Special K

By Command of the Great and Almighty Panjandrum (His Most Excellent and Esteemed Professor Tada) I am required to proclaim an Extraordinary Meeting of the Essex Provincial Grand GT86 Brigade. To Welcome and Greet, with suitable pomp, ceremony and bon viveur, His Most Excellent Visiting Grand SuperCharged Petrol Head, Brother Iddrew of Malta, the Exalted and Most Highly Respected Supreme Grand Pontificate of the Three GT86 Viziers of Malta. This meeting will be held on Monday 16th November 2015 at 20.00 hours at the Halfway House on the highway denominated the A127, in the County of Essex. A mere three miles from the M25. Further directions to this venue can be acquired from the promulgator of this invitation. All will be welcome. Not only to listen (with due respect, decorum and catcalls) to our Most Excellent guest's speech of thanks for his warm welcome into the UK (brief though his visit, alas, will be) but to enjoy his generous donation towards the evening's festivities . . Excuses other than the pressing exigencies of work, family or holidays are totally inexcusable and unacceptable. Sincerely and fraternally Spec K

Hate it. Awful Can only see the last 5-6-7 posts. Cannot follow my 'threads' Spec K

Confirmation - I have heard from Iddrew and his plans are unchanged at present. Planned arrival at Grotwick Monday afternoon. It may be a bumpy landing, looking at the weather forecast . . Spec K

I did the Friday trackday and took out an instructor. On our last lap I came over the mountain and my dashboard warning lights lit up like a christmas tree . . The car felt fine, all pressure/temps were normal so Mike P cleared all the fault codes for me but took a note of them - there is no internet connection at Cadwell so we couldn't interrogate them. Gary (from RRG) arrived on Sat morning and he instantly diagnosed the issues - he knows all the fault codes by heart! Turned out that all four wheels had been off the ground and the TRC/anti-lock sensors became totally confused . . Has anyone else experienced this? Spec K

Good show Jay ! And it was great to see you at Cadwell . . I am still waiting for Iddrew to confirm his plans. At the moment I aim to meet him at Liv Street station at about 7.00pm, train to Ilford and then hoof it down to the Halfway House for 8.00pm. I would prefer to collect him from Islington but, as we all know, the traffic at that time is murder. Getting him back to his hotel is no issue. Spec K

Would you be interested in selling rods and pistons complete? Spec K

Sorry Tareim - I misread 'windy' as in bendy road as 'windy' as in full of wind . . and you let off . . I'll go back to sleep now . . Spec K

Hahaha . .

Nigel, did you get forged rods at the same time byh any chance? Spec K

<Moderated before posting> Kevin, can you check that, please? I know there's a diference in 6th gear between MT and AT but at 3500 rpm I'm doing nearly 100mph on 4.1 And on the 4.67 diff (which I found seriously noisy, people!) I was doing in excess of 85mph. We can prove it at Cadwell if you're there on Friday. Spec K

<Moderated before posting> Keethos, When you took me out in your car I was surprised at how confident you drove! You were certainly on the pace and taking it to a realistic limit - and you could have gone seriously quicker with more circuit experience. I was lucky to go out with everyone there in their own cars and it was a genuine pleasure. There was focus (tempered with caution due to track condition) but yet again the GT86DC entrants proved themselves a worthy group to be considered by asny trackday organiser. Well done everyone! I have to say that the L-O-T guys are a super bunch. And I would counsel all to read their 'pace notes' for every circuit (on their website) before going out on a new circuit, they are really well researched and informative - like which kerbs are serious rumble strips and which can be ingnored. Am I the only one who thinks their style and method is so much friendlier and laid-back on trackdays than others? Well done Rob275 in organising our 'intro' to a great bunch of people. Good organisation and excellent value for money - I would love to do a weekend in France/Belgium with them. Spec

<Moderated before publishing> I would make you an offer but you've probably accepted elsewhere in the meantime. Spec K

<Moderated before publishing> Looks good. Seems like a lot of effort for a bit of bling, though . . Spec K

I was also 4.66 until recently, Kevin. But, as Church says, the AT has different ratios than the manual so I've reverted back to the standard 4.1 diff. I was about 86mph at 3500rpm in the auto. Spec K

As the 'Age of Recovery' threads on this Forum seem to be an interesting subject I will add my own. Not only to waste half an hour on a keyboard but hopefully to give some guidance, insight and depth of pockets required for those who seek the ultimate. "eh?" I hear you think.... "..ultimate what?" As MLK said, 'I have a dream'. And mine is to own, drive (and ultimately sell) the fastest, best driveable road-going auto GT86 in Europe. I am not interested in pretty - I want power, roadholding and predictability... but I insist it is controllable for road (my Granny should be able to drive it, she's 134 and in a wooden box) yet capable of testing her grandson's capabilities at Sprint and trackdays. Over last winter I engaged Fensport to rebuild my engine with an HKS kit - stroked crank (to 2.2L), new cams (to accommodate the higher piston lift), forged pistons to their design and forged rods. At the same time new injectors and new oil pump. And a stage 3 AVO turbo to mate with my existing 3" exhaust system (also AVO). Why not Cosworth? They are still poncing about with their forged kit, Adrian at Fensport was still prototyping their stuff, first engine they produced had big problems and it will be a year next Thursday before Cosworth get off their arses and do anything for genuine enthusiasts andget more than their basics on the market. Why not Carillo and the other stuff from the US? Because I have only met one US supplier worth anything in terms of meeting overseas motorsport commitments - SSP for auto gearbox upgrades. I know Mark at Abbey swears by the 'other stuff' suppliers, having built LFA's engine - but he/they don't use them on the road and they are, to my mind, unproven in the UK where no alternative has existed. (And LFA chooses to dismiss my invites to prove his car inthe UK..) The downside with the HKS kit - for a turbo car - is dictated by their marketing platform. They want to sell their s/c kits, so the compression ratio is left high. It detracts from the benefit of bottom end boost generated by turbo. They offer three different cylinder head gasket thicknesses (which make a difference of 11.8:1 and 11.5:1 by my maths). And when Carillo/other kits are offering 10:1 c/r (or slightly lower) it seems perverse - Cossie have learned the lesson over the market resistance to 'package' selling, why has Japan not reacted? But... with the Fensport ECU mapping the turbo boost can be 'progressive'.. (money).. and it is customised to your specific car (money). Hence the decision to map my car in (1) road (2) extreme road (3) wet track (4) extreme track (more money). Some of you may be aware that I am the only auto trans competing in Europe. Last year, after advice that the Toyo autotrans is built of tissue and stuck together with bubblegum (it is a Lexus de-engineered 8-speed to a paperweight 6-speed, worthy of a max 260bhp), I went to US and got an upgraded autotrans from SSP. I chose stage 2 valve body (see website) - and, sure enough, it kicks you up the arse when you change on road, it is uncomfortable and, after five miles, my daughter went into premature labour! (I joke). On track it is seemless.. instant response when driving over 4k revs. As I was planning my engine upgrade, Kris (at SSP) made me aware of a clutch upgrade which was going well with the dragsters over there. One car in NewYork State is pulling 600bhp at the wheels and running a standard Toyo box upgraded with this kit. Has to be the way to go, I think, and ordered a kit - discussed it with Fensport who washed their hands of it - autotrans they have no knowledge about, other than getting it out of your chassis and refitting it. Howver, Adrian gave me a contact - a man who is, ostensibly, the top competition autotrans guy in the UK (. to be continued) Spec K

They modified it. The exact mods are confidential at present, due to commercial considerations. I have used in on road since they did the mods (800 miles). And got the first opportunity to try it in a trackday environment at Donington last Thursday. Six GT86 drivers there. I took all of them out for a 4-5 lap passenger run. I had no issues with the trans, as they will all confirm. This was in map2, which is only 280-odd bhp whereas I have 320bhp on tap in map4. Torque in map2 is nowhere near torque in map4, so it is still too early, in my view, to call it as a total success. Tareim - there is unquestionably a limit to which a 'modified auto' GT86 will perform and I reckon Fensport and I are getting close. Whilst we believe we have identified the major issue (in close consuiltation with SSP in the States) there is further testing required. So I am looking at other options over the winter but I need to look at both engineering and cost aspects. Spec K

I see my efforts to wax lyrical (as opposed to wax vehicle) were somewhat in vain . . Spec K

Just replied to your earlier post, Gordon - didn't realise you were associated with PP . . still, we all have son-in-laws . . naughty boys . . One GT86 in the family is considered eccentricity. Two in the family is considered madness . . Spec K

Hi Gordon Congratulations on your new acquisition and welcome to the Forum. Most of us (who bought 3 years ago) kept the revs down for 1000 miles. However, our boxer engine is a strong as a horse, the learning-curve within the dealer network has evolved (with input from our trials and tribulations) and it should only take 100-odd miles to bed the piston rings in, so providing you don't boot it full power up to 7k in the first 500 miles you should be okay. Enjoy it. Throw it about a bit on its silly tyres, especially through roundabouts. Get used to it. Feel the need for more power and then let your passion overrule you pocket . . Spec K

Looking good, Rich . . did Paula use the frypan on you when you told her the cost? Spec K

Nige - I had no wish to upset you and I am , like everyone else, full of admiration at your skill and dedication at doing what you are doing. Unlike you, I do not have the experience, the time nor the space to consider such an undertaking and I am sure I am not alone. That is why I, and many others, use the knowledge and expertise of Adrian, Mark et al. It is your unique project. The comments regarding my efforts with the autotrans show a lack of comprehension. The mods I am trialling at present, if successful, will be available to all - if they are not successful no-one will have lost out but it looks as though some narrow-minded persons feel that warrants criticism. So be it - such comments don't worry me in the slightest. Like you, I enjoy the challenge and if it defeats me I shall try to find another way around it. Spec K

Mike, that looks a really neat setup for your needs. I would love to 'passenger' with you if the opportunity arises. I presume the lever is static and doesn't move with the wheel, as with the other controls - it would bash your left leg, yes? Can I ask who installed it for you? I cannot see the cruise control stalk - (or is it the 'on-off' button just showing behind the steering wheel?) - how do you change maps? Spec K

Love it, Ed ! HKS build? Oiling system? Dry Sump? Wow! Are you (and any East London/Essex GT86 Drivers) up for a meet in Wanstead nxt week? Spec K

Ed - I was not aware you drove your car on the road - wow, this must be a meet, my friend! I cannot fault my DS2500's. I've driven with them on stock calipers / upgraded K-Sport calipers / current Stop Tech calipers. And this is road (around our area in East London) and on track. Mike - I am also auto box. Ed's a pudding-stirrer, as are most on this Forum. (Blurry neanderthals, the lot of 'em . .) Without knowing your driving mode (in auto) I cannot comment on the issues you are having but I am at Donington at the end of this month and if you would like to experience an auto (TRC off, Sport Mode on, Manual mode engaged, 320bhp, the last of the late brakers . . ) you are more than welcome to 'passenger' with me. Spec K

Try registering under a different name on your desktop. The system is as clunky as Oscar Pistorius without a prosthetic.