We had already had this Boxster in to build a stainless steel sports exhaust. The customer then wanted his brake pads upgrading and some lowering spring fitted. True to form for German cars over engineering was evident everywhere. Half the suspension needed to come out to to get to the springs but the results were worth the effort as the slighgtly lower stance really improves the look
This nissan came in for a track day/show cage ahead of a respray and some other mods. The cage can be seen half done. The finished article really set the car off.
This 928 should have been the 2010 Race car for Mark Hammersley of AA Silencers. The car belongs to Kev Leaper of Practical Performance Car magazine and driving honours where to be shared out over the 40 minute races in CSCC Future Classics. Unfortuantely on it’s first outing at Brands Hatch the engine failed. On inspection it is suspected the failure was due to low oil pressure, a common problem on 928’s. As a result the engine needs a rebuild along with a full dry sump kit added to solve our future oil pressure. The engine will probably be converted from mechanical to electronic fuel injection while we’re at it.
This 911 is actually a 1971 model with a 1973 2.7 RS engine and the full fat hi-carb body kit added. It’s a wonderful car, when it’s not trying to set fire to itself. There were several wiring problems which took a fair amount of chasing down, especially as none of the wiring diagrams seemed to match the car. With a couple of new switches in and several bad connections resolved all seems well. With winter here though the car will now go into storage until the road salts don’t threaten it.
The AA Silencers Capri is finally going back together. The inside and engine bay have been painted and lots of weight taken out. There have been various changes to the oil and cooling systems plus fuel system. The Aerodynamic underfloor is ready for construction and the exhausts need finishing but it’s taking shape ready for the start of the next race season.
I’m not being rude, Snotty is the nick name that’s been given to the Skoda, probably for obvious reasons. The cars owner has done a wonderful job of preparing the car for sprints and hill climbs. It has come to us for a Car Clinic feature in Practical Performance Car magazine. We carried out a full geomtry set up and made a few light modifications to the front suspension to help with grip. The car was tested at Mallory park and the owner now has all winter to carry out the suggested developments. If you come across this Skoda out on the road you’d better give him room, it’s a whole lot more car than it first appears. Or than the name suggests!
Another old escort made it’s way in for a Watt’s linkeage, some seat mounts and a few other bits and pieces. The watts linkeage is designed to control lateral loads on the axle and stop it moving about when cornering. We just had to weld the mounts in to the body and axle ensuring everyting was lined up correctly. The car already had 4 link boxes and slipper springs fitted so it won’t be long until this one’s back on the road.
This Saxo was due in for some preparation work as it’s owner was heading east towards the Nurbergring in Germany. We had various things to look at including brakes, a bit of welding ready for a roll cage and to check over the turbo install. The turbo had been installed by a previous owner and They’d done a pretty good job by all accounts. If Citroen had done it themselves it wouldn’t have been any better. Unfortunatley the day it was due in the Saxo was driven into in a car park casuing a fair amount of front end damage. The clock was ticking as the date for track day was set so a few late nights were called upon. It all went back together and the car made it to the nurbergring on time.
We’ve been working with Practical performance car magazine for some time now helping with their race efforts and carrying out a feature called ‘Car Clinic’. Here we take in cars either from road or track and improve their handling with some geometry set up. This involves measuring the various positions and angle of the wheels and suspension and adjusting them as required, it’s just a short leap on from tracking which a lot of people have done on their road cars. The latest car to pass through our hands is PPC’s Westfield XI. Measurements were taken for tracking, camber, castor, heights, wheelbase, track and axle offset . A few tweeks later and the car’s ready just in time for the last race of the 2010 season.
Here’s a car that divides opinions, normally depending on whether you’re male or female. Most men seem to reckon it’s a thing of beauty, most women seem to disagree. One thing you couldn’t argue is it’s speed, these things are rapid. The formula is simple, take one super lightweight chassis, stick a motorbike engine in it and add a load of aerodynamics for grip. Radical really got it right with these cars and there success has been tremendous, including lap records and the Nurburgring circuit in Germany. This particular car has been having some difficulties with it’s exhaust. The header pipes on the exhaust manifold kick back around the engine and locate into collectors. The pipes keep coming loose and have cracked in several places so new sleeves have been added and the joints repaired. Less than a days work and the car is back on track frightening the locals, and probably the driver too.
