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Post by julesd68 on Oct 24, 2020 16:32:06 GMT
OMG that's quite a saving - nice job Martin!
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Post by pre65 on Oct 25, 2020 12:00:59 GMT
It can be very satisfying, and financially rewarding, to do car maintenance, but there can be problems, and safety critical issues to deal with.
Firstly I would suggest reading a Haynes (or similar) manual to go through the intended process and become familiar with the task, and note any tools that will be needed.
A jack of some sort, and axle stands for safety.
On older cars, rusted/siezed nuts/bolts can be a real problem, and if something breaks during disassembly you can be in a real muddle.
Be careful with replacement parts, we all know main dealer parts are "expensive", but not all "pattern" parts are of the same standard. Stick with brands you know, or do internet research.
Might help if you know of any mobile mechanics in your area in case you end up with a disabled vehicle on the drive.
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Post by pre65 on Oct 25, 2020 12:48:45 GMT
A bit off topic. If you like Binky type videos you might like this. I've found a UK company (Retropower) that does high quality work on restomodding cars, plus race and rally preparation. They got an enquiry from Gordon Murray CBE (famous automotive designer) to build him a road car based on a Mk1 Escort, with much modding but to retain the standard look of a twin cam version. Retropower did a series build video which is on YouTube, and I found that very interesting to watch. Took up most of yesterday. retropower.co.uk/2019/02/05/gor ... k1-escort/
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Post by MartinT on Oct 25, 2020 16:36:55 GMT
Firstly I would suggest reading a Haynes (or similar) manual to go through the intended process and become familiar with the task, and note any tools that will be needed.
A jack of some sort, and axle stands for safety.
On older cars, rusted/siezed nuts/bolts can be a real problem, and if something breaks during disassembly you can be in a real muddle.
Be careful with replacement parts, we all know main dealer parts are "expensive", but not all "pattern" parts are of the same standard. Stick with brands you know, or do internet research.
Might help if you know of any mobile mechanics in your area in case you end up with a disabled vehicle on the drive.
Very good advice. A hydraulic jack is much to be preferred and axle stands are a must for safety. Never work under a car with just the jack holding it up. A good toolkit and a proper socket set are minimum requirements. A torque wrench is needed for any safety work, even for tightening wheel nuts up to the correct specification. As well as reading up on the work you're going to do, join a car club online and ask others. You will get plenty of advice. Watch YouTube videos - ChrisFix is a good place to start, his videos are excellent. Have a failback plan: either use of another car to buy emergency parts/tools or a callout service or friend who knows what they're doing.
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Post by MartinT on Dec 9, 2020 20:17:32 GMT
Further into next year, I'm contemplating either Bilstein B8 dampers to go with the H&R Super Sport springs I have twice had to cancel a booking to get this work done. Now deferred again to the 21st as the Bilstein importer doesn't seem to be very reliable. I'm having Bilstein B8 dampers installed, together with new rear lower arms for proper alignment, anti-roll bar drop links, poly bushes to tighten up all the linkages. This should match the already good lowering springs and give me very pointy handling, especially as I've now gone back to the superb Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres.
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Post by Chris on Dec 11, 2020 21:06:24 GMT
Worth sticking some STP Power Booster in your fuel gents. Great stuff.
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Post by MartinT on Dec 11, 2020 23:07:27 GMT
I use Archoil AR6200 in Shell V-Power fuel.
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Post by Chris on Dec 11, 2020 23:17:22 GMT
That must be wild
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Post by MartinT on Dec 11, 2020 23:28:48 GMT
It's nice, gives great response and pickup. The throttle mapping for the supercharger is knife-edge sensitive and it took some getting used to. I love it now, though, and other cars feel dull and laggy in comparison.
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Post by Chris on Dec 11, 2020 23:45:34 GMT
Seems like good value too. That STP is £6 for 250ml but your one has a much better dilution rate. Must try it. That STP ... You really feel a difference there too. Great product.
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Post by user211 on Dec 12, 2020 19:19:15 GMT
I use Archoil AR6200 in Shell V-Power fuel. My Porker literally objects to anything else but V-Power. It's seriously noticeable when I am not using it. It's annoying because after having moved house I have to travel out of my way to get it. But all other 97 Rons I have tried suck. You can literally feel and hear the engine run more smoothly than any alternative.
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Post by MartinT on Dec 12, 2020 20:59:28 GMT
Agreed. I tried Sainsburys Super but I'd rather not again. BP 97 is not bad if pushed. Shell V-Power is always smooth and the pickup is terrific.
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Post by user211 on Dec 13, 2020 17:51:10 GMT
This guy is convinced Esso is great.
But basically my Porsche doesn't seem to like it at all. I wonder why but I guess I'll never know.
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Post by MartinT on Dec 13, 2020 18:04:12 GMT
Try the Archoil AR6200, you can get a small sampler size good for two tankfuls on eBay from power.enhancer (the importer). It definitely makes the engine run even smoother.
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Post by julesd68 on Dec 13, 2020 18:27:08 GMT
I'm now up to 48mpg for combined town and motorway driving in my Mazda 3 - really pleasing considering it's a 2l petrol. Actually much better than the old 1.5 Civic!
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Post by MartinT on Dec 13, 2020 18:32:58 GMT
My BRZ has settled on 32mpg for my daily 80-mile commute. Not bad for a 300bhp supercharged 2.0l flat-four!
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Post by julesd68 on Dec 13, 2020 18:51:24 GMT
That's actually very impressive Martin!
The other thing about the Mazda is that I'm not paying for having good MPG by having a really boring drive - it's actually got a very handy turn of pace when required and the handling is great when we get the rare pleasure of smaller roads etc
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Post by user211 on Dec 14, 2020 21:45:59 GMT
Try the Archoil AR6200, you can get a small sampler size good for two tankfuls on eBay from power.enhancer (the importer). It definitely makes the engine run even smoother. Maybe I will. Something's right though as I am about to hit 90,000 miles on a car I bought new over six years ago. 95% of the petrol it has seen has been V-Power. It still feels great. I usually dump cars at this age and at lower mileage but this one has another 50K in it I am sure before the bills start to rack up. All previous cars I have had start to feel dubious around 65K. When it hits 10 years I'll get something electric new. My sister is bringing her Taycan over to mine this Xmas. Looking forward to it
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Post by MartinT on Dec 14, 2020 22:00:48 GMT
Well, I'm very happy with my BRZ and can see me keeping it until I retire. I have never done so much to any car to make it my own.
If I were to swap it for something else, it would be a Porsche 718 Cayman. We'll see.
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Post by user211 on Dec 14, 2020 23:47:06 GMT
Well, I'm very happy with my BRZ and can see me keeping it until I retire. I have never done so much to any car to make it my own. If I were to swap it for something else, it would be a Porsche 718 Cayman. We'll see. Well the T variant 718 is very tight. More so than any 981 variant I have driven. They lent me one for a few days. I will say the 718 when pushed a bit eats petrol like crazy. They are fast, and the laws of physics apply. Both in 2 and 2.5 litre variants. Pushed both of those around the Silverstone Porsche track so I guess I know. My pref would be for the 718 GTS from the current range as a Boxster. Because it isn't a flat four, does good mileage when driven averagely, has a practical roof when compared to a Spyder and sounds great no matter what they say about the exhaust on YouTube. Plus there is nothing like open top driving in a car like that. Exposure to the elements on great to average days means a lot to me in terms of driving experience. The replacement non Porsche exhausts for me sound worse. They ain't Porsche, the masters of exhaust sculpture in many ways. Despite restrictions they still find ways to do a great job. But exhaust sound, like hi-fi, is always a personal thing. And it is the most criticised aspect of the 4 cyclinder 718s, even if it isn't mine. I would say that whilst 718s sound different, the reviewers that slagged them off sonically were talking bollocks. They where wrong. Different - yes. But still bloody good, even if they don't hit flat six levels of excellence. But then everyone talks bollocks about cars anyway. Just like any other enthusiasts subject. Go with your heart...
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