fiestaturbo.com

[dontpannic]

It'll be about 3pm I think, perhaps slightly earlier if I can wangle it at work.

[dontpannic]

350 miles over two days and the Saxo survived without incident.

I took it up to PPC in the Park at Mallory Park with Henry, Simon, Steve and Mark. I didn't book track time as I wasn't even sure the Saxo would make it.

I set off from work on Friday, and met at Thurrock. While I was there I had to top up the coolant as some had been lost since I used the car on Tuesday.

Left Thurrock and drove on to stop at Toddington services on the M1, coolant level OK, car running fairly OK, so we continued the journey to Leicester.

Arrived by 7pm, all four cars with no problem.



This morning I had to top up the coolant (as it overflowed as I checked it last night) and we drove to the circuit.

I had two passenger rides in the Golf and decided to throw caution into the wind and grab a session.

No coolant had been lost on the trip to the circuit so I grabbed a helmet and took the Saxo out on track.

It was actually great fun out there. Didn't get passed by anything I wouldn't expect to be passed by, managed to overtake a 1.8MX5 and had a great time - no real under steer, no oversteer, fairly quick round the corners - only problem was the synchro went between 4th and 3rd!

I'll post up some pics / vids of it on track when I am sent them.

Drove it all the way home without incident after the track session too. (Apart from some fairly serious diff whine lol)

I've noticed that the diff on the gearbox is whining quite badly so a new box is on the cards, but it has filled me with a confidence I didn't have before about the car

[Smo]

Well impressed with what you've achieved with the car. It's served you with exactly what you wanted it to!

Such a great day - Bring on the next one!

[jonyb4]

tbh i thought you worry to much, its a cheap track toy, just rag and repair.. if its too costly weight it in?

good work on getting it ready and having some well earned fun

[bakewell001]

Here's a (bad) pic of it on track...



We forgot to have a look at the proper photos while we were there. I'll have to check their website. I've got a couple of video clips which ill email over in a bit

[hb69]

I was impressed by it I have to say, wasn't sure what I expected of it but it did everything you wanted it to

[dontpannic]

Cheers for that Steve I think you've got my email address

I just need to sort the seats, gearbox, get a cage, and find out where the fluids are coming from and going to lol!!

[Maxwell]

Haters will hate!!

I knew you would start to fall in love with it lol. If i where you and its using water....while its stripped to be sorted, weld a t2 or t3 to the stock mani, get clio 172 injectors, run it at low boost and get an emerald ecu for it and watch the car come alive even more.

My mates vts ran a t2 off a r5 gtt and his had similar set up and made 197bhp at the fly. Running 12psi

[dontpannic]

Copied a video off of Facebook that Simon/Steve captured for me

Video:

[dontpannic]

[hb69]

session O for 'O yes it made it'

[dontpannic]

And it wouldn't shut up about it on the way home either

[Ratspeed]

Cool pics mate. I love mallory. I have fond memories of sliding down Devils Elbow on my arse at 100mph

[jonyb4]

was you even in a car?

[Smo]

Did anyone chuck a camera and camera mount in your car, Nick?

[dontpannic]

Sadly not, all the camera equipment was either in yours or marks car and you guys had to get oil lol

[Smo]

Ah, what a shame!

[dontpannic]

Next time

[Smo]

I didn't get anything great on my camera, unfortunately!









Oh and...

How much fuel do we have, Nick?

[jonyb4]

still more accurate than my gauge!

[Ratspeed]

was you even in a car?

No

[dontpannic]

I suppose I'd better update this a little bit!

After the Mallory trackday, the already whinging power steering pump decided to throw a major wobbler and seize up completely.

Therefore, out came the pump, hoses, and associated wiring:


And in went a manual steering rack from a Peugeot 106:


After this, I had to go and get the steering aligned, so popped to the closest garage with the 4 point laser alignment tool:


The same day as this, I went to pick up some front speakers for the VTS so that I can listen to music on the way to trackdays - picked up a pair of Orion components, cheap from a car audio mate.

I met him at a vinyl shop in Blackfen and got some name stickers made up for the rear windows:


and while that was being sorted, we took a holesaw to the front bumper:


and most recently, this weekend, we started the process of fitting my seats and harnesses



As it turns out, the welder broke so we couldn't carry on, I've ordered myself a subframe for the drivers side, and one of the guys at work is going to weld the passenger side mount for me .

Getting closer to Lydden on the 29th

[hb69]

What happened to your proper name in the window?

[jonyb4]

moving in the right direction mate

thought these had electric pas pumps? or is that just the VTR?

[dontpannic]

It was an electric pas system

[jonyb4]

it is? mind it does look more like a motor than a mechanical pump

[dontpannic]

One in!

[Smo]

Looking good, Nick!

That will possibly be my next purchase!!

[dontpannic]

I do recommend it Si!

After I've sorted tonight's running problem I should probably think about getting the sound deadening out and painting that interior!

[Maxwell]

How does the manual steering compare vs electric and also vs a non-working pas???

Saxos/106s are prone for them failing!!

Atspeed Racing relocates their pumps inside behind the passenger seat and ran the pipes out to the rack through the bulkhead!! The PAS pumps failed because they are leccy and down at the front crossmember - so an absolute magnet for moisture/water etc!! Also putting them inside is good for space and weight distribution. Its mental how heavy the standard pumps weigh!!

Any more plans with the car??

[dontpannic]

The electric you just get no feedback from the steering wheel, it's like playing GT5 on a steering wheel with no force feedback.

PAS with failed pump was heavy as f**k, couldn't dry steer it whatsoever and was extremely difficult to drive normally (roundabouts and junctions!)

Removing the hydraulic ram and pump from the pas rack made it much better but was extremely stiff getting towards full lock, but the manual rack is a great balance, good feedback, light when on the move (heavyish when getting towards full lock though), but weighted nicely for day to day driving

[Maxwell]

Yeah i have had x 8 saxos and x 1 Pug 106 GTI, so i know all about failed PAS steering lol. Its a nightmare!!

To be honest it never once phased me to stuck a manual rack from a 106 or early saxo/AX into any of my cars. Good shout though mate

So how much are you loving the car now lol

[dontpannic]

Better update this really!!

First of all, got a sunstrip fitted by Paul and Keith at Sharp Signs, excellent work

Still drawing up a design for the strip

The day after that I took it to Lydden Hill for a track day there. Managed two sessions with the only problem being the gear knob snapped off!


Interestingly it was the first time I'd taken it on track since removing the power steering system. Verdict - well worth the effort. The car was astonishing on track. It's not so good on the road with the below issue but that never occurred on track lol.

After this, I got a second seat frame welded up - thanks to Tez for the cutting and drilling (and the design!), and one of my work colleagues for fixing the weld


Which meant I could get the second seat in.



Recently, I've been having a hiccuping issue which has been getting better and worse on different days. On a good day, I get a momentary loss of power and it picks straight back up again, on a bad day, it'll drive fine for 10 minutes, then develop a constant misfire and won't idle.

I've replaced the coil pack, spark plugs, coolant temperature sensor, and cleaned the throttle body well. I also separated the oil breather from the air filter by utilising the K&N filter from the fiesta, and purchasing a Toyosports oil catch can with breather filter.





And today, I've replaced the ICV, TPS, IAT, and engine temperature sensors on the throttle body.

Lets see if that cures it!!

[hb69]

I reckon the horse gearknob from 2010 should be the next addition, to replace the knobless shaft.

This performed really well at Lydden Hill, hope the misfire gets sorted, and its ready for more abuse at Combe

[Maxwell]

Nick, they are prone for crankshaft sensors. Take yours out and clean it. If it still doesntwork, just replace it. Think they are £40