Off to Blink for a week!

[GibsonSG]

My Mk1 has been dropped off at Blink Motorsport for all bushes/ARB's/drop links to be fitted - I've gone for Mazda OEM parts rather than polybush or their Superpro as it's a road car. I'm going for MeisterR CRD's in the hope of achieving a compliant ride on fresh OEM bushes with more modern damping control. Suffice to say, the car will not be slammed to a super low ride height. My daily is a Meg 275 Cup S, so I doubt if it can match it's blend of suppleness and control but I'm going to try

Really looking forward to getting it back and seeing how noticeable the changes. Exciting stuff!

[GibsonSG]

Yes, all wishbone bushes, ARB’s and drop links. I really like the car, it’s behaved impeccably since I’ve owned it and holds its own against my daily cars so I thought it deserved a proper job!

[GibsonSG]

I noticed Antony Ingram’s Eunos from Evo’s Fast Fleet was there for some work when I turned up, should be interesting to hear what he’s had done

[GibsonSG]

I am mildly embarrassed to say that I explained to Blink in detail how I wanted it to drive and feel and left that to them

I’ll ask them when I collect it!

[GibsonSG]

That is precisely what I’m looking for. I’m too old to have my teeth shaken out (says the man who also has a Fiesta ST.....)

[GibsonSG]

Ha ha, great stuff! What did you replace the 275 with then? I’m loving mine, very charismatic car,

[GibsonSG]

Bloody hell, I did a drift day which ended up in a E46 M3. I loved it, really great car. Good call on that, I’d have one in a heartbeat if I wasn’t doing so many miles in my daily.

Not heard of that intake but will check it out. I’m planning for Blink’s big valve head to n the near future so that might be a good partner.

Mind you, I’d like to get the Meg mapped, to go with the K Tec exhaust. So many car mods, so little time......

[GibsonSG]

Just checked out that intake. It’s a beauty!

[GibsonSG]

T0M, you’re a bad influence! Just looked at the RS Tuning site and they are indeed extending the offer. I....must....resist.......

At least until the suspension is paid for on the MX!

Blink have just told me that the MeisterR’s have been delayed so I might not get the car back until 16th now. Boo hoo!

[GibsonSG]

Well it's finally back, after an aborted journey last week due to heavy snow.

Blink have done a great job, the car feels completely transformed. It's a curious (but welcome) mix of far better damping control, with a really decent ride and much more secure cornering.

Cornering at speed before, especially in the wet, was a bit of a "ooh ahh ooh ahh" affair from a mix of slack body control and a bit of edginess at the limit, Now I feel more confident into and through corners, and I'm in control of the car's attitude. Not sure if this due to the geometry, although I thought it was well set up by AK Automotive before, or the fresh bushes, damper and springs. Probably a bit of both in reality.

Refreshingly, the work came in below budget as the bushes proved to be easier to fit than initially thought, so as the car was there for an extra week I had a full service and new front pads and discs too to bring it up to the original value. Good on Blink for that, I'm sure many would have stuck with their first quote and complained what a hard job it was.

The only problem is that the car feels ready for a bit more power now, and their head and cam package looks remarkably tempting. Best save some pennies up then, and try not to spend too much on the Meg 275 in the meantime

[GibsonSG]

Agree totally, it’s a pleasure to do business with people like Richard and Fraser.

Good luck with your choice of engine mods, it’ll be a least a year before I get the funds together but I’ll be enjoying the renewed handling in a he meantime!