scotsman

I've got a UK WRX - with a VF35, Sti injectors, up-pipe, downpipe, uprated fuel pump, etc. With an AndyF remap giving me around 310bhp. However, my VF35 is on the way out (screaming, blades touching I think) so need to get a replacement. Not sure whether I'm best to just get another VF35 for a straight swap - or get a recondition front entry TD05 (cheaper than the VF35 but would need another map tweak from Andy) or go for Andy's hybrid TD04 (and map tweak). The VF35 and TD05 would cost around the same all in and the most expensive option would be the hybrid from Andy - however, I get 12 months guarantee with that - as I'm worried that getting another second hand turbo might lead to it going again in the future. Powerwise I'm not going to be pushing beyond the 300/310 mark and the hybrid goes up to 320 anyway. So - what would you guys do? Cheers Richard.

Sweet looking wagon

Always fancied getting a forester turbo - something appealing about something so boxy looking going so quickly

Mine was filthy too - and the alloys were a mess. Came up nicely though!

Shocked to find out that my MOT ran out last month - so had to hunt around to get one done - this would be the first one since I replaced the zorst - so only running a sportscat downpipe now - so a little nervous about the emmisions test. Anyway, only local place I could find at short notice was Hardies of Stirling - a peugeot main dealer. They booked me in for the next day - 1.5 hours while I waited and cost £45. Passed with no issues and they even washed the car for me (and did a good job!). Recommended. Richard.

Biggest mistake I made was selling my previous impreza - now back in one again for the last 3 years and would struggle to go into anything else - even though I was tempted with a TDI Audi TT a few months ago! lol Richard.

Yep - you're right. I'm happy enough that I now know that it's not coming from the engine - must be something loose in the backbox. I'll try and see if I can get a recording of the little feathery guy for amusement sake Richard.

That tweeting/chirping type noise that the WRC cars make - is it the dump valve? However, mine isn't coming from the engine bay - it's the back box itself that is making the noise. Weird that it's not on full revs - it's when you blip the throttle when stationary and the noise happens when the revs are dropping back down again. Very stange! Probably just need to source another second-hand standard WRX backbox. Richard.

Sound is definately coming/caused by the back-box itself. Wonder what could go wrong inside to cause that noise. Strange.

When sitting at idle, I blip the throttle and when it dies back down to idle again it tweets on and off - with the sound coming from the exhaust. Would the dump value cause this? Cheers Richard.

Are there any PC driving games out there that feature Knockhill? Edit - just found that rfactor has one you can download.

Yes, pity it was a dry day as having some scary moments would have been fun

I did the 25 laps Driver Experience at KH this week and had a great day. First time on a track for me. After I arrived I went out with Jamie and did a first lap without him commenting, then we did another couple laps with suggestions and advice from him. After that we swapped over and he did 2 laps - one showing the right way to do it (and without thrashing my car too much) and the other the wrong way (braking too late, turning in late, power on too soon, etc). We then swapped back and I did 5 laps, came in to let the brakes rest, then back out, and repeat for the next 40 odd minutes. Whilst I enjoyed the session I was a bit underwhelmed. I guess my expectations were wrong as I was expecting a thrill that didn't arrive. I've done the rally course at KH and that was superb - lots of sideways action, fighting the car, etc - but going round the track - driving smoothly - was a bit bland in comparrison. Probably be different if I was in a RWD machine but my subaru (305 bhp, etc) was a bit safe and forgiving. The sensation of speed wasn't really great and I was pushing on (100+ in the straights and pushing it in the corners). So, still really enjoyed the day but perhaps not as good as I had built it up to be in my head. I think going slower with lots of car movement and sideways action, as in the Rally Experience, is more my cup of tea. Towards the end of the session though I started to get a very strange noise coming from the engine when on full boost (pedal to the floor) and when the revs were 5k+. No engine warning lights came on and if I went up the revs and speed on part throttle then the noise didn’t come back – so only on full throttle and full boost and higher up the rev range. Any idea what might be the cause? Sounded like a metallic rattle noise. Turbo? Interestingly on the way home (it was still happening) I switched the map to the lower boost map and even on full throttle the noise didn't come on (apart from one little sign off it once at 6k revs). Putting it back on the higher boost map caused it to come back again. Cheers Richard.

Thanks for the advice and feedback - really looking forward to the day

£109 for the 25 laps - where you have an instructor with you one on one. I'm not sure whether others are on the track but when I was booking it up there was only specific days for the 'own car' experience and you had to book a specific 1 hour slot - so the track could well be clear.

Booked in for Tues 23rd September for the 25 laps own car package

I'm bloody lucky in that my bugeye was registered on the 2nd February 2001 - so just beats the higher tax brackets. Phew....

Superb feedback guys - many thanks I'm going to phone KH up today and get the 25 lap session booked in for the next couple weeks.

Good advice on the SIDC and Trackscotland events only. I think I might go for the 25 lap driver experience at Knockhill first - it would be good to get some one-on-one tuition priop to taking the leap

I'm at the stage when I'm looking to start doing track days - but was wondering if it is worth doing the 'own car' 25 lap driving experience at Knockhill first? Cheers Richard.

Thanks Stephen.

Cheers mate

Would an exhaust of a bugeye fit a blobeye ok? Cheers Richard.

Welcome and nice looking machine - always like them in black.

Good coverage on the BBC news site: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgo...est/7588713.stm Have a great day lads.