dill

Hi all, Bit of an update. Work has begun to strip the engine and check what can be salvaged. As you can see there is a fairly big hole in the top of the engine. It appears that no3 rod has let go. I'll get some more photos up when I get get them. Cheers Dill

.......and back up to date I got my car picked up last week by MT RECOVERY(07927 592027). It worked out cheaper than transporting it myself and also saved me a day off work. Apologies for quality of picture. Its now at a friends for the removal, strip, and inspection to hopefully find out what went wrong. I'm thinking of taking the ally rad off for something different so that should be up for sale soon. More to follow. Dill

Well after a long wait, and a baby, the threat of redundancy, and all the rest of lifes little problems it appears I may now be able to get an engine put in. No pics just yet:( Ii've spoken to a friend who is going to do the work, I originally wanted to do it myself, to 'learn' how to rebuild an engine but a) don't have all the tools and kit 2) Would need to have someone to tell me what to do and d) Wouldn't want to miss finding the reason this engine let go. Should be getting the car shipped down in the next couple of weeks, again at good rates from a friend of a friend. I was going to get it myself butwoauld have had to hire a trailor, plus diesel, buy ratchet straps, day off work. The plan is another STI block, not sure if its CDB or not, possibly a different polished crank to increase capacity, same turbo (if its OK), oil cooler would have to go in bin I would imagine. Recon oil pump, higher pressure? port and polish Make a oil sump baffle if possible? Tested on an engine bed then fitted, and off for a map. I'll keep you updated... Dill

(From Snetterton last year, sorry for the delay!!!) Well I got a day to sort out my car prior to Snetterton on Sunday. As usual, all simple jobs, never made simple - its always the same. RASP got me a replacement splitter/undertray cut out using my old one as a replacement. I got the front lip painted prior to starting the other work. I got my car up on the ramp (very slowly with blocks of wood to reduce the angle) for an oil change, oil out, I noticed it was brown in colour and had a solvent smell to it. Possibly due to the fact the car hasnt been used in anger since Oct 09. Its just been in and out of the garage each day, which will be 'rich' in fuel as its on start up. The replacement filter had its O ring displaced and as I pushed it back in I noticed that the 'flared' portion of metal it sits against wasnt correctly formed so ordered another one, but that didn't arrive until mid afternoon. I added the heat shield which is fixed ontop op the undertray to prevent heat from the exhaust headers... I also got some ducting to the brakes. Its not entirely finished as I'd like them to go closer to the hubs/discs. At present they are just angled at the brakes. I considered this a safer option of bodging something together last minute, as if something came loose it could cause a lot of damage. I also added some extra security to the undertray by adding an 'L' shaped piece of ally from the plywood rearwards to the support bracket. New oil filter arrived, filled, and primed engine before starting and everything appeared OK, no leaks etc. Loaded up on my mates '*****' wagon which he lent me (we had to replace the front bearings and fit another alternator and support bolt for it to be useable for towing). Got to Snet, offloaded, trailor parked up and away to a B+B for the night (Thompson Chequers, thoroughly recommended!) Back in the morning and a friend Neil soon arrived to help out prepping the car. Suspension set, tyres checked. Paulo and Gossy then appeared who were also to be helping for the day. Oil checked along with everything else and onto warm up. Started slowly, getting heat into tyres and brakes. The new Dixcel pads seemed OK, good bite. Then lap 2 red flagged due to a mini off on the 1st corner. All temps ok, after a bit of a wait out again. 1st time gunning it down the pit straight CEL was flashing, suspecting it could be a loose earth again I backed off again then hammered it again. Got round to the bombhole then CEL, then a dull pop (sounded like a IC pipe had come off), the terrible sound of a rumble, and some smoke out of the newly fitted bonnet vent. I managed to got to the pits, bonnet up and getting ready for a fire, but was lucky not to. Further inspection revealed a hole in the top of the engine. There are a number of reasons that I can think that this happened such as failed oil pump, spun bearing, bad fuel?, residual old oil with fuel in it, that would have been in oil cooler, reducing grade of oil that I put in? returning problem of heads lifting/head gasket?Or just general wear and tear on the car. The engine has now done 65K. I've owned it since 35K, and its been tracked from early on with a lot of track miles done, and at each event lots of laps completed, more than anyone else I would imagine. So plan now is to remove engine and inspect extent of the damage, salvage what I can and get another STI engine to replace it, all of course on a near zero budget. It will be a long process though due to family commitments, where car is stored and getting time/tools etc to do everything. I'd like to say a very big THANK YOU to John and Debbie at RASP Ltd, Opie Oils for their continued support and to Dixon of DMS Racing Ltd for the brake pads. I'd also like to thank Neil, Paulo, and Gossy, for helping out (sorry I could do any more laps!) And my Ali and Josh for putting up with me, lol. Cheers Dill

Made a better (neater/lighter) bonnet vent over the weekend. The last one wasnt great looking.... I used the old one as a template then decided a 2 piece design instead of bending the vents out of one piece of metal I didn't have an airsaw so cutting the slots took a while with chain-drilling and a grinder. Everything cut out, and slot covers angled and drilled ready for rivetting Everything was then scrubbed a bit and cleaned before using etch primer( i was told that this is what is needed for ally to provide a good base) I gave it 2 coats of primer and just one of gloss black as I ran out! The paint still hasn't taken very well so if anyone has any tips for better prepping or paints to use let me know. The finished (well it will be after some more paint) article. Also made a heat shield for the plywood undertray to stop scorching from the engine manifold. Cheers all Dill

Hey all, just an update... I went to pick up my new (read old )runaround from Grimsby at the weekend as I've been without a car for 2 months so got a bit done to the car. Not the work I had in mind though Unfortunately the splitter/airdam has been damaged whilst being put on a ramp at the garage. Its not too bad, just a bit annoyed as a lot of work went into it. I was thinking of glueing it back in and reinforcing the damaged wood with some thin metal but the garage are going to get another piece cut to shape. Removed the undertray/splitter, and drilled out any rivets that were pulled (I'm glad I used ally rivets and nothing stronger). These came out easily enough, then after the bumper was removed, the airdam was 'massaged' back into shape. I then re-riveted some of the angle brackets back on. I also cut out a slot in the airdam directly in front of the fixed towing eye. This is to allow a fabric tow strap to protrude through. Whilst I was tinkering I noticed one of the IC pipes has been rubbing on the inner wing. Its been on there a few years... The metal pipe wall is fairly thick but I hope to get it welded up in time. Out came the airsaw (I think this is my favourite tool in the garage!) to enlarge the hole in the wing, just need some beading on it now for added protection. I also cut into the nearside fog cover to add an ally duct, this was bonded in, and the support bracket cut/hacked at to allow ducting to go to to the fog cover. The idea is to fix tubing on directed towards the brakes. The other (offside) side, currently the engine airfilter feed is to be used for the other front brake, and I need to find another place for ducting, I was thinking either a hole in the airdam, or in the slots where the OE brake ducts were (these had to be removed to fit the FMIC), some ducting can be squashed alongside it though. So a few bits left to do and only about 1/2 a day to do it Fit new undertray Brake cooling pipes ( these maybe a PITA, not much room) Get IC pipe welded Get/apply some brake disc temp paint New Airfilter feed needed Oil change/filter Bleed brakes Cheers Dill

At last finally got a bit more done to the car in preparation for Snetterton. My brake pads arrived whilst I was giving the car its annual wash prior to putting on the decals. So old pads off, and new pads in. The ones that came off really didn't have much meat left on them, and although ok for a track day and fast road, didn't really cut when pushing hard, but as my pagids were worn they were put on as an interim measure for the TA finals last year. Whilst the pads were out I cleaned the discs with some emery cloth and solvent to remove any old compound, and slipped the new Dixel pads in. I haven't had chance to try them properly other than around the block so I hope they do the trick. Apparantly its compound under development. I polished various parts in preparation for the decals, and applied them, the worst part is removing the old ones. I really do not envy sign writers! Got a few pics with it just about finished. So got a few more things to tidy up before its fully done including: Secure undertray at rear, probably with a bit of ally to the gearbox support Oil change and filter refit air ducting to air filter I'd like some airbrake ducts, these can be blanked if not needed Heatproof header area of undertray, not sure whether to line it with thin sheet metal or some heatshield blanket, (only problem with fabric based stuff is I'm concerned with absorbing spills/leaks if any occur) Some type of monitoring for brake temps, paint? or stickers? Refit grill (or may leave it off) Get 'name' decals, not sure if theres a regulation size and font for these? This stuff will have to be done the day before Snet as I'm unlikely to get back up to the car before then. Cheers all Dill

Still more to do but this is what I got done. Secured the other half of the ally airdam with 5mm rivets, fecking take a right amount to squeeze them! I then put undertray under car propped up with a box, rag, a bin and anything else that would do. I marked the point where the ally met the tray with masking tape a various points around, then strapped the undertray to the bumper with maskers and black nasty. I should have just left it like that The bumper and tray strapped to it then came off the car, and I marked the holes I had already tapped out into the ally angle pieces, some were very dificult to do. Holes were then drilled small first, then tray offered up and rivets put through the holes and into the ally angle just to keep it all lined up. I had to 'move' a couple of holes a bit and do one completely again as it was way off. I then started in the centre and screwed in some 6mm hex drive bolts and loctited them. I put it back on the car to check it didn't catch anywhere, and decided to cut out a section to allow access to the oil filter, although when doing oil changes it will be in the garage (I hope) and so taking the bumper off is no hassle. I will cover this with a thin sheet of aly and self tappers. Although depending on measurements (and taking into consideration comments a few posts ago) I will probably use some thicker ally and take it back to a stronger mounting point. The only promlem with that is access underneath at events if needed to get a view/access to under engine quickly. Thats as far as I got, had to go out for my Bro's 30th, and then BSB at Cadwell the next day..treat Still to do is: 1) Line the tray with heatproof material 2) Tow solution, possibly cut a slot in airdam and use fabric strap 3) Holes for airfeed to brakes, I'd rather have them, taped up, then can use them if required. Any good places for the 'trumpets' other than demon thieves? Cheers Dill

Aye, think palmjob wants to come to Cadwell, I'm sure you could all jump in Got a bit done today. I had some L-section ally cut into 40mm lengths. Cleaned up the edges, then drilled a hole and cut a 6mm thread on one face. Ther previous big L section for the airdam material was cut to make just a strip. So I have 2 of these, as there wasn't sufficient length in the whole sheet I was using. 6 L-sections were then rivetted to the strip. Car jacked up for ease, and strip offered up. I should have perhaps measured/offered the strip up 1st while car was on ground and taped it in place before drilling? I put some small holes for sheet grips to hold in place initially, then drilled out to 5mm to secure with rivets to bumper, using dilled out washers and scrap ally for strength to the backing. I trimmed the ends off roughly, no guilotene at garage so tin snips had to do, the end still needs tidying up. And on with the otherside. Thats as much as I could get done today. So hopefully tomorrow morning will get offside finished, and wood tray cut down and screwed on. Will then need to sort out tow loop, and eventually brake ducts, although these may need to be taped over depending on operating temps, need to get some paint or stickers for that. Dill

Got some jobs to do and should be able to get into the garage (RASP) for a day in a couple of weeks. 1. Replace front pads 2. Finish splitter/under tray, now thinking of ditching the wood and getting one of the ABW TA splitters, then attaching some ally sheet onto the lower lip to make the undertray. Alternatively I was thinking of getting a bumper width of ally sheet approx 100mm deep, then line bending it to have a 25mm lip (L-shape cross section), then cut tabs out of it all the way along so it will bend along the contour of the OE bumper where the top edge of the OE 3 piece splitter went. A sheet could then be attached to the tabs to make the undertray, this would all be part of the bumper and allow easier removal than my original plan of the 'mushroom' shape one. I'd like some nomex for the tray but it costs a bomb so may tray sandwiching 2 sheets of ally inbetween some hollow ally tubes fo strength. This all sounds like a right PITA, and not necessary as long as the ABW item is strong enough. 3. Was also thinking of removing the ally radiator and refitting the OE one so both cooling fans can be fitted in order to reduce temps on returning to the pits. 4. Re-make the bonnet scoop blank as its a mess. 5. Once splitter is made, add some holes/ducting so brake cooling can be done if required.

Had a bit of time off so had a couple of days in the garage. Luckily they were busy getting acar ready for a shakedown which meant they were open til silly o'clock. I've been after a front splitter/undertray for 2 years now but no time/money to do it. I decided to make one out of wood initially then, once its perfected possibly upgrade to composite and ally. The OE 3 piece splitter came off, then the bumper came off extremely easy. It was held on by 2 trim clips on the front top edge and 2 screws on the top of each side to the wing. A lot of the OE stuff was removed/cut for the FMIC initially. The stiffness in the bumper to date has been by the fact it rests on the front bumper bar/cross member. I have added 2 captive nuts riveted to the underneath of the front bar for a better hold on the bumper. I wanted an air dam of approx 3 inches to effectively drop the height of the bumper, then a splitter attached to it. The IC piping on the nearside exiting the FMIC would foul this so it was removed and I cut it along a weld. This will then be rotated a bit, machined and re-welded. The vertical part of the piping that goes near to the oil filler will have to have a section cut out too. I started with some cardboard, then got a large piece of plywood and cut a shape out with a jigsaw. With much noise and dust it was roughly shaped how I wanted with a 2 inch lip at the front. This was painted but didn't do it until late at night and was still tacky the next morning, this delayed me a fait bit on Thursday. You won't see this anyway but thought it was a good idea to weather proof the bottom. The top side will need some speed tape or similar to stop fluids soaking in and for heat reflection. I needed to find some strong attachment points. I started with some angle iron on the undertray then secured this to the front 2 towing eyes. I was going to mount the splitter straight to the air dam whoich would be rivetted to the bumper but with sow few fixings to at the moment thought the chassis itself would be better. From there I propped it up and used the OE captive nuts in a subframe member that is used for the plastic undertray I believe. The rear part is attached to the lower strut brace. I then fitted the bumper back on and tried to make something for the airdam. This was going to be rivetted to the bumer with the top edge around where the OE 3 piece splitter was. I started with some plastic sheet which felt extremely stiff when bent as a sheet, but in 90mm strips wasn't as stiff so no use. Thats about as far as I got. Open to ideas as to what to make that out of?Carbon sheet? Ally? I also added 2 extra retainers for the plastic windows as it sounds as they lift outwards a bit at speed. But that was time up for me, and not sure when I'll get to fettle with it next. Any ideas/comments welcome. Cheers Dill

A long deserved update. I never got around to a Brands write up but I will do one. For now though, my write up from the final round at Snetterton. Got back home after no sleep on a ferry and got car checked, the pads were pretty low so my emergency (Axxis) spares were fitted which are OK on track but not as good as the Pagids I prefer. The bush missing from the gear linkage was replaced; the OE one sent was the wrong part so another rubber part was trimmed to fit. No I could go into gear knowing it was 4th, and not 2nd as has been the case for the past few months. John and Matt at RASP also checked the wheel alignment after a steering rod was replaced and set the wheel to centre. MOT'd and ready to go. I picked the car up on Saturday, and had a trailor this time. So much nicer then being deafened on a 2 hour+ journey with all the spares slotted in around the roll cage! Car dropped off and scrutineered at the circuit and off for a nights rest. Incidently we stayed at 'The Chequers' pub B+B, very friendly, great rare steak, thoroughly recommended. Approx 7 miles (15 minutes from track). Up early-ish and off to the track, traffic was starting to build on site, and I was eager to get the car set up, everything removed, tyres set, and suspension sorted. Out for the warm up, we started a little late so missed a few minutes. My friend Marshy was out for a few laps, which I think he enjoyed (LOL) although I wasn't pushing at all as I'd never driven Snetterton before. The best lap was a 1.23.975 on lap 5 of 6. The best in class was a 1.16. I reckoned I needed a 1.20 to qualify for the finals and set this as my goal for the day. I did however have a CEL up constantly and was waiting for something to give. The car seemed to pull ok and all other indications were OK. Speeds reached at the intermediate and the pit straight were measured at 103 and 106 mph, some of the slowest in my group, and 20th out 45 overall. On returning to the pits I started to undo the passenger footplate and the CEL went out. I've had problems before with pressure on the ECU causing a CEL (couldn't find any other reason). Marshy set to work checking tyre pressures, a bit was bled out, I didn’t even bother logging tyre temps as they were cold anyway. Out for the practice session, an pushed a bit harder, trying to get a good line. I did ask around but most were keeping their knowledge to themselves. CEL came on again, I stayed out, but it did put me off a bit. I was also getting pad knock off, which at the end of the start/finish straight isn’t very confidence building. I remedied this with a tap of the brakes before putting them on fully, and it only appeared to happen at this one corner, possibly due to going over the rumble strips on the previous corner? My times were pretty consistant at 1.22’s my best being a 1.22.106 on lap 6 out of 9. Strangely enough one of the speed traps was a 117mph but that was 0.8secs slower than my best lap. I was happy I was getting faster but never hooked up a great lap, and also decided to get rid of the bonnet vent as it looked like it was going to get ripped off down the back straight. Now positioned 23/42. I somehow need to drop off 2 seconds which I’m sure the car is capable of. After speaking to Paul@Zen briefly about some fault diagnosis, (which was much appreciated as I could see he was stressed and extremely busy sorting out a leak on his own pro car). I checked what I could on the car. It finally appeared to be a suspect earth and the CEL never came on again after that. Out for the qualifying and set a fair few laps. The car felt fine, I pushed a bit further, again not hooking up my ‘perfect’ lap but checking my laps, out of the 10 I did, 7 flying, 6 were in the 1.21’s which I was pleased with but really thought a 1.20 was necessary for the final and so waited. According to MST my ideal was a 1.20.881, so it was possible. My quickest this session was a 1.21.286 on lap 5 of 10. Best speed traps were 110 and 106 on the back straight and finish line respectively. Now placed 21/40. I did qualify for the final run which I was extremely happy about, as 3 runs at an event is a bit of a let down. Out for the finals still trying to get the perfect lap, I continued braking later/deeper into the 1st corner to get a quicker time. A couple if times I couldn’t get it into 4th and missed my turning point. Cornering in neutral is never much fun! This session I completed a further 10 laps, 6 flying laps. 3 of these were 1.21’s and 3 were 1.22’s. As soon as the tyres had gone that was it but the line was just adjusted to compensate for them. My best lap was a 1.21.476 on lap 4 of 10. Speed traps on this lap were 114 and 103 on the start/finish and the intermediate/back straight. I was gutted I never got my 1.20, but pleased how well the car performed, and also surprised a few spectators when asked about the power/engine spec. I must also take note of the spectator who reliably told me I had the wrong turbo, my injectors are crap, ECU is wrong, his car is better, faster, blah, etc and will be competing next year. All packed up and the long awards ceremony was attended and a 3 hour drive home. I’d like to thank Marshy for helping out in the pits this weekend. I’d also like to thank John, Debbie and Matt at RASP (Grimsby) for their continued support. OPIE OILS (Guy and team )for lubricants ACE IMAGE graphics James at GOODRIDGE for brake lines and oil cooler hoses Paul and Stu and rest of piston-broke.com for their support. Ali and Josh for being so patient an understanding And of course the TIME ATTACK officials, organisers, scrutineers, and sponsors for making it an enjoyable season, again. Cheers Dill

Good luck, awesome cars Dill

Time Attack 2009 - Club Challenge Round 3 #8 Team Monkfish Racing Unfortuneately I was let down last minute by someone who was supposed to be lending me a tow van and trailor. This meant a lot of last minute changes to travel, a real PITA. On the way down after a service stop, on the slip road down to the M-way my bonnet lifted and smacked up. Luckily the screen wasn't touched, but the bonnet brackets and bonnet was bent at the rear. I got down to Paul's on Saturday. I spent a while having a look at the thermostat after some previous scares with water temps on returning to the pit at Knockhill. Stat tested and hole drilled out a little the car was washed quickly and taken down to Silverstone. Up at sparrows fart o'clock on Sunday and met with a few from piston-broke.com and headed back to Silverstone. Stu helped a great deal with the car prep remaining whilst I signed on, briefed etc. Everything checked and suspension set I was ready for warm up. Warm up underway, there didn't appear to be much grip in the complex and there was a lot of traffic to contend with, the session seemed over very quickly and back into pit...monitoring the water temp which seemed to be better and not rising, although a proper cool down lap couldn't be done as the chequred flap was being waved just short of the pit, not good. A time of 1.09.752 on lap 4 out of 6, (speed trap 118.1mph sector 1, 111.7mph finish line) comparable to my best time last year, but I was sure around 2 secs could be taken off this with a good clear run when the tyres were fresh. All fluids checked, tyres bled a bit, and back out for practice.... Again traffic caused problems then the session was flagged so I returned to the pits and thought that the session was over.... In fact it wasn't but by the time I realised it was too late. The time this time1.08.426 on lap 2 out of 6 (speed trap 120.9mph sector 1, 111.1mph finish line). This was looking more promising, the car felt good, perhaps some suspension tweeks could be done, but this isn't the time to do them, and as I wasn't getting consistent laps in, it would be hard to ascertain which tweek was working. I drained some fuel out as there was more than enough in the tank and after dinner break Qualifying was underway. Again not one clear lap, some of the cars warming up/cooling down were in some annoying/dangerous places and speeds. I appreciate it is hard sometimes to make space with so many cars out there. Best time 1.08.320 on lap 13 out of 14. (speed trap 122.0, 111.7 finish line) It was time for the finals, again tyres, fluids and catches all checked. I backed off as much as I could to allow space, aware that Paul was in the other Team Monkfish car behind me, he had also backed off considerably to allow space. I took longer to warm the tyres this session. On my first 'hot lap', sods law, there was Paul in my mirror, I kept my foot in as it was out of the complex onto the straight so could pull over and let him past with minimal effect to my time. 3 times in a row I had to slow up at Copse as there were cars going extremely slow on the racing line. When I finally got a good exit onto the straight, and down the back straight, the session was red flagged, so back to pits. Best time 1.08.639 on lap 7 of 7 (speed trap 121.1 sector 1, 111.5 finish line) Again the car performed faultlessly again, everything packed up and the presentations were underway. Well done to those that won silverwear. Thank you to all that came along to watch and support, especially those members of piston-broke.com. Great to see you all again, and those I haven't met before. A big thankyou to Stu for the help in the pit which helped my day run a lot smoother than it would have otherwise. Congratulations to Paul driving the other Team Monkfish car entered in Time Attack, with a great time, and getting through the problems encoutered during the day which curtailed the amount of his laps. Thanks to: John and team at Road and Stage Performance Ltd (RASP), Grimsby Opie Oils Lex at Ace Image graphics Goodridge hoses My girlfriend for allowing to be a selfish **** and get away when I should be elsewhere! Cheers all. Dill

I can't comment on Tesco, but my car was mapped on V-power and works great on it and has done for years with lots of abuse. I put BP ultimate in once as I couldn't find a Shell near Donny and got knock on the back straight on full throttle. Dill