1446 replies to this topic

[The Matt]

Sliiiiiiiiiiight update. It's back on the road after its little "refresh".... driving a lot nicer, seat position and wheel position feel better, but I'm really starting to realise that Minis really are too small for me to be comfortable. I should be getting excited about the drive over to the 'ring in September, but instead I'm just dreading the long journey.

Steering wheel position is better though, more relaxed and more room for my knees.





Got a cheapo wheel off Lemmingzappa, it's the same size and dish as an OMP Corsica (which is what I wanted to get), but I paid £20 for it, the OMPs are about £140ish I think..... this'll do for now and it feels just right. I can sit with my knees right under the cowl now, whereas before I had to drive with my knees sticking out either side of the wheel. Still, just not enough room and with the roll cage in there now I'm really restricted. It's OK, don't get me wrong, it's fine, it'll do....it's just not big enough and there's nothing else I can do about that. Sort of regretting getting a roll cage, but it's the only way I'll feel safe out in Germany in it, so it's a catch-22 really. Only other option is some really skinny seats to drop my arse a bit closer to the floor, maybe mod the subframes on the Forzas first, but I'm sick of flogging a dead horse and think it's just a case of getting used to it as it is really.

[kcchan]

I cut out my seat cross members and fitted lower ones from Jon Betts. Gave me a more than enough room and I'm 5'10.

[The Matt]

I'm 6'6" matey

I'm looking at alternative seats, but to be honest as long as I'm kinda comfy, it'll do as it is for now. Just need to do some longer-haul trips to make sure I feel about right in there.

[The Matt]

So, I've taken it for a nice looong drive today. Jesus, it's handling better now.

I've got a castor/camber gauge now so I've managed to get the castor/camber somewhere near right now and have also bought myself some tracking gauges.

Well happy with the setup now, just need to spend some moolar on the bodywork.

[The Matt]

Baaaaah:








Took some stickers off:


Took some wet piccies too:




I also bought one of these:
http://www.demon-twe...-balance-gauges
Just because I was in Tweeks and they had an ex-display one cheeeaps.

I also bought a catch tank, because, well, I wanted to. I've also got to sort a new wiper motor as mine only works in super slo-mo.

Edited by The Matt, 24 June 2012 - 02:57 PM.

[The Matt]

I need a new front numberplate. Not only is it on the slash, it's taken a hit from some roadkill and the black bits are sort of peeling off around the letters... where can I get one from online, please?

[mike174]

i got mine off of ebay...

[The Matt]

Done!

[The Matt]

Another year, another MOT.

Drove it like it's meant to be driven today and scared myself a little. Driving position is goooood now. Real good. So much more comfy now I've tweaked and tweaked it!

[mike174]

i hope you got an advisory on the exhaust noise though?

[Noah]

The exhausts sitting a bit low isn't it?, speed bumps round my way would wipe that off in a flash!

[The Matt]

It was, yeah. It was one of the last jobs I did before its MOT. I've raised the back by about 1.5" and the exhaust is right up by the rear valance now.

I've only got about 2.5" ground clearance at the front though, tis a bit low all around.

What's a speed bump? We don't got none by ere?

[giacomo]

any more updates on this ? its making me want to go the c16xe route -.- if i can get rid of the inner wings and keep a fixed front i'd bee tempted

[The Matt]

Not really, I've got a knackered diff at the moment so am going to put a Quaife ATB in it, other than that it's just running around, being used now and then, but the diff is howling like a naughty monkey on heat, so I'm not really using the car in anger.....though I did nearly kill myself in it the other day by driving like an idiot.

The C16XE conversion means you can keep the inner wings pretty much as standard too, just trim the bottom edges off them a little. ;)

[giacomo]

i tried having a look around on here and couldnt find much info. keeping the inner wings a suprise tooo! i may pm you with some questions then, saves spaming your build thread up!

love the car though :)