Special K

SS - I can state without fear of rebuttal that your comment above has been a "public service announcement". It is *NOT* an outrageously blatant piece of advertising. . as I am sure everyone will agree.. Spec K

It's more than subjective, Deacon. It needs a look at the whole ethos and rationale of the two non-comparable platforms. Mazda are disinterested in performance enhancement, whereas the GT86 from the outset was engineered as a basic building block. Why else would Prof. Tadasan insist from the outset that the GT86 boot be able to take four wheels/tyres for trackday use. .? Can you envisage 75% of the Japan Motor Show halls next year being devoted to Mazda MX5 developments by the Japanese aftermarket? That's what happened in 2012 when the GT86 was launched. Mazda have optimised the 'hairdresser' car. I hope it sells well for them to the primpers and permers that make up their market. Spec K

I find it significant that Alex has developed his own 'flappy paddle' gearchange system to enhance the sequential box . . ... rather like Samsonas are doing for the GT86 . . .. of course, it will never catch on with the purists . . Spec K (dead horse flogger )

Tareim, I don't know of any GT86 turbo which gives all the power in one go. . yes, the power is available much much earlier than with a supercharger but the skill is in the mapping . . which to my mind is a 'dark art', like turning lead into gold. . . spooky. As an indication these are figures from my last dyno run (June 2015 post HKS internals upgrade) which shows the progressive output - mapped at 1.05bar boost RPM / WHP / Torque lb-ft 3000 / 96.8 / 167.0 3500 / 159.9 / 236.5 4000 / 201.1 / 260.4 4500 / 244.3 / 281.3 5000 / 260.7 / 270.1 5500 / 286.8 / 270.1 6000 / 309.7 / 267.4 6120 / 316.2 / 267.7 6500 / 303.8 / 242.1 7000 / 301.1 / 222.9 Spec K

I have to reluctantly agree about dual clutch transmissions . . . far better than torque converters. And if purity requires three pedals and regular fondling of a phallic symbol sticking out of the floor I'll go to the top of our stairs . Spec K

I cannot give advice on this - I don't like superchargers, never have, they are for 'sound' freaks like Rasta in his Ford Focus at the traffic lights with 110db blasting out. . it's easy to turn up volume, not so easy to turn up performance . . ... I'm told a ghetto blaster is a free upgrade with every Sprintex/HKS system if you show your pension book ... ask Mark, he qualifies ( ) (What's the difference between "wound" and "injury" ? - injury was the lead singer with the Blockheads . . haha) Spec K

Is James running an auto box? Spec K

Where did you get this info from, Smudge? Spec K

Lauren - my dead horse has been flogged more times than you've had hot dinners . . that's life. This is development. No other fscker in the world will take it on, including Toyota (spit on them). Nor SSP - who have washed their hands of the problem since I declared their mods 'unfit for purpose'. Track events/cornering/braking is an alien concept to inbred colonials . (I exempt Pitman from my exaggerated generalisation . . ) .. there are autotrans in the States competing with 600+bhp without dramas on drag strips ( allegedly). Bwahaha! - what is that in comparison to our TSS / trackdays / Time Attack ? I don't need luck - but I thank you for the good wishes. A flappy paddle autosystem will be state-of-the-art in a decade - you pudding-stirrers will be consigned to the scrapheap of mediocrity, second hand metal of insignificant worth, whereas the birthplace of innovation will forever be a scruffy development platform based in East London. Spec K

General information update I shipped the broken trans back to Kris at SSP in the States. He promised to get into stripping it immediately and get back to me - it took five weeks. He pronounced the problem as "overheating" but could not go into better detail as his technician was in Hawaii or somewhere on holiday. He got back to me on Tuesday. 1st and 4th dog clutches had "disappeared" - completely burned out, not a shred left of the upgraded friction material. It's down to me and my driving, he implied .. Then . . . Hallelujah! He received back a transmission with *IDENTICAL" issues from another user - it is not down to me (spit on LFA). The diagnosis, following analysis of both transmissions is ".. oil surge.." - the shallow sump, with the oil pickup sited towards the rear and 10mm off the floor, is allowing the pump to gulp air when the oil moves under G-force. The result is obvious . . Kris suggests it is 'cornering forces'. It is not - Merkins don't do cornering on drag strips, hence his claim his trans can handle "600+bhp". I have discussed the findings with Fensport. I am developing a modified transmission oil sump/uptake to my own ideas and with their technical input. I shall test it. I am also inviting Kris at SSP to modify my spare trans to his specification/design and I I will ship that back to the UK to try it. If both fail I will revert my car to n/a. Toyo are totally disinterested in "performance" or "mods" to the autotrans (knowing it is a crap detuned Lexus abortion). A perverse view, since autos are their biggest sales in the US / Far East. This has been a public service announcement. Spec K

Call me a cynical bar steward if you like . . but I question why the Merkin bolt-on boys come to the European/UK feeding frenzy after the event..? I have always seen Edelbrock as a prime mover in s/charged induction (and cam development, of course). But why is it now they moved into the market? Is it because Cosworth have muscled into the States ? Spec K

Rab - I've got F1 Eagles on my Rota rims. Fitted the Contisport Contact 5's to the TRD rims, they are a distance ahead. Fantastic in the wet. Spec K

Oi! (The delightful lady to my right is Carla. Tank Girl on the Forum. She has my guide dog and white stick in her handbag . .) Spec K

All hairdressers say that... (why are they so young these days..?.. and some of them drive GT86's!) "Something for the weekend, Sir..?" Spec K

Adam - all pads feel worse before they feel better. "Bedding in" is not just about tempering the surface of the pad against the rotor, it's evaporating the moisture inherent in the pad's production process. Minimum is 10 miles on gentle road braking, before you start the 5-stamp tempering. (Or 10-stamp if you're running StopTech rotors . . ) Lauren gives knowledge - her car has done more road miles than probably anyone else on the Forum. 40k from road pads is extreme - but others will know better from experience. i My advice? - go for a 300+C brake fluid. Costs more but the difference in brake performance is noticeable if you've got your pads up to optimum performance. Spec K

No contest. A rebodied Fiat 500 or a properly designed sports car ? Don't feel happy in a GT86? With Tein Flex? I suggest a serious bit of personal car development is called for. . . your smile is waning . . if you are happy to drive the ultimate hairdressers car go MX5 . . (Are you a Mazda sales rep by any chance . . .?) Spec K

PP - welcome. You know TankGirl ? Then you are in good 'petrolhead' company . . . she is a total nutter (as are most of the GT86 girlies) and I love her to death. Looking at your moniker - can one presume that you have arisen from the ashes of an Emperor's toga..? Spec K

Most people realise that motor insurance is primarily based on (1) age/experience and (2) postcode. I am very, very happy with Sky, who insured me through Markerstudy (Gibraltar). I was asked if I intended to modify the car and given a list of possible mods to consider - I ticked the lot (despite not having any mods at the time) as each time I wished to amend an item it costs £25 - the broker's advice was to think ! By ticking the lot it added £45 to my base premium. I live in a 'high crime/accident' area (East London) . I have 9+years NCB and pay less than £700 per annum for the ultimate auto roadgoing GT86 - 320 bhp at the wheels when I want it. if I change two items with Aviva (including a remap) they disown me. I now insure my tonka toy with Sky/Markerstudy as well. Service was shoddy initially but I stamped my foot and they came to heel. Spec K

Cheap . . . . . . if I had the spare cash I'd snap it up at that price . . . Spec K

Yeah. It's spent more time at Fensport this year than on the road, I reckon.... nothing to do with Fensport/engine/body mods, it's the blurry autotrans... had a report back from Kris at SSP in the States this morning which I need to absorb. . Your mainfold is on board . . Spec K

I'm afraid I shall have to attend in the TSS "Support Vehicle" (aka tonka toy) - the 86 is at Fensport at present. Spec K

James - it's a shame I didn't know you were going to Thurrock, I would have met you there as well.. did Nick check your passport. . ? Good figures. Virtually the same as my own with the stage 2 AVO kit. Good firm, TDI Spec K

Interesting.... and I think a lot of us have been in the same boat, Ross.. 'Adjustable' is the key word in regards to suspension. It's not only the ride height and stiffness it's also the capability to change the geometry. Both Lauren and I run the Tein EDFC Active systems and run with totally different settings on front and rear.. and that's down to preference, driving style and spring rates, it's nowt to do with fitness for purpose. This flexibility is not something you get with the ubiquitous 'adjustable coilovers' and obviously comes at a price. Even so, our systems are not the all-singing version, which allows for separate bump/rebound settings. My Koni's did not leak but I found them irritatingly difficult to change the rear shocks with their knurled nut system . . also, the ability to change the EDFC settings 'on the fly' is a huge benefit, in my view... think 'dry track, wet track'.... As far as manifolds are concerned I have tried three - a 'de-catted' prototype standard manifold engineered by Mark at Abbey (sold to knyghtrider, I believe), a stainless steel Hayward & Scott manifold (with hfc fitted after the overpipe) and the full AVO system when I went turbo. I still have the H&S manifold which I am willing to let go for a ridiculously small amount of money, Ross. However, I would ask whoever buys/ uses it undertakes to sell it on at cost if they decide to upgrade.. gives others a chance to try it.. Spec K

I wonder if the FT-1 will go the same route... it was less than 18 months ago that Toyota said they were in "co-operation" with BMW on engine development.. Spec K

After 60, if you don't wake up aching in every joint you're probably dead.. ( indeed, I've now reached the age where "happy hour" is a nap..) The trouble with bucket seats is that not everybody has the same size bucket.. Seat belts are not as confining as wheelchairs Do you realise that, in about 40 years, you lot will have thousands of old ladies running around with tattoos..? A good time to keep your mouth shut is when you're in deep sh*t... ... and remember, politicans and nappies should be changed often and for the same reason. Spec K Always be yourself - the people that matter don't mind and the people that mind don't matter