Laurence Wilson

Depends entirely on what dampers you have on your car. I think the stock Bilstein fronts are 1.9" ID but I know the rears [on my car] were 2.25". Caterham supplied Motorsport Bilsteins will probably be 2.25". Most aftermarket monotube dampers advertising a ~40mm dia. piston will be 2.25" - although I've slipped 2.00" on the front of my car. We supply 2.25" as standard with our shocks but Freestyle inboard suspension will require 1.9" ID (and smaller body dampers) if you're not to foul the chassis ... the only sure method is to measure what you currently have. Much the same story with free length ...

... and Gary got his from Faulkners

Steve: you can get springs direct from Faulkners.

Was told in the past that the pedal should rotate around the bush ... Sounds wrong to me.

It sure is a feature of every FIA bar I have seen. It might just be an optical illusion ('cos the rear facing diagonals fixed lower down on the chassis, I believe) but the earlier live axle chassis FIA bars lean even further forward than current bars. Edited by - Laurence Wilson on 8 Jan 2012 13:53:53

We use 17-4PH for our double adjustable shock shafts. Not being the one who made this decision, I've never asked the question how deep the hardening penetrates - nor have I tried to understand the hardening process. We've never had any failures using it in compression/tension. That said, I'm not sure I would trust the material in shear. I could ask the question for you, though. I do know that when we used it with stainless fasteners - we manufacture our own - there was an increased risk of it picking up if you were stripping and reassembling. You have to make sure the surface finish is good and the threads are in good condition. Edited by - Laurence Wilson on 5 Jan 2012 18:56:06

What bulbs are you using ? The name brand bulbs from my local auto factors usually last me 6 months at best. Halfords own brand bulbs typically last me several years. Touch wood

Jon

Dave: I'm pretty sure my lamps when I replaced them were delivered with Econoseal Connectors. For whatever reason (which now escapes me) I replaced these with Superseal Connectors. I've had Deutsch Connectors recommended to me since - but I'm sure any number of sealed connectors will do

Crikey! Did we run out of money for material Edited by - Peardrop on 23 Dec 2011 07:25:27

Fa la la la laa, la laa laa laa. Fill your face with caramel chockies Fa la la la laa, la laa laa laa.

That's an old photo of the Quantums, with the clear anodised body. We made those for Richard to sell through Carbon Bits. Of course, if anyone still wanted a set in those colours, I'm sure I could rustle something up We also did an all black set with gold shafts, especially for his V6. I hope it gets finished. Anyone know what the latest is on that?

No. It's chain drive. I think this engine will very popular. I've certainly got my eye on it for when the 'bird goes pop Edited by - Laurence Wilson on 6 Dec 2011 07:39:58

If your a Honda man perhaps arch motors still have the jigs to make some blackbird engine mounts etc. Engine off fleabay for circa 600 quid, dry sump and reverser off the shelf from nova, that and a few other bits and bobs and your away From Nova themselves: We do not have a full parts list for the Blackbird as it went out of production a long time ago ... They're still selling the 'box, though. Caterham had a clearout of Blackbird dry sump parts a while back. Complete dry sumps do come up on the second hand market from time to time, too.

No, I don't think the Blackbird would be the best choice. I reckon a lot of the fragility can be engineered out - do a search here and across the web - but there are newer engines available. However. I'm a Honda fan too and was lucky enough to be in a position to buy when a fellow member was selling his Blackbird engine, airbox, exhaust and dry sump. My decision was practically made for me! But if that opportunity hadn't come up, I might have gone for something else. Anyhoo, the point of my post: I'm currently doing it If you need someone to bounce ideas off, feel free to Blatmail me! I'd be happy to help and encourage 😬 Edited by - Laurence Wilson on 27 Nov 2011 23:32:53

Good advice from Elie. The circular motion helps the bush to pop into the housing. And if KY isn't available a silicon grease from RS or brake grease from your local auto factors will do just as good a job

An arbour press and KY jelly, in my experience

Yes, I have a pair waiting to go on eBay. Shoot me a Blatmail me and I'll send you a photo tomorrow eve

Yup, I'd also be interested in hearing how far this progressed.

An ex academy car - did you build it yourself, Pete? Any reason why you don't want to convert your own car to bike power? I've just gotten started doing the same - you can keep tabs on my progress at projectblackbird.co.uk. I'm also intending to take it sprinting but I haven't done any competition before. Looking at the classes, I'm wondering if I shouldn't have gone for a Fireblade or a 'busa. Looks like my Blackbird will be a smaller engine in its class but the right parts came up at the right price, at the right time. My decision was practically made for me! Feel free to blatmail me. Regards

My Ford Kent engine Seven is being converted to Honda Blackbird power 😬 All the bits I no longer need will be listed on eBay and I intend to keep this post up to date with what is currently for sale. If it's of use to anyone considering a BEC conversion themselves, I'll allow it to turn into an archive of what you can expect to get for the parts you're replacing, too. If there is a specific part you require that you think I might be about to remove, contact me by Blatmail and I'll see if I can help Waiting To eBay 1 Ital Rear Axle — Supplied by Caterham with a 3.64 final drive ratio, according to the manual. It has 22,000+ miles on it but has only ever been subjected to a single DGV carb'd Kent and Michelins. £250 or offers. 1 4-1 Competition Exhaust Manifold and Silencer for Crossflow — Has a dent on the underside of one of the primaries and the can has some scuffs, too. I had this polished a couple years ago so it looks shiny, at least! £150 or offers. Under The Hammer None Sold 1 1600 GT Sprint Bonnet for £32.45 2 Bilstein Front Shock Absorbers with Springs for £50.00 1 Long Cockpit Bench Seat Complete for £60.00 1 Mountney Steering Wheel with Boss for £35.00 Edited by - Laurence Wilson on 25 Feb 2012 18:00:52

Don't knock it. I found that being completely nude and hair free has had a similar effect to losing the windscreen and going aero Laurence

Well, I think that's a very good point. I *have* been giving it a lot of thought because having the car back just hasn't lived up to my expectations/past experiences. I haven't been on a proper blat this year and I suspect the reason is I don't trust myself not to get carried away - the same reason I'm reluctant to do a track day, in and around other cars. Perhaps what I want to do is try sprinting. I want to use the car again and racing against the clock appeals to my analytical side. I can't let myself turn into a polisher Laurence Is running in the Great South Run. Please click here to sponsor me!

I just don't know, Myles. The thought has crossed my mind but I've been comfortable enough in the car on the rare occasion I've been out. I just haven't tried to make time for blats this year and have hardly been to any area meets. Contrary to the above, I still want to put a 'blade engine in it - the whole 'meccano' aspect still interests me - which makes me wonder what it is I'm missing at the minute. I can't believe I'm the only one who has had this crisis of faith As my comment on this flickr post shows, it's a concern that predates my excursion through the hedge. Just a little confused, really. Oh, and I finished the run 😬 But I'll post more later about that ... Laurence Is running in the Great South Run. Please click here to sponsor me!

... that the Seven's just too fast for the roads? I finally put the engine back in at the beginning of the year and have hardly used it. Ok, so perhaps bending it may have dented my enthusiasm but I can honestly say I have more fun in the little Punto. In fact, it's a thought that's been at the back of my mind since my brief tenure with the Land Rover, which predated my trip through the hedge outside Goodwood. I'm not sure whether it's the speed I'm falling out of love with, or the car itself. I'm probably in a smaller minority because I have little to no interest in putting it on the track, either. Too scared to post this upstairs! Laurence is running in the Great South Run. Please click here to sponsor me! Edited by - Peardrop on 24 Oct 2009 22:17:07