Impromptu eclectic blat

[slngsht]

Got a PM from OttoCycle after 10 PM last night to see if I could join a little blat.

 

He really had to twist my arm

 

Met up at 9:30. The cars there were a Toyota Supra Turbo, Detomaso Pantera, Morgan Plus4, Ottocycle's Busa powered Fisher Fury (I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS CAR), and my car. Apparently a Nobel M400 was supposed to be there too, but he couldn't make it.

 

Anyway, I found out my camera was almost full, so I only have a few pics.

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1297077403_CIMG1787.JPG

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1149107525_CIMG1788.JPG

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/724977061_CIMG1789.JPG

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/2089867420_CIMG1790.JPG

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1103585468_CIMG1793.JPG

 

Unfortunately no shots of the yellow Pantera.

 

Dermott, thanks for the invite. I had a blast. That beast is quick, and beautiful. :thumbs:

[Al N.]

Dermot, I love your car too! I like the config you have (low shield with more aero headlights), though I am a CEC guy...

 

I had a great blat today...driving my buddy's Turbo Esprit back from Lime Rock chasing him in my Se7en...in his words "It's definitely the fastest most powerful feeling thing I've ever driven." The Esprit felt like a Cadillac compared to the Se7en, and I didn't like waiting for the boost to come on.

 

Here's to impromptu blats, new and old friends, and "all-motor" powered lightweights and semi-lightweights :jester:

[ottocycle]

Thanks guys, for the kind words. Mazda, glad you could make it and it was great to meet you. We should do it again. Your car is a BEAST!!

 

Todays drive was her first run, painted her friday and put the bits on yesterday. i'm glad she aquitted herself quite well. I have a list of tasks I need to do. The list is longer than I know, but for now the following tasks need my immediate attention. (THE LAST 10% TAKES 90% OF THE TIME). Feel free to put in any tips, comments and suggestions you may have.

 

1). Heavy duty clutch plates/springs. (Unfortunatly it is not wheelspin when I hit the gas hard).

2). Mirrors both interior and exterior. The one's I have are crap. (Any tips)?

3). Find a better front end alignment set up. I have 3/32" toe in and she feels a little twitchy and nervous at speed. This could be due to the light weight and I need to adjust my feel. I am running 16 psi in front. 205-60-14 tires.

4). Figure our the calibration of the fuel gauge.

5). Go round the car and check all fastners and the shifter linkage.

6). Get some basic data aquisition installed to ensure the engine is operating in a "safe zone". I added 10% to the factory fuel map to make sure she is not running lean due to the air filters and headers. The EGT sensors tell me that she is safe but I need to get a wide band on her.

 

By the way. I bought a a spare engine off E Bay but it is in Connecticut (7 hours each way). Does anybody in the club live near Hartford who could check it out/ pick it up for me. The owner appears genuine and honest but I have the usual concerns about sending a lot of money to a stranger. Of course I will cover any expenses.

Thanks guys,

 

Dermot.

 

 

[WestTexasS2K]

Ottocycle your twitchy steering could be related to the caster. If you are running 1-2 degrees of caster it will be twitchy. If you can get it to the 4-5 degree you can drive with out your hands on the wheel. This will make the steering a little heavier but it makes the car more stable. My 2c. I love that car it looks very nice. Good job.

[roll a 7]

Ottocycle: That is a really beautiful car. Can you tell us more about it? Approx. kit cost? LHD available? Weight? Weight distribution? Tire sizes? Dimensions? And every other possible detail...........

 

Do you know your spring rates? Changing mine and adding adjustable shocks has transformed the handling of my 7. The ability to adjust your suspensions stiffness at either end enables you to really fin tune the performance.

 

Congratulations on turning out such a desirable car!!!

[slngsht]

Dermot's car was simply amazing. Google "Fisher Fury" for more stats.

 

[ottocycle]

Thanks guys.

My car is an older Fury, much modified and different from what it started out as. Briefly, I bought it in Kent, England, off a guy who had a Rover V8 in it. It is registered as a 1969 model and it was used as a brochure cover car. I do not know much of its history except that the factory put in the Rover motor. It went like a raped ape with the Rover but was too nose heavy and when you hit the brakes hard at speed to negotiate a corner you could feel the rear getting real light as the weight transfer was horrendous. It felt like a pig on stilts, you had to be real judicious with the application of the gas pedal or it would break the rear loose. This had no end of spectator appeal but suffice to say at times it took a toll on my laundry bill. Added to that the fact that I had no leg room (I'm 6'3') and had to put on a smaller steering wheel so my hands could clear my knees. This only compounded the problem with the hard cornering. The Rovers head was in front of the pedal box so there was no room to move things forward.

 

I like bike engines. They are as close to a Formula 1 motor as I will ever get in terms of technology per dollar. As a lifelong fan of the seven I am a great believer in lightweight cars. So, as a closet hot rodder and compulsive tinkerer, I put the 2 together. I added 12" to the footwell (still not wide enough, I would like a dead pedal for my clutch foot), modified the hood a Hayabusas are a tall engine.. The Hayabusa engine is in line and 2" from the firewall. I just got it on the road and still have a long way to go but I will talk to Mazda about posting dispatches here from time to time. I am more comfortable with a wrench than a computer. Mine is a live axled car, I believe the newer ones are independent. As a fan of suspension systems I like the fact that they used 2 Watts linkages to locate the rear instead of trailing arms. I am not so great a driver as to tell the difference but its engineering purity appeals to me. It has rockerarm front suspension.

 

My future plans for the car are to get it sorted, so that I can do track days and learn how to drive properly. I want to learn more about vehicle dynamics so as to be able to diagnose suspension issues. At the moment I am comming in from track sessions so pumped with adrenalin (my favourite drug!!) that I could not tell you what the right wheel is doing at the apex of turn 5. (Either that or I an getting premature dimentia. I choose to believe the former!). I need more track time to improve my technique and be more comfortable at speed. I bought a spare engine so as to have back up if mine blows. If it does it will be during the season and I do not want the down time. I could swop an engine in my car in 90 mins. or less. ........................Paddle shift and a turbo sound great.................

 

I've had a few people express interest in the car and am showing it to a friend in the composites business with a view to making copies of the body using more modern materials/techniques. The frame could be built with modern suspension bits that are available in America and re engineered to accomodate plus size drivers. I will do a budget as to what a kit will cost perhaps for 5-10 units and let you know. These things always end up costing more than one would initially think but it would be interesting to find out. What would people be prepared to pay for a kit? What interest is there?

 

WestTexasS2K Thanks for the advice. I have about 4-5 degrees castor at the moment. I think I need to check my ride height. It may need more rake, I may be getting high speed lift that is registering as twitchy. I am hoping to get time to check my settings this week. I will keep you posted.

 

Thanks and feel free to comment.

 

Dermot.

Fury/Hayabusa,

Bethesda, Md.

 

[Al N.]

Dermot-

 

For mirrors, check out the SPA mirrors here:

 

Pegasus Auto Racing

 

The Spa center mirror seems like a must for you. Then yuour choice of sides...those Vitaloni Sebring Mach 1 mirrors look cool.

 

For fuel gauges...I don't know if you have a float type or one of those ones that puts a metal rod down the tank and measures by capacitance or resistance or whatever (can you tell I'm not an engineer?)...but my point is that I don't think it matters, they are all terrible.

 

I thought I had my ATL calibrated correctly (did the thing where you stick it in a full and nearly empty bucket of fuel to calibrate) and I've still run out of gas...guage said 1/2 when I ran out on the Dragon. So, get to know the sound of your fuel pump when it's low (my labors noticeably) and also try driving around with a 2 gallon in your passenger footwell until you run out...note mileage then fill up with the spare tank. This is the best way to go about things so you you know your car's range...of course, I still haven't gotten around to doing this myself... I just keep it topped off at any natural stopping point.

[ottocycle]

Al-

Thanks. I have taken to keeping a gas can in the footwell (empty now till I get around to anchoring it somehow). I will then try calibrating the gauge. I do not let it drop below 1/4 tank.

I will check out the mirrors. I need side mirrors like Mazdas, motorcycle based. At the moment I see the curves of my rear fenders in 1/2 the view.

 

Dermot.

[11Budlite]

"By the way. I bought a a spare engine off E Bay but it is in Connecticut (7 hours each way). Does anybody in the club live near Hartford who could check it out/ pick it up for me. The owner appears genuine and honest but I have the usual concerns about sending a lot of money to a stranger. Of course I will cover any expenses.

Thanks guys,

 

Dermot. "

 

Hi Dermot. Sorry I haven't responded sooner, but I've been away this week. I live in Wolcott which is not too far from Hartford and would be willing to try and check out the motor and pick it up if you can give me the details. Let me know here or through a PM if you want.

 

Thanks, Bruce

 

[11Budlite]

Oops, forgot to say nice car!!! :thumbs:

[ottocycle]

Bruce,

I got back a little earlier than expected and wanted to make sure you got the PM I sent you yesterday. Please contact me when you get a miniute.

Cheers,

 

Dermot.