Bank holiday job

[NickXX]

Hi there,

Was going to fit some rear brake pads to the 318 this week, but realised on Friday evening that this wouldn't occupy the 3 days

Bit the bullet and bought a Spax coilover kit which Gareth and I picked up on Saturday afternoon.

The car started off like this:

The old shocks on the back were very badly worn - one had corroded at the top to less than half its original width.

This was the better of the two:

This is the rear kit:

... and fitted:

We then assembled the front coilovers on saturday night:

 

[NickXX]

Took Sunday morning off for an S2000 meet:

Rest of the weekend was fitting the fronts, messing around with ride height and damper rates:

Needs an alignment now done and need to get a damper setting I like. Even the ride is so much better now (the old stuff was properly knackered). Can't wait to get back on the track with it.

Many thanks to Gareth for helping out all weekend - neither of us had attempted anything like it, but all went as planned. Could probably do the same job again in about 3 hours or so at a push now.

Just about ready for Bedford in November now

 

[olv]

WIKID TYTE. Like it.

 

[saitrix]

Awesome, that's more like it. So when you getting a supercharger fitted to it. Have you set it fairly hard as the ride height looks fairly low.

 

[spaz]

Really is shaping up nicely! Will look forward to seeing it again at Bedford!

 

[DannyW]

That car looks nice shame about the engine

 

[MrMatteh]

those mirrors

 

[Firestar_3x]

Given its use why do you say that?

Looks great btw should be miles better on track

 

[Xez]

Great stance, love the red and black colour scheme!

 

[Begbie]

look great

 

[Joe T]

Looking good mate!

 

[jamoor]

That car looks nice shame about the engine

Indeed, why didn't you get a more powerful engine?

 

[saitrix]

Indeed, why didn't you get a more powerful engine?

Possibly from a weight point of perspective. Didn't the older straight 6's weigh quite a bit?

 

[Firestar_3x]

As we all know the more power a car has the more fun it is, this is why big engined american cars are great fun to drive.... Oh wait a second.....

 

[palmy]

Indeed, why didn't you get a more powerful engine?

Why do you pretend to be something your not on the Pistonheads forum?

 

[[TW]Fox]

Why do you pretend to be something your not on the Pistonheads forum?

What does he pretend to be? Never noticed him being out of the ordinary on there?

 

[NickXX]

Indeed, why didn't you get a more powerful engine?

No need for one, if I wanted a really powerful car for the track I'd just take my M3.

The 318iS (140bhp) has enough power for the track, is light, revvy - and imo that is all that matters on the track. The fun comes from fast corner speeds and driving on the limit, so all you need is lightness, decent handling and confidence with the brakes. For me, the extra power would just be an unnecessary expense (extra insurance, extra fuel, extra initial cost, more wear on tyres/brakes, etc, etc).

Saitrix - it's not set that hard, it will go a fair bit lower on the front but I think I'll leave it as is now.

 

[saitrix]

As long as it isn't bottoming out over bumps long country road, otherwise it will become a right pain if you get that on the track. What sort of alignment you getting done? Going for more castor on the front and more camber all round?

 

[Duke]

That's going to be SO much better on track now

 

[Silent Bob]

Looking good. Apart from the comedy body roll it performed well on the last track day so that will only improve things. The light weight really makes up for the lack of power on the track. I have nearly twice the bhp but struggled to pull away from Nick as my car was much heavier and nowhere near as good around the corners. However this should be addressed by November