slomove

It is one of the high resolution (480 lines) bullet cams with Sony CCD that I got from RFconcepts in the UK (there are US suppliers who sell virtually the same thing a similar price, like www.helmetcamera.com). http://www.helmetcamera.com/acart/html/images/cameraOnly1.jpg I record with a normal DV camcorder in the boot, that is controlled by a one-button LANC remote control next to the shift lever. http://www.helmetcamera.com/acart/html/images/WaterproofRemote.jpg I would like to use a small flash card video recorder instead but so far I did not see one with a remote control. Gertslomove2006-11-11 10:09:50

Mazda, very nice technical solution (is it just an RC servo?). I was looking at something similar to - be able to record rear, side and front views - turn the bullet camera backward when not needed to avoid the dreaded bug smears So far I had a hand operated swivel bracket for the camera but that was not that great. Otherwise I never felt the need for a camera following the steering wheel (at least with a "normal" as well as wide angle lens) and the resulting video > (example here) is quite decent. Gertslomove2006-11-10 22:49:34

I din't think the rear fenders have anything to do with cockpit wind buffeting. After all, they are mainly sitting behind the cockpit (but they will surely create a massive vortex and drag in the wake of the car). I see the buffeting caused by the inrush of air through the low "doors" into the vacuum created by the "barn door" windshield. That is probably why the smaller Brooklands are known to create less turbulence and why half doors, wind deflectors and the like help. They don't eliminate the turbulence but move it a little back and out of your face and ears. I have hybrid >half-doors/wind deflectors and they work very well. Gert P.S.: Modified rear wings might do a better aerodynamic job but it just would not look like a Seven anymore....slomove2006-11-10 20:05:04

Here some info that was posted by Bruce Wiser a while ago on the Birkinowners forum: British American Transfer (BAT) in Fla. carries the stock parts for the Merkur/Sierra Ford T-9 transmission. Taylor Race Eng. in Texas carries the Quaife parts for the T-9. And John at Quantum Mechanics in Monroe Ct. carries the stock parts for the T-9 also, as Dennis mentioned before. Burton Power and Raceline in England carry stock and Quaife parts for the T-9 as well. I believe the T-9 is Ford’s first 5-speed tranny for their smaller vehicles with 4 and 6 cylinder engines. The Burton catalog has a good description of the various Ford tranny’s.

For more info see > here! Gert

Maybe just too depressing..... http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gif

Wow, that aluminum stuff ain't cheap..... I know 2 people who got this steel trailer built locally: http://www.californiacaterhamclub.com/chat/showthread.php?t=534 supposedly about 1000 lbs single axle and $2300 with electric brakes. Looks actually very good in the flesh. Gert

The fabricator is Roger Hamlin who has a shop at the Infineon Racetrack (Bay area). Excellent workmanship made to fit the individual car but IIRC the price is around $2000 or 3000. I suspect there are similarly capable builders on the east coast, too. I just wanted to give a hint of the idea. The cage is NASA approved.

There are a lot of pics on > Team Birkinsport including the results of > Woody Harris Accident which prove that the cage does its job well. Gert

At 47 posts I have become a "Groupie". Not sure if I should still associate with this "Newbie" lowlife http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/wink5.gif Gert

Ah, good idea....but don't you get a speeding ticket every time you honk? http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gif

I got the WOLO "longhorn" from Amazon for $24. http://www.wolo-mfg.com/417c.jpg I had to shape (flatten) the trumpets with a hot air gun to fit behind the grille. Very nice impressive big rig sound. But like all compressor horns there is a noticable reaction time. Gert

When I got my fuel cell a while ago I checked into Fuel Safe just making a retrofit bladder for my stock Birkin tank. Other people have done that before. However, the cost was not really attractive and I decided to go for a complete custom fuel cell and sell the stock tank instead. Came out to be about same and less hassle (being without tank for a while). Gert

Try the "Roger Hamlin" style of low-front cage that is being been used by several West Coast racers. It does not make your Se7en look like a battle ship but seems to be pretty safe. I.e. solid side impact protection and e.g. Woody Harris was in relatively good shape after multiple flips and barrel rolls at Willow Springs. Ain't cheap, though... Gert

Agree with the opinions above..... But I did get a fuel cell with bladder after a rear impact at MINIMAL speed that left my aluminum tank punctured by the spare wheel bracket hardware (and some paint damage on the offending car's bumper). The honeycomb stuffing is just snake oil IMO. It is very good to make a composite sandwich core but for local impact it is almost useless. Try to stomp on a piece with your foot. Gert

Come on, depends on the passenger. Well, maybe not http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gif

I think it is not so much about legal necessity but about safety margins. I have a 2300 GVW pound double bike trailer for my Seven and added surge brakes anyway because I am towing with a rather lightweight Santa Fe (probably comparable with most vans or the Pilot). I never had trouble with fishtailing as long as the hitch is loaded sufficiently (maybe 120-150 pounds). Obviously it tows fine without the brakes but in a dicey situation I will be grateful that I got them. Think of it as an insurance. You don't need them until you need them http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/eek6.gif If you tow with an F350 you probably would not care less.... Gert

It is an inline fuse behind the dash in the 12V line to this connector/switch for the ignition relay. Besides the 2 pins used to close this circuit, all other pins of the connector are grounded. If somebody should get the idea what the connector is used for (somewhat unlikely) and begins playing there is about a 1:72 change to not blow the fuse. Smoebody would have to be very electrically minded and have a multimeter to start the engine. The ignition circuit is actually latching, i.e. once the relay is engaged the DB9 can be removed until the engine is turned off. Obviously I carry a spare fuse in the junk bag in the boot. Gertslomove2006-10-24 13:39:51

I have the smaller 625 model in the Seven since I bought it (4 years and probably was in there before a while). No issues and I have had it sitting around for 6 months one time. After that it started the engine right away. Drained it a few times unintentionally but a cheap Autozone charger qualified for "deep cycle" batteries brought it back to life. I know many Se7eners are using this battery type and have heard very few complaints. Gertslomove2006-10-24 13:25:09

I am using 2 pins of a regular DB9 connector (my "car key") in the dash to close the ignition relay circuit. All incorrect attempts to short circuit will blow a hidden fuse. So I am pretty sure no joy rider can drive the car away. I would not know myself anymore without schematic. Obviously you can vandalize or haul the whole car on a truck or trailer but that is kind of unlikely. Even in case it gets stolen it would be difficult to sell such an exotic toy in the US without the larger Se7ens community taking notice. I hope professional thieves would see it more of a hassle than worth compared to e.g. a Scooby. Gert

Track: - front RealWheel 13"x7" wheels with 7/21-13 ACB10 (equ. 195/50 R13) - 19 lbs - rear RealWheel 13"x8" wheels with 8/22-13 ACB10 (equ. 245/45 R13) - 21 lbs Road: - front stock Birkin 15"x6" wheels with Bridgestone S03 195/50ZR15 - 35 lbs - rear stock Birkin 15"x6" wheels with Bridgestone S03 225/50ZR15 - 38 lbs slomove2006-10-16 17:06:35

Me too, I can not take any speed bump. That is why they are for the track only. But you can mitigate this effect by using a taller cross-section tire.

Typical lightweight 13" wheels (Kodiak, Panasport etc) are around 10-11 lbs. I have RealWheel rims with similar weight. These are very plain alloy dirt racer wheels, no design whatsoever, just the works. All backspacings up to 5" available (see catalog page below). I got them for $170 each 2 years ago but not that cheap anymore... I am running the well known (and rather expensive) Avon ACB10 tires on the track which are about another 10 pounds, i.e. the combination weighs in 19 pounds for 7" and 21 pounds for 8". My road wheels are much heavier 15" rims Bridgestone S03. That means I save about 65 pounds total rotating and unsprung mass with the 13" race wheels!! http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20061016_152034_RealWheelsPage.jpghttp://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20061016_152107_KG4R1064_Large_.jpgslomove2006-10-16 15:34:03

Interesting....and congratulations to Russ. This was the first Seven I had a look at in 2002. A little too pricey for me at the time but very nicely built by Pete Challinor. Gert

Nice pics, looks like a great trip! BTW, who bought the Tim Allen Birkin with the red stripe (I suspect this is the car?). Gert