Grovit

Painted mine the other day, have now picked out the writing on the calipers as well (took ages ) - if anyone would be kind enough to host the pictures for me, I can get them up on the forum........

Nice one Marc

Weeb - I went on a euro tour with www.type-r-scotland.com a few months back. Did a bit of a jaunt through belgium, france, monaco, italy, Austria (via the Stelvio pass) into Germany for the famous ring and then on to Holland. There were 5 cars - 2 x 350z's, 1 x DC5 Integra, 1 x Cupra R and 1 x CTR (me !! - I left the soob at home for that trip). We were at the ring for roughly half a day. The track was pretty busy, but the conditions were dry and sunny so that was good. You can find loads of stuff on various forums and in various car mags about the ring and to be honest most of it is true. It is pretty awesome and also vaguely intimidating. There are a lot of serious track machines out there - M3 CSL's, TVR's stupidly fast mercs and a fair few bikes, but also on the track there are often buses, camper vans, and regular saloon cars just tootling about !! I cooked the brakes on my car quite quickly, so when I go again (probably in 2007 with any luck), I'll be taking spare pads and spare brake fluid, as they take an absolute punishing what with the relentless onslaught of high speed sections and sharp bends. Another thing which I didn't expect was how exhausting it was - Knockhill is roughly a minute circuit - the Nurburgring is 10 if you're any good, have a quick car and know how the track works (takes an age to learn apparantly). Every driver who went round came in to the pits exhausted and soaked in sweat ! Still - I'd do it again in an instant, and I'd recommend it to anyone. It's roughly 15 euros per lap, but you can by bulk tickets. You're not aloud to film your excursion as technically the ring is a public toll road and so they don't like camcorders etc - you get thrown out if they catch you filming. In this regard I don't know how track insurance would work on the ring - you'd probably need to do a bit of investigating on that front. Hope this helps - and best of luck if / when you go.

Cheers Dave - lol Yep - the light will be on, which is why soem of the dash needs to come off so I can take the bulb out. I would do it, but when you take the oe wheel off (which has an airbag) there is a black plastic ring left on the column which I assume contains all the wiring for the horn and the airbag. It's this ring that's casuing the problems - ie, it looks like it needs to be split open to sort the wires out - however not brave enough to do it

where abouts are you Ally...?

I've got a momo steering wheel and boss to be fitted to the car to replace the ghastly dinner plate item that currently resides on my dashboard. Anybody know anybody in the glasgow area that can fit steering wheels...? cheers folks NB - the momo is a non standard steering wheel so it's not a straight swap.

Good post Chris and well put. I'm involved with TRS (Type R Scotland) a fair bit and on occasion this subject / discussion comes up - TRS printed off a load of A5 size flyers that members can hand out or put on a Type R when appropriate. The club's run on a voluntary basis and members pay money into the funds as and when they want. I know SIDC is set up slightly differently, but then it would need to be really as it is significantly bigger. In terms of increasing membership, I guess the usual stuff really, flyers, positive coverage in relevant magazines, internet links, and the usual sorts of displays at shows etc etc. The thing to bear in mind though, is that different people use the club in different ways - there might be some who don't often come to meets or runs, but post a lot and make a contribution to the forum. Or maybe the other way round. There are no doubt some people who don't get much time to get on line and only post when they can - hence it looks like they're not round very much, however they might always be at an event / meet / run when the opportunity arises. Tis horses for courses really. Just my thoughts

Some really excellent footgae there - nice one

Oobster - how bad was that bird poo damage - I can't believe a bonnett respray was required (although I admit red is not the most tolerant of colours). I admire your deication to keeping the car looking mint - but respraying a bonnet 'cos of bird poo - blimey Re the springs - have only ever heard good things about Eibachs. Would probably go that routre myself.

<< If you're going to bleed the brakes again, bleed the furthest away caliper first, then work your way towards the master cylinder. >> Nice tip cheers -

Cheers for the comments chaps. Ozzy, when you say leaks around the dust seals, I would assume the leaks would show up as leaking brake fluid - if so - nope there are no leaks. As we fitted new hoses all round, I've been double checking for leaks non stop and so far there haven't been any. Dave (DRB5) - go on then, you've got my interest - what's this wunder cure you've got - pm me the details and I'll see if it's worth a fiver. I'll maybe bleed through the system again, and if that dosen't work, Derek I might take you up on your offer !!

Have changed from 2 pots on the front to the 4 pots that were fitted on later model classics. Am happy with the improved braking performance, and feel for the money this was a worthwhile conversion. However - there has been a notable increase in brake pedal travel, before the brakes start to take effect. As well as changing the calipers (and discs and pads) - goodridge braided lines have been fitted and new Motul dot 5.1 fluid has been applied. I'm pretty confident that there isn't air in the system, as a fair bit of time was taken to make sure this wouldn't happen - also the brakes don't respond better after pumping the brake pedal and then braking (usual air in the system tell tell sign). Does anyone have any ideas / suggestions at all - I can't see how by changing to 4 pots that there should be a greater level of brake pedal travel. cheers folks

Chris I had my RL7's done at re-coat - 0141 958 1777 - based in Glasgow just 5 mins from the SECC. I used them as they were recommended to me by a friend. Cost circa £150.00, and they took the tyres off the alloys for me - dropped them off one weekend and picked them up the next. I had them done last december and the alloys were painted white ( a fairly un-compromising colour I think you'll agree !!).................and the finish is superb - paint is rock hard and does not chip and the finish is baby skin smooth. The wheels have been on the car since then and the finish is as good as the day I picked them up. 5 star service I'd say and will be using them to get my prodrive alloys done

and another....! Hope you had a good one !!

BTTT for you - I bought the same style of alloys off David (DRB5) - had them powder coated in white - really suit the classic soob - sort of an old school rally look (IMO) !!

Howdy - Need to replace the Impreza spark plugs - I've planked this question in scottish scoobies as although it's sort of technical and although it's hot weather just now, scotland is wet and cold for certainly the majority of the year, so I wondered if this would affect what spark plugs to get. It would seem that NGKPFR6B's are the favoured choice for std un-modified cars (which mine is) and NGKPFR7B's for tuned up beasts !! Anyone got any views on this at all.....? Need to get some plugs this weekend to try and help sort out a violent judder problem which I've got at half/ full throttle around 3,000 rpm (full post in strictly technical). Any help would be gratefully appreciated - cheers guys and gals !!

Grant - how have you lightened the car - be interested to know what's been removed / replaced (if you want to keep it secret fair do's) - quite seriously thinking about getting an aluminium bonnet for mine...

I'd just like to point out that organising these runs is hellishly time consuming and there is an inevitable feeling of responsibility for those arranging it all. Yes, thery're nearly always thoroughly enjoyable, however the time invested shouldn't be taken for granted (nor should the costs of producing maps and doing a route recce either) and it's appreciated. I organised a quick one day run for TRS a while back, and it can be quite stressful trying to juggle numbers, fuel stops, lunch stops etc etc, so a larger convoy is certainly no easier. Grant and Imy - any runs organised are appreciated and fair play to you for the work put in to them

David - the ring was tremendous - I'd recommend either fitting new pads before you go, or taking a spare set with you though - there are so many bends it can kill the brakes after just one lap (BTW - I'd just point out that this is just my experience ). Also note that awesomley quick cars with drivers who know what they're doing, can lap the ring in circa 8 mins (our group was averaging 10mins 30 secs odd) - a good quick lap in knockhill takes roughly a minute - so you're talking 10 times longer for a lap with many times more corners - ie - by the end of it, you're absolutely shattered (but revved up as well - lol!!). There was a fair bit of traffic there, especially considering it was a week day, however there was a lot of serious machinery - more porsche GT3's than you could shake a stick at, a lot of M3's and a fair few evos and soobs - the general trend was that there were a lot of serious ameteurs out there playing. There also seemed to be quite a few officials about which was good. Also note the Ring, is not actually a racing circuit so they won't let you film going round it (not on a public session anyway) - it's actually a toll road. Pay 15 euros into the machine take your ticket and away you go. Truly amazing circuit, and if I can, I intend going back there next year with the Catalunya. Norry - not quite mate - wish I had won the lottery !! Cal - the moped story is for another day - suffice to say much nonsence, many JD's with coke, and a lot of mid night carry on in the streets of San Remo with Big D, Gav and Woody !! Re the CTR - I've had an ATR, CTR and classic Soob - they're all really different, and I'm not going into a big car comparison on this thread. However, the civic did well, and it was definately the right car for the job. With the mileage involved, the fuel bill for the Soob, would have been significantly higher, and I think going up stelvio would have murdered the brakes without question (not yet fitted the 4 pots). However for the twisty roads of scotland, and the wet conditions that prevail for much of the year - 4wd does it for me I think. The CTR's cracking but can be a little frustrating in the wet. But still, the running costs are lower and in the dry point to point speeds are fairly similar (again IMO) - so both cars have pros and cons. Anyway - as said earlier at the risk of pointing out the obvious - Europe's only a boat trip away - Superfast ferry from Rosyth to Zeebrugge and you're there - a thing worth mentioning is that this same trip done 10 years ago would have been a nightmare in terms of currency - ie Franc, pesata, lire, deutchmark etc etc - it's all euros there now with no border controls what-so-ever. It is just soooooo easy to get about over there. There's really no excuse not to do it !!

Just thought I'd do a quick post re the 2,500 mile, 7 country tour I did last week covering a fair whack of Northern Europe. It was a TRS (Type R Scotland) organised event with 5 cars and 10 people starting off at Rosyth heading over to Zeebrugge, and then travelling through Belgium, France, Monaco, Italy, Austria, Germany and finally Holland. Managed to incorporate a tour of the Porsche factory in Stuttgart, went over Stelvio, did the Nurburgring and attended the Moto GP in Assen. A truly awesome trip in every respect. I actually did the trip in a Civic Type R, rather than take the Subaru, but the point of the post is really to say it dosen't matter what car you drive, it's where you go with it and what you do with it. There are some awesome roads in Scotland, however there are also some awesome roads in Europe. It's not that expensive to go, and also really not that far, and the experience of driving in some of these countries is well worth the effort. If you ever get the chance to go, or fancy a jaunt round Europe, I'd heartily recommend it folks. It will put your car and your own driving abilites truly to the test. Enjoy

oki doke - cheers for the info

CENTRAL REGION HI SOOB ---- Perth aarongr - stirling Wilky----- Stirling, but soon Texas Sti-Zlv Matt Dunblane rallye 6 - stirling area. Weeb - Falkirk sheep - Kincardine CAZ1562 - Falkirk GLASGOW Dougster keap scooby micra_wrc...........Glasgow TheSquirrel555...Paisley Gumball..............Glasgow S Swiggi-------------Glasgow W Mrs S6CUB..........Glasgow W Bing....................Glasgow W CORSA................Glasgow S ANDYJDMSTI.......Glasgow WRC No 1............Paisley scoobiemadburd ..Paisley ~ ~ Cal ~ ~.........Glasgow W Playsatan.............Glasgow E Karps...................Bishopbriggs Chrissy................Bishopbriggs Fai17...................Paisley Marc29................Paisley Campbell.............Paisley Stringy................Bishopbriggs Grovit.................Hamilton AYRSHIRE Scoobay TAYSIDE AND ANGUS Technopete jc scoob.........wellbank scoobykev.....Dundee/Forfar Scoobylav......Blairgowrie EDINBURGH AND LOTHIANS Spooks ImprezaPete ScoobyAndy WRXMANIA (Brian) Neofox (Ian) Road Warrior (John) pmacFTO - Livingston kart_man (Dave) - Edinburgh Stiks (Keith) - Livi Ormiboy - ( willie ) - East lothian Johnny50 (Edinburgh) HIGHLANDS AND ABERDEENSHIRE Jools ~ ~ Cal ~ ~.........Aberdeen S Miss Scooby - Highlands Gee Wr1 - Highlands Powerjunkie, Aberdeen Carl, Turriff steve_nairn_sti - Nairn JohnS Sarah Ken Simbo RobD Boyakasha WUZ CT Numptie Tut Ali C SG

Ian - superb limks - nice one cheers - will make every effort to ensure the system is flushed out as much as possible - think I'll aslo maybe run the car for a month or two (it's only used at weekends) and then flush and replace again just to be sure. Have quite often heard conflicting info about dot 4's and 5.1's - I've just bought a load of Motul 5.1 for the car which basically gets used for enthusiastic weekend driving - do you think 5.1 is overkill for this (nb - am intending to go on K/hill at some point this year - but car is not a regular track car by any means).. your thoughts mate....?

Ian - I've bought some 4 pots and Goodridge hoses (not yet fitted to the car though) - have also bought some Motul dot 5.1 fluid - (again not yet applied to the car) - re "flushing out the system" - I assume you mean just thoroughly bleed the brakes as best as humanly possible. Unless there is another way to ensure the system is completely bone dry of dot 4 before putting in the dot 5 - any help / advice on this point would be much appreciated - cheers

Swiggi - just hopped on your site as not been on for a while - didn't realise you'd changed the alloys - looking nice my man, vvveerrrrrrrryyyyy nice