Dr. Jones, the eminent archaeologist?
Discussion
You can call me Indy. Not really Indiana Jones, but my new (to me) MK Indy:
I've brought it to track it as I've decided that going fast on the road just doesn't work for me, modern cars are just too fast and cameras are everywhere.
Currently running a 954 Fireblade engine with clutchless paddleshift and a whole bunch of upgrades, pushing out about 160 BHP. Immediate plan is to fit two new rear Toyo R888s as they are a little low and track it in a couple of weeks.
Next Winter I'm planning on swapping the wheels for 13s as they are a bit quicker and lighter. Also planning on swapping out a few of the fibreglass bits for carbon fibre bits, the battery for a race one, the rear brakes for wilwoods, diff, etc. to give it a bit of a diet. It currently weighs 465kg according to the scales at the place that setup the geo properly, aiming to get that down by 40kg if I can, at least half of that removed being unsprung weight.
I've brought it to track it as I've decided that going fast on the road just doesn't work for me, modern cars are just too fast and cameras are everywhere.
Currently running a 954 Fireblade engine with clutchless paddleshift and a whole bunch of upgrades, pushing out about 160 BHP. Immediate plan is to fit two new rear Toyo R888s as they are a little low and track it in a couple of weeks.
Next Winter I'm planning on swapping the wheels for 13s as they are a bit quicker and lighter. Also planning on swapping out a few of the fibreglass bits for carbon fibre bits, the battery for a race one, the rear brakes for wilwoods, diff, etc. to give it a bit of a diet. It currently weighs 465kg according to the scales at the place that setup the geo properly, aiming to get that down by 40kg if I can, at least half of that removed being unsprung weight.
Reset the rubber gromit that holds the steering column in place last weekend, it had worked loose and the steering wheel was a little bit wobbly. Otherwise I've not done anything to the Indy since I got it. I've a couple of track days booked up for it now so I plan to see what I like and then get the bits I don't fixed.
Picked up my new daily (yes I got the piped in sound turned off at the dealer) this morning, polar opposite to the Indy:
Got that booked in a couple of weeks to take it to stage 2 using Revo hardware (intercooler, downpipe, intake filter) and map to take it to at least 380 BHP but hopefully closer to 400 BHP.
Picked up my new daily (yes I got the piped in sound turned off at the dealer) this morning, polar opposite to the Indy:
Got that booked in a couple of weeks to take it to stage 2 using Revo hardware (intercooler, downpipe, intake filter) and map to take it to at least 380 BHP but hopefully closer to 400 BHP.
Clutch cable snapped on the Indy on the way home from a drive out on Sunday, nearly managed to make it all of the way back but not quite. I was unlucky that an overly cautious car in front stopped at a roundabout when they could have gone straight over (and I had left a massive gap to them as well), otherwise I'd have made it home as I only need the clutch when pulling away from standing, rest of the time the flat shifter does all the heavy lifting for gear changes. Had to get a tow back for the 1.5 miles home.
Very lucky to have a replacement to hand and even luckier that my daughter wanted to help. She seemed to enjoy helping and its a lot easier fitting a clutch cable when you've two pairs of hands. All fixed now.
Very lucky to have a replacement to hand and even luckier that my daughter wanted to help. She seemed to enjoy helping and its a lot easier fitting a clutch cable when you've two pairs of hands. All fixed now.
5harp3y said:
the indy must feel bonkers compared to the golf
The Indy feels bonkers compared to every other car I've driven as its so raw, including a C Class Black Series and Elises on a track days. I'd only want to swap the Indy for something from Radical, preferably with their v8 'busa lump. The Golf just cossets you by comparison, its easy to drive that fast. The Indy also gets far more attention than I'd like, I had two people ask to take photos of it yesterday alone in the hour I was out in it, where as the Golf is much more of a Q car when it comes to the majority of the public. The Golf is my perfect daily, but I'd not really enjoy driving it on the track.
Took the Indy out for its first track day at Donington Park this week for a Bookatrack track day. It was an unsilenced day so I didn't have to worry about the noise of the car, although with some of the race cars that were there mine ended up sounding pretty quiet!
I shared a (double) garage with a guy who had some sort of 50s F1 Car and a open top GT40 that was being shaken down before going to the Le Mans classic, both with straight through exhausts, and another pair of chaps who had a race prepared Healey, so I felt a little intimidated.
I was a little disapointed that it was raining first thing but the track cleared up by 11am. While it was wet I got a little too cocky and ended up in the gravel on the blind right hander as my tyres and brakes were far too cold for the speed I was doing. Took it easier for the rest of the day.
Car made it through the day with only some minor adjustment to the clutch but now 3rd gear sounds like a bag of spanner when not under load. Need to take it apart to see whats up.
I shared a (double) garage with a guy who had some sort of 50s F1 Car and a open top GT40 that was being shaken down before going to the Le Mans classic, both with straight through exhausts, and another pair of chaps who had a race prepared Healey, so I felt a little intimidated.
I was a little disapointed that it was raining first thing but the track cleared up by 11am. While it was wet I got a little too cocky and ended up in the gravel on the blind right hander as my tyres and brakes were far too cold for the speed I was doing. Took it easier for the rest of the day.
Car made it through the day with only some minor adjustment to the clutch but now 3rd gear sounds like a bag of spanner when not under load. Need to take it apart to see whats up.
Today I got to drive the lardy E63 AMG S and the much better SLS AMG at Brooklands:
First time I've driven the SLS, really impressed with it, far better than the reviews give it credit. The SLS makes a fabulous noise, is communicative and has a ton of grip, I'd really really like one in the future. The SLS drives a lot like my Indy, similar power to weight, but a lot better noise. I'd settle for fitting the Radical v8 into my Indy to get a V8 roar.
First time I've driven the SLS, really impressed with it, far better than the reviews give it credit. The SLS makes a fabulous noise, is communicative and has a ton of grip, I'd really really like one in the future. The SLS drives a lot like my Indy, similar power to weight, but a lot better noise. I'd settle for fitting the Radical v8 into my Indy to get a V8 roar.
Edited by tankplanker on Tuesday 28th June 16:39
New car for the Mrs was delivered yesterday, after a quick clean:
Also picked up the new family wagon:
It comes with a folding tow bar as I'm going to use the Volvo to extend my track day range to circuits further a field. I need to get a trailer that will fit the Indy, time to check out the classfieds!
Not used the Indy for a couple of weeks as it has been off the road having failed its MoT due to not having a light up fog lamp button. Having checked the wiring the fog lamp wasn't actually wired up in the first place so I need a free weekend to get that sorted. I have also renewed the rear indicators as the housing on the one side was broken and only just holding in the bulb mount.
Also picked up the new family wagon:
It comes with a folding tow bar as I'm going to use the Volvo to extend my track day range to circuits further a field. I need to get a trailer that will fit the Indy, time to check out the classfieds!
Not used the Indy for a couple of weeks as it has been off the road having failed its MoT due to not having a light up fog lamp button. Having checked the wiring the fog lamp wasn't actually wired up in the first place so I need a free weekend to get that sorted. I have also renewed the rear indicators as the housing on the one side was broken and only just holding in the bulb mount.
Been slowly working on the Indy over the last few weeks I've:
Rewired the fog light and fitting a new illuminated switch, which turned into a PITA due to me not understanding how the Fireblade and Sierra wiring looms had been joined and the distinct lack of existing wiring at either end for the fog light
Re plumbing and routing the fuel breather pipe as it would leak out of this pipe under hard cornering on the track if the tank was full
Fitting a new pipe between the fuel tank and fuel filler cap as the old one was rotten
Fixing a fuel leak on the fuel rail
Fixing an oil leak on the sump
Oil change timed with the previous step, another PITA as sump is billeted and you have to loosen the sparkplugs/oil filter/run the engine at different points while filling with oil
Sorting a break in the wiring for the rev counter and remounting the instruments as they were a bit loose
Moving the drivers seat a few inches forward as I'm shorter than the previous owner, major PITA as bolted direct to the floor
Replaced the starting switch/ignition cut off panel and switching
still left to do but won't hold up the MoT:
Clean the air filter
Workout why the fan doesn't come on when the engine is hot
Change the sparkplugs as they are a bit worn
Replace the switch for the light and horn to match the new fog light so that other people can actually tell what the switches are for as current are ambiguous
Wire up the battery cut off
Renew the fire extinguisher as current one is out of date, it seems to be plumbed in so that'll be an interesting job
I haven't gotten round to weight reduction for the car just yet, that is going to have to wait till the end of the summer now, I want to be driving it already!
Golf was stolen, so currently without that, part of me wants to write it off so I can get something else:
Interior was wrecked as they thought the car had a tracker, outside has a few scrapes, and they drove about 600 miles in it before being caught, so I'm not convinced it will ever be right again.
The Indy past its MOT first time of asking today, so I stuck 40 miles on it at lunch time to celebrate as I hadn't driven it since last year. I'd forgotten how it makes other people behave like numpties.
Air filter cleaner and oil is here, that is my job tonight. Sparkplugs should be here tomorrow. That leaves the switches for the weekend, also need to sort out the battery cut off at the same time.
Air filter cleaner and oil is here, that is my job tonight. Sparkplugs should be here tomorrow. That leaves the switches for the weekend, also need to sort out the battery cut off at the same time.
Thanks!
They snapped the door handle off, then snapped the side door lock, then stole the keys from the kitchen. Police said its a 30 second job if you have older cheap locks like we did. So I spent a couple of hundred replacing all the exterior door locks and handles for three star ones, fitting some CCTV, a motion sensor activated flood light and replaced the alarm boxes.
They snapped the door handle off, then snapped the side door lock, then stole the keys from the kitchen. Police said its a 30 second job if you have older cheap locks like we did. So I spent a couple of hundred replacing all the exterior door locks and handles for three star ones, fitting some CCTV, a motion sensor activated flood light and replaced the alarm boxes.
Still waiting on a set of keys for the Golf to be made up before it gets checked over by VW for damage to the engine, gearbox and diffs. I had to fight with the insurance company to get that.
On the Indy I've fitted:
IO Port's Seat Back Braces for both seats as I was getting some minor twisting in the seats under hard cornering and it was confusing me if the car was starting to slide or not. Had to drill through the rear bulkhead and mount to the rear frame. Well made kit.
Replaced the old vacuum fuel breather valve, which looked to be fitted upside down, and only worked in one direction if at all. Fitted a proper six way valve with new tubing, rerouted to behind the fuel tank, bit safer than dumping fuel vapour onto the (hot) diff
I've also replaced the sparkplugs, which was a pain as they are deeply recessed and the hole is very narrow. Had to buy a proper socket for this. Old ones weren't completely gone but didn't have that many miles left in them.
Cleaned the air filter and reoiled it. Also replaced the horn and headlight switches.
Bought the bits to repack the silencer, just waiting on the weekend to do the job. Hoping to get the noise back under 105db so I can do more track days.
Next up is to start replacing bits with carbon fibre, wings first and couple with dropping to 13" wheels so the new wings are fitted in the right place. After that the bonnet and nose, which I'll time with switching from a big foam sausage filter to a front mounted ram arrangement, hoping this will further reduce noise.
On the Indy I've fitted:
IO Port's Seat Back Braces for both seats as I was getting some minor twisting in the seats under hard cornering and it was confusing me if the car was starting to slide or not. Had to drill through the rear bulkhead and mount to the rear frame. Well made kit.
Replaced the old vacuum fuel breather valve, which looked to be fitted upside down, and only worked in one direction if at all. Fitted a proper six way valve with new tubing, rerouted to behind the fuel tank, bit safer than dumping fuel vapour onto the (hot) diff
I've also replaced the sparkplugs, which was a pain as they are deeply recessed and the hole is very narrow. Had to buy a proper socket for this. Old ones weren't completely gone but didn't have that many miles left in them.
Cleaned the air filter and reoiled it. Also replaced the horn and headlight switches.
Bought the bits to repack the silencer, just waiting on the weekend to do the job. Hoping to get the noise back under 105db so I can do more track days.
Next up is to start replacing bits with carbon fibre, wings first and couple with dropping to 13" wheels so the new wings are fitted in the right place. After that the bonnet and nose, which I'll time with switching from a big foam sausage filter to a front mounted ram arrangement, hoping this will further reduce noise.
Took the Indy out for a quick blast over lunch and now its jammed in 5th and 6th. Managed to get home thanks to not stopping for corners. I think the 3rd/4th selector fork is knackered but need to take it apart to be sure. It has been noisy in 3rd for a while so I've been shifting straight past 3rd but today it went bang going into 4th.
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