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Brigsy
Media Mogul. Instagram legend.
Weekend update
Dying again with man flu or whatever so motivation was pretty low, anyway pulled my finger out and got it back together yesterday.
Bumper and grill back on, repairs to grill mounting points that have been broken since 2008 with plastic welder and epoxy rapid, no pics as working fast.
Filled up with fresh 20/50 valvoline vr1 racing oil and primed oil system on starter motor, adaptronic handily cuts spark and fuel if you hold throttle 100% when cranking so its dead easy to prime.
Hit the switch and went first go on last years fuel, i cant recall starting it after Anglesey last year so its been almost a year since running.
Running good as usual, appears to be dry underneath at the moment so its a vast improvement.
Dash refitted and steering wheel back on.
Checked front pads whilst wheels were off and the ds2500 arent looking great, they have done a few trackdays so cant moan.
Flaky, bin time.
Currently making enquiries on Ds1.11 pads for it, it shares the same pads as clio williams, and some other old french hot hatches. Kamracing used to stock them but not listed have fired an email over, apart from that only place listing them/showing stock is oreca.
If Ds1.11 are a no go ive seen winmax do a decent range or carbon lorraine so there is a few options maybe Winmax W5 Comparable to ds1.11?
Also bought another Rs/Sabelt steering wheel as im taking off the signed one to make a bit of wallart in the house. Arrived in 5 days from Rsperformance/Oreca.
Pukka engraved Rs wheel.
Snagging list to do.
Thanks for reading!!
Dying again with man flu or whatever so motivation was pretty low, anyway pulled my finger out and got it back together yesterday.
Bumper and grill back on, repairs to grill mounting points that have been broken since 2008 with plastic welder and epoxy rapid, no pics as working fast.
Filled up with fresh 20/50 valvoline vr1 racing oil and primed oil system on starter motor, adaptronic handily cuts spark and fuel if you hold throttle 100% when cranking so its dead easy to prime.
Hit the switch and went first go on last years fuel, i cant recall starting it after Anglesey last year so its been almost a year since running.
Running good as usual, appears to be dry underneath at the moment so its a vast improvement.
Dash refitted and steering wheel back on.
Checked front pads whilst wheels were off and the ds2500 arent looking great, they have done a few trackdays so cant moan.
Flaky, bin time.
Currently making enquiries on Ds1.11 pads for it, it shares the same pads as clio williams, and some other old french hot hatches. Kamracing used to stock them but not listed have fired an email over, apart from that only place listing them/showing stock is oreca.
If Ds1.11 are a no go ive seen winmax do a decent range or carbon lorraine so there is a few options maybe Winmax W5 Comparable to ds1.11?
Also bought another Rs/Sabelt steering wheel as im taking off the signed one to make a bit of wallart in the house. Arrived in 5 days from Rsperformance/Oreca.
Pukka engraved Rs wheel.
Snagging list to do.
- New pads and brake fluid flush - will order this week.
- Tyres - Ar1 in stock so will see about fitting next weekend.
- Geo - a new geo lift is currently getting installed at my mates garage so will visit after hols.
- Look at intermittent fuel gauge. Got all parts in stock so should be easy to sort.
- Change gearbox oil. Prob use redline mtl this time.
- Tax - will tax on 1st July.
- Road test - after hols.
Thanks for reading!!
Brigsy
Media Mogul. Instagram legend.
Update.
Ordered Ferodo Ds1.11 from Oreca on Monday, arrived Friday. Quick for overseas, every time ive used them its 4-5days from order. Only place that list them for sale/in stock for gtt too.
Feel a bit arse raped over the price + import tax but cant put a price on good brakes i guess..
Neww
Front calipers are dirt cheap so going to stick a set on as the current ones were binding a little a couple of years ago, not been an issue since freeing off but they are literally a third of the price of the pads for a pair, also braided flexis whilst in the area. I believe the discs are spot on but will give them a once over too.
Fresh Nankang Ar-1 fitted to my spare set of cup steels. One of the wheels was marked spare on the inside possibly from its cup racer days.
Neww tyre day Sunday.
I was going to get them refurbed but i think the ratty look will suit the van and be more discreet than shiny silver steels.
Will be interesting to see how they compare to previously fitted R888R at Anglesey. Sidewall looks thicker and very stiff, so might aid turn in.
Thanks for reading!!
Ordered Ferodo Ds1.11 from Oreca on Monday, arrived Friday. Quick for overseas, every time ive used them its 4-5days from order. Only place that list them for sale/in stock for gtt too.
Feel a bit arse raped over the price + import tax but cant put a price on good brakes i guess..
Neww
Front calipers are dirt cheap so going to stick a set on as the current ones were binding a little a couple of years ago, not been an issue since freeing off but they are literally a third of the price of the pads for a pair, also braided flexis whilst in the area. I believe the discs are spot on but will give them a once over too.
Fresh Nankang Ar-1 fitted to my spare set of cup steels. One of the wheels was marked spare on the inside possibly from its cup racer days.
Neww tyre day Sunday.
I was going to get them refurbed but i think the ratty look will suit the van and be more discreet than shiny silver steels.
Will be interesting to see how they compare to previously fitted R888R at Anglesey. Sidewall looks thicker and very stiff, so might aid turn in.
Thanks for reading!!
Brigsy
Media Mogul. Instagram legend.
Updates.
Thought i best pull my finger out and do a bit to the Extra with Anglesey/CSF only a matter of weeks away.
It has been pissing down with rain all day which put me off doing anything, but with time ticking it needed road testing to check the clio dci steering rack was ok and geo/toe setting up. Thought it would be sensible getting it driving straight before having to bed new discs and pads in at higher speeds.
Fitted the cup wheels with the new Ar1's to replace the baldy r888r. Shuffled the cars about and got it out the garage, fired up as willing as ever on first crank.
First thoughts on clio rack, even when shuffling it on the drive i could tell the steering was vastily improved/useable. I did wonder if it was going to be stupidly heavy/feel like steering column would fall off, but a quick test ride round the block confirmed quite the opposite and quite light so all good to go. Quick stop by tesco for some fresh momentum 99, as was on fumes/last august's fuel.
On the hunter.
When checked geo was a country mile off as expected, steering wheel was way off. Set up toe to 10 mins of toe out overall which works well on this, camber still set at -2.7deg so didnt need any adjustments.
Anyway even though wet and fresh Ar1's was not the perfect combo for testing on the way home, the quicker clio rack feels awesome. The steering moves easily when rolling, and actually feels a bit lighter than the old van rack. Feels like a clio on turn in, if it gets out of square on track i can bang the opposite lock in fast instead of doing what feels like several hundred turns on the old van rack.
Sump oil leaks were checked whilst on lift and all looked dry, wont hold my breath on that one though!
Stack dash still my fav.
Pitted but the rain hides it well.
My mate done a reel of it. Hardcut limiter is silly loud on this in real life.
Back in the garage until next week when ill finish the last bits off.
Thanks for reading!!
Thought i best pull my finger out and do a bit to the Extra with Anglesey/CSF only a matter of weeks away.
It has been pissing down with rain all day which put me off doing anything, but with time ticking it needed road testing to check the clio dci steering rack was ok and geo/toe setting up. Thought it would be sensible getting it driving straight before having to bed new discs and pads in at higher speeds.
Fitted the cup wheels with the new Ar1's to replace the baldy r888r. Shuffled the cars about and got it out the garage, fired up as willing as ever on first crank.
First thoughts on clio rack, even when shuffling it on the drive i could tell the steering was vastily improved/useable. I did wonder if it was going to be stupidly heavy/feel like steering column would fall off, but a quick test ride round the block confirmed quite the opposite and quite light so all good to go. Quick stop by tesco for some fresh momentum 99, as was on fumes/last august's fuel.
On the hunter.
When checked geo was a country mile off as expected, steering wheel was way off. Set up toe to 10 mins of toe out overall which works well on this, camber still set at -2.7deg so didnt need any adjustments.
Anyway even though wet and fresh Ar1's was not the perfect combo for testing on the way home, the quicker clio rack feels awesome. The steering moves easily when rolling, and actually feels a bit lighter than the old van rack. Feels like a clio on turn in, if it gets out of square on track i can bang the opposite lock in fast instead of doing what feels like several hundred turns on the old van rack.
Sump oil leaks were checked whilst on lift and all looked dry, wont hold my breath on that one though!
Stack dash still my fav.
Pitted but the rain hides it well.
My mate done a reel of it. Hardcut limiter is silly loud on this in real life.
Back in the garage until next week when ill finish the last bits off.
Thanks for reading!!
Brigsy
Media Mogul. Instagram legend.
Agree with the clio rack the difference is mega and very easy to fit, wish id done it years ago.
Wet grip quite good on the Ar1, be interesting to see what they are like in the dry.
Brigsy
Media Mogul. Instagram legend.
Updates
Heatwave so decide to sort the brakes out on the Extra for CSF.
Give the front brake pipe a quick squirt with plusgas and cracked straight off with my new ching spec ratchet spanner.
Works suprisingly well for a cheapo.
Calipers, discs and pafs off and cleaned hubs up to get any rust off, caliper carriers got the same knotted wheel approach.
Everything clean.
New parts fitted - trw calipers, brembo hc discs, ferodo ds1.11 pads, goodridge braided flexi hoses and flushed the brake fluid with a ltr of typ200.
Everything new.
The old calipers were a little sticky, pads were shot but discs werent too bad, however new front discs were £12 each so no brainer to replace as pads were not cheap.
Took it out for a quick run out to bed the pads in. With one half decent stab of the brake pedal the pads come on and stopping power was right there. Brake pedal feels great and very progressive with loads of stopping power. Loads better than the knackered ds2500 pads.
Heatwave so decide to sort the brakes out on the Extra for CSF.
Give the front brake pipe a quick squirt with plusgas and cracked straight off with my new ching spec ratchet spanner.
Works suprisingly well for a cheapo.
Calipers, discs and pafs off and cleaned hubs up to get any rust off, caliper carriers got the same knotted wheel approach.
Everything clean.
New parts fitted - trw calipers, brembo hc discs, ferodo ds1.11 pads, goodridge braided flexi hoses and flushed the brake fluid with a ltr of typ200.
Everything new.
The old calipers were a little sticky, pads were shot but discs werent too bad, however new front discs were £12 each so no brainer to replace as pads were not cheap.
Took it out for a quick run out to bed the pads in. With one half decent stab of the brake pedal the pads come on and stopping power was right there. Brake pedal feels great and very progressive with loads of stopping power. Loads better than the knackered ds2500 pads.
Brigsy
Media Mogul. Instagram legend.
Sat updates.
Treated it to a new set of plugs as not changed them for years. Old ones were still around 0.7mm gap when checked so wasnt really necessary but at £3 a plug for ngk bcr8es its not hurting.
Brown tinge from MMT in VP racing octanium octane booster i have used in the past.
Next on the agenda was smoke test to boost circuit.
Smokin.
On Fridays road test seemed a little bit down on torque. Found the leak in about ten seconds, one of the Mikalor clamps had backed off and needed tightening up. They are crap and need changing to jcs high grip soon.
Offending clamp.
Gear oil has not been changed for a while. Splashed out on Redline MTL this time.
Smelly expensive s**t.
Took it out for road test and usual power is resumed. Was going to get geo tweaked but the geo computer was down due to that bloody outage!! Will get it done this week.
Mot later on today.
Thanks for reading!!
Treated it to a new set of plugs as not changed them for years. Old ones were still around 0.7mm gap when checked so wasnt really necessary but at £3 a plug for ngk bcr8es its not hurting.
Brown tinge from MMT in VP racing octanium octane booster i have used in the past.
Next on the agenda was smoke test to boost circuit.
Smokin.
On Fridays road test seemed a little bit down on torque. Found the leak in about ten seconds, one of the Mikalor clamps had backed off and needed tightening up. They are crap and need changing to jcs high grip soon.
Offending clamp.
Gear oil has not been changed for a while. Splashed out on Redline MTL this time.
Smelly expensive s**t.
Took it out for road test and usual power is resumed. Was going to get geo tweaked but the geo computer was down due to that bloody outage!! Will get it done this week.
Mot later on today.
Thanks for reading!!
These used to be the de facto clamps but more and more people appear to be having issues with them.
MartijnTrophy
Member
Getting to the boost leaks with the smoke detection is so easy! Good to see this getting some love.
Brigsy
Media Mogul. Instagram legend.
Updates.
CSF done and dusted.
Started with a 6 Hour journey to get to Anglesey which was awful. Heavy traffic with paddle clutch, bosch 044 fuel pump whine, side exit exhaust drone and ds1.11 pads squealing under light braking does not make a relaxed drive. Only fun part of the journey was the tunnels on the A55 for exhaust noise.
En route and a stop to rest the ears from the fuel pump noise.
Papped adding bit of spicey Vp racing octanium to the tank at Bangor.
In total done around 570 mile round trip, with several full send sessions on track. No real issues to report, performed excellent. The clio dci steering rack, overhauled brakes witt ds1.11 pads and fresh Ar1 worked very well. Could do plenty of hot laps back to back on wastegate boost pressure of 12psi, coolant temps mid to high 80s max and oil temps around 100deg.
With the weather spitting rain a little early am i opted to get straight out and have as much seat time as possible and went through almost a tank of fuel and front ns tyre took a bit of a beating to suit.
2.7deg negative camber and outer edge still wearing a bit.
Garage queen.
Return journey from Anglesey was much better on the Sunday and a clean run thankfully.
On return i give it a post trackday inspection, jack up and once over to see if any casualties, as its going to Retro Rides gathering this coming weekend at Mallory Park and its booked in for sprint laps.
All looks pretty good when inspected - no play in any suspension components and no oil leaks which is pretty unbelievable.
Post trackday checks.
Noted brakes have been very hot and started melting the paint on the front wheels and paint flaked off the rear drums! Did not have any fade issues at all though and pedal feel/brake power stayed consistent throughout.
Brake pedal travel was a little bit long before biting as noted before setting off to Anglesey but not excessive. The pedal was solid so knew that it needed the drums adjusting.
Quick adjustment.
The paint on the drums has flaked off and heat checks are visible on the drums, it looks like the rears have been super hot. Not the first time however as seen it in the past..needs a disc upgrade really but cant add width on the rear so drums it is!
Drums de lipped with flapper wheel and heat checks visible.
Super easy job usually (he says). Bearing on o/s splits on removal, inner race of bearing separates. This is not uncommon, looks dry so regrease and refit. Retorque the hub nut and the bearing makes a click following with a good 3mm of play. It was the original snr bearing and looked like it had seen better days so i guess its time was up.
Anyway continue on with n/s and the bearing has chucked all its grease out and not too clever so its 2x rear bearings.
Max loading on ns rear on fast corners and bearing no likey after a few trackdays.
Ring up the local motorfactors and they have 1x bearing on the shelf and order another in. 1x apec and 1x napa. Both chinese bearings but dont have time to get snr from autodoc so will do for now.
Had a spare couple of hours this afternoon so proceeded to swap bearings. A simple hour job for both.
O/s first, goes well and old bearing pressed out of drum and new apec bearing in.
20ton press in corner of garage comes in handy.
Refitted drum, torqued and checked no play and wheel back on. Repeat on n/s using napa bearing, all goes well removing and refitting, fits bearing to drum and torque to spec and it has 2mm play! I remove and refit and nothing untoward - bearing spacer is present. Remove bearing with press and mic it up and its identical to old one size wise.
Go down the motorfactors assuming its a duff bearing. They swap it for an apec bearing to match other side as have replenished stock.
Press new bearing in and refit. Slight play when torqued to spec, hardly nothing and mot pass acceptable but not good enough.
I strip it down again to check, clean up stub axle etc. Refit and torque, same amount of play. Torqued hub nut up a little tighter and all play is gone. Spins freely so all is good, well itll do for now until i get a decent branded pair of bearings.
CSF done and dusted.
Started with a 6 Hour journey to get to Anglesey which was awful. Heavy traffic with paddle clutch, bosch 044 fuel pump whine, side exit exhaust drone and ds1.11 pads squealing under light braking does not make a relaxed drive. Only fun part of the journey was the tunnels on the A55 for exhaust noise.
En route and a stop to rest the ears from the fuel pump noise.
Papped adding bit of spicey Vp racing octanium to the tank at Bangor.
In total done around 570 mile round trip, with several full send sessions on track. No real issues to report, performed excellent. The clio dci steering rack, overhauled brakes witt ds1.11 pads and fresh Ar1 worked very well. Could do plenty of hot laps back to back on wastegate boost pressure of 12psi, coolant temps mid to high 80s max and oil temps around 100deg.
With the weather spitting rain a little early am i opted to get straight out and have as much seat time as possible and went through almost a tank of fuel and front ns tyre took a bit of a beating to suit.
2.7deg negative camber and outer edge still wearing a bit.
Garage queen.
Return journey from Anglesey was much better on the Sunday and a clean run thankfully.
On return i give it a post trackday inspection, jack up and once over to see if any casualties, as its going to Retro Rides gathering this coming weekend at Mallory Park and its booked in for sprint laps.
All looks pretty good when inspected - no play in any suspension components and no oil leaks which is pretty unbelievable.
Post trackday checks.
Noted brakes have been very hot and started melting the paint on the front wheels and paint flaked off the rear drums! Did not have any fade issues at all though and pedal feel/brake power stayed consistent throughout.
Brake pedal travel was a little bit long before biting as noted before setting off to Anglesey but not excessive. The pedal was solid so knew that it needed the drums adjusting.
Quick adjustment.
The paint on the drums has flaked off and heat checks are visible on the drums, it looks like the rears have been super hot. Not the first time however as seen it in the past..needs a disc upgrade really but cant add width on the rear so drums it is!
Drums de lipped with flapper wheel and heat checks visible.
Super easy job usually (he says). Bearing on o/s splits on removal, inner race of bearing separates. This is not uncommon, looks dry so regrease and refit. Retorque the hub nut and the bearing makes a click following with a good 3mm of play. It was the original snr bearing and looked like it had seen better days so i guess its time was up.
Anyway continue on with n/s and the bearing has chucked all its grease out and not too clever so its 2x rear bearings.
Max loading on ns rear on fast corners and bearing no likey after a few trackdays.
Ring up the local motorfactors and they have 1x bearing on the shelf and order another in. 1x apec and 1x napa. Both chinese bearings but dont have time to get snr from autodoc so will do for now.
Had a spare couple of hours this afternoon so proceeded to swap bearings. A simple hour job for both.
O/s first, goes well and old bearing pressed out of drum and new apec bearing in.
20ton press in corner of garage comes in handy.
Refitted drum, torqued and checked no play and wheel back on. Repeat on n/s using napa bearing, all goes well removing and refitting, fits bearing to drum and torque to spec and it has 2mm play! I remove and refit and nothing untoward - bearing spacer is present. Remove bearing with press and mic it up and its identical to old one size wise.
Go down the motorfactors assuming its a duff bearing. They swap it for an apec bearing to match other side as have replenished stock.
Press new bearing in and refit. Slight play when torqued to spec, hardly nothing and mot pass acceptable but not good enough.
I strip it down again to check, clean up stub axle etc. Refit and torque, same amount of play. Torqued hub nut up a little tighter and all play is gone. Spins freely so all is good, well itll do for now until i get a decent branded pair of bearings.
Brigsy
Media Mogul. Instagram legend.
After that carry on adding time to the job took it out for a bit of b road blasting and shopping trip this evening.
Its always been noisy in the back with semi slick tyre whine when on the move which makes it difficult to hear any wheel bearing noise, but did have a resonance 50+ mph. That seems to have quietened down a little so assume the dry o/s bearing was on its way.
Brakes feel loads better and pedal travel is short/handbrake 4 clicks slo decent improvements.
Needs a good wash after CSF.
Narrow van wide parking spot.
A quick jack up to check both rear bearings on return home and no play/spin fine so all good.
Ill prob change oil before Mallory as have loads in stock. Apart from that a quick wash and good to go.
Thanks for reading!!
Its always been noisy in the back with semi slick tyre whine when on the move which makes it difficult to hear any wheel bearing noise, but did have a resonance 50+ mph. That seems to have quietened down a little so assume the dry o/s bearing was on its way.
Brakes feel loads better and pedal travel is short/handbrake 4 clicks slo decent improvements.
Needs a good wash after CSF.
Narrow van wide parking spot.
A quick jack up to check both rear bearings on return home and no play/spin fine so all good.
Ill prob change oil before Mallory as have loads in stock. Apart from that a quick wash and good to go.
Thanks for reading!!
Turbell
Well-Known Member
Lots of new bearings are shite these days, worth cross referencing older pattern stuff like QH, AP etc, search fleabay for the pattern numbers, if boxes are old and damaged you'll find nice SNR or SKF bearings hiding inside, just repackaged.
Lots of previously trusted brands seem to have outsourced production to the worlds industrial areas, it's a lottery what turns up these days.....NAPA = CRAPA, .......what the heck, that ain't Borg and Beck ......Lucas....is it Fucas...
Lots of previously trusted brands seem to have outsourced production to the worlds industrial areas, it's a lottery what turns up these days.....NAPA = CRAPA, .......what the heck, that ain't Borg and Beck ......Lucas....is it Fucas...
Brigsy
Media Mogul. Instagram legend.
RRG update.
Took the Extra van to Mallory Park for Retro Rides gathering a couple of weeks ago. RRG is one of the best Retro car shows of the calendar year and is a mega day. I had booked the Extra on the 2 lap sprint in the afternoon for full send laps on high boost.
Id done a bit of prep and logging beforehand and all seemed OK after Anglesey. Noted boost pressure seemed less stable than usual and high boost was not as high as usual seemed to be down a couple of psi. Whatever afrs were good and it was safe so i blamed higher ambient temps when testing.
I done a few checks before setting off and all good. Coolant needed a little top up, hardly anything but done it regardless as its a long trip and im travelling light i.e. not a van full of spares as on the sprint.
Sets off and all going well. Stops off mid point to rest ears and piss.
Looks clean.
Mrs points out that its pissing out coolant.
Luckily this was an easy fix. Basically when id topped up coolant pre journey the seal on the header tank cap had decided to not seal and fold itself inside the cap. As the engine runs really cool on normal driving it didnt cause an issue but system was not holding pressure and it caused the coolant to raise/come out with the lack of seal when engine is switched off hot and coolant not circulating.
Ive had this issue before and have bought a few new caps including oem and they have all been shite quality, some not sealing from new. I had a spare cap with me in the flight box in the back and swapped seal over. New seal fixes the issue and header tank is sealed. Coolant was still on the max too as it was hot, looked like loads but hardly any lost, just needed a small top up the next day when cooled down.
Sets off and does another 100miles no issues at hotel the night before. Brim tank with tesco 99 ready for sprint laps.
Show day comes and get into Mallory park eventually after leg ache paddle clutch in traffic.
Surrounded by retro motors.
On the TurboRenault stand.
Afternoon comes and get over for the sprint. Its absolutely scorchio 25-28degrees so take numberplate off for max airflow as it will need all of it.
Queing up in the pitlane with @Renny 5
Mega banter with @Renny 5 as usual and we have managed to group up for the sprint runs. Mine c1j, Marks 5 172 powered with throttle bodies, lad behind (forget his name apologies!) Has a f7p engine on carbs from memory.
Anyway its usual comments of full send as its a sprint run so no tyre and brake warmup just get on it. My tyres still have a s**t load of pickup from Anglesey so not the best but full send it is!
Im first out in our group and straight out round gerrards from the pits.
Trying to warm up tyres on the job its fat out on exit of Gerrards late braking into Edwinas. Turn into Edwinas which is a sharp left and absolutely sideways on cold rear tyres which was not expected but manage to get it back fast without spinning.
Complete the lap and fast as poss round Gerrards as tyres seem to be on grip wise. Flat out on the exit of gerrards in 3rd gear, the engine is feeling super lively and i hear a massive bang out of the exhaust. I assume ive hit the hard cut rev limiter although rpm seemed lower than usual, bang it into 4th gear and it just feels a bit flat. Look at boost gauge just before devils elbow and boost pressure is right down to wastegate 12psi and fluctuating all over the place and my high boost switch is doing nothing its low boost or low boost.
Flat out exiting Gerrards and shot gun bang.
As its a sprint the 2nd lap is up and i get it back into the pits. Open bonnet, its about ten thousand degrees under there but i notice the Mac valve for boost control has self destructed and the centre is gone!
I assume the bang exiting gerrards was actually boost cut and it was bleeding off more boost than it should have been, but luckily the engine is mapped for 27psi and boost cut is 300kpa (29ish psi) so nothing was hurt.
I call it a day at that and be thankful that it has not ejected a piston, liner or headgasket in the process.
Not very often that you see 2x Extra vans these days.
Set off home at steady pace and made it back no furthur issues. Win some you lose some eh.
Took the Extra van to Mallory Park for Retro Rides gathering a couple of weeks ago. RRG is one of the best Retro car shows of the calendar year and is a mega day. I had booked the Extra on the 2 lap sprint in the afternoon for full send laps on high boost.
Id done a bit of prep and logging beforehand and all seemed OK after Anglesey. Noted boost pressure seemed less stable than usual and high boost was not as high as usual seemed to be down a couple of psi. Whatever afrs were good and it was safe so i blamed higher ambient temps when testing.
I done a few checks before setting off and all good. Coolant needed a little top up, hardly anything but done it regardless as its a long trip and im travelling light i.e. not a van full of spares as on the sprint.
Sets off and all going well. Stops off mid point to rest ears and piss.
Looks clean.
Mrs points out that its pissing out coolant.
Luckily this was an easy fix. Basically when id topped up coolant pre journey the seal on the header tank cap had decided to not seal and fold itself inside the cap. As the engine runs really cool on normal driving it didnt cause an issue but system was not holding pressure and it caused the coolant to raise/come out with the lack of seal when engine is switched off hot and coolant not circulating.
Ive had this issue before and have bought a few new caps including oem and they have all been shite quality, some not sealing from new. I had a spare cap with me in the flight box in the back and swapped seal over. New seal fixes the issue and header tank is sealed. Coolant was still on the max too as it was hot, looked like loads but hardly any lost, just needed a small top up the next day when cooled down.
Sets off and does another 100miles no issues at hotel the night before. Brim tank with tesco 99 ready for sprint laps.
Show day comes and get into Mallory park eventually after leg ache paddle clutch in traffic.
Surrounded by retro motors.
On the TurboRenault stand.
Afternoon comes and get over for the sprint. Its absolutely scorchio 25-28degrees so take numberplate off for max airflow as it will need all of it.
Queing up in the pitlane with @Renny 5
Mega banter with @Renny 5 as usual and we have managed to group up for the sprint runs. Mine c1j, Marks 5 172 powered with throttle bodies, lad behind (forget his name apologies!) Has a f7p engine on carbs from memory.
Anyway its usual comments of full send as its a sprint run so no tyre and brake warmup just get on it. My tyres still have a s**t load of pickup from Anglesey so not the best but full send it is!
Im first out in our group and straight out round gerrards from the pits.
Trying to warm up tyres on the job its fat out on exit of Gerrards late braking into Edwinas. Turn into Edwinas which is a sharp left and absolutely sideways on cold rear tyres which was not expected but manage to get it back fast without spinning.
Complete the lap and fast as poss round Gerrards as tyres seem to be on grip wise. Flat out on the exit of gerrards in 3rd gear, the engine is feeling super lively and i hear a massive bang out of the exhaust. I assume ive hit the hard cut rev limiter although rpm seemed lower than usual, bang it into 4th gear and it just feels a bit flat. Look at boost gauge just before devils elbow and boost pressure is right down to wastegate 12psi and fluctuating all over the place and my high boost switch is doing nothing its low boost or low boost.
Flat out exiting Gerrards and shot gun bang.
As its a sprint the 2nd lap is up and i get it back into the pits. Open bonnet, its about ten thousand degrees under there but i notice the Mac valve for boost control has self destructed and the centre is gone!
I assume the bang exiting gerrards was actually boost cut and it was bleeding off more boost than it should have been, but luckily the engine is mapped for 27psi and boost cut is 300kpa (29ish psi) so nothing was hurt.
I call it a day at that and be thankful that it has not ejected a piston, liner or headgasket in the process.
Not very often that you see 2x Extra vans these days.
Set off home at steady pace and made it back no furthur issues. Win some you lose some eh.
