Reiver Posted February 7 Posted February 7 Looking fwd to getting the 7...'99 build with about 18k on it. The seller, a great guy btw, just replaced the cam belt and water pump with new items and changed the oil/ coolant for me prior to shipping. It comes with the original nose, the bench seats, full weather gear, tonneau, side wind wings, two steering wheels and all of teh build books etc. Josh of Rocky Mtn is co ordinating the shipping with a company that ships all of his 7's. The brake fluid is good but not sure when/if the flex lines (braided stainless) were changed out....I will replace the foam pad in the sump...he changed it out a few years ago and said the one he took out was in good shape....btw, this is what the top end looked like when he set the cams. It has a mild cam upgrade so should push 200 bhp. Anything come to mind to address? 4
Reiver Posted February 8 Author Posted February 8 Me too, ....when it arrives.... I like the older bench seat (I'll have both) but not sure if it would be a comfortable reach so Steve put the adjustable seats in place for me. We'll see on that.
Croc Posted February 9 Posted February 9 The Prisoner colors are just such a classic good look. My suggestion is you drive it as it is. Then put some 13 inch wheels with good performance rubber on it and drive it again to experience the improvement from such a massive reduction in unsprung weight. The 'wagon wheels' at 16 inches always made a Caterham look ungainly to my eyes and they were very heavy.
slowdude Posted February 9 Posted February 9 Upgradea: LED lights (or bulbs if you're cheap like me. Third high headlight because people don't see you. Try and ship it with the full hood on. Mine had the tonneau and water got in behind the seats.
Reiver Posted February 9 Author Posted February 9 I'll see about the wheels...ground clearance is important where I live and I will build a sump shield. I'm shipping it in an enclosed trailer so the water issue should not be an event. What is the highest profile you can get on 13's with all season performance tires? driving as is for a while is always a good idea....I've not purchased any 'change' material yet except a steering wheel quick release. Good idea about the high light but I'll put that out back....doubt it will see night driving to be honest but the smaller LED lamps do look better to me.
slowdude Posted February 9 Posted February 9 1 hour ago, Reiver said: I'll see about the wheels...ground clearance is important where I live and I will build a sump shield. I'm shipping it in an enclosed trailer so the water issue should not be an event. What is the highest profile you can get on 13's with all season performance tires? driving as is for a while is always a good idea....I've not purchased any 'change' material yet except a steering wheel quick release. Good idea about the high light but I'll put that out back....doubt it will see night driving to be honest but the smaller LED lamps do look better to me. My 13's have uniroyal rain tires. Car has never had an issue in deep rain. They're 185 / 70 / r13s. Don't worry about ground clearance unless you're running a Kent. 90% of the time you'll be fine unless very steep high center situations. Then you just crab walk. Don't overthink it. These cars are made to be driven. 1
slowdude Posted February 9 Posted February 9 43 minutes ago, Reiver said: Vauxhall 2l 20xe with the wet sump.... Will be fine. My driveway has a significant hump. Exhaust shroud scrapes before sump so you have a feeler. 1
theDreamer Posted February 9 Posted February 9 4 hours ago, slowdude said: Don't worry about ground clearance unless you're running a Kent. 90% of the time you'll be fine unless very steep high center situations. Then you just crab walk. Don't overthink it. These cars are made to be driven. Watch this 19 second video of my car being driven from the transport into the parking lot of the shop last year. Notice how he picks his way across the sidewalk and into the parking lot. You can see he had lots of clearance but still took his time because he didn’t know he had the clearance. You’ll get use to this type of; go where you feel you need to type of driving style. https://youtu.be/n1X559_VvOc 1
Reiver Posted February 9 Author Posted February 9 20 minutes ago, theDreamer said: Watch this 19 second video of my car being driven from the transport into the parking lot of the shop last year. Notice how he picks his way across the sidewalk and into the parking lot. You can see he had lots of clearance but still took his time because he didn’t know he had the clearance. You’ll get use to this type of; go where you feel you need to type of driving style. https://youtu.be/n1X559_VvOc Nice thanks...is that the Vaux 2l with wet sump...
theDreamer Posted February 9 Posted February 9 1 hour ago, Reiver said: Nice thanks...is that the Vaux 2l with wet sump... Yes, C20xe wet sump.
Reiver Posted February 10 Author Posted February 10 Thanks....no experience with that Vaux obviously but it looked like a solid lump from reading a bit. Honestly I'd rather have FI but I've dealt with Weber's before, and they were pretty easy to maintain.
Reiver Posted February 15 Author Posted February 15 (edited) Enroute....with 5 box's of 'stuff'...the original nose cone/all weather gear and tonneau cover...extra steering wheel...the bench seats.... manuals: build manual and a Vauxhall motor manual, wind wings.... etc. should arrive in a few days. Two vehicle carrier. The box's were all tied down btw...this is during loading. Edited February 15 by Reiver
Reiver Posted February 22 Author Posted February 22 Arrived today with 5 box's of spares...in fine shape...up on the rack checking everything out. Very pleased with the deal. Have to make a front belly pan to cover the underside to protect the exposed cam belt so that's my present project...that and a rock screen in the nose. 1
Reiver Posted February 22 Author Posted February 22 Made the intake screen today and the template for the forward belly pan ... the thin alloy will be here Sunday and this will cover beyond the sump when done....formable plastic will allow for lower areas by the oil filter and lower pulley. 1
Reiver Posted February 23 Author Posted February 23 Had my first drive today after finishing the belly front pan and it was a blast..... really like the car and it handles nice and tight.... great fun. Glad I went this route. The temp stayed at 80/176 degree's so the work done doesn't seem to effect cooling..... another here told me it was hard to get the car to a proper temp with the Vaux 2L. but it was a cooler day 70 ish. This car might see a semi hood for the sun but will never see the full gear altho I have it. 2
slowdude Posted February 23 Posted February 23 6 minutes ago, Reiver said: Had my first drive today after finishing the belly front pan and it was a blast..... really like the car and it handles nice and tight.... great fun. Glad I went this route. The temp stayed at 80/176 degree's so the work done doesn't seem to effect cooling..... another here told me it was hard to get the car to a proper temp with the Vaux 2L. but it was a cooler day 70 ish. This car might see a semi hood for the sun but will never see the full gear altho I have it. WOOOHOOO!!! Big win. Overall thoughts? Throw the roof in the trunk in case you need it, and just drive the dang thing.
Reiver Posted February 23 Author Posted February 23 (edited) Overall, it was exactly what I was looking for. I've been a fan of older Brits sports cars but didn't want to deal with the antiquated systems and leaks....yeah, do they leak. However, I wanted the driving vibe. This feels like a Brit sports car but is 'modern' in the motor/drive train/brakes etc.... best of both worlds. I recently sold an AH 100/6 BN6 that was beautiful to look at but a pita to maintain....and even tho it had a motor rebuild it leaked...I mean leaked. Many of the gaskets today are made in China and they just don't do it. I wanted that raw driving experience but in a more modern scenario.... just what I wanted actually...and I'd never even seen one in the flesh, just took a chance. Every dog has its day Edited February 23 by Reiver 2
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