Drivin Ivan

perfectly normal noise, I have the cover removed due to having harnesses fitted and the abs unit makes noises all the - time especially when you brake hard enough to kick in the abs system. Ivan

1. Murt 2. Steve_1 3. Gruntpa 4. Legrath 5. Zogg 6. Fastorquer 7. Drivin Ivan

yep that's mine, SWB TT Tin Top manual.

You should be able to slacken off all the settings on the coilovers to get them in without compressing the springs with the tensioners, but it wont be easy - getting the bolt through the bottom of the rears in and out needs lots of WD40 and swearing. Ivan

Dont be put off - it is much easier than I expected. Spring tensioners are the tool you will need to compress the springs to get them off, after that it's just undoing some bolts and getting the the units in and out - about 4 hours each end the first time I did it, now I can do it in 3 hours 58 minutes. Only ever put OEM shockers and bespoke springs (twice) on so can't give you any advice on settings for the new coilovers - measure the ride height before you start and go for a higher setting to start with. 4 wheel Laser tracking alignment when you are done as an absolute minimum. Ivan

Yeah I just had a quick look at the dip stick - it was covered in black stuff so I assumed ............. poor design to have a bendy dipstick. Engines are replaceable parts on cars, I got through four in one Honda, two in the scooby (in 6 months) and the Z car is only on its second in five years - very reliable and durable in my opinion. Ivan

You haven't seen the black passenger door - that side is always facing in. My sister passed her panel beating and painting exams late last year so I am going to get her to paint it (when she gets good) all the same colour. Anyway I love sitting in million pound traffic jams at the ring in a piece of sh*t and then overtaking most of them on the track (especially porsche drivers). Ivan

Yes the calipers are in bits (another £50 for SRF), three of the pistons have siezed. The car is pretty much only used for driving to the Nurburgring these days so I was not surprised at the state of the front calipers - they've done 80 laps. Thanks everybody for your advice and views - I think I will stick with the alluminium ones if they are repairable. Ivan

The engine wasn't faulty till I drove it at that speed - I do go to Germany regularly btw. Ivan

I have just had a call from the garage where the Z car is being put through the yearly scrutiny - it seems I have melted the front piston seals. Now I could get a seal kit or I could get a set of replacement calipers. I have the alimunium ones and I was looking for some help on if tthe steel ones are better or worse. I don't want to go for the big brake conversion as braided lines, castrol SRF and quality pads and rotors have always been fine - out-braked a bike with teh porterfield pads. Do the steel calipers make any difference other than being a bit heavier? Any help much appreciated as always. Ivan

My last engine boke the cam on the passenger side - still worked on 5 for a day or two then died noisily - no oil and repeated 170 mph runs is a sure combination for a broke engine. Ivan

I ended up drilling holes in the bottom of the car and using spacers on the inside to get the seat level, huge (5mm thick 5cm square) aluminium washer under the car to stop "pull through", Sparco steel side mounts. Not an easy job but one of the best mods you can do. Ivan

I take mine to the Ring just to annoy the porker drivers so have a more track based set up. Camber is good on the track but can be a bit sketchy over cambers when braking on the road. Ivan

Nice car. Make sure when you get suspension parts that they are not for a LWB - the front is ok but the rear of the car is lighter and has a different spring rating on the SWB. BTW a 30mm drop will give exactly 1 degree more of camber on each corner - perfect in my book. And don't go too much harder than standard springs or you will spend a bit of time facing the wrong way at high speed. Enjoy, I've had mine 5 years and still get excited every time. Ivan

I do 1min 25s lap of castle coombe in the Z car - it doesn't look slow, try find the video from 2005 (when it rained), mines the swb. Ivan