Grace. SOLD

Rob S · Post by **Rob S** » Sun May 30, 2010 9:38 am

Say no more;)

Post by **Stuart** » Mon Jun 28, 2010 6:37 pm

Update time

With a hectic period of use for Grace, some essentials needed sorting out, once and for all.

I'd been losing coolant somewhere and, obviously, temperatures had been creeping up as a result on longer journeys or anything involving traffic. Eventually this was traced to either the rad or one of the hoses. Advice from racers and mk2 Jedi's led me to go for an 8v rad or a turbo diesel one as they had far larger surface areas.

The search was on. GFS in Norwich let me down a bit, Martyn Brown was too busy, I dared not ask Dr Hayward

I think Trev started to feel sorry for me to the point where he caved in. I owe him a debt of gratitude as he was kind enough to source the bits and then give me a hand to fit it all as well

So, better rad, more cooling, less leaking. Progress.

Next up was a strut brace for the front. I found myself a nice little Neuspeed one, rarer than hens teeth and at a good price. It turned up and frankly, didn't suit my needs, so that was promptly sold on again.

The coilovers still haven't turned up, but now I have the company owners mobile number, that little situation will be resolved very quickly.

Mr Blackmore and I have hatched a plan for a day of Golf related spannering at his empire in the near future and that will sort the top mounts, coilovers for both and the seat and harness for mine too. Maybe the sunroof if there's time, but we will see.

Last on the list was the goodies from yesterday.

Very sad, I needed some new boot dampers but rather less sad were these little puppies

7x15" OZ Superturismo's

Freshly refurbed and ready to rock. ET37 means they are direct fitment and the guy was even generous enough to do me a great deal on some 10mm spacers too, just in case they aren't TK spec enough.

It has been pointed out to me that my G60 arches are 'too wide' by MikeB......I think he's just jealous

More action as and when it happens

Just for those keeping score, I have four sets of wheels now and Trev has five!! (Boo)

russ979 · Post by **russ979** » Mon Jun 28, 2010 7:35 pm

Well what are you playing about at? All those lovely wheels to chose from, and grace has to put up with those `orible rat look steelie!:rolleyes::D

Post by **Stuart** » Mon Jun 28, 2010 7:50 pm

Not for long Russ, not for long

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Mon Jun 28, 2010 9:11 pm

Stuart,my mum was called Grace so stop sodding about and put the decent wheels on she would have liked that.

Post by **Stuart** » Mon Jun 28, 2010 9:13 pm

Will do Sir

Waiting for r888's for the OZ's and waiting for an arch roller for the Comp's. Either way, more suitable wheels will be on soon. Promise

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Mon Jun 28, 2010 9:29 pm

Hello Stuart, I Look forward to a ride in the left hand seat, if I can get my passenger seat back far enough you are welcome to a ride in the Silver Subaru the next time I am at Snetterton

Post by **Stuart** » Tue Jun 29, 2010 8:05 pm

That would be great Harry, both as passenger and as driver for you. I used to own a classic Impreza so I know that I fit just fine

My coilovers are on the way!! Fitting of those, the G60 (uprated through strength I believe) top mounts, the Corbeau seat and frame from Betty and maybe a few other jobs, are all planned and scheduled for the next 7-10 days. There will be no turning back once the welder comes out, so the next time she gets driven in anger will be very interesting indeed.

Once that lot's fitted, I'll be booking in to AutoTest in Norwich for a full alignment set up. Some R888's, some spacers, some arch rolling and I should be done.

Not a chance.............

Rob S · Post by **Rob S** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 7:50 am

Glad he's come through on the coilovers, was getting ready to drive to Bas Vegas and have a row with the bloke.

Post by **Stuart** » Sun Jul 04, 2010 9:42 pm

Knowing that this time next week, all being well, Grace will be a very different car, I grabbed today's impromptu auto-test as a perfect opportunity to do some back to back testing. That and it was a bloody good excuse to thrash the nuts off of the car

The 14" Multihawk tyres were interesting; I think they must be the same tyres that those American film studios use, the ones that make skid noises on sand! Any amount of lock, any speed, these things screamed like a pornstar.

The brakes were Ok to be honest.

Suspension was crap. Really, really poor in terms of controlling roll and pitch, but that was exactly what I expected and I have some Gucci G60 top mounts and Gaz coilovers to slap on very soon.

The engine did well enough and on a track I'll be able to use my preferred method of cornering, so out and out power is not a 'biggie' anywhere other than a straight line power circuit like........ ooh..... er, our local one! Arse

Far more grip will be handy and the wider, stickier R888's should imbue the car with a happier blend of speed carrying ability.

The car was a real pain in the arse to hustle between the chicanes; non-power steering was no fun but it will be a lot kinder in a circuit situation.

The rad did well enough and after crazy temperatures and a proper thrashing, everything held together quite well.

Roll on the August meet and track night. I can't wait