Paul Mason

No, not Ashington (bout 50 miles north of me t'other side of Newcastle) and Cresswell is about 10 miles or so further North up the coast. Not a million miles but not on the doorstep

I may be wrong but I think you can get 15's on R300/400's can't you Derek? I still maintain 13's look the best though. But, question of taste and fortunately we're all different and so are our 7's

My first 7 had 14's, my current has 13's Derek - in terms of ride - both pretty uncomfortable!! Main difference with current car is profile, particularly rears at 45. Would imagine 13's or 14's will be similar if the same profile (thats a guess as opposed to anything educated). Per Virden's comment - not massive range of sizes - I am currently on 175 front and 235 rear Khunmo Ecsta V70a - which don't like the wet/cold (or my right foot)!

Hi Derek Hope all good with you Personal thing, but I like 13's (not to do with track vs. road etc, just aesthetically) Mine is 6j front and 8j rear which I think fills the arches nicely, but am guessing with a 0 offset (if my maths is right) 6j in the rear will fill the arch as much as my 8's do (+20 offset) That said - my car came with 8's and with 235/45 rears am guessing 8's are needed to accommodate tyre Plus I'm fat, so I need the extra space 13's give me when I get in the car!!

Thanks Dave, looking forward to it. Have everything sorted bar some rims to put my tyres on, but have a while to get them sorted so all will be good

Hi Derek, wasn't at Donnington, but I know of the pink R500, and it's now actually very local to me (met the new owner at the local area meet a couple of weeks ago). Saw it on pistonheads too but out of my budget mores the pity. But will be out for a run with the pink one next month. The change lights were already fitted and its great fun to makes them dance! Think what you can see under the mirror is an optical illusion from a combination of the wiper and stripe (but I did go and look as there does look like there's something there in the photo!)

Thanks Derek Its odd as I'm not usually a fan of red cars, but there was just something about the look of this which I fell in love with (I think its the red/black combo with dark wings). And the wheels too, loved those from the very first time I saw them. Handily for me, the car seems to have had lots of time, money and effort lavished on it prior to me owning it.

Thanks Chris. I'm coming to the conclusion that I may need to buy a cheap set either new or second hand for precisely that reason. I'll just have to forgo some other bits I wanted to do (which were less necessary anyways)

Thanks Elie, will look into Peugeot rims and haven't looked into getting widened. Was hoping to find so 6 and 7 J steel rims to save a few bob so will see if I can find any joy Peugeot wise

Thanks Duncan, I too thought weller wheels as that's what all the rally guys used to run on mk 2 Escorts and alike in days gone by, but was amazed at how expensive they were now. Looked around on eBay and alike too for old Alley Cats or similar, but again 250 plus for some not great looking ones. Hence why I thought just get something dirt cheap and leave a few quid for a few other bits and bobs (plus to pay for the track days themselves). Not as easy as I'd thought it'd be. Thanks for the link though, will check those out

Hoping to do some track days this year. Have acquired some very cheap (i.e. free) used CR 500's at 175 front and 215 rear by 13 inch. Need some rims to mount them on however am desperately short of fundage due to various recent household disasters including a boiler and other expensive failure's! So my plan was to grab some 5.5j and 7j steel rims from the scrap yard (was thinking Ford Ka or similar) for a few quid apiece. Not bothered about looks as track day only, just needed correct 104mm PCD and roughly offset of 20mm. However, can't find anything close (can't find any 13" greater than 5j). Anyone know of any cars that had steel rims I could hunt for in a breakers yard that would match the 13", 20mm offset and 5.5/7j requirements? Would be great to go buy a nice set, and been some great bargains on here recently which I could (and perhaps should) have bought but now the money has been swallowed by things way less exciting than 7 based fun!!

Not sure today was the day to continue my learning in 2018.......

Thanks all, going to do some investigation as lots of possibles Really appreciate the input and guidance

Thanks Dave, do you notice any discernable differences other than noise?

Thanks for the link too GJT

GJT, not dissatisfied per se and absolutely no knowledgeable or experienced reason to suggest change. I don't particularly like the look, I like to be able to see the mechanicals unhindered (I hate modern engine bays swathed in plastic covers etc) don't like the fuss of the pipework and the air filter crammed into the nose cone (the top of the air filter can't take air in I suspect as it's pressed hard against the underside of the nosecone). And, I kinda like the induction roar I've heard on other cars I've driven and want some more of that. My knowledge and ability and experience (or rather the complete lack of all of the above) play no part in my thought process!

Pants! Not sure of length of trumpets TBH, was going to be a job for the weekend to understand exactly what I've got. Out of interest, why would I need a different fuel rail (sits behind fhe mounting plate for the airbox) and regulator? As you can perhaps tell, my knowledge is still on the low side of not a lot!

Maybe I should add "another" into the title, but as this is a 7 based question and not general life based question, think I'm ok as is.... Anyways, my 1.8k series has Jenveys and an airbox (filter in the nosecose behind rad on near side, connected with what has been described on here as "donkey dick"). Been toying with the idea of swapping airbox for a dome type filter (Jenvey has them on their website for £83 assuming I can reuse the airbox mount to mount a filter, otherwise an additional £49). I get that the airbox acts as a noise surpresor, however I'm not a fan of the aesthetics (yes I know, function should come over form) and I rather like the induction noise so wouldn't mind a bit more? However, question is, am I going to dent performance and will it need anything doing to the map (Emerald B6?? I think). Finally, is a Bernard Scouse (believed based on previous sales advert) airbox (don't think it's carbon, if it is, it's very shiny) worth anything if I sell or do I just keep as a spare? Ta's muchly for any advice youse wise ones can offer

And I used Comma 5w50 Motorsport oil - again as recommended by the seller. Oil Filter £6 and oil £26 for 5ltrs from a local factors (though had seen it for a lot more elsewhere)

The one I bought was bog standard I believe, Mann filter W713/28 - bought for 2 reasons - it was what was one the car and I had only done 1k miles since purchase and plan to change frequently anyways so guessing filter will never be under much stress so to speak.

So, not 100% sure how all this works, but thought I'd give it a go anyways! New Year, new car, new excitement to come. Thought I'd start to keep a bit of a diary of my year so to speak. So here we are in January, having had the 7 tucked up over winter. Going to try and get out as often as possible when weather permits. Spent the last few weeks with the car tucked up, on stands, trying to get to know her a little better. Nothing really done other than checking nuts and bolts, levels, adding a little grease and copperslip to where I thought it needed to be...........and maybe a little bit of polishing too. All seems as it should be. First run out at the weekend, nowhere in particular, just some time behind the wheel - fairly short (30 mins or so) as it was COLD and still a little slippery as a result. Haven't got used to the point where power overcomes traction and the rear wheels light up. Not something I particularly enjoy as yet to be honest (hoping to do some track days to get accustomed to that). Track day tyres, light car, decent power are new to me.....want to drive within my capability (which will be far below that of the car) and slowly work up to what the car can do (appreciative of the fact that I'll never do that until on a track) so meaning spirited but sensible driving on the roads. Couple of bits I have done and am pleased with (and thanks to the forum for the advice) is sorted a leak on the collector from the exhaust primary and tweaked the settings on my dampers - seemingly successful on both counts, though am going to experiment with the suspension to get a feel for different settings (25 settings on rears and 23 on front and I've started bang in the middle). Planning on more trips out as often as possible, going to try to get a go pro or similar to record some and also planning on a local club blat in March and Rockingham Novice Track Day in April.

Sounds like you have a very similar set up to me Grim Reaper, Nitrons and 225/140 lb springs. I'll have a drive now I've adjusted all the dampers to what I believe is the middle settings and see how it is. I think now I know you are local to me, I'll lean on you for some advice, as this is not an area I'm particularly experienced in. Really appreciate the offer of help.

My reading of what Jonathan was proposing was to let non members know that a variety of discounts were available to members as an additional benefit of joining. More overall encouragement rather than specific details?

Improved handling of images and videos. A mobile-friendly interface. Everything else, including the known current problems (including searching), suggestions (from Suggestions), getting the old Blatchat database back up and searchable (and we have an offer from a Member to do that) and multiauthor wikis100% agree Jonathan - biggest bugbears for me are mobile interface and images. Really like the suggestion re: gallery - I could spend hours looking at (though not coveting) other peoples 7's and reading their spec's etc. I love the variety you get with a 7 and how different owners personalize. Doesn't matter what you have, whether its like mine or not, I like learning about other peoples cars - have recently been reading the C7Cat website and its a fascinating history on Aeroscreens car & changes to it - also been in touch with another owner to find out more about his car. Be great to have a page here where you can share some images and description of what you've got and why you love it. It would have a least 1 regular visitor in me!

Agree with everything suggested by Jonathan Would only add a couple of additional thoughts - anything related to buying a 7 should be public to non members (some of the guides and ownership pieces to help potential purchasers reach a decision) and maybe also a non member "ask an owner a question" section to allow potential purchasers and future club members to pose a question to existing owners (without full Blatchat access allowed) - just thinking about the current thread where a member has had to join before purchase to seek advice - perhaps that should be the other way around.