gjslutz

I'm looking for a pair of mirrors for the Birkin 3. I need the factory ones that miss the side screens when they open. Gary

That Germany, sure is a big area! I had an original 427 Cobra, back in the day. At anything over 60 to 70 MPH the top, if used would start flaping up & down, W/O the side screens in it. The birkin won't do it at any speed, now if I could just get in it with the top up. Our area of Germany can get quite cool in the coming months, add rain to that & you need the roof. No longer hard core!

Where are most folks staying? Hotel contact #? Gary

Loren, the weight is great, but for my use I would like a higher hood, loose the side bars if possible, and some other mods. At the 40K price I would be better off waiting for a S2K. The view over the hood would remind me of my youth (long past) of looking around scoops and blowers. That is too much money for me to buy and start adding from there. I'm sorry I missed that black one in the mid 20's. That would have been a great buy and drive for me. Weather gear & FI along with your rear end mod would have been it for me. I hope to see a few at Run & Gun. That Caterham R500 copy is still sitting in the Portland area, light weight & good HP. I would keep this Birkin I bought if I could get a Podiatrist to reduce the foot size. Paddle shifters for the Birkin?

That is an example why I don't build cars. I couldn't do much better, I'm smart enough to not to build though.

I like the car, but why is all the induction parts sticking up through the hood? I have seen this on a few other WCM's on the factory site.

Now that I'm hooked, where are most 7 type people staying at for Run & Gun? Gary

I plan on the afternoon of the 11th and the day of the 12th. I need to depart early AM on the 13th. It will not be in the Birkin though, this is just quick stop for me on the way west.

RA1? Gary

I ran the 225/50 X 15 Kumho V710's for a day, but the shower of sand & stones from the paved roads was a problem. They were like fly paper though, for handling as well as what they picked up. They are mounted on a extra set of wheels. I must have had them on when I measured the 3.5" of GC. I remeasured it today. the guard is 2.75" & the oil pan is 3.10". A dry sump would not help as the bellhousing & Tran are the same height as the oil pan. I had the car down to repack the muffler, a new one for me. Never repacked one before. Gary

I was able to open it by cutting and paste the end of the link. Great show, & photos. Gary

I had to raise my Birkin up to avoid some high center crowns in lanes from over weight trucks and dips in the road if I wanted to keep oil in the engine. Yes it came with a guard, but was getting thin fast. I would love to go to 13", but they are not practical for my driving. I live close to great areas of low traffic, low law, small hills, and many turns. I had high pointed a few times enough to make the light drift interesting. 3.5" GC was too low, with the shock & spring set-up I have & like. I would need to make too many changes to get the Falkins in a "good size" to fit under the fenders. The next 7 type will have more room.

I have a new to me Birkin with 15" and need the height for the street, so 13" are not an option. It came with a extra set of 225/50X15" KUMHO V710's that stick, but as expected pick up everything & shower the car with sand & micro stones. What would be the best grip for dry with a little wet driving. I think the largest I can use is: 225/50 X15. It presently has 195/50X 15" Firestone Firehawks that are a little loose for me.

I don't want a turbo for the above reason, and I would rather not have a stressed out engine for my use. I would like reliable HP, but don't want to reinvent the wheel or coble up a nice car. The prior owner said I could get 220 HP W/O too much problem, but it was a big step to 250HP and questioned the reliability. It sure looks like the S2K should be the ticket. I was hoping to fin a supply of Zetec parts. I could use a thermostat now also.

Loren, the ball is in the park for the S2K owner to play or pass. It looked like I could make it work. It needed things cleaned up for me though. I would need to loose some of the FIA cage to make it useable for me, and likely paint it, and do something for seats & windshield. The Birkin has great road maners now, I don't want a motor tuned to a very narrow power band and not streetable. I do want to stay with a lite 4 cyl. car if I can. If I didn't have the ITB, I would S/C it in a second. I'm not knocking Mazda's Rocket, it just isn't what I want today, tomorrow?? I have had those type of toys and want to try something new that is what brings me here. I would like to see his car sometime. You would not beleive some of the cars I have had, not allowed to chase things with a pulse, so it has been cars & airplanes for me. I had to have a reason to go work, I'm too old for that now though.

Mazda's Rotus sounds like it is wild, but I'm trying to stay with a light car. I sold my AC 427 Cobra # CSX 3300 years ago (I didn't say I was smart). I can't imagine trying to keep his Rotus between the guard rails on street tires. I never had a high HP 4 cylinder before, this is a new quest for me, and I'm enjoying it. My goal is to stay under 1300 pounds if I can.

LS1 or LS7? Gary

I had thought about forced induction, but the TBs look so neat on the engine, I would hate to loose them. I also was thinking of fit problems. I did a Vortec on an 2000 BMW M roadster I had and it helped big time with the power. I'm also trying to deal on an S2K, as you have 240 HP & 6 speed to start with. Loren my wife will likely send you hate mail if I do this, not realy, if I move out it will be ok. We have an agreement, if it has no pulse it is ok. I'll likely sell one of them and keep the one I like best. It could be a hard choice, but I would have no need for two.

My Birkin S3 is 3 years old and the build on it is outstanding, thanks to the builder, not me! I don't want to cut or weld on it, as it is too nice, so it looks like more HP from the Zetec. It has the Raceline Throttle Bodies, water rail, and not sure what else. It is the close ratio T-9 & Quaiffe LSD. I purchased it from this site a few weeks ago. It is strong, but not blinding fast, yet. I waited a long time to buy one of the 7 cars. I took talking to someone with one to get me to move on one. Gary

Where are people buying ZETEC engines & engine parts? Like everyone else, in quest of more HP. My Zetec is said to be around 160 to 170 HP. Is it a big problem to do an Duretec swap, or should I stay with the Z and build on it? I do like the wide power band of the present state of tune. I like the Birkin much more than I thought I would. It is my first experience with something this light, and slower than most cars I have had. Gary

Comerical, S.E., M.E., Inst. over 5,000 HOURS in owned aircraft, the reason I'm broke now! As I live on an airport I have a 3,000 heated hanger, it would hold more 7's than I could buy. I'm now down to an RV-4 & an L16A. I just purchased an Birkin W/Zetec, and I'm enjoying it. I would like to move it up in HP, or buy an WCM Ultralite. GARY

I like the Birkin, and it was as represented. I feel I need more HP though. The 400 mile drive home, was interesting as the everything was too close ofr me. I will make the changes tomorrow. I tried to move the pedels fwd, but the frame structure was a problem. I will resolve it tomorrow.

Guys, thanks fro all of the help. I Just purchased the one brumi315 had (Birkin) listed here, yesterday and brought it home with me from Syracuse, NY. I'm sure glad for airplanes, and living on an airport. It was only 160 to 170 HP, but thought I would see how well I like it. I'll either add HP or get something different. The WCM looks like a lot of bang for the buck though. When I was looking I could not find one for sale though. The 1.8 Miata was not an option for me. I talked to Frank F. at the Pitts. Vintage GP the last two years ant it is his fult I now have one in my hanger. Gary

I would like a buy & drive, but would take a roller WCM Ultralite, Caterham or Birkim at the right price. I would like a nice 7 in the 200+ HP range that is well sorted out. I also would look at a sub 200 HP car. I will also need with weather gear or a car that has weather gear kits that can be purchased. I'm not into reinventing the wheel. I have done that with some of my aircraft & get in upside down too fast. The Caparo would be a fun car to drive for a week, but is way too far out in price or looks for me.

Looking to purchase 7 type car. I would like to find a fast street toy, with higher HP & light weight. I have cash in fist for the right 7. Can email me @: gjslutz at roadrunner.com or post. Gary