Cheeky so and so.
What are you trying to say about the state of my cars 
Good news Andy 
Nar you have a beautiful car 
I will get my coat 
Likewise, they’re stonking looking cars.
Not a great deal to report here.
The very helpful chaps over at SeriouslyLotus changed over my moroso sump to a pro alloy one. I am feeling I perhaps should have tried to buy pro alloy rather than buy all the parts as it might have been cheaper in the long run. However the weeping has stopped as Dave spotted a snapped sump stud in the block and John taught me some new swear words when he rectified the situation. These chaps really are mustard at sorting out difficult rectification tasks.
I think my AD08R are ready for replacement. Last trackday I noted a distinct lack of grip ( not due to heat ) and on the road I have squirm all the time. I think Ill talk to Dave and get some 052s on in the new year.
I have also noted that the rattling baffles in the exhaust are really starting to zing. I must change this in the new year. There appears to be a dearth of data though for decent backboxes in the exige world. Only anicdotal info.
The car hasnt been out for a few weeks, so went into the garage tonight for a bit of quick detailer love and check the thing was still there.
I have completed my last trackday of '21 at Bedford autodrome.
Compulsory stopped for fuel before trackday picture :
The weather forcast didnt look upto much, and sadly it was right. Single digit figures and a slightly damp track initially followed by rain led to a circuit with about as much grip as teflon. You could tell which parts of the circuit were not used much as the grip really disappeared.
0830 weather :
I enjoyed the full GT circuit. All 4.2mi of it. Its a good range of slow and quick, twists and straights. I felt I got a lot from the conditions such as learning the cars behaviour when low speed provoking the back end ( once too far and did a 180, dipped the clutch and didnt stall. ). I also learnt that accelerating hard to reach a vmax on a damp then wet circuit is quite nerve racking. The car is happy to wiggle hard under load. I suspect some of this was due to an aging set of AD08R. Ill refresh in the new year.
Was delighted that another chap and friend was attending so @Fonzey and myself mused about multiple 2zz conundrums, limits and future plans. Always good to bounce technical ideas off people based on fact.
Garage friends :
The rain situation :
To summarise ; '21 has been a year of discovery on track for me. I have been learning about the suspension setup, the damping settings, the tyre pressures and tweaking those resulting in what I think I want from a car. I havent done many mods , namely the seats and the wheel. In '22 Ill change the induction and the exhaust ( the rear box I think is failing and blocking ) and then get more trackdays booked!
Great way to round out the year. Perfect circuit for exploring such conditions, car looked/went great.
Who’d have expected a track day report in early December? Sounds like a fun day. Thanks for the write-up
In the quest to liberate more horsepowers and torques I have followed Fonzey’s ITG route on the air box.
I did have a OE box with TRD bit on it. I note that the outlet of the TRD/Oe Box is significant smaller (70mm) than the throttle body (76mm)
The ITG is 76mm mated to the body 76mm.
Will this make a lot of power difference? Doubtful, however worth investigation.
I am also looking to get a new back box made up. Details to follow once done.
Some pictures…
Operation stop the rattle and free the ponies has commenced.
I have always been a little dubious about my h111 signature exhaust backbox since I got the car for no other reason that its twin pipes and I prefer the aesthetic of a single larger pipe.
Tonight I decided its time to go so it did, but not without a fight!
I couldnt help but notice a little rattle …
Ill package this exhaust up and send it to a tame exhaust maker to template and see what we can do …
Always good to find a problem (in my strange world).
Can we chop it open yet for a look?
Soon as I have the new exhaust - yes. Yes we can
I have been working with a chap to get a custom exhaust made to spec. Mark has been great with the communication and ideas.
We have now two boxes in the system and the smaller box is easily removeable via vband.
Here are some images :
This leaves a quite subtle stubby single pipe poking out which I am delighted with. The slight off centerness is down to me being 25mm out with a measurement. I swear I wasnt drinking when I measured.
I have only started the car up once for a few minutes as it was late and the tone has changed dramatically. I now have bass! The only way I can describe the previous H111 exhaust is like a surround sound system without a sub. Vocally its there but there is no drama, no rumble! Its there now.
Cannot wait to get out to “test” the system and booked into the dyno to see whats what with the fuelling. Thats on 17 FEB 22. Not chasing numbers but something was restricting me last time …
Looks a nicely made exhaust silencer. What was your reasoning behind a twin can over a single can?
Really would like to hear it on tick over, blips and running
Quietness. I don’t want any noise hassle on quiet tracks.
My c63 was my shouty phase. This is my ninja phase.
You could always swap the small can for a straight section for hooning around xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
This is why there are vbands in…
I have driven 90+mi in the car since Friday night. A combination of local driving and a bit further. I must say from the muted sounds that are in the cabin it sounds 1000 times better. It 2ZZ is never going to be more than a high revving 4 banger but I quite like the sound.