slomove

Now you got to explain how you find this stuff.

You bet. I would guess it is quite light weight. But that is apparently not the point. It is just very pretty and outstanding workmanship.

No idea who built that, but found the link on Blatchat

I agree, don't build a trailer from scratch to save money. I built the trailer only for 3 reasons: 1) it is almost impossible to find an enclosed trailer in the 1500 pound range and I can not tow more with my car. 2) I had the frame, axle, wheels and brakes already. 3) I like projects I probably would not build another one, too. Bin there done that and took way longer than anticipated.

I don't know....almost looks like a Borg outfit. Resistance is futile.

Excellent, car looks good! I am not yet finished with some smaller stuff. Need to strengthen the front wing brackets (or risk the other one will fall off, too). Balance wheels and repack exhaust. Oh well, a few weeks left (2 of that out of the country). But I would not mind going tomorrow....

Not really a build diary but a few pics I used to have drawings but that friggin' Windows7 does not allow me to run the ancient CAD software anymore. I hope it gives you some idea, at least. The plywood shell has the advantage over metal (for me) because it is much easier to cut, glue, screw and repair if anything goes wrong. I considered a very shallow box but decided to go standing height while I am at it. Did not add much weight and now I can sleep in it at the track. There is a hatch on the left hand side but that was not neccessary because there is ample space inside to move around. The conical nose should help my somewhat anemic tow vehicle (that said, I can tow up to 70 or whatever the legal limit is with the Hyundai and only on mile-long up hills in the desert I had to turn off A/C). Total empty weight is 1500 pounds. The wheels and axle are rated 3500 pounds. P.S.: I even survived falling from the roof when I painted it....I forgot that a tilt-bed trailer may just do that on its own when not supported. Before: and after:

I had my filter in the same remote position and finally got sick of the mess. Even with generous placement of rags a spill is unavoidable. I moved the filter to the lower right of the bay under the intake (near the drain plug). Much easier and cleaner to change and it is protected from rock impact by the skid plate. IIRC the Mobil filters I am using need 3/4 turn after finger-tight. Also, the seal surface must be oiled before installing to prevent stiction.

I use Hawk HP+ for the last 2 years. Admittedly the only comparison is the ACB Greenstuff pads that I used for may years but which did not grip well when cold for road driving (and never wore out in 20k miles). The Hawk bite pretty good but are somewhat noisy and dusty. I did not see any difference in my attractiveness to women, though

I don't think in the current economy we can afford that many people not showing up for work. Just joking

I had a pretty steep learning curve in the meantime, ruined a lot of good wood and burnt a few cutters. But I am getting the hang of it. While I got the machine in the first place for some mechanical prototyping I found that the carving business (what most people are using such a machine for) is also quite fun. Here my first Se7en related project, not sure yet what to do with it, though..... Original Photoshopped for edge-detection: Imported into CAM software and converted to carving vectors: Result, carved with 90-degree bit from 1" maple board: The whole carving job ran about 3 hours..... At some point I want to do a more 3-D style relief carving but the available 3D models for Sevens (e.g. on Turbosquid.com) come at a pretty steep price for a fun project.

I know that feeling...

Uh-oh....you still going to make it for the Black Hills? 9 weeks left.....

Yes I know the Wileyx and also have had Panoptx motorcycle glasses. But I use them only when it is really cold. Otherwise I prefer regular bicycling/skiing sunglasses. I posted the recommendation for the DeWalt glasses mainly because prescription lenses for this are normally very expensive. The DeWalt ones are dirt cheap and work well.

I find this a pretty poor statement from Caterham USA. The fuel pressure has nothing to do with the engine and clogged filters or a bad fuel pump may bog any engine down when giving it some throttle. Not to say that must be it but I definitely would not discount the fuel supply (filter, pump or regulator). Hooking up a small pressure gage temporarily with a (pressure-proof) extension line into the cockpit could answer this question while driving. I have a cheap Volvo regulator and the pressure does not change more than 1/2 psi under all conditions. Another possible (but rare) culprit may be the ignition coil. When running WOT the plugs need more voltage to spark. I find an intake leak unlikely because that would show at idle and rather decrease at WOT.

I have been using normal sports sunglasses with stick-on lenses for several years to be able to read the dials, GPS and the like. Kind of O.K. but I found these DeWalt branded safety glasses with integrated reading lenses. Work pretty well for driving, don't look too dorky, obviously shatterproof and at 13 bucks cheaper than the stick-on lenses that fall off. And, when I step, sit on it or otherwise lose them, no big deal. Also available in clear for night driving. So, I guess recommended http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000646VGM http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31N26th4bzL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Oh no.....we are law abiding citizens who stick with almost all the rules and regulations.

I updated the participant list a few posts up. Also, for the folks with route-capable Garmin navigators, the Mapsource database can be downloaded here. In the same zip file there is also a GPX version that can be opened in Google Earth (e.g. if you care previewing the route with the Google flight simulator).

I bet they will find 50 people to pay that. They get $250,000 free cash and maybe it is even a good deal for the buyers in re-sale of a "collectors" editon. So while really silly I think this is a bright idea.

Come on....you can not keep your car that spiffy. Drive it! Are you sure you won't join our Black Hills trip in July? Seriously though, fabulous car!

How tempting....only 4000 miles :hurray:

Go to the Southwest Sevens Festival in May http://www.usa7s.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6185 You will see all brands there and I suppose there will be ample opportunity to talk with owners, hitch a few rides and compare.

Couple of days ago the car rolled without my permission into the fence and I did not notice that the wing stay got a little bent. Only when driving I smelled burnt rubber for few hundred yards and began to believe that it must come from my own car. Well, the wing bracket made contact to the tire at the edge of the tread and rubbed a maybe 1/10" deep and 1/16" wide groove all around the tire. It definitely did not cut through to the cord belt but I am wondering to replace it anyway. On the other hand, if that damage is insignificant (especially to a tire made for 3 times heavier cars) I would not mind keeping it. Any opinions?

Don't blame Canada; you can have that even in Southern California. A week ago I participated in the Targa California road rally (actually more a fun road trip) with some 80 other semi-classics (pre'75 mostly Porsche and Alfa, incl. replicas). Temperature was only in the 40s for 2 days and driving through the coastal range we got pelted with hail and even some sleet. The bikini top helped a little but the hail blowing in from the side really hurt in the face. Actually we won a $250 gift voucher prize for being the most crazy participant driving an open car such weather. Just bad timing, the week before it was 80-some degrees....

Not familiar with Xflow but if smoke is being squeezed out of the gasket, one would assume that the venting ports (crankcase and/or valve cover vents) are clogged or missing. Or, if it comes out there in spite of the vents, that the gasket is leaking? But then it would spit liquid oil also. Anyway, some faint oil mist wafting out of the vents or catch can is normal for e.g. a Zetec but I would be surprised if thick smoke is normal for an Xflow.