MDifficult’s E82 1M Coupe & Ariel Atom 3
Discussion
MDifficult said:
Cheers Ben! Since those vids I've been playing with some improved mic locations to try to get rid of all the interior clatter. Above the exhaust sounds proper naughty, but under the bonnet is just hilarious. Only problem is that the audio clips like crazy because it's so loud! I'll be at Brands on the evening of the 16th June if you're around?
Good stuff! I need to have a play around and get some audio clips with my Megane. 16th of June is my birthday so I'm actually looking at booking onto that session with a mate too, so I'll keep you posted 
That's frustrating on the tyre front with your spacers. Is it an option to just remove the spacers altogether?
Ben Lowden said:
Good stuff! I need to have a play around and get some audio clips with my Megane. 16th of June is my birthday so I'm actually looking at booking onto that session with a mate too, so I'll keep you posted
That's frustrating on the tyre front with your spacers. Is it an option to just remove the spacers altogether?
That would be epic if you're there on the 16th That's frustrating on the tyre front with your spacers. Is it an option to just remove the spacers altogether?
The spacers on there at the moment are to clear the shock (allowing tyre flex) but also to clearance the big brake calliper. I'm very much of a mind to whip off the existing spacers, fit the 12mm to fully clearance the shock and go from there.
MDifficult said:
In other news.. nipped to the tyre-fitters at lunch to fit up and trial fit one of the R888Rs and.... it doesn't fit at the front.
Arches aren't the issue, but when sat back on the ground the inner shoulder juuuuuust touches the adjustment collar for the shocks - I guess because of the aggressive negative camber on the front. No go. So put the old tyre back on and came home for a think.
Options are:
1. Take out some negative camber. Balls to that
2. Fit some spacers. Car already has ~6mm so I think moving up to a standard 12mm would more than do the job. But that puts me at risk on the outer arches I think.
3. Fit some tighter spacers. Going up from 6 to 10mm might be safer option.
4. Sell them on, and fit some 205s instead
Something to ponder on. All advice welcome.
For context, I'm running 11mm spacers on the fronts to clear the spring platform on my BC Racing shocks, and that's only with 205/7J setup. I don't get remotely close to touching the arches, even though it's not ridiculously low. I'd try a set out, given they are pretty cheap from Orranje.Arches aren't the issue, but when sat back on the ground the inner shoulder juuuuuust touches the adjustment collar for the shocks - I guess because of the aggressive negative camber on the front. No go. So put the old tyre back on and came home for a think.
Options are:
1. Take out some negative camber. Balls to that
2. Fit some spacers. Car already has ~6mm so I think moving up to a standard 12mm would more than do the job. But that puts me at risk on the outer arches I think.
3. Fit some tighter spacers. Going up from 6 to 10mm might be safer option.
4. Sell them on, and fit some 205s instead
Something to ponder on. All advice welcome.
C70R said:
For context, I'm running 11mm spacers on the fronts to clear the spring platform on my BC Racing shocks, and that's only with 205/7J setup. I don't get remotely close to touching the arches, even though it's not ridiculously low. I'd try a set out, given they are pretty cheap from Orranje.
Done, thank you! Option 2 it is. If it works, I might end up needing to go for some longer studs for peace of mind - but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it!
MDifficult said:
You definitely need to start your own thread... or put some details in here!
Here's some pics. So the shoulders just pass through the seat holes and then are fitted to the cage using the buckles. The excess is rolled and cable-tied but that's just to stop it flapping about I imagine?
As for the lap straps, on the outer side they attach to an eyelet on the footplate like so...
The inner strap is attached to an identical eyelet, which is let into the transmission tunnel. Sorry, didn't grab a picture of that. If you need it, let me know and I'll grab it for you.
Thanks so much for this matey Here's some pics. So the shoulders just pass through the seat holes and then are fitted to the cage using the buckles. The excess is rolled and cable-tied but that's just to stop it flapping about I imagine?
As for the lap straps, on the outer side they attach to an eyelet on the footplate like so...
The inner strap is attached to an identical eyelet, which is let into the transmission tunnel. Sorry, didn't grab a picture of that. If you need it, let me know and I'll grab it for you.
what you’ve done is great! I do have my own thread lol.. only a minimal update on the mini as yet but more is coming
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
5mileofdeath said:
Thanks so much for this matey what you’ve done is great!
I do have my own thread lol.. only a minimal update on the mini as yet but more is coming
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Very happy to help! Shout if there’s anything else I can help with. As I’ve just posted in your thread… looks like we’re on a similar journey for similar reasons what you’ve done is great! I do have my own thread lol.. only a minimal update on the mini as yet but more is coming
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
MDifficult said:
C70R said:
For context, I'm running 11mm spacers on the fronts to clear the spring platform on my BC Racing shocks, and that's only with 205/7J setup. I don't get remotely close to touching the arches, even though it's not ridiculously low. I'd try a set out, given they are pretty cheap from Orranje.
Done, thank you! Option 2 it is. If it works, I might end up needing to go for some longer studs for peace of mind - but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it!
While undertaking some tinkering I managed to snap a part of my treasured Halfords socket set. After 24/25 years of continual usage my 3/8” 5mm hex socket let go with an absolutely epic ‘ping’ (gifting me a wonderful smack across the knuckles in the process).
I was fully prepared to spend the £3.99 required to replace it but turns out Halfords are more than happy to still honour the lifetime warranty and replaced it for free. Can’t argue with that!
I was fully prepared to spend the £3.99 required to replace it but turns out Halfords are more than happy to still honour the lifetime warranty and replaced it for free. Can’t argue with that!
MDifficult said:
While undertaking some tinkering I managed to snap a part of my treasured Halfords socket set. After 24/25 years of continual usage my 3/8” 5mm hex socket let go with an absolutely epic ‘ping’ (gifting me a wonderful smack across the knuckles in the process).
I was fully prepared to spend the £3.99 required to replace it but turns out Halfords are more than happy to still honour the lifetime warranty and replaced it for free. Can’t argue with that!
Perks of buying stuff from a company where front of house staff arent invested in the business, Halfords will replace most stuff with out much of a reason. I was fully prepared to spend the £3.99 required to replace it but turns out Halfords are more than happy to still honour the lifetime warranty and replaced it for free. Can’t argue with that!
mattdavies said:
Perks of buying stuff from a company where front of house staff arent invested in the business, Halfords will replace most stuff with out much of a reason.
Normally I'd agree with your very cynical view of the world 
But on this occasion the chap mentioned the lifetime warranty before I did, and had to get the store manager to approve. For the sake of £3.99 they made me a very happy customer and means I continue to recommend their socket sets to anyone who asks - you see a lot of people do the same on PH. Much about Halfords I can't stand, but their socket sets are really hard to beat on value for money, especially with the warranty.
Ryan_E81 said:
Also at Brands on the evening of the 16th with a couple of friends. Black 123D, black 335i, grey 370Z and grey Ibiza, i'll come over and have a mooch about the car if I get chance between sessions! Been lurking on your thread for a long time now.
Sounds great! Cheers for the heads up and let's definitely say 'hi' when there's a spare moment - I'll look out for you guys. Glad you're enjoying the thread too - I'm always amazed people are interested in my old waffle, especially after this many pages Fingers-crossed the weather is good for us. I've fitted the Toyos now so it's going to be entertaining if it pisses down!
Speaking of fitting the Toyos.... I went for option 2 and swapped out the spacer.
Old slightly-sketchy 6mm spacer off and shiny new 12mm hub-centric spacer fitted
A quick 'reach-around' determined I was indeed a half-finger off the shock unloaded and loaded - that'll do. Wouldn't want it closer
Net result... they fit lovely and toight to the arches. This is the spacing parked very nose-down on my driveway so reasonably heavily loaded
Are they legal arch-wise? Absolutely
Do they look fat? Oh yes
Do they look sticky? Oh definitely
Do they rub? None on the quick test drive so far... but I suspect they may well at the bottom of the dip after Paddock Hill Bend!
It should only be against the plastic arch, so fingers-crossed all good. Lets see...
Old slightly-sketchy 6mm spacer off and shiny new 12mm hub-centric spacer fitted
A quick 'reach-around'
determined I was indeed a half-finger off the shock unloaded and loaded - that'll do. Wouldn't want it closerNet result... they fit lovely and toight to the arches. This is the spacing parked very nose-down on my driveway so reasonably heavily loaded
Are they legal arch-wise? Absolutely
Do they look fat? Oh yes
Do they look sticky? Oh definitely
Do they rub? None on the quick test drive so far... but I suspect they may well at the bottom of the dip after Paddock Hill Bend!
It should only be against the plastic arch, so fingers-crossed all good. Lets see...
Worth winding the coilovers up a little if you're struggling with rubbing.
R53 geometry isn't super dependent on ride-height, and you can get a great handling car without needing to have it scraping on every speedbump.
I'm high enough for daylight between wheel and arches (and to get over Inner London's speed cushions), and I still have over 2 degrees of camber on each side at the front.
R53 geometry isn't super dependent on ride-height, and you can get a great handling car without needing to have it scraping on every speedbump.
I'm high enough for daylight between wheel and arches (and to get over Inner London's speed cushions), and I still have over 2 degrees of camber on each side at the front.
C70R said:
Worth winding the coilovers up a little if you're struggling with rubbing.
R53 geometry isn't super dependent on ride-height, and you can get a great handling car without needing to have it scraping on every speedbump.
I'm high enough for daylight between wheel and arches (and to get over Inner London's speed cushions), and I still have over 2 degrees of camber on each side at the front.
That's really helpful and largely my plan I think. I'm no fan of overly-slammed cars anyway and I very much doubt another 5mm or so of ride-height is going to make any difference at all to how much fun I have. So if things start looking 'rubby' then it'll be time to get the KW spanners out R53 geometry isn't super dependent on ride-height, and you can get a great handling car without needing to have it scraping on every speedbump.
I'm high enough for daylight between wheel and arches (and to get over Inner London's speed cushions), and I still have over 2 degrees of camber on each side at the front.
MDifficult said:
While browsing through my 1M’s paperwork the other week I discovered that today is his birthday.
So happy 10th birthday!
Shame the miserable weather means it’ll spend it sat on the driveway, so here’s a few shots of better times. 10 years and the shape is still looking pretty handy…
That still looks fab So happy 10th birthday!
Shame the miserable weather means it’ll spend it sat on the driveway, so here’s a few shots of better times. 10 years and the shape is still looking pretty handy…
MDifficult said:
While browsing through my 1M’s paperwork the other week I discovered that today is his birthday.
So happy 10th birthday!
Shame the miserable weather means it’ll spend it sat on the driveway, so here’s a few shots of better times. 10 years and the shape is still looking pretty handy…
They look better now than ever. Orange ones are the fastest though : - )So happy 10th birthday!
Shame the miserable weather means it’ll spend it sat on the driveway, so here’s a few shots of better times. 10 years and the shape is still looking pretty handy…
Court_S said:
That still looks fab
Certainly ageing better than I am! bencollins4 said:
They look better now than ever. Orange ones are the fastest though : - )
The proportions really are great, and it’s not got a bad angle. Orange may be fastest… but only because the black and white ones have crowds of people around them MDifficult said:
Ryan_E81 said:
Also at Brands on the evening of the 16th with a couple of friends. Black 123D, black 335i, grey 370Z and grey Ibiza, i'll come over and have a mooch about the car if I get chance between sessions! Been lurking on your thread for a long time now.
Sounds great! Cheers for the heads up and let's definitely say 'hi' when there's a spare moment - I'll look out for you guys. Glad you're enjoying the thread too - I'm always amazed people are interested in my old waffle, especially after this many pages Fingers-crossed the weather is good for us. I've fitted the Toyos now so it's going to be entertaining if it pisses down!
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