Diary of Scott, aged 29 and 1/4.

[SMIFTER]

i suppose £12K or so for a full on 'new' race car is pretty good value really. Think of it as the same price as your wifes Mini and it puts things in perspective.<br>
<br>
Are you using standard gear ratios in your rebuilt box? The ratio gap between 2nd and 3rd on the standard box is a pain on a 'cammy' engine.<br>
<br>
G

<p><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.smifter1971.pwp.blueyonder.c ... >Smifter's Dolomite Sprint Website</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></p><i></i>

[Carsreunited]

As far as I know it has the standard ratios. I was interested in the the one that was on ebay a while ago but it didn't hit reserve and I didn't even get a reply to my polite email seeing if there was anyway of meeting in the middle.<br>
<br>
I've figured that I'll try one season with the standard ratios and depending on how much of a pain the 2nd to 3rd gap is, look at getting the sprintparts CR next year. It would be interesting to see how much it would improve lap times but at least I would have some standard setting times to refer to.<br>
<br>
Oh, and 16.5k for the Mini (with the options) so plenty of change left I should think!<br>
<br>
Scott

<p></p><i></i>

[ALG1K]

It is very suprising how much you spend <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :eek --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... ns/eek.gif ALT=":eek"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
<!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://img1.photobucket.com/albums/0903 ... <!--EZCODE IMAGE END-->

<p></p><i></i>

[SMIFTER]

I wish I had £12 to spend on mine!<br>
<br>
There's always someone who gets bit "£££carried away£££" of course!<br>
<br>
Nice pic Darren - Castle Coombe isnt it??<br>
<br>
Scott - Didnt your realise your wifes car was a Cooper S - I thought it was 'just' a Cooper. Nice car, still glad I didnt order one though as they are everywhere in Bristol! £16.5K still hurts for a Mini though!

<p><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.smifter1971.pwp.blueyonder.c ... >Smifter's Dolomite Sprint Website</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></p><i></i>

[ALG1K]

Nice pic Darren - Castle Coombe isnt it??<br>
<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START ;) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/wink.gif ALT=";)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

<p></p><i></i>

[Carsreunited]

But I bet Darren that on a £'s per bhp formula you have spent less than me! <br>
<br>
It is just a Cooper Graeme but when you stick on xenon headlamps, climate control, 17" alloys, leather interior, cruise and stability control, heated front windscreen and panoramic sunroof thats what they cost. If we had added Sat Nav and heated seats (which were the only options left apart from ICE stuff) then it would have cost 18k!!! <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :eek --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... ns/eek.gif ALT=":eek"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> Its going to be a one owner car all its life so we thought we might as well make it a little special. They are common but at least fellow owners wave and flash their lights at you. Theres quite a community around them. (not care in the community).<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :rolleyes --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/eyes.gif ALT=":rolleyes"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> Personally I would have bought a 5 year old cerbera but it isn't supposed to be for me!<br>
<br>
Scott

<p></p><i></i>

[SMIFTER]

I do like the new Mini - its on my reserve list still if the Smart proves to be troublesome (I've heard some tales of woe regarding leaking roofs).<br>
<br>
As for the extras adding up the cost thats typical german cars though - lull you into a sense of affordability and shaft you if you want anything bolted on. Its only recently BMW have included radios.<br>
<br>
If I added all the extras available on my Smart I could easily end up with a £17K price tag! I'm happy to not bother with all that electric mirrors, sat nav and air con nonsense though.<br>
<br>
I digress......back to your car........

<p><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.smifter1971.pwp.blueyonder.c ... >Smifter's Dolomite Sprint Website</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></p><i></i>

[Dave]

Looks like one of those anti camera plates you can get.

<p></p><i></i>

[ALG1K]

Pounds per brake your probably right <br>
The number plate isnt anti flash its been photoshopped <br>
Don't need anti flash plates as i never speed on the queens highway<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /smile.gif ALT=":)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

<p></p><i></i>

[StephenGrellet]

Darren, what is the rolling diameter of your wheel/tyre set up. How much metal did you remove from the front and rear guards when you fitted the flares.

<p></p><i></i>

[ALG1K]

Its a lot more time consuming than you think fitting the flares,<br>
The fronts arnt to bad,<br>
You do have to remove quite a bit of metal !!!<br>
But the rears <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START >: --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... ns/mad.gif ALT=">:"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
To do the job properly you have to seam weld the 2 panels back together,<br>
My rear tyres in that pick are 245/45/16"<br>
Think the circ was 24.7 " cannot remember of my head<br>
I also modded the inner arches,<br>
Im working on fitting 345/secton rears atm as its going to be bhp mad<br>
I dont have any pics of the install of the flares as i lost them on my hard drive but i have a pick of<br>
<!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://img1.photobucket.com/albums/0903 ... <!--EZCODE IMAGE END-->

<p></p><i></i>

[Carsreunited]

Thats a nice Industrial air conditioning unit you've got there Darren. <br>
<br>
Shall we stick to the subject of dollies though?<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :b --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... tongue.gif ALT=":b"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
<br>
Do you run some trick instruments for speed/tacho etc. If you do, what can you recommend based on functionality and cost? I have to retain standard instruments and dash but might like something that gives me up to 9k on the read out and 140mph all in one display preferably.<br>
<br>
Scott

<p></p><i></i>

[SMIFTER]

Scott<br>
<br>
Surely all you need is a higher reading and more accurate rev counter with a shift light for racing?<br>
<br>
Your speedo will be out anyway if you havent got a standard diff ratio.<br>
<br>
If you want one of the fancy set ups have a Look at Stack instruments - they do everything imaginable up to full telemetry systems.

<p><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.smifter1971.pwp.blueyonder.c ... >Smifter's Dolomite Sprint Website</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></p><i></i>

[Carsreunited]

Speedos are out with 60 profile tyres anyway aren't they?<br>
<br>
I had the new boy racer tweeks catalogue drop through the door the other day and once I'd stopped laughing at the pages of anodized junk, I actually got stuck on the instruments page. Lots of nice kit, some with big price tags. I'd like to have something that is easily within my peripheral vision and predominantly a rev counter with a digital speed reading integrated. I haven't got a clue how feasible these are for our cars without loads of modding. I haven't been around enough track classic cars to know what will go and what won't.<br>
<br>
What do you reckon? Oh, and I don't want to spend more than £300 if I can help it! (bloody hell, you got a good engine for less than that!)<br>
<br>
Scott

<p></p><i></i>

[SMIFTER]

Firstly, sounds like DT sent you the 'performance' catalogue - roll it up and stick it up a vauxhall novas 5" peco big bore.<br>
<br>
Ring them and ask for the proper catalogue - the motorsport one. Its a good bit of car porn that can bleed you dry.<br>
<br>
How does this sound?<br>
<br>
S P A Design combined 0-9000 rpm 80mm dia tacho with digital speedo and built in 3-stage shift light.<br>
<br>
350squid.<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.spa-uk.co.uk/design/tachometers.htm" target="top">www.spa-uk.co.uk/design/tachometers.htm</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br>
<br>
Speedo Probably works on a speed trigger sensor fitted to a wheel hub like a bicycle computer but should be self explanatory in the fitting instructions.<br>
<br>
I should go back to bed but how do you stop a wife from snoring that doesnt involve divorce or a prison sentence? <br>


<p><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.smifter1971.pwp.blueyonder.c ... >Smifter's Dolomite Sprint Website</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub52.ezboard.com/bthetriumphdol ... SMIFTER</A> at: 27/2/04 1:34 am<br></i>