My slicktop has been parked up and a bit neglected since late last year.

Prepping and selling my spare slicktop, building a new trackday car and an exciting new house project in Spain have taken up most of my time, energy and money so far this year.

However this week I met up with my buddy Bob Dixon and bought his Volk Racing SE37s complete with some used trackday tyres fitted:thumbup1:

I got them on the car today and Im very happy. This has always been one of my favourite wheels.

I also made a start to fitting the TwinZ rooftop spoiler that Howard kindly imported for me with his Twinz order.

I should get that painted for a final fitting this week.

Pics of today's progress......

 

 

The exhaust got a quick clean too. I stopped short of polishing it as Im not that sad/obsessive.

:innocent:

 

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Everyone should have a snap-on ratcheting screwdriver in their arsenal [emoji106]

Everyone should have a snap-on ratcheting screwdriver in their arsenal

 

Agreed!. I have two so I dont need to keep changing from posi to flat bits.:yes:

 

One of the most memorable car breaking deals I ever did involved some delicate negotiations in sad circumstances but gave me the opportunity to by a huge amount of Snap On tools at a very low price. And the whole deal only came about thru being a member of this club. Food for thought for those who baulk at paying to be a member.

I wanted to get some wheel centre caps to replicate the look on Bob's car.

After some measuring etc and ebay searching I came up with these.

Size is spot on.

They are made of tough non breakable ABS type plastic.

I just need to get painting.

I already have some replica Volk paint that I will try.

I have also found some useful references to other paints that may be a better match.

Time will tell.

 

 

I can get graphics for them made also if you want.

I can get graphics for them made also if you want.

 

Grafics???:thumbdown::thumbdown::thumbdown:

 

My car is already overloaded with grafics:scared:

 

Thanks for the offer tho.:thumbup1:

Grafics???:thumbdown::thumbdown::thumbdown:

 

My car is already overloaded with grafics:scared:

 

Thanks for the offer tho.:thumbup1:

Referring to the likes of Richies veilside andrews centre caps, and my various impul centre caps. I have to say plain can look good too!

Well Im not overly impressed with this.......................

 

 

And its worse in the sun!

 

It looks like a trip to the paint factor tomorro to see if he can mix some " Fiat 750F Marrone Volcanico. 1991-97"

Which "allegedly" according to "The Internet" is the closest colour.:whistling:

 

Of course I do know that perfectly matching an anodised finish with simple paint is not going to happen. Im just hoping for a little more dark bronze tint.

Watch this space................:biggrin:..

I don't think that looks too bad at all Pete, what's it like against the car??

Referring to the likes of Richies veilside andrews centre caps, and my various impul centre caps. I have to say plain can look good too!

 

I have no problem with you all having logos where ever you want. I like my plainer look.

I just have my "club" window graphics and a small "Automodz" one on the rear window, cos without Mark's help and experience I would never have got the car on the road.

 

The rest of the car is a no graphic, badge sticker area.

I have no problem with you all having logos where ever you want. I like my plainer look.

I just have my "club" window graphics and a small "Automodz" one on the rear window, cos without Mark's help and experience I would never have got the car on the road.

 

The rest of the car is a no graphic, badge sticker area.

I don't have any graphics on my car, but I am a sucker for retro Japanese authentic stuff, hence the centre caps and horn logo

Did bob have spacers on the rear for that track width Pete?

Did bob have spacers on the rear for that track width Pete?

 

The picture of Bob's car has different wheel on the back. 10.5" i believe.

Well Im not overly impressed with this.......................

 

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And its worse in the sun!

 

It looks like a trip to the paint factor tomorro to see if he can mix some " Fiat 750F Marrone Volcanico. 1991-97"

Which "allegedly" according to "The Internet" is the closest colour.:whistling:

 

Of course I do know that perfectly matching an anodised finish with simple paint is not going to happen. Im just hoping for a little more dark bronze tint.

Watch this space................:biggrin:..

 

Wheel centres...round two............................................

I have been to my local paint factor and he has mixed me a tin of Fiat Marrone Volcanico.

We also looked at a lot of other colour chips.

It seems to us that the Fiat colur is as good as it gets. It is a bit too dark if sprayed normally

so I have used a silver base coat and then misted the marrone on top, stopping to check after each coat.

Im satisfied with the final look . The misting technique gives a coarser finish which is close to the raw anodized alloy.

Just got to do three more to match now!

 

I think you’ve done a good job there Pete, looks good.

That’s a pretty good match.

I think you’ve done a good job there Pete, looks good.

 

Cheers mate. I'm happy with it.

As you are well aware Im not looking for a top quality external finish on my car.

Something tha'ts OK from 10ft away will do!!

 

That’s a pretty good match.

As above Stephen.... It will do for me.

Over the weekend i have had a chance to investigate the non/sometimes working speedo.

Removal of the speed convertor didnt help.

Swapping to another gauge set didnt work.

My mate brought his oscilloscope and we looked at/for a signal.

There was no signal at low revs just behind the cluster and only a scattered signal at higher revs/speeds.

Removal of the speed sensor and subsequent bench testing revealed the culprit.

I have ordered a new one from the USA.

28 years of working before failure is not too bad IMO.

 

While I wait for that to arrive it is time for a clean up and re waxoyl on the underside.

 

Without doubt the Meister R coilovers are one on the best mods I did during building this car.

After six years they are still in great condition.

But as Im planning on a suspension re -adjust soon I took them off for a quick clean and re grease.

Here is a quick before n after pic.

 

They look like brand new again Pete:thumbup1: I think I'll have to consider these for the shortie:thumbup1:

I must say, I'm very impressed with MeisterR coilovers. I now have them on my Z and the car glides over rough surfaces rather than bangs and crashes over them. The only issue it's show is that I am now in dire need of some updated anti roll bars! :lol:

They look like brand new again Pete:thumbup1: I think I'll have to consider these for the shortie:thumbup1:

 

Just make sure you get 4kg and 6kg rate springs. Anything higher on a SWB just kills the handling and causes the rear end to hop and skip about in an alarming manner.

The concept of using the lower rates was developed by Meister many years ago with some input from a former SWB owner who was on this forum. Andy Isherwood.

Just make sure you get 4kg and 6kg rate springs. Anything higher on a SWB just kills the handling and causes the rear end to hop and skip about in an alarming manner.

The concept of using the lower rates was developed by Meister many years ago with some input from a former SWB owner who was on this forum. Andy Isherwood.

 

Thanks for the info Pete, I'll bear that in mind when the time comes :thumbup1:

I must say, I'm very impressed with MeisterR coilovers. I now have them on my Z and the car glides over rough surfaces rather than bangs and crashes over them. The only issue it's show is that I am now in dire need of some updated anti roll bars! :lol:

 

Our US friends have a better description of them really ....anti sway bars.

My Stillen uprated bars are an integral part of my handling package.

Complete with their adjustable drop links.

Those are next on my list. My Tein springs were so damn firm that I got little roll but at the expense of an uncomfortable ride. I have the comfort back, but need to sort the roll!

Time for an update.

Meister Rs back on.

Rear end and floorpan re -Waxoyled.

Wheels all on with centre caps.

Thats the best match I could do with the paint on the centre caps.

It looks good from a distance!! And acceptable when close.

My new cheap(ish) speed sensor is on the way from the US.

I rang my insurance to arrange cover to start on the policy renewal date which is Jun 30.

Two hours later I had an email with a new cover note attached with immediate effect.

The best bit was they didnt charge any "adjustment fee".:thumbup::thumbup:

 

BTW... Did I mention already that I love my new SE37s???:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

What a bargain buy:thumbup1:

 

Holidays always slow down progress at home.

I have three more parts to fit but in the meantime the car is on the road and running fine.

1. New speed sensor.

2. New rear discs... not urgent the existing one have a bit in them.

3. Different headers. i already have stainless tubular headers from one of the US suppliers fitted. They are all LHD design tho as everyone in China just copied the Stillen ones:whistling:

They are OK once you re locate the RH O2 sensor boss and tap the pipe to get clearance on the steering column.

I have now bought a pair of proper RHD design headers made in Japan. These have a better symmetrical tube design and are a larger bore.

Every little detail is important in NA tuning so Im sure these will be better. Time will tell.