Ian Macquarie

The information in the build manual for my 1990 car is as follows:- 5 1/2 X 13 wheels 165X13 tyres 6 X 13 wheels 185/70x13 tyres 6 X 14 wheels 185/65x14 tyres or 185/60x14 tyres above should have 19mm inset or negative offset. 6 1/2 X 15 wheels 195/50x15 tyres above should have 13mm negative offset Note different companies define negative and positive offset differently. In this case negative offset makes the overall track narrower. Ian

Thanks. I'm a little surprised by the 20mm figure, I'd have thought that would be more prone to surge problems. I'll aim at 6mm Ian

What is the optimum distance between the bottom of strainer on the oil pick up and the sump on a Xflow? If it makes any difference, I've got the one with the flat mesh and domed top not the one that looks like a tea strainer. Ian

I'm interested in the sump and rocker cover - will give you a ring tomorrow

I understand that ventilated discs are to improve cooling. What advantage does having drilled discs give you? Assuming that you want drilled discs, is there any good reason why you shouldn't buy the £15 ones and drill them yourself (on a pillar drill with even pattern to maintain balance) rather than paying the £90ish for ones that come already drilled? And finally what do grooved discs achieve? Is it the same advantage as drilling or something different? Ian

Mike, Yes it is the fuel pipe from the tank to the front of the car that I'm talking about. I was wondering if I have to try to get metal one along the tunnel (that has a differential and prop shaft in the way) or whether i could use one similar to the plastic one that Caterham use for the low pressure system. In air applications Nylon tube of about that size is probably good for a couple of hundred psi. so the 30 to 40 used by the injection system shouldn't be a problem - I was just wondering if there were any other reasons why it would be unsuitable (regulations?) I've read in one or two places "you need a metal fuel pipe to the front of the car" but never an explanation as to why.

Sorry, I also meant to ask - Where did they break? the fuel pipe or the "bracket" that holds them onto the throttle body? Ian

You do know haw to make me worried! Are the current fuel rails (the cast ones with push on connectors) still prone to this? I'd anticipated using rubber (injection) hose for the final connection from the fixed pipe above the gearbox to the fuel rail. Ian

With a 0.5l swirl pot and a 125 litre /hour pump it would only take about 15 seconds to empty the pot if the return went to the main tank - regardless of the amount of fuel being used by the engine. I was looking at using a 1 liter pot (filled by a pump) with a 100 litre/hour HP pump returning to the pot. If the LP pump lost suction due to surge in the main tank then I would have over a minutes running time on full power from the pot contents, which I thought would be more than enough for my driving habits! However the comment about short HP pump life when pumping dry makes me worried about what happens if you just simply run out of fuel. I don't make a habit of it, but it has happened. All I had to do was walk to the petrol station. Are you suggesting that with an external pumped injection system running out of fuel would result in pump failure needing a repair? What are other peoples experiences of running out of fuel with a HP pump system? Tazio - with regard to my comments about the Caterham price of converting to an injection tank - £80 of that is for a new filler neck and cap - I guess you won't need that. Another £65 is for an Ali boot floor to fit over the top mounted connections on the tank. If your car is newer than mine you may already have one. Raceline did say that the Caterham set up is very good and that they normally recommend customers to go for it. - I just balked at the cost compared with a two pump and swirl/surge pot solution. Mind you I've been waiting since Monday for their fax giving me details of what they can supply and prices so perhaps they really don't want to sell me the surge pot system! Ian

I'm thinking of changing from Carbs to injection. It would be much easier to get the new fuel pipe in if it was plastic, (Nylon?)like the original. Is there anyreason why it shouldn't be? After all the flexible bits from the pump to the filter and main pipe to injection rail will be hose, why not all of it?

I've also been looking at this question. As a guide a new tank, pump, and all the extras from Caterham will cost you over £500 +Vat. Consequently I've been looking at the swirl pot route. I am talking to Raceline and I think parts from them (+ others) to achieve the same will be pretty much half the price.

Where do you get an Oil/water heat exchanger for £85? What do they look like and how much heat can they transfer? Ian