Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

My plate is now on the bonnet. Driven past a few plod and passed its mot last weekend without issue. I'm sure some young, dumb and full of cum collage quarterback jock will invariably pull me over at some time and moan, especially if I'm doing something to bring attention to myself at the time. I'll politey advise him to take a look closer of the DoT regulations on such matters and see it is allowed if no other suitable place is available. The first most vertical place is required. This happens to now be my bonnet

Oh, the car looks spot on Benjj

How've you achieved that Steve?

There's no law or regulation specifically prohibiting self adhesive plates and there certainly wasn't one applying to pre-September '01 registered cars, but that doesn't always stop them. I heard one 'Police Interceptor' / clown state that registration plates "had to be made of plastic" and "the same size as (his)" - utter bollocks.

Sorry for going off topic benjj, but its easy! The law states



So, now I now don't have the designed front vertical fixing point as the space is now being used for a 951 IC intake, the next option as vertical as possible mounting spot is the badge panel. That doesn't have enough room due to the Porsche badge. Considered moving the badge and then dismissed it, looks OK on a GTS, looks odd on my car. Next option is the lower valance. Apart from looking pants, it isn't big enough to support a plate properly. Next spot is the bonnet. As used by many classic cars, especially race cars with front intakes which need feeding with uninterupted cold air, I decided to use a proper reflective backing, proper font and is a magnetic plate. Its well below 1.5m height limit but isn't exactly vertical, but is the most vertical option available. In theory I could put the plate in the windscreen as this is still circa 1.1m high (below the 1.5m height limit) and more vertical than the bonnet. The only way I could be 'had' is that the plate does not have the BS number as required on new plates, but this plate was manufactured 10 years ago before that law was enforced

Sorry for not being clear. The answer I was seeking was: I put it on the bonnet!

That was the first few words in my post before last! I thought you were asking for elaboration knowing you like to know more detail

Mrs Benjj has recently done a sewing and craft course so I drafted her in for some bespoke rennsport carpet set manufacturing. She's done blooming well in my opinion.

I stood around smoking tabs and making unhelpful comments.

We started with a camping roll mat. Perfect base material. Light but holds it's shape so template cut and ready.

[url]|http://thumbsnap.com/Axpovbio[/url]

Then glued to some acoustic cloth. Light and hard wearing.

[url]|http://thumbsnap.com/6jvUFXZk[/url]

Then she trimmed the cloth and made little cuts so it would fold over and create some tension.

[url]|http://thumbsnap.com/MrCT1aPR[/url]

Spray adhesive on the back and she folded it all over. Starting to come together.

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Weighs about the same as a can of Coke.

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Finished item looking like it came from the factory. Really, really happy. Top wife!

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And in the car.

[url]|http://thumbsnap.com/9nFt0ewF[/url]

Job done. She's well up for it (fnar) so going to do some more of this over the next few weeks. Think transmission tunnel next and maybe some bespoke doorcards with simple pull straps.

Hi Benjj

How do you get on with the Vredstein tyres, I've been doing HRCR on knobblies this year but several events are warning they will go to e-marked tyres for next season so I'm starting to look around at options

How do they compare to road or forrest tyres on mud/gravel/tarmac and what is the puncture rate like on roughter events

Cheers
Chris

Ahhhhh Vredesteins - I absolutely HATED them!

I've now moved over to Yokohama W.Drive 150mph rated XL winters - 195/65/15. I've run these for the last 2 winters on events and really, really rate them. Great traction, stiffish sidewall for a 65 profile, good tread pattern, progressive breakaway on the loose. The only thing I've not tried them on was proper bricky gravel. I did get them to over 120mph on Pendine Sands too, though that had my nipsy twitching like a rabbit's nose.

For summer competition, hillclimbing and tarmac rally I'm giving Yokohama A048s a try this year. Just got a set in 205/60/15 which is a good size for me. They're sensationally expensive though and I'll probably only get 1000 miles max out of a set, inc driving to/from events!

In summary - screw Vredestein.

If you don't like the Yokos I've also used Falken HS439s which are less wintery, more of an all weather pattern, but have fantastic grip. They're cheap as chips, too.

Well, change is afoot.

I've decided that next year I'm going to do something that's been bugging me for ages - euro hillclimbing.

I seem to spend the majority of my time watching this kind of stuff on youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_8B0mkrc_8

So for the last few months I've been accumulating bits and bobs and now the time has come to wheel it into Michael's workshop and pop on the A Team music.

The short of it is: the LSD will go in with a new competition clutch and possibly a lightened flywheel if I can afford it. In addition it'll have to have a bit of a drop so new springs on the front and reindex the rear.

I've not driven the car since about August, it's just been sitting quietly under a cover in the garage. I had a bit of a poke around and started it up for the first time in nearly 6 months last night and all is tickety boo.

[url]|http://thumbsnap.com/hCqGApMJ[/url]

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Michael at the workshop suggested seriously upgrading the ARBs if the diff is going in so I've sourced a 26.8mm M030 front one and am still to source the rear.

The preening dandy in me has also commissioned a local upholsterer to refit my seats with original Porsche hounds tooth fabric. If I'm going to go off an Alp in a fireball I at least want to do it looking a bit gucci. This is the stuff she's using, I love it.

[url]|http://thumbsnap.com/EzB7rZHS[/url]

Also of course comes the engine. I've now got everything I need to create the new one. Still trying to decide whether to raid my existing engine for auxiliaries (water pump etc.) or buy more. It'll come down to budget but suspect I'll use a fair amount of what I already have.

Lastly brakes - will need to look into the regs as it's currently on std discs and calipers as per the MSA rallying rules. If I can go bigger/better for hillclimbing then I think I will do.

That's about it. Heading to the workshop now for a chat about getting the work done. Also want to investigate the chance of getting the new bloke in the back with the English Wheel to create some kind of removable mental Mad Max front & rear splitters a bit like on the 924 GTP Le Mans car



LASTLY:

A few things I still need to buy. If anyone has anything they're selling can you drop me a line? Budget is as tight as a midge's foofoo so I'm well on the hunt for deals!

1) Front springs - ideally a c.30mm drop from stock
2) Rear ARB - ideally a 19mm or 20mm adjustable

Not updated this for quite a while. Due to a lack of time, daylight and money it's just been sitting doing naff all for the last few months.

However my wife has a friend who is an upholsterer looking to diversify so I put her on the task of sorting me some swank houndstooth inserts for the seats.

Am really, really chuffed with how well they've worked out.

Now the days are starting to get a bit longer and work is looking up the rest of the work will be starting up too. Will take it down to Goodwood at the end of the month for the Mission Motorsport 4th anniversary - am sure it'll love some flat out track fun after ages doing nothing!

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Sorry for cack photos, taken in a dark garage with finger smears all over the phone lens!

They look reet posh! Any news on the engine build at all Benjj?