Irish Clan minor miracle

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Wed Aug 06, 2014 10:14 pm

Another at the Mountain - from the time on screen it looks like a 2 min lap or average of 66mph

Another from the same position

Scott

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Thu Aug 07, 2014 8:30 am

Interesting (at least to me) White turbo'd car was "only" 10s quicker a lap (73mph) but so much quicker on the staights.
(it had been behind me in the previous clip and I let it past coming out of Barn so able to compare relative track times)

Scott

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Thu Aug 07, 2014 1:45 pm

Clan at 9:30

johno · Post by **johno** » Sat Aug 09, 2014 5:45 pm

I'm liking the Alpha clip and am impressed by the way you passed him. I had two 155s, a 1.8 Silverstone and a 2lt widebody. The one on the clip is a 'super' with woodrim wheel. It would have slightly softer suspension than the ordinary 155s. It was a seriously fast car with pin sharp handling and a red line about 7200. Your Clan looks very stable at speed though.

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Mon Aug 25, 2014 8:10 pm

With the next tracknight booked for this Wednesday it was time to give the Clan the once over.

At Cadwell on my last lap I noticed the oil pressure drop slightly on the long left hander (oil level was slightly low after 40min session when I checked) better safe than sorry so dropped the sump and checked the bottom end. Everything perfect so reassembled with new gaskets, oil and oil filter.

Replaced the rear shoes and adjusted them up. Put on the road wheels and tyres as driving it there as wee brother needs the trailer for his new toy which we picked up last Thursday and needs an Mot, tax etc. Its an E21 BMW 323 with a 4.4ltr V8 so should be quite quick with 300bhp on tap - all the suspension is fully adjustable but we're not convinced its fully set up yet as the previous owner had only done 100 track miles.

Scott

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 10:25 pm

Change to plans I took the Clan on the trailer as Craig got his BMW mot'd and taxed and took it out for a blast and it was Sh*te, crap brakes, too stiff, spun its wheels everywhere so lots of sorting to do, so defaulted to the 306.

A great night cooler temps had the advantage of not needing the aux water pump and rads - downside was tyres never seemed to get hot enough so car was a very oversteery (so much so came in to check everything was in order)

Some good dicies with wee brother, both cars are very evenly matched, Clan has it in the corners and the 306 slightly quicker on the straights but neither can pass each other without a mistake or lift. So we swapped places every few laps, happy to drive very close to each other confident that the other is not about to do something silly. Although it did nearly all come to grief at the chicane- Craig brakes for the chicane and I can take it flat, so each lap I take a run through it and try to get alongside him on the exit (no real chance of getting past, but good fun). The exit is blind as the chicane is effectively on a mound, Craig crest it to find a spinning MX5 = brakes and dives to the right to avoid it while expecting any second for me to collect him, checking his mirrors for me and no sign

I come over the crest hot on Craig's tail and see the MX5 sideways on the the racing line and Craig using the right hand side of the track, the only place left for me was straight into the gravel trap, Craig was very surprised when I appeared in front of him from his left

You can laugh about these things when you are able to drive them home but it so easily could have ended differently but thats the risk you take.

Scott

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 10:52 pm

Video from tracknight before I left for the National - a month ago

where does the time go.

8.40

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Thu Aug 28, 2014 10:47 am

Sounds like a lot of fun...

As you say, you have to understand the risks of track days. (Ask me how I know!

) But the rewards are there.

IM

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Fri Aug 29, 2014 9:25 pm

Paul

Maybe you'll have the Chamois ready for next years National and have another bash at Teeside -

Sorry I meant to say master

Scott

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Fri Aug 29, 2014 9:33 pm

Last run of the day with passenger - really notice the difference in performance struggling to keep up with Craig in front of me, also with passenger.

2nd MX5 of the night to expire and cause a red flag

Lotus-e-Clan · Post by **Lotus-e-Clan** » Fri Aug 29, 2014 9:34 pm

So - good point Scott ..... I've been asked by smoggy to organise a Teeside Aerodrome trackday ... but I think I'll ONLY agree to do it (someone else might take over a spoil this mind) IF - PAUL promises to GET HIS CHAMMY TO TEESSIDE AERODROME (for another bash!!)

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 2:11 pm

I promise to try to get the Chamois to next year's national.

If the car's ready, I'd love to take it to Teesside. It is intended to be a road-legal competition car.

I'd relish the opportunity to learn the car on track.

I also promise to do my absolute best not to roll the car again and deposit half a sump's worth of oil on the track!

IM

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Wed Sep 24, 2014 10:32 pm

Sunday saw the Clan back at Forrestburn for the End of Season track day, cracking weather and good company.

Write up of the day at http://www.mscc.org.uk/

Scott

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Sun Apr 12, 2015 6:25 pm

20150412_160907.jpg

Back home

20150412_100156.jpg

Ready for the off

The season warm up (track day) saw the Clan back at Forrestburn, frantic couple of days in the lead up to the event, it was finished on Wednesday but when I took it out there were some strange noises that I didn't like. Couldn't find anything definitive but picked up a couple of issues - a twisted driveshaft and split gearbox mount, driveshaft proved simple enough to change but the mounting was a real pain almost requiring the engine removal again, I was working on it to 11.00pm last night and back onto it a 6.45am this morning but the good news is whatever they noises were they have gone.

During the off season I made quite a few changes, removed the sound deadening pads around the engine bay (weight saving), fitted a block strengthening kit, replaced the straight cut close ratio box with the strengthened casing box with the quaife ATB from the rally car. This certainly made the journey to Forrestburn much more pleasant, can't say its quiet but the gear whine on the road use to be very unpleasant. The lsd makes it more fun to drive, the change to standard ratios seems to be Ok with only a little loss in urgency.

Tidied up the wiring, painted the dash, tidied the plumbing of the front head light pod mounted heater matrix's with 19mm hoses rather than having to step them up and down and relocated the auxillary electric pump.

20150412_100527.jpg

Fitted a cold air box with longer trumpets with the air filter inside the car

20150412_100223.jpg

20150412_100244.jpg

Changed to a laminova oil cooler rather than the std mocal type which didn't have any air flow over it sat behind the back panel.

20150412_100325.jpg

Webers need rebalanced but will wait until back from Imp Ecosse as wear in part of the linkage and then hopefully ready for some more track days.

Scott

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Sun Apr 12, 2015 7:48 pm

That all looks good, Scott. Pretty much ready to go now, I guess.

IM

Lotus-e-Clan · Post by **Lotus-e-Clan** » Sun Apr 12, 2015 7:56 pm

I think I'm the only one that LIKES the sound of straight-cut gears!

I'm more for the close ratio box mind...I just hanker for a 5 speed close ratio straight-cut box..

Pleased you continue to see the value of the Clan Scott.. often think I'd be happierwith 2 Clans rather than 1 clan plus the Lotus (which I rarely drive 'cos it seems too big for me!).

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Sun Apr 12, 2015 9:19 pm

How is your hearing

Its perfectly acceptable with a helmet on, just not on the road.

I have a helical CR box that would solve the noise issue but wanted to see how well this engine pulls with standard ratios plus the strengthened casing and lsd allows me to play the hooligan without sweeping up the bits. True test will be at Knockhill to see the difference on the main straight.

Organise Teeside Autodrome for the National and we can compare.

Scott

Lotus-e-Clan · Post by **Lotus-e-Clan** » Sun Apr 12, 2015 10:37 pm

bks974c wrote:How is your hearing Its perfectly acceptable with a helmet on, just not on the road.

I have a helical CR box that would solve the noise issue but wanted to see how well this engine pulls with standard ratios plus the strengthened casing and lsd allows me to play the hooligan without sweeping up the bits. True test will be at Knockhill to see the difference on the main straight.

Organise Teeside Autodrome for the National and we can compare.

Scott

I'm not involved with the National so don't know what's happening...not even sure I'll be there ...it's just 13 miles away ..hardly worth putting petrol in for ....

Hey, there is one thing I know for sure. .. in equal cars ... you would win!

I'm not anywhere near your driving ability.

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Wed May 27, 2015 6:22 pm

Clan passed its MOT today

Had an issue the other week with a sticking rear brake and had a look yesterday and it turned out to be a broken adjuster, the alloy had broken around the stud
this one was a new one purchased and fitted at last years National. Never fails to amaze me at the new ways they find to go wrong, original having stripped the adjuster thread.

Carbs have now been balanced and going well just need to book the next trackday.

Scott

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Fri Jun 12, 2015 8:46 pm

Another trackday under the belt.

http://www.mscc.org.uk/

Scott

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Fri Jun 12, 2015 9:10 pm

Looks and sounds like it was a good track day.

Did you enjoy it, Scott?

IM

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Sat Jun 13, 2015 9:38 pm

It's always a good day when you get to drive it home

Scott

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Thu Jun 18, 2015 11:05 pm

At Knockhill for another tracknight with Craig - this was the my treat for his big 50 birthday. This was the first time we had done the reverse circuit and the first since we had both made changes to the cars.

The main changes to the Clan included changing the close ratio box for the one out of the rally car - this is a strengthened casing with a Quaiffe ATB but running standard ratios. First benefit is its much easier to live with on the road, so much quieter, there was only one point where I missed the lower 3rd and that was the climb up Duffus but changing down to 2nd coming out of the corner before sorted that. A positive move.

The other major change was the fitting of the laminova oil cooler as there was no air flow over the old one, this certainly worked as the oil pressure was 75psi hot compared to 60psi before - this is with a standard oil pump and no alteration to the pressure regulator. The cooling system managed fine sitting at 82 (82 thermostat fitted) although It was cold, probably about 10 degree, so will have to wait until summer arrives to see that all is OK.

Next on this list is too look at the brakes, still running on drums all round and although not getting any fade with the comp linings but I am rolling into some of the corners to save them. First thing is to borrow the front disc set up from VAK while its being rebuilt and see how they perform.

Scott

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 11:35 pm

Couple of shots of clan in action

Scott

Lotus-e-Clan · Post by **Lotus-e-Clan** » Tue Jun 23, 2015 1:26 am

Amazing how you kept that Caterham (camera car) behind you for so long @ around 9:30 minutes in!

...

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Tue Jun 23, 2015 8:50 am

It's actually a buggy, incredibly quick much quicker than a Caterham etc but is low geared so lacks a bit of top speed compared to some of the big cars.

The Clan handles well so is quick through the technical sections but loses out in straight line speed.

It's for sale £7500 if anyone wants a track day car or sell as a rolling shell and keep the engine and box as Vak rebuld making progress and don't really need two of them.

Scott

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Fri Jul 10, 2015 8:44 pm

Last night was another track night at Forrestburn see http://www.mscc.org.uk/forrestburn-trac ... ery/page/1

First 3 runs were dry and as I had slicks on the rear plenty of grip then it started spitting rain and although never really got the track wet caution was the order of the day. After my marshalling stint it had dried out and over the next few runs built up the commitment again until I decided enough pushing as we have a track night at Knockhill next Thursday and no point in binning it (very little room for error at Forrestburn).

Couple of thing to do before Knockhill, leak from a valve leading to the heater matrix's in the nose, when I tried to tighten the nut it split so will have to be replaced. The exhaust needs a wee weld where a weld split when the exhaust hit the trailer when loading.

Scott

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Fri Jul 17, 2015 8:40 pm

Another track night completed, this one was organised by Dreadnought Garage in Callander http://www.dreadnoughtgarage.com
they run with a max of 30 cars rather than Knockhill's own of 40 so expecting it to be less busy on track but only 24 cars out meant there were no delays getting on track, manages just over 80 miles in the 2 hours.

There was another Imper out but he was in his Nissan 370Z and my wee brother was there in his Peugeot 306 Rallye.

Weather was again cool for the time of year 15 degrees but felt like 10, almost struggled to get it up to temp and ran at 82 degrees all night with no fluctuation which meant the oil pressure sat at 75psi. Tyres never really got fully up to temp.

I was bothered by a misfire coming out of the hairpin at an indicated 6500rpm which is really 7500rpm, I think it was related to the fact that the alternator light had started to glow lightly and glowed more brightly when it missed. Did not seem to occur anywhere else and saw an indicated 7000 elsewhere on the circuit without issue. Engine note did not seem as crisp as usual but that might be down to running standard ratios so less revs for same speed, can't say I felt the loss of the lower 3 &4 and the ATB certainly helped coming out of the hairpin. Only downside to the evening was the fact that Craig's car was now noticable quicker having spent many £'s mostly on the suspension which was the area he lost out to the Clan, hopefully sorting the misfire will level performance again.

Used an App called Racechrono, which gives lap times, speed and various split/sector times. best lap time for the evening was 1.05.10 and top speed 92mph just before the hairpin on the back straight. Gave some spurious figures at times but its supposed to work much better with an external GPS receiver connected to the phone by bluetooth, will investigate the purchase of such.

Scott

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Sat Jul 18, 2015 8:05 pm

Tonight took the Clan off the trailer and first thing I did was to check the spark plugs as the cause of the misfire, it runs with NGK platinum plugs BP7EVX and they have been in for 3 years since the engine was built but only done 2-3000 miles. Instead of pointy electrodes they were just stumps along with a big gap, while the mileage isn't great they are mostly on track so lots of sparks to wear them away. The possible reason for it to miss coming out of the hairpin is its steeply uphill so the load on the engine would have been the greatest at this point on the circuit. After changing the plugs it sounds crisper but that is subjective but as the rain came on before I got the slicks changed so still to take it out.

Still have to check out the alternator this is the third in 3 years, don't seem to live well with 8500rpm will also have a look a sealing the dip stick a bit better as small puddle of oil lying on the block.

Scott

Dave ' Linwood ' Lane · Sat Jul 18, 2015 8:44 pm

bks974c wrote: Still have to check out the alternator this is the third in 3 years, don't seem to live well with 8500rpm will also have a look a sealing the dip stick a bit better as small puddle of oil lying on the block.

Scott

What alternator you running , Denso ones will take 18,000RPM , Obviously that is the alternator not the engine

, anyway perhaps a lager pulley to gear it down might help , doing what i do for a living it seems vibration kills alternators as much as anything else , on the stators i rewind for a customer ( cant say who for on here ) i use flexi leads on the feeds out instead of the copper wire as they found the vibration sheers the leads , there are other things you can try as well.
Currently im developing a 100mm Denso that belts out 250A when cold and 200A at the 190˚C these run at , so far so good ( still cant say who for though )

Dave ' Linwood ' Lane · Sat Jul 18, 2015 8:53 pm

I did find rubber mounting the support strap took a lot of vibration out , you could rubber bush the main mount as well and run a separate earth strap

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Sat Jul 18, 2015 9:05 pm

The current one is an original Lucas unit, previous one a cheap chinese copy and looking back through the topic the first one failed due to a broken bracket so can't
really count that one. It runs big pulleys, There is a Denso unit on VAK that I may end up borrowing but that will require a bit on engineering for the brackets and different fanbelt so if I can sort or replace like for like that will be the preferred option.

Thanks

Scott

Dave ' Linwood ' Lane · Sat Jul 18, 2015 10:11 pm

IIRC Lucas alternators have a rev max of 12,000RPM which is why all the comp alternators i modify inc ones for NASCAR all use Denso units , im not sure you will get a Lucas unit to cope with your 8,500RPM engine speed , given the gearing from the pulleys im guessing your over-revving the Lucas unit.

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 8:12 pm

Got to spend sometime checking through the Clan today, the miss has now gone and it seems I might have been a bit quick in condemning the alternator although the belt is tight it appears to be slipping under load so have ordered a new one.

The alternator pulley is the same size or possibly slightly larger than the crankshaft one so over reving should not be an issue, it does however mean that at idle it doesn't charge but that not an issue as mainly used a trackday car.

The mounting for the rose jointed gear lever was cracked so that's been removed and I'll get it welded during the week, other than a wash its ready for the National.

Scott

Lotus-e-Clan · Post by **Lotus-e-Clan** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 9:55 pm

I use a 4 inch pulley on a Denso and the charge threshold is around 1300 - 1400 rpm so that's were my idle is set. No problem with overheating (EWP etc) and clutch is better in traffic - I use mine on the road.

So what's your idle set at Scott?

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 10:40 pm

800rpm

Scott

Lotus-e-Clan · Post by **Lotus-e-Clan** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 11:39 pm

bks974c wrote:800rpm

Scott

You trying to save petrol!

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Tue Aug 04, 2015 6:34 pm

Clan has been sitting for a fortnight after I carried out the little bits of work and was happy everything was sorted but untested, thought I'd take it to the monthly Club meeting yesterday just to check it was all OK, didn't get far as couldn't get fourth - damn I checked all the gears were working when it was up in the air - all except fourth.

So turned around and took the Skoda, good turn out at the meeting - 4 Imps, its been a long time since we had that many.

On the way home the check brake pad light comes on

Today dropped the linkage and ground a bit of the tube to give so throw and jobs a good one. New fanbelt has also sorted the glowing warning light.

Checked the Octavia and pads all OK just an issue with the sensor - looked a bit wet inside the connector.

Loaded the trailer and pulled the tent and camping stuff out of the attic and ready for the off tomorrow to Darlington, going a day early to give a hard with set up.

Scott

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Fri Aug 14, 2015 8:43 pm

Another Knockhill tracknight last night

Still bothered by a miss coming out of the hairpin despite changing the cap leads rotor arm and plugs, although I'm thinking its fuel related now.

Despite this it was a great night as it was dry and sunny with a good selection of cars and the chance for a bit of dicing.

In the video about 5 mins the clan rear steps out as I had a puncture on the rear which put an end to playtime but only 5mins left so didn't feel short changed

Scott

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Sun Aug 23, 2015 9:51 pm

Normal service has been resumed, after stripping the carbs and not really finding anything amiss apart from a little muck in the fuel filter a closer inspection of the magnetic ring identified a hairline crack. After replacing the ring its pulls like a train and revs cleanly all the way to its max.

Need to sort another trackday and see how it compares now to my wee brothers 306 rallye (168bhp) as his was clearly quicker the last twice we were out and that's not on

evenly matched last year but both cars have had work done.

Scott

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Sun Sep 20, 2015 7:28 pm

Clan survived Forrestburn today, infact it was absolutely flying.

There were a number of call offs so ended up with only 12 cars so ended up doing 25 runs incredible value for £25, sometimes without any waiting so managed to
keep temp in the tyres. I had changed to the wheels and tyres from VAK, although the rears were rubbing on the arches the fronts are soft compound Yoko A048's and despite being old the made a huge difference to front end grip and turn in.

Great day.

Colin of the Pest popped up and has a bit of footage that he hopefully will post.

Scott

ImpManiac · Post by **ImpManiac** » Sun Sep 20, 2015 9:17 pm

Sounds like a lot of fun!

IM

colimp66 · Post by **colimp66** » Sun Sep 20, 2015 10:34 pm

Posted it in the Motorsport section, Scott.
Great showing of Imp power in your Clan today and a fantastic noise of a 998 on forties at full pelt around the twists and turns of Forrestburn.

Baillie always comments on the noise of your Clan .

Cheers
Col

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Sun Sep 20, 2015 10:38 pm

http://theimpclub.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=29404

Cheers Col

Scott

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Tue Mar 15, 2016 3:06 pm

Clan removed from its hibernation and brought home today.

All working OK, ready for its first event on Sunday an Autosolo at Knockhill.

3rd April - Classic car run 150 miles

10th April - Forrestburn Track day

24th April - Imp Ecosse

5th May - Track night Knockhill

Poor wee Clan

Scott

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Mon Mar 21, 2016 10:15 pm

Scottish Association of Car Clubs have set up a series of 3 Autosolos for 2016 to test the water as the tradition autotests don't get the level of entries they use to.

First event was today at Knockhill and attracted a healthy entry of 25 car ranging for a Smart Car to a Skoda Superb.

Out in the Clan brought some old tyres blown up to 50psi expecting to need to reduce the rear end grip, when I got there it was apparent that wouldn't be necessary as the tarmac car park was very gravelly with little grip - Happy Days. Apart from the oil catch tank filling and overflowing - can't actually remember ever emptying it

. The wear on the rear tyres was quite incredible considering there were only 7 runs glad I didn't use good ones.

Tried out my new GoPro and managed to capture one run

Video

Scott

Lotus-e-Clan · Post by **Lotus-e-Clan** » Mon Mar 21, 2016 10:23 pm

Looked and sounded FAB.

So how did you compare?

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Mon Mar 21, 2016 10:43 pm

Midfield - too exuberant but went down well with the spectators.

Scott

Lotus-e-Clan · Post by **Lotus-e-Clan** » Mon Mar 21, 2016 10:46 pm

bks974c wrote:Midfield - too exuberant but went down well with the spectators.

Scott

Nobody could claim you're a boring driver that's for sure!

bks974c · Post by **bks974c** » Tue Mar 22, 2016 8:34 pm

Autosolo report

http://www.roofsideup.com/autosolo-moto ... ow-budget/

Scott