way to go.
I have done loads of days at Spa in a 5jj MNR using both 3.62 and 3.38 diffs.
The car didn't really have the grunt to pull through the wind with the 3.38 so top speed stayed similar.
I only used to touch the limiter with the 3.62 at the end of the Kemmel straight and through the second part of Blanchimont.

In the Arion this year with a CBR1000RR and 3.62 it was a nightmare. I've got an ankle like popeye from on and off the throttle to save sitting on the limiter.

Thanks for the reply's guys, so I'll defo get a 3.38 and then start collecting bits for the 5VY swap. Do you know if I can reuse my exhaust manifold and engine mounts ?

[Edited on 10/4/17 by Digimon]

You will need to redo both. The 5vy was a completely new engine and nothing swapped. I looked at doing the swap myself

Something I have been wanting to fit for a longtime is some 4 pot Wilwood calipers. When a set came up I just couldn't turn them down

I'm also trying yet another track pad lol, this time a Yellow EBC. The DS2500 pads are really good but they take 4 or 5 laps to warm up enough, I guess the BEC cars are just to lightweight for them













While the hubs were off the car I replaced the old castle nuts with these nice VW version. The wheel bearings are infinitely adjustable now





[Edited on 9/5/17 by Digimon]

[Edited on 9/5/17 by Digimon]