Apart from miles and miles of smiles. There has been a lot of head scratching, inventing, designing, cobbing stuff together, aggro and even more big grins to go with the never ending list of PB's year on year
She started off as a 16 second V8. We have managed to achieve 1 second per year average since we got started on this project.
My old MGB is now as close as its ever been to hitting the elusive 9.99 second pass. But we still need to shave another whole 0.6 off the PB to get there. So apart from the new engine, I decided to get under it and do more than my usual 6 monthy nip up of all the fixings. We have noticed her getting a little bit fluffy at the top end and last time out she ran three 10.4's back to back in one day but each time we backed off the pedal over the line she was not happy. The problem was screaming "suspension faults"
I dont come right off the pedal when I cross the line. I back it off over 2-3 seconds gently.
Both front dampers are shagged and one only had resistance for about 25% of its travel !!
Both rear springs have sagged and the drivers side one is resting on the slapper bar !!
Front dampers got changed on Sunday along with new polybushes.
The new rear springs and bushes will go on in the next few weeks.
New slicks wil be here in 10 days (going up from 28" to 29.5" tall) so more metalwork to be removed from the rear arches.
Rear dampers check out ok at this time.
New engine block is here with top hat liners fitted.
Had a pair of Cometic MLS head gaskets made which look very nice
I've got a box with rings, shells, lifters, cam, all other gaskets and seals required.
The heads are going away to be reworked a little. Nothing fancy, just a bit of porting and spring pans machined to take the race springs and shims. I would ike bigger ex valves but the budget has now gone
So by xmas I'll have my own present to myself!! A fresh car to go and play with for 2012
If I dont make the 9.99 I wont be too sad. To be honest I'm surprised we got this far on a stock bodied car with all steel panels and full interior + a near stock Rover 4.6 engine. Stock that is apart from from forged pistons and a different cam.
I may look at lightening the body next year, but at this time I think i'm in with a shout at a sub 10.4 next year as she is
I havent even got the engine out yet and I'm already visualising myself in the car on the start line next year
Now I think back to the early days of my first nitrous system which i thought was going to turn my 16 second car into a monster. But it didnt, and to be honest it makes me shudder for 2 reasons !!! Firstly with what I've learnt on here I was lucky not to have blown my shit up in a big way over the first 2 years of playing with it. I wasnt even advised about fuel flow requirements from the firm I got the kit from???
Secondly I'm pissed off that I missed 2 years of making good progress with a nitrous system that I didnt know how to operate because I couldnt get real advice from anyone. Had I found WON back then instead of by accident 2 years later via one of Trevs arch enemies I might already have a 9 second timing slip in a frame in the lounge
I'm getting all nostalgic now
I have to admit, its been a great journey for me since 2006
And apart from the car stuff, I've met some good mates on here. Hopefully we can all get together again for an early 2012 event like the Fast Show weekend again.
Regards to all
Pel