I cant believe it. Ive finally had my first drive out. What a feeling. Absolutely awesome. I didnt go far, just a couple of laps of our cul-de-sac but it was brilliant all the same.

Ive estimated approx 3 full days to complete my jobs list then another couple to tweak and tune and it will be finished. I just need to save up for the legal bits now.
Rescued attachment 1st drive pic 001

2nd pic
Rescued attachment 1st drive pic 002

3rd pic
Rescued attachment 1st drive pic 003

Cracking car Darren - just spotted your camber, it seem's a bit excessive.

No better feeling than the flies, spider's and wasp's collecting in your hair! Has your grin gone yet?

Very nice Darren.

Looks really good in black.

Let me know if you want me to come down and have a look?

Mike

thanks chaps. The camber, castor, etc etc is all oover the place. I havent even tried to get it anywhere near yet, thats on my 'To Do ' list. I havent even tightened the suspension up yet!

Believe it or not the colour is Oxford Blue. The blackness comes from how dirty it was!!!!! Ive since washed it. After SVA i intend to get the front edge of the nosecone painted in dark silver and leading into a stripe arrangement over the whole car to lift the scheme.

I got your message Mike. I only log on here at work and was off all last week. The drive was actually last Monday and i havent stopped grinning yet. My wife had a little drive and managed to spin the wheels. I was right proud! Our estate roads have recently been re-gritted and i was surprised just how much the grit gets thrown up even at low speed.
Ive only set the timing up by ear but even with no choke it starts very nicely indeed and ticks over very well. Exhaust manifold doesnt get as hot now - which is nice.

nice one darren!!!!!

i bet there is a permanent smile plasted all over your face

well done bud the car looks great

leon

looks really good!!!!impressed with your wife even getting in the car never mind spinning the wheelstell her well done!

Well done Darren,

Nice car mate...almost looks as good as an Indy

Sorry could'nt resist!!

The colour scheme you mentioned will look awesome!

Looks very nice!

Excuse the daft question but how do you do a lap of a cul de sac?!

quote:

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Originally posted by lsdweb
Looks very nice!

Excuse the daft question but how do you do a lap of a cul de sac?!

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He's on a high from diving it for the first time, just flame him to gas mark 4 this time rather than 8, or alternatively flame him to a cinder elsewhere and leave him alone in the MAC#1 forum.

(He speaks the truth tho)

Great looking car, nice job!

I would go along with Hellfire that the front camber looks a bit on the excessive side?

Would love to see it in the flesh tho...Mike, if you're heading down can I hitch a lift? Unless you fancy a trip down memory/cosworth lane in the scorp??!!

Whens the SVA booked?

Geoff

Thanks Geoff - i havent thought about SVA yet. 2 young daughters and christmas looming means that my funds have to be redirected. I hear you all had a meet at Mikes the other day. I didnt get the U2U till this morning cos ive been off work with the lurg (the only disadvantage of having kids - they bring home all of the nursery bugs home with them after a day of swapping snots!!!).

You are more then welcome to pop over some time. Ive just got to be a little careful not to upset SWMBO as she looks after the kids all of the time and understandibly gets a bit touchy if i use up weekends on the car! This is why i build on mid week nights. I havent set the suspension up yet - hence the crazy angles etc.

Im based on the other side of Bishop not far from Witton Castle. Quickest way from Newcastle / Chester le street is to go cross country to A68 (castleside?? - Tow Law - Witton Le Wear etc) - im only half a mile from this road after Witton Le wear.


If you and Mike were popping over when would be the best time? I assume mid week night is not good for you? Some pre-SVA eyes would be useful anytime before i get too far down the line of completion if you would do me the honours.

Mid week night is OK for me. Too dark to do anything on mine!

I only work on the car on Saturdays when SWMBO is at work!!

Geoff, probably easier for me to pick you up on the way down?

Cheers

Mike

Sound like a plan!

Just sent you U2U Darren,

Mike - let me know when is best time wise on tuesday,

Cheers

Geoff

If I pick you up around 7pm, we should get to Darren's around 8pm?

Cheers Mike

Nice grill !!!!!
;o)

i think the car looks great i love the wheels, they look like compomotive mo's.

steering wheel is a bit huge though :p

Darren, have you riveted to underside of you side body panels yet as they look like they are sticking out quite far and need pulling in to run flush with the sides of you nose cone????

Richard - pleased you like the grill. Inspiration is a wonderful thing!!! i havent copied directly - ive used a different number of bars! Thanks for the tip.

Jos - there are loads of jobs to complete before SVA - rivetting the side panels so they are flush with the nosecone being one of them. I got the wheels straightened up better last night (2deg camber, max castor, approx 2deg toe out), adjusted the ride height to give min 4" clearance under sump and tightened up most of the suspension joints.

Just had a couple of questions about your car, seeing as though i am thinking of a pinto engined car i was wondering what power mods (if any) you had done to your pinto, what sort of power are you're expecting it to put out?

also what weight do you expect your finished car to be?

cheers

oliver

[edit] i can't type quickly it seems.

[Edited on 24/10/05 by olv]

Power mods - very conservative so far so as not to cause too many SVA problems.

Head - fully rebuilt and reconditioned. Ported as per Des Hammil advice (DIY ported by myself). Combustion chambers and valves sizes are stock. Head started life as injection version which made porting easier. New Kent FR32 cam (285deg fast road). New followers, springs, seals etc. Skimmed 40 thou'.
Carb - didnt have one as it was injected so ive fitted 38DGAS jetted for 2.0l.
Ignition - brand new early type electronic. Vac advance not connected.
Exhaust - full 4 branch stainless system. Sourced from Mac#1, made to David Vizard recommendations ref diameters and lengths etc.

Initially ill be happy with 120bhp at flywheel (100bhp at wheels). Later im planning to rebuild bottom end to 2.1 or 2.2 and fit bike throttle body system with suitable ECU to lift power up to approx 160bhp mark (funds, wife and driving skill permitting!!)

My inspiration in power / acceleration terms is my old E36 M3 EVO. That was approx 225bhp / tonne at wheels. I need at least 135bhp in my car to match that but i consider torque to be the most important consideration as this will be a road car primarily, weekend track car for fun. Weight will be 550 - 600Kg when finished (wet weight without driver).



I have found Des's book very usefull when porting and making sense of tuning mods. I found the porting work to be time consuming but enjoyable. I used a die grinder, any tools i could lay my hands on and a small 50l compressor (hence reason why it was slow going). I basically did the head when i either didnt have spare cash or was waiting for bits.

I hope this helps.
Darren.

great help thanks

To be honest that wasnt much help. Reading the book will give loads of useful data. Did you read the zetec vs pinto write up in this monthe KitCar mag? That was interesting reading. Based on their research they say there is plenty of life in the old Pinto yet and we dont necessarily need to grab the next Zetec that comes along. Of course i had faith all along!

Place your order for a Mac#1 ZR and i may be able to help with a copy of the book.

i did grab a copy of this month's kit car mag purely for the pintozetec article, it did make interesting reading. and confirmed that i'll use a pinto if i go for a car engine. I currently don't know whether i want a pinto or a BEC. i really need to experience both before making a decision.

quote:

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Originally posted by Guinness
If I pick you up around 7pm, we should get to Darren's around 8pm?

Cheers Mike

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Darren, nice to meet you. I wish I had a warm dry place to build!

I have sorted a trailer for next Thursday, and I think I'm going to borrow Geoff's Scorp to tow it with. You are more than welcome to come along for the re-test. Just give me a ring first.


Anyway, thanks for the coffee and I'm sure you'll be there or thereabouts soon.

(Went the long way home via A68 / A69 and had a blast, no traffic)

Cheers

Mike