New Cat

Answered my own question :) The Kent Cams website agrees with you. Many thanks again... https://www.kentcams.com/files/kent_cams_catalogue_2016_1.pdf

Not wishing to doubt you Oily (and thank you very much for this post) but can I double double check that these are correct for the Supersprint spec engine with Kent 234 cams?

My car was first fitted with Avon ZV1, an extraordinarily bad tyre for a seven! I also have a set of 13" wheels that I keep just for tracks/airfields with 175/55/13 CR500s that drop the ride height and the gearing substantially. Just have to be very careful in choosing my routes with only 50mm beneath the sump! Great acceleration but certainly stunts top speed too. With a 3.91 ZF LSD, I'm not keen on shortening the gearing significantly on the road. I've ordered the A052s now for just under £100 a tyre from Tyre leader (actually cheaper than R888R). The reduction in gearing is just 3%, so hopefully this will not be very noticeable. To be honest it's a much less expensive option than buying another set of wheels too. I've not heard a bad thing about these tyres but will let you know how I get on. Maybe it's an opportunity to put together my second YouTube video more then ten years since the last.

I'm now thinking to try the latest Yokohama AO52, albeit in 185/55/14 as they don't make a 60 profile. This will only result in a very small reduction in rolling circumference and ride height. Actually seems like the least compromise - never heard anyone using these on a seven but no harm in being the first. Ever since entering into a complete spin about 15 years ago (admittedly on an icy road) in my seven I've vowed never to fit hard road tyres ever again.

My crossflow seven is currently very nicely setup for fast road / B road use on 185/60/14 minilite replicas (Caterham supplied KN I believe) with Yokohama AO21 tyres. The gearing is spot on and the speedo very accurate. Having been flat floored it's also got a pretty optimal 80mm beneath the sump. i can go longer buy AO21s and they will soon be illegal having swopped front to back to wear them all out. The cheapest most obvious option is to get a set of Toyo R888R in the same size as present but fear these will have to be medium compound because the softs simply seem unavailable. If I move down to 13" then there don't seem to be any 70 profile options these days and anything less will certainly significantly shorten the gearing and result in speedo overread, never mind result in the need to mess with the ride height. if I went up to 15" I'm guessing that there may be more tyre options but surely they will add weight and also may need new wing stays? Any thoughts? Recommendations? Go Toyos? I'm loath to give up grip going to a regular road car tyre...

Thank you so much for the advice Roger, Bob, 7 wonders. So looks like: I need to fit my expansion tank (went with the discovery one) on the bulkhead (probably using the Caterham fitting listed elsewhere in this thread) Fit the new thermostat housing with the vertical outlet (worth replacing the thermostat at the same time? which one?). Does this actually need drilling in some way? Disconnect / blank off the existing manifold to water pump connection. Connect the larger lower expansion tank outlet to the water pump with 5/8" hose - no further connectors required? Connect the smaller top expansion tank outlet to the new thermostat housing using 8mm hose Flush, fill and bleed the system. Anything else besides a few other bits of weight reduction and confession ? Many thanks! Jon

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gIlB9yrXHG8O-axMMeyxMv4UQVc-6BtV/view?usp=drivesdk Apologies for the grubby engine. In addition to not understanding the thermostat housing drilling, what should happen with this hose that currently runs from the cooling jacket off the engine (I presume) to the water pump? Many thanks! Jon

Thanks Elie, I know Roger talked about this too. Sadly I'm perhaps not sufficiently mechanically savvy to understand quite what you mean. If you could give a simpler description that would be great. I've actually just received the thermostat housing.

That's a great find gun bunny! Far cheaper than elsewhere. Any joy finding a good cheap source of the water joints part number 6148087, 03126, 8520 or 6733022?

Thanks, I've ordered a Freelander one, which it turns out is used on lots of K series, Sigma and possibly Duratec sevens too, so I'm confident of working out brackets. One other question, the only source of the link pipe piece now appears to be a transit centre in Poland (I've looked everywhere and been asking Ford dealers). It's pretty expensive with postage and below the minimum order so I'm planning to order 2. Does anyone else want the spare one at cost (about £12 plus p+p)? They list for about £7 but now obsolete I believe..

Looking at expansion tanks, I see the Rover 200 one that is very neat is going to cost over £100 including the cap from the only place they seem to be available - Rimmer brothers. The Freelander one which looks very suitable (and I understand some of you have used) is only £14 including cap! I don't have a heater and the only thing on the bulkhead is the Megajolt box. Any point coughing up for the Rover tank?!

This is fantastic! Thank you so much for getting all of this info into one place, original diagrams, descriptions, things to look out for and parts to accumulate. I don't have a heater and have never found the need. Many many thanks, Jon

During some of my downtime, I'd love to upgrade the cooling system on my x-flow - it does have a tendency to get a bit hot in its old age (especially anything on track / slalom). I understand there is a well trodden path using 1980s / early 1990s Ford Fiesta parts but would love to see any part numbers / references or fitting guides that anyone is aware of. Alternatively, photos and part numbers from someone with an upgraded x-flow would be great! Many thanks, Jon

2001 Honda Civic Coupe 1.7 VTEC Manual in metallic blue 75,719 miles Full service history (Honda SH up to 63,212 miles). Timing belt changed at 52,427 miles. Airbag recall done in December. Good tyres plus just had anti-roll bar links done. Dealer demonstrator plus one owner (my mother) since 2002. Black cloth sports seats, electric sunroof. Very well presented and tidy car, photos on request. Car is located in Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire but could potentially be viewed in Poole, Dorset. Price £1000 for quick sale Pistonheads for pics https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/honda/civic/2001-honda-civic-coupe-1-7-vtec-manual/10391880

Now SOLD...2007 Mercedes E320CDI Sport Auto Estate in Metallic Black 3 llitre, 6 cylinder Diesel with comfort, sport and manual (flappy paddle controls) for the gearbox. 109,000 miles with full Mercedes Benz service history. Owned since 2011. It was purchased from a fellow Blatchatter and my father is the second owner. He has cherished it such that it is still in very good, if not perfect condition. It has just been serviced so the next service is not due until 10th January 2021. 4 recent tyres on the perfect 18" alloys (Continental Contisport contact 3). MOT'd until 27 June 2020, with an MOT history that shows no serious issues throughout the car's life. Full black leather interior with heated, electrically adjustable front seats. Command Europe Sat-Nav with DVD. Cruise control, electric folding mirrors, rain sensing wipers. Removable tow-bar, not towed anything of any significance during my father's 9 year ownership. Photos etc to follow, car is based in Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire but could also potentially be viewed in Poole, Dorset. Price £4,000 Now with pics

Dilemma dilemma! I do love the grip of the A021s and really benefit from it when trying to keep up with faster cars on blats (being a humble x-flow). Maybe I should keep bugging Yokohama about releasing the A052s in the 185/60/14 size. Otherwise moving to a 185/70/13 wheel / tyre? There are not many options in these sizes too now are there? Or maybe most drastically, swapping my 3.91 diff for a 3.62, jacking up the suspension and going for something like Avon ZZS 185/55/13s? My speedo needs fixing anyway! Sounds a lot of work and expense though...

Thanks, I'm also wondering about the Nankang NS2R, probably in medium compound because they don't seem to make this tyre available in soft. Maybe for ultimate grip this is a better option.

I really need a replacement for my 14" Yokohama A021 tyres. These are no longer available for road use. Yokohama have suggested that they may issue the A052 in the 185/60/14 size but I don't think I can wait any longer. I really love the A021 and the amount of grip and confidence they give regardless of the conditions. I will only be using these tyres on road and am loathe to shorten the gearing of my x-flow by moving to 13" (plus the expense). These Dunlop's seem to have been flying under the radar but just how good are they? Currently they are also extremely cheap (less than £45 each before fitting). Thanks, Jon

I'm also looking, my odometer doesn't work and its already been repaired in the past. Each repair has only lasted around 12k miles so I'd rather find another one! Second dibs for any available after Andrew please!

Thanks Col, the car is due to be inspected by a prospective buyer next Tuesday who has already seen and test driven the car. They've not yet left a deposit so it's still on the market, but if you're interested best be quick ;) Jon

Now Reduced to £13,750.

Now on piston heads, here's the link https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/ford/fiesta-st/2013-fiesta-st2-mp215-with-satnav-climate-andamp-cruise/9556985

2013 Ford Fiesta ST-2 in Midnight Black Metallic Ford approved Mountune MP215 airbox & remapping upgrade to 215ps Style pack, Sat Nav, Climate Control and Cruise Control options plus standard spec of half leather heated Recaro sports seats, Bluetooth, voice control, keyless start, heated windscreen. 45,200 miles with full Ford service history (including recall). One previous owner (I’ve owned the car since early 2015 - the longest I’ve owned any car besides the 7!) Not advertised anywhere else yet. £8500

I used mine with Tillets - so yes is the answer to that. There is a bit of a knack to wedging it in, but it fits well.

Here is the piston heads advert. Now reduced to £13,750 Early 996 (MY1998) RWD Manual Carrera, Cable Throttle, Sport Pack (MO30), Amber Lights, Sunroof Delete, 18" Hollow Spoke Wheels and Black Leather Hard-backed Sports Seats. Perhaps what sets this car apart is the amount of work that it has been subject to above and beyond regular servicing (17 stamps in the book with records using highly recommended Millers 10w50 NT+ oil). The car was last serviced on 28th January 2019, including brake fluid and new auxiliary drive belt. The MOT (no advisories) is valid until 20th December 2019. In the last 5000 miles: • Replacement low mileage gearbox • New aircon condensers and regas • RSS semi solid engine mounts • 997.2 GT3 RS gear linkage • Renewed rear control toe arms, rear anti-rollbar links, front lower control arms, rear anti-rollbar bushes, geometry setup • New clutch • New ceramic IMS • New RMS • New air oil separator • New metal brake pipes (including under the gearbox) • New Dansk exhaust silencers • Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres all round (2000 miles ago) • Unworn 3 spoke steering wheel • Child seat deactivation option • New vanity mirrors (both sides) I also have paperwork to support a cylinder head replacement (@Northway) and believe the rear shocks to be recent. The car, registered in 1998 has covered 146k miles but drives and runs like a much lower mileage car. The car and I are based in East Dorset.