xcarguy

Can we get back to meat n' tatters, please? :toetap05:

STORKER!!!!!!!!!! LOL!!!!!!!! So that's what he was talking about. And all this time, I thought there was a new brand out there that I didn't know about. Okay, just kidding. But seriously, guys, there's nothing to prove here. Every Storker . . . ah . . . sorry . . . Stalker owner on this forum (including me) is going to wake up in the morning and still be a Stalker owner. We Stalker owners enjoy our cars for our own reasons. Personally, my Stalker is the most rewarding car I've ever owned, and I owned a Birkin beforehand. My comment is no slam against Birkins; they are fantastic cars. As for my Stalker, I built the car, sold it, bought it back, made it mine again and have had an absolute blast with my second-time-around ownership. I’ve enjoyed tinkering with steering, suspension, aero, playing with tire compounds, corner weighting, etc, etc; the list goes on and on, and that’s what I mean by 'most rewarding car'. And I've certainly enjoyed sharing my experiences with the guys (and gals) on this forum. In saying what I’m about to say, I am in no way defending Terry, but in all fairness to him, he did also mention a certain Birkin that was handling poorly. We all know that there are lots of reasons for a car (ANY CAR) to handle poorly; inadequate tires, improper suspension setup, improper tire inflation, substandard driver (such as me), etc. Throw a ton of power into the equation, and a car that has an improper suspension setup is going to be a monster. Combine that with something like a throttle linkage that acts more like an ON/OFF switch and you further compound the problem. And then add in that driver like me . . . well, we don’t have to actually go there. I once built a Cobra replica that, when finished, over-steered like crazy, had said throttle that was an ON/OFF switch and was scary at best in a corner, but it did run like stink in a straight line. With hindsight being what it is, I wish that I had had the foresight to of gone to someone more knowledgeable than myself and had solicited their help with getting the car setup properly. But I didn’t, and in my ignorance, I sold that car TWO YEARS LATER!!!! thinking it was one of the worst handling cars I ever owned. And it was, not because it was a bad car, but because of me and my lack of understanding about what was going on with the suspension, tires, steering, etc. I know this is a handling thread (and I want it to get back to that and stay just that, a handling thread), but just wanted to put my two cents on the table. Personally, I didn't take any issue with Terry’s statement. I didn't take it as ‘brand bashing’, but more a comment by way of observation. JohnK has gone to great lengths to share his experience in suspension setup in this thread; let’s not take away from that. Gentlemen, we are all on this forum together because we all share a common interest with these cars. Let’s all (this includes ME) be courteous and respectful of each other and appreciative of what each other drives, regardless of brand. And Terry, please, it’s Stalker, dang it, not Storker . . . But that was funny. BTW, happy birthday. Okay, back to the thread. :lurk::lurk::lurk:

Tom, Great to see you got it worked out. :cheers:

Smells like a conspiracy. Madcap, just pure madcap. :ack:

Okay, let's all grab a Snickers. :boxing:

I'll be real surprised if that one stays on the market for any length of time.

More :bs: from a southerner: With the Brooklands now added to my Stalker, I've since taken up studying sign language for communication purposes while driving. However, my less-than-adequate signing skills (try signing 'ya'll' and 'uh uh' in southern), combined with being a moving visual target for every other set of eyes on the road (and not to mention my occasionally using the 'wrong' . . . ah . . . incorrect finger), can often solicit evil looks and fist shaking from other motorist who drive vehicles with tires bigger than my car. Alas, inline driving would only further my handicap. :jester:

You would definitely be the only 'kid' on the block with one of those. And that thing would fit right in with the hunting/fishing crowd here in El Dorado, AR . . . . just like my Stalker! :smilielol5:

I like that . . . . :hurray: . . . . . and I'd leave the Lotus badge alone too. :cheers:

For the LSx guys and interested parties, I added a few engine removal/install photos to my winter project file on Gallery: http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=24148

Mike, If possible, once you receive your correct parts, can you post photos of the connectors and sensors (correct and incorrect) side-by-side and label which is which for your engine?

Tom, How about posting some photos (of all mods) here for future reference. Also, as an added bonus to header coating for the purpose of controlling controlling heat, you can wrap your header. I wrapped my 'coated' headers http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=23102 with a titanium exhaust wrap form Summit Racing http://www.summitracing.com/parts/dei-010127/overview/

Lots of good dialogue in this thread. I love my popcorn, but thought I’d through a couple of cents on the table for the sake of discussion. In the circles in which we travel, there are lots of terms used in an attempt to describe just exactly ‘what’ it is we build, own, drive, etc. Below, I've made an attempt to list a few of those phrases (at least, as I know them--I’m sure there are a host of others) and attach my own loosely developed (made up) interpretation of each. I’m by no means saying I’m right/correct with any of the definitions I've provided; any (all) of these terms are absolutely open to interpretation and very well may solicit a completely different descriptive for another. . . . . . . Dissect and enjoy. Component car: a car that is delivered from the manufacturer with minimal necessary parts where the majority of parts are sourced and supplied by the builder. This is the category in which I would place my Stalker. It came with a frame, body panels, aluminum panels, headers (based on engine of choice), some suspension components and a few other bits and pieces; all basic for the completion of the car. The fitting and trimming of some body panels and all aluminum panels was required by me. See photo: http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=6233 Kit car: a replica or original design car where the car is purchased with all/most parts necessary for completion with the builder being responsible for no/minimal sourcing and assembly. In some cases, only the drive train (engine, transmission, rear diff? and drive-shaft?) only need be sourced. Roller car: a car (replica or original) that is assembled to a certain degree prior to purchase. A roller is usually just that; it can be ‘rolled’ (pushed) around using wheels and tires mounted on the car’s chassis and suspension assembly. A roller could be considered to come in the form of a basic, minimally assembled car to that of a turnkey-minus car. Replica car: any car (component, roller, kit, turnkey, turnkey-minus, etc.) that mimics a manufacturer’s original design. Turnkey car: a replica or original-design car that is fully assembled, painted, sorted, etc. and contains a drive train; the car is ready to be driven at the time of purchase. Turnkey-minus: a turnkey car sans the drive train (engine, transmission, drive-shaft?). This type of car requires that either the purchaser install a drive train or have the drive train installed. Once the drive train is installed and sorted, the car is ready to be driven. Other: a car that . . . . ? . . . . . . . :lurk:

But it could get worser still (yes, I know, that's not a word). Only in 'Merica, bubba. :flag: Only in 'Merica.

Thanks! But just remember . . . I don't really know what I'm doing, but I do know that I'm having lots of fun doing whatever it is. :smilielol5:

MB7, You most definitely WILL have fun with that car when finished. :driving:

Again, posting these for 4MARIO. His car is coming along quite nicely. :party:

This is the 'bell-ringing quiche' for me; RR10-Black, mid way, RH side of the page: http://www.bogartracingwheels.net/p3-b.htm So, what wheels, and other fun stuff, did you buy? :jester:

A special thanks to everyone who responded. Flip flopping around between Bogart and Keizer, but leaning a bit more toward the Bogart wheels. Not that Keizer hasn't, but the Bogart rep I've been dealing with has been especially helpful with helping me dial in a set of wheels for my car.

This post is for motivational purposes only (well, and to let you know that you aren't alone in your automotive pursuits) . . . . . just in case you have to pull the engine. :ack: I've had my Stalker back in hand (second time for me to own this car) for a bit over eighteen months and have had the drive train out of the car twice since; first time was for a transmission change (UPGRADE!!!) and the second time was to fix an extremely small seep (I hate ANY kind of leak) on the 'new' transmission's bearing retainer . . . and . . . to do a few engine mods (MORE UPGRADES!!!). FWIW, even if I hadn't had it in mind to do the engine mods, I would still have pulled the drive train anyway in order to repair the leak (yes, I am my own worst enemy). :willy_nilly: To Sevens and the fun they bring us. :cheers:

Careful; my car resembles that remark!

Instead of copper tubing, could a AN -4 braided SS line be used?

fast, This may not be what you are looking for, but worth a peak: http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=16047

Pat, Hate to see you part with the car, but I do hope the sale goes through for you.

Mike, Looks great, and very compact. Please take, and post, pics of the harness install; both here and Gallery.