DTA (UK)

Hi, It is unfortunate that Energy Suspension no longer sell the "complete" bushing kit for the Z32. Even if they did you'd probably end up having to order a few more bushes anyway. I'm assuming you want to polybush the entire suspension system. Going on that premise you are looking at the following bushings (taking into account your current Powertrix adjustable components at the front): Front lower control arm bushings: £32.00 Rear lower control arm bushings: £32.00 Rear camber arm bushings (x2 sets): £30.00 Toe rod bushings (x3 sets) - NA only: £55.00 Rear differential carrier bushings: £45.00 Rear strut mount bushings: £28.00 Subframe bushings: £115.00 I would also suggest you replace the steering rack bushings with Energy suspension bushings (£25.00). I can source all the above direct from Energy Suspension (expect upto 21 days for delivery). Delivery will be additional. Let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Regards, Dan

Rob, I believe the connectors are not widely used on any other cars (other than JDM cars that use H3C bulbs) so your best bet is to either (1) find a good one off a breaker and splice it into the wiring loom, or (2) cut the offending connector off and replace with two spade connectors Other than that I wouldn't know where you'd get a new connector from. HTH Dan

Guys, You can safely mount the ballasts in direct contact with metal ... nothing will happen as the ballasts are internally shielded. The way it is stated in my fitting instructions: "Despite the fact that the ballasts are earthed it is advisable not to allow the ballast housing to get into direct contact with any metal parts." If you're worried just use the double sided adhesive pads (included with the HID kits) to mount the ballasts. You CAN mount the ballasts underneath the headlights and the leads are just long enough to reach under the nose panel (between the headlights). Any further question - you know where to find me! ;) Good day to you all. Dan

Scott, I'm sorry for the delay - have been mega busy today :) I can't personally comment on the AMS radiator as I've never had one on my car but the design seems a good one. Given the current exchange rate it'll work out at about £350.00 including delivery/import duty/VAT. A Koyo radiator will come in at approximately £440.00 (incl. delivery/import duty/VAT). A HOWE will come in slightly under the Koyo rad @ approx. £425.00. As an alternative I can offer a DTA performance radiator which is based on a KOYO core (ie 53mm thick) with aluminium end tanks. Cost is £150.00 plus £15.00 shipping. I can also offer you a stainless steel top radiator bracket that runs the full length of the radiator at £45.00 (rrp = £55.00) if ordered at the same time as the radiator. Radiator is available from UK stock as is the bracket. HTH Dan

Leave this with me until the morning - I'll have more info when I get back to my office PC. Regards, Dan

Xponia Pola! Many happy returns and hope you're having a great day! Dan x

I know this topic was started some time ago but I've only just seen this. NOOOOOO! Do NOT use VACUUM hose for anything other than AIR! Fuel, coolant and oil will degrade the silicone and cause all sorts of leaks/problems. In order to transport oil you'll need to buy some silicone tubing which is lined with Fluro-Silicone. This is quite expensive (around £30.00 per meter for ID10mm tubing). If you still need this, please let me know as I can get this type of tubing from one of my silicone suppliers. HTH Dan

Word is that there will be one more BB (after the current series). At that point (summer 2010) the contract with Endemol comes to completion (contract was for 10 series). Given the dwindling viewer figures I would find it "surprising" if CH4 (or any other channel) will pick it up after the 10th series. And just for good measure: I loath BB!

Hi Damien, If it was around £44k then it'll most likely be the GS450h SE. My parents recently bought a Lexus as well (first one) and are over the moon with it. As they are out in Dubai the model they bought isn't sold in Europe so can't compare. I did a lot of research for them before they bought it so I know a few things about all things Lexus (Lexii?);) I am convinced the car will serve your parents well for many years to come! :) As for dealers dropping the price - common practice at the moment. Even my local Range Rover dealer is doing upto 30% off deals on 09 Range Rover Sports! They have got so much stock sitting around that they'll do anything to shift them. I think getting £10k off a £44k car is excellent! nearly 25% off list price. Good for your parents!

Depends on whether you are referring to the RX450h or GS450h (the former being 4x4, the latter a sedan). I personally like the GS450h - it is ultra comfortable, superb build quality, and reliable to a fault! ;) The 0-62mph figure is irrelevant as your dad won't be "racing" anyone. What is more important are the in-gear figures, which are very good for this Lexus. As for the hybrid part - this is the first "full hybrid" vehicle that lexus/Toyota is marketing and the technology looks sound. It is in essence a 2.0L V6 petrol engine with an ultra efficient high output electrical motor. On its own the petrol engine is rated at around 290bhp whereas when combined the total output is closer to 340bhp. So you'll get V8 engine performance out of a 2.0L V6. Fuel economy wise he should be getting approx. 30mpg in town and upto 37mpg on motorway trips. In itself not a spectacular figure when compared to the likes of a Honda Civic or various Golfs but then the Lexus is a full four-door saloon that oozes quality and style (IMHO). I think your father chose wisely. I would personally have gone for either a LS460h or LS600h but those are top executive cars and in excess of £70k new. I think you'll find that if you give the GS a chance you'll learn to like it. You won't be able to fault its ride quality and engine performance. Oh, and Lexus dealers have consistently been voted No.1 in the JD Power Surveys since they first started selling cars way back in the early 90's. Regards, Dan

I bought myself one of these for Christmas and have really enjoyed learning to control it properly. I'm into piloting anyway (have a number of hours towards my PPL already) and will probably try a real helicopter sometime soon. These Lama 5's are excellent although I've already gone through three sets of batteries (LiPo) - they're not cheap and only last about 10 minutes (flying time).

And just to add to the confusion ... NA rads have different (lower) mounting points than TT rads.

Have just found out that the V12Vantage might be making an appearance at Super Car Sunday at the Motor Herritage Museum in Gaydon, Warwickshire on the 28th. There should also be one of the first (and only) Lamborghini LP670-SV's making an appearance and, if the rumour mill is correct, a pair of Veyrons! This year the show will also incorporate the Super Bike Show so should be even better than in previous years. Looking forward to going. Fingers crossed the weather will be good.

Yes, the DB9 "sprouted" the DBS (V12) variant and someone at AM with great insight thought it might be "interesting" to try and shoehorn that engine into the Vantage chassis. The V12 produces "in excess" of 500bhp and sounds every bit of it (especially above 3500rpm when the exhaust valve opens). Sometimes putting a bigger engine into a chassis completely ruins the car but in this instance it has created something that is so thoroughly enjoyable to drive I think I'd have to park it in my bedroom when I'm not driving it! ;) In fact, in Berlin there is a residential tower block that has car lifts to every apartment - that way your car is parked out on your "balcony" and you can admire it all day long! Also keeps it safe from thieves and vandals and should do wonders for your insurance premium (unless they're worried you might drive it off your balcony :headvswal)

I've just been out in what could very well be my new "favourite" car! :D An acquaintance of mine is a car journalist for a well-known national car magazine and he was out test driving Aston Martin's newest addition this morning. He was taking in various roads in and around Warwickshire and came to pick me up for a quick 30 minute passenger ride! You should have seen the neighbour's face when the car was on my drive! Priceless! OMG! This car is phenomenal! The exterior (and interior) details are far superior to the existing V8Vantage, not to mention the way they shoe-horned the DBS V12 into the engine bay. If you think our Zeds have little room to manoeuvre under the bonnet then wait until you see the V12Vantage ... Looking at the position of the oil filter it would appear you need to remove the entire wing of the car to get to it ... Anyway - I digress. I still find the "ECU" (Emotional Control Unit) a very silly gimmic but it does add some drama to starting the car up. After a short whirring of the starter motor and priming of the fuel pump the engine barks to life with a much more aggressive and high-pitched burble than the V8Vantage. The drive quality was more than sublime - Aston really got it right with this one despite having a large V12 upfront which I would have thought to have upset the weight distribution dynamics. Nothing could be further from the truth - it handles beautifully. Primary suspension is firm but not bone-shattering and secondary suspension is also quite compliant despite the rubberband-like tyres (255 front/295rear). The brakes on this particular car were Carbon-Ceramics in the size of 398mm up front and 360mm at the rear. They do a fantastic job of slowing the car down even from cold - something I couldn't say about the CC brakes on a customer's LP640 I was in several months ago. I'm truly in love with this car. Unfortunately it is WAY out of my price range (for now ;)) but hopefully Aston Martin will continue to produce new cars to this level as I am convinced they've really upped their (bench)mark and are now building cars (a) the way they should always have been built and (b) that people actually want. Sadly, I was not allowed to take any pictures as the feature is due out in the next two months. So keep a look out for a burgundy red AM V12Vantage on a 09-reg. So for now we'll just have to make do with the attached publicity shots (credit: Aston Martin). Right, now which bank to rob first ... ;)

Lol! If you magic a GT-R and 370Z then I'll magic up the chocolate digestives, kitkats and propper full fat tea! ;)

Thanks guys! I've got a few options to look into so will let you know what's what when the time comes. Regards, Dan

Hi, Long shot but worth firing! ;) I am in the process of developing a number of kits for the new GT-R and 370Z. These are carbon fiber parts as well as numerous silicone hose kits. The GT-R silicone kits are nearing completion and I require a donor car onto which to install the full kit and take some photographs. If anyone knows of an owner who would be willing to donate his car for half a day so that I can do the install and take photos please could you get in touch with me. The kit will be free of charge (worth £165). Car would need to come to my address in Warwickshire. Tea, coffee, biscuits, etc provided ;) Same deal for any 370Z owners out there ... Thanks! Dan

Murt, For the modifications that you've got on the car I can highly recommend the RPS Sport Street clutch. It offers approximately 200lb more clamping force than a stock Nissan clutch whilst retaining a stock clutch feel. The Max Street clutch is for highly modified cars and is 67% stiffer than a stock clutch. I am just awaiting new prices from RPS (should be in on Monday) and will let you have a delivered price - so you can compare with other options. Regards, Dan

In rally and touring car championship races cars only use a 10-row cooler which is MORE than sufficient. Even NASCAR racing only use 10-row coolers. Alan, I've got a kit in storage which I'm looking to sell. Brand new and never used or mounted. I'll dig it up over the weekend and let you know what's what. Think it was a half-width 13-row cooler with all the adapters. I'll get back to you. Dan

Excellent! :D

Damien - I've just PM'd you with questions as to what other hoses you require. Thanks, Dan

Damien, Should have come to me mate - I stock miles of vacuum tubing and am in fact putting it on sale soon! What you need for a Zed is ENH045 on www.smithys-place.co.uk/engenh.php £32.00 will get you 3m of ID4mm 3m of ID6mm 2m of ID8mm The above will sort out most if not all of the vacuum hoses on the car with some left over. Be aware that you must NOT use vacuum tubing to replace pipes that carry oil, coolant or fuel. You'll need proper silicone tubing for that (which I also stock!) HTH Dan

Ah yes, I forgot Smithy had a towbar as well! Seen him tow a trailer full of shiney stainless parts to shows years ago! LOL! Isaac - you're quite right ... great minds and all that! :) Cheerio! Dan

Yep, it is possible. I think ChrisC has one fitted to his ZX. Unfortunately I don't know where you can get one or have it fitted ... Good luck. Dan