Special K

Hi Stan - good to see you've made it to the Forum.. Regarding TSS Croft - some of us have concerns that the 88db limit on the Saturday is going to scupper track time. And we're told it is going to be rigidly enforced. That includes me - I ran 87db static at Snetterton and I know I'm louder on drive-by - so I won't be doing the Saturday, only the Sunday. A real bummer... I've never driven Croft before... Spec K

Hi Pepe - welcome to the Club. Merely a suggestion - why not attend one of the frequent social meets and have a listen to others who've gone the exhaust route? There is a huge variety of exhausts/ cat combinations to choose from for our chosen horseless carriages, each having a relatively distinctive sound and performance characteristics. Spec K

Keith... made me chuckle, that did.... broken handle and then the coup-de-grace.... well done! Spec K

Jo - a really instructive and, equally important, a hugely enjoyable day... you are unquestionably the 'hostess with the mostest..' Colin's instruction is, in my opinion, second to none. He has that rare ability to simplify the complex/abstract into layman's speak so that even the mentally challenged ( me) can understand - and does so with supreme skill, humour and encouragement. The best 'head master' I've ever experienced.. What shines out is that it is not the "... do this.." approach many instructors use - the technical rationale behind everything is explained. The 'slip angle mapping' was a revelation... I was doing things by the end of the day that I would have said I could never do... .... and yet again, I got outdone on the very last run of the day by a better 'God'... sob.... Guys 'n gals - the drifting/ otl cornering is an awesome course... and by crikey, it is fun!! But so is every course that CAT run.. Spec K

James - 'tyre proflle' is a percentage of the width, not a fixed measurement.. Thus, a 245/45/17 profile will have a higher wall height than a 235/45/17 profile. 'Wall height' on a 245 dia tyre is 110.25mm - 'wall height' on a 235 profile tyre is 105.75mm There's your 4.5mm... Spec K

Sorry Rob - didn't spot your comment until after I'd replied... Spec K

Well, I'm going to have to do something. Crawling up the M1 to Millbrook on Friday night - 20mph on a motorway, aaargh! - I could smell the heat... water temp looked okay, oil temp at 90.. ...then the tickover dropped to near-stall speed, sounded like she was firing on two cylinders, and the engine warning light came on.. autoblip stopped functioning (which had me worried) but Keethos tells me this is likely to be a 'safety feature' prompted by the warning light mode... went back to normal after our overnight stop at Milton Keynes... The 'near-stall' symptom has happened a couple of times during the past week (again, always in traffic when stationary or crawling) but Friday was the first time the eml lit up. My suspicion is that this is to do with intake temp or fuel vaporising - but I could be totally wrong. Must be worth RRG doing a fault code check when I'm up there on 3rd or, If Fensport can fit me in, hoof up there this week... Spec K

Hi Mike, welcome... Sounds like you're a more mature petrolhead - like me, kids grown up, in a rut.... (a 'rut' is a 'grave' with the ends kicked out...) I agree with Jay - exhaust is the first must-have in most people's view. You can include in Jay's list AVO, Blitz and Hayward & Scott. Think about what exhaust manifold you want to run before you go second cat delete. There are greater power (and sound!) benefits to be had getting rid of the std. manifold (with its cats) and replacing the second cat with a high-flow version. Your car will still meet emissions regulations if you go for a decent cat.. Mark at Abbey has been playing with removing the std. manifold cats or there are proprietory systems out there - Borland springs to mind but others on this Forum have experience of various makes. However, if you're thinking of eventually going f/I don't waste your money buying a 2.5" system, go straight to a 3". Beware! Once you start you are hooked! It may have been love at first sight of the GT86 but she is a demanding Mistress and expects nothing less than total devotion! Spec K

I think air temp in the engine bay is an issue. Not on road and not for n/a - I think this only affects f/I cars, especially turbo cars with intercooler/oil cooler mounted in front of the water rad. My intake pipe gets bloody hot.... but then again I probably do more hard trackwork than anyone else.. ( 'cos I need the practice..). Adrian has removed his bottom on the GT86R.... err, I mean his bottom undertray.... which has to be good for cooling but the downside could be the effect on airflow under the car. Doesn't seem to affect him though... Spec K

Interview with 101 year-old Hattie Mae MacDonald of Gravel Switch, Kentucky - (Reporter): "Can you give us some tips for reaching the age of 100, Hattie Mae?" (Hattie) : "For better digestion I drink beer" "In the case of appetite loss I drink white wine" "For low blood pressure I drink red wine" "High blood pressure calls for scotch" "And when I have a cold I drink schnapps" Reporter: "When do you drink water?" Hattie: "I've never been that sick..." Spec K

Jay - you'll be gagging to get it back, even 12 hours will seem like an eternity... see how it goes.. Spec K

There is a possible alternative - replace the fake grillwork on the side fenders with proper grills. The inside of the front wings is single skinned at that point. Spec K

So - my car is confirmed at RRG on Weds 03 September at 12.30... Lauren and Mark (?) plus Alec plus Rich/Paula and me for foooood in the evening. Roast vole's giblets en croute, anyone..? (I am taking this really seriously... I've even arranged for my engine bay to be cleaned!! first time in 25,000 miles!) A leisurely start next morning to schlap down to JAE... then it's one great big party... I've already decided on my 'fancy dress'.... Spec K

Welcome Matt. Good choice of car... not enthused with the colour but hey ho, each to his own... (I take it from your moniker that you're a smoker...) Spec K

Nice on Dan! Not long before we see you on track..?? What's your thinking on brakes? The Cosworth brake kit is very, very good... fitted to their demo car, worth having a try if you can get to Northampton.. Spec K

All are welcome, Steeps... Spec K

You can if you want, Mike..... I don't mind you using a toothpick at the table, but do you really, really need to take your teeth out to do it...? I'm reckoning on being there by 6.00ish... Spec K

Message for 'The Drifters'.... .... are we meeting up for nosh this Friday night? 7.30ish? Spec K

I still think you should've painted 'em pink..... <darfc> Spec K

Ho yus! Definitely in the diary - I'm in hospital on the Friday for a minor op but it's no big deal so if Nursey lets me out I'll be there... Rob, do you need the marquee? Spec K

A great shame.... despite being a northerner you're a half decent fellah.... pity you don't talk properly, can't understand a word you say... ... when you're mobile again let's have another meet Spec K

Keethos - Gary is replacing my silver stripes. I was gonna do it on the way up to visit family in Cumbria but that went t*ts up, so I'm making the journey to my favourite tubby technician before JAE.... Yep, sounds like a plan for a meal, Lauren... see what Rich/Paula are thinking? What about Alec - is he around or in Sheriff country..? Spec K

Err...... don't wanna muscle in on your thread, Keethos, but I'm planning to be at RRG afternoon of Weds 3rd September, party with Rich and Paula Weds evening, stay overnight locally, then drive down to JAE on Thursday with anyone who fancies a bit of company en route.... Alec? Lauren? Spec K

Jay - have you put me down for one? Hope so.... Spec K

.... hmm.... not interested in selling the Carlos Sainz, are you..? Spec K