10 replies to this topic

[unburntfuelinthemorning]

A recommendation for Regency Autos, Church End, Cambridge.

 

I booked a session with Lee and Peter to sort out my carb needle and ignition timing.  Be prepared to wait as it seems they often overrun - was waiting an hour after booking time.  It was well worth the wait though, they did a very thorough job and the Mini is running so much better now.

[mm man]

Is that Peter Baldwin?

[unburntfuelinthemorning]

It is the man himself yes.  Seventy something and still going strong!  He's teaching Lee about bits of brass and SU needle charts.

[mm man]

I used him 10+ years ago at whistlers garage? Cambridge I think ??
Transformed my mini in 1hour I could of sworn he put a new engine in it .
Top man that really knows his stuff and glad to hear he is still going strong and passing on the knowledge .
Big boots to fill I fear :)

[unburntfuelinthemorning]

He was at Wilshers garage near Royston for a number of years but they stopped using the rolling road there because of insurance concerns.

 

I used his services once there about twenty years ago and also three times before that when he was at Marshalls in Cambridge.  Everytime he had the engines running lovely. 

 

He did retire after Wilshers but was head hunted and persuaded to carry on part time.  He seemed to be having a whale of a time when I saw him.  A BMW racer, then mine, then a beautiful old Jag from the fifties of some sort with twin two inch SU's. 

 

It's a much newer dyno he's operating there too - you now get a torque and power curve graph!

 

Lee seems to already understand electronic tuning but is enjoying learning the old school methods.  Big boots to fill but he's learning from one of the best and you have to start somewhere.

[mm man]

Thanks for the update really interesting to know what happened
I will now know where to go and where to recommend to others
Cheers

[unburntfuelinthemorning]

Went back with a new engine in September 2020 and was less impressed.  It hadn't been booked in properly so they didn't have enough time to complete the work and didn't have the laptop to map the ignition.  It was just Lee this time who did a really good job on the carb with a custom needle which partially made up for the rude old covid zealot in reception and the fact that I wasn't allowed in the workshop this time due to the same zealotry.  I was "allowed" to hang around the workshop entrance where I could watch all the people working there ignore every piece of covid guidance going. 

[ThermalEvent]

A bit late to the party here but thought I'd mention a little less well known rolling road in Thriplow (2 miles south of Cambridge). I didn't even know they existed until I was recommended by Cambridge rebores!

They are called Revivals and my Mini was rolling roaded there last year. Super impressed with them and a real decent bunch of guys.

They made me a brew, let me watch the rolling road/talk me through what they were doing and also play around with different needles in-between dyno runs. Will be taking the Mini and other cars to them in future.

They race Minis and are also geared up for ECU tuning as well as carbs.


http://www.revivals5...olling-road.php

Edited by ThermalEvent, 18 February 2022 - 02:57 PM.

[mm man]

Nice to know there’s another option in this area and they are mini friendly.

What was the hourly charge …..how long did they take to set yours up. 

[ThermalEvent]

I was there just over an hour and it was £90 all in. Didn't need much adjustment as I somehow managed (fluked!) getting the fuelling and timing almost spot on.

They advanced the timing but there was no extra power to be gained. Was leaning out when first pressing on the throttle due to the hs2 pistons lifting too quickly. The SU dash pot oil was switched to ATF and that cured it.

The needles fitted were slightly too rich on the top end so I swapped them for the next ones down but these were then too lean. Ideally I'd need custom needles but I'm happy with how it runs.

[mm man]

Thanks that sounds very reasonable I’m sure I paid around that several years ago . I will certainly bear them in mind when I get to that position.

Thanks