xflow7

Since it's been built, I've had a number of people over-estimate the value signficantly. I guess it's less impressive as a garage full of parts. No one's estimated mine as being 6 digits, but from the pictures I've seen, your car is exceptionally nicely built. :thumbs:

Congratulations. :hurray: When I bought my kit, my g/f at the time's comment upon first seeing everything arrayed in the garage was, "You paid money for this?" And she had no idea how much.

I'm sure many have heard about the mid-air collision between those two news-choppers covering a police chase. If not see here: http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/07/27/helicopter.crash/index.html What makes me uncomfortable is the last line of that article: Does anyone else agree that is a dangerous precedent to set? I'm anything but an apologist for those who put the public in danger by evading police, but to hold him accountable for the collision of the news helicopters trying to cover him makes me very uneasy. To put it in a Seven context, if I am blatting along and someone in the opposing lane runs into the car in front while turning to look at me, am I then liable for the accident?

Thanks for the suggestions. I will see if I can try some on at events (if I make it to any more this year), although I have a smaller than usual head. I am not opposed to trying some on in a cycle shop and buying online; just wasn't sure if I'd be able to find any that met the correct standards. Sounds like they will, though. I may also try the measurement method but find a place with a good return policy and buy several brands in the same size and return those that aren't quite right. Cheers, Dave

I really hate context highlighting in webpages (where various text magically turns into a link often to trigger some pop-up if you happen to mouse over it by accident), but this one cracked me up. Check out the pop up if you mouse over "understeer" in this article (at end of 1st paragraph): http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/champcar/39056/

Since my maiden autocross earlier this year, I want to do many more plus trackdays in the future (although my summer has been sufficiently busy that I haven't managed any more yet ). I figure it's probably worth picking up a decent helmet for these and possibly occasional road use for long trips. There are any number of mail-order sources for helmets, but I am well aware of the need to find a proper fit and that shapes vary by brand, so where does one go to try a bunch on and find the right brand/size? Do people go to motorcycle supply places and try/buy there? Are motorcycle helmets generally compliant with Snell or do I need to find some specialist motorsport supply house? Dave

Congratulations. :cheers: Haven't ridden in one yet, but the Stalkers I've seen have looked like a whole lot of fun. Welcome to the Seven-ing club. :hurray:

I'm still planning on being there. Depending on the weather forecast, I think I will either camp or stay with a friend down in Stamford (assuming he is around that weekend which remains to be seen). Dave

Oh man. I'm even going to be in Philly on the 19th, though most likely not with the Seven. I'll have to see if I can figure a way to do that.

I'm late to comment, but I am SOOOOO bummed I couldn't make it for this. My buddy's wedding was fun, but compared with half the fun those pictures look like it's safe to say it's no contest. Congrats on a great-looking event, Mazda and Al, and bravo to all those who managed to go and bring back all these great pictures (only partway through the thread so far). :cheers:

I sort of figured that was just a brain fart as anyone familiar enough with Spa to know about the Bus Stop can be assumed to instantly recognize Eau Rouge from any angle and any distance.

Actually that's Eau Rouge. Glad he was okay.

Is it coming? I've been waiting for the A021 to arrive after all the raves in the UK, but I've given up. If the R888 really comes this way then that sounds like a good option, too. Edit: Just read your previous post. That's good news!

I don't have it so "procedureized" :jester: but that's about the process I go through with my 135HP 1700cc (not sure what cam), albeit typically at ~1000rpm (after balancing the carbs at 4-5 kg/hr as Cherik suggests).

If it's really your first autocross, then I agree don't bother going for wheels/tires yet. I ran my first just a couple months ago on my garbage Michelin XGV's (or whatever the hell they are) and still had a ball (lost to a DM Sciracco, though :cry: ). Having said that, John's description of CR500's sounds fab. :jester: The tires I have in the back of my head for my 13" rims are the Toyo RA-1's.

Clamshells! Bring it on, cycle-wingers... :boxing: :jester:

I was already thinking of trying to blat over for this. This is additional incentive. Count me in (although it seems like something always comes up that prevents me taking part in these things). FWIW, there is also the Vintage Grand Prix at Watkins Glen the following weekend which I am planning to hit.

You noticed that, did you? :jester:

Finally went and did an autocross for the first time on Sunday which I've been meaning to do for an age. Overall, the day went really well. Had 6 runs and bettered my time each one...and had a ball. Can't ask much more from a first day than that. Ended up with 5th or 6th fastest time. AND, took second in class.* I put up a video of one of the runs (not actually my best as my buddy had to leave before the 2nd set of runs) on youTube for anyone interested. Will definitely do some more this summer. Dave * of two

Wow. Thanks for writing that up. Amazing story and I'm impressed at how well you placed in the various events given all the unforeseen issues along the way. I've always thought One Lap would be fun. Not so sure now!

I'm still thinking of trying to make it down depending on how my move is progressing. I'd really like to meet you all to put faces to forum handles/avatars. The Seven is here now (as of Saturday) so I would likely bring it if the weather looks decent. No FRS, though, so you'll all just have to listen for the barking Webers. I should know by Thursday if I'll be able to go.

I don't think there is a "typical" ownership scenario. There are people who have had a 7 for 20 and 30 years with no signs of every selling it, and there are people who buy one, enjoy it for a couple of years, and then move on either because it wasn't what they imagined, or they got it out of their system. And of course there are people who have one for a while and then find themselves in some personal situation that demands that they part with it. Different strokes... I've had mine for about 5 years and while I'm not currently thinking of selling it, I also can't honestly say that I might not decide to at some point.

Surely there is a different site for Six enthusiasts.... Who's on first? :jester:

Hi Richard, I'm not an expert by any means, but it seems that the roller rockers are higher inertia than the standard rockers (maybe not too surprising with a big steel roller hanging off the end) and therefore in general make valve float worse not better. Of course, many people do use them apparently without issue, so it is likely quite application dependent. It seems that with some camshafts they work well, whereas with others they can cause problems. Here are a couple of threads from BC for reference. The first one has a particularly good post on the subject by Roger King: http://www.blatchat.com/T.asp?id=48469 http://www.blatchat.com/T.asp?id=9432 There are other threads that discuss rollers if you search there (most are 2+ years old, though, so make sure to set the date filter to "Since the Beginning" ) If you're planning to bump your rev limit and are concerned about valve float I would suggest seeing if you can contact the cam manufacturer and make sure you are using the recommended valve springs. Also, I believe steel posts and maybe upgraded rocker shaft *are* highly recommended top-end upgrades for serious xflows if you don't already have those. You could also call a couple of the good xflow builders in the US (Marcovicci-Wenz, Jay Ivey, etc) and see if they have any thoughts they'd share. Dave

I would love to come, but unfortunately I will be in Vegas for a friend's bachelor party. Well, actually I guess of all the conflicts I could have that particular one is not really all that unfortunate... :jester: :cheers: