4722 replies to this topic

[Nev]

Have also contacted and complained to RimStock about my second bad TD 1.3 wheel. It is badly out of balance somehow and won't run smoothly no matter what. Lets see what they say. Considering how many VX220's run their wheels I hope they take me seriously and are professional.

Edited by Nev, 24 August 2015 - 12:22 PM.

[Nev]

Got my eBay metal yesterday, so today I immersed myself in the garage and produced this:





Installed, and already looking dirty after a 5 mile test.





I have taken a video of it on/off (with sound): https://youtu.be/U0nqw8wxgzU


The camera doesn't really show the considerable drop in dB that it makes (I think it is microphone auto attenuated the delta between the noise levels). When driving however, it is blissful in the cabin, no need for ear plugs any more - hoorah!! However, I reckon it is sapping about 40 BHP, but frankly I won't care if Castle Coombe measure it under 105 dB tomorrow.

It weighs 1.7 Kg and might need a couple of hanger tabs welded onto it, so I can run wires upto the wing struts to help it cope with serious G. It already has a locking bolt in it to stop it falling off.

Does anyone know if this would be street legal, as it projects about 50cm from the rear clam. I could easily attach a red pennant to it, though I guess it might burn off.

Edited by Nev, 27 August 2015 - 04:21 PM.

[MAXR]

I suppose you could have fitted a 90 degrees U-bend close to the bodywork? I'd say you are asking to be stopped if spotted by the police.

 

..Castle Combe is normally fine on noise. If you get past the static, the drive-by is normally fine. I've used a db reducer in the past  & even wire wool pushed down the end & clamped over with a jubilee clip. Both seem to do the job adequately.

[Nev]

I suppose you could have fitted a 90 degrees U-bend close to the bodywork? I'd say you are asking to be stopped if spotted by the police.   ..Castle Combe is normally fine on noise. If you get past the static, the drive-by is normally fine. I've used a db reducer in the past  & even wire wool pushed down the end & clamped over with a jubilee clip. Both seem to do the job adequately.

Yes, it is rather too unusual and prominent for the road really, not to mention far to easy for a dopey driver to drive into. Castle Coombe are strict on noise (105 dB on Fridays), I've failed 3 static tests there over the years and wouldn't have a hope on drive by, however I am hopeful for tomorrow

Edited by Nev, 27 August 2015 - 04:34 PM.

[Duncan VXR]

Def not road legal in any form you gezza Nev Cant remember what backbox you have now but if not already surely the biggest back box / multiple ones similar to what Dave did the only way to try and sustain some modest noise outputs? DG

[mbes2]

Nev How did the db testing get on?

[Nev]

Rang up Castle Coombe on Friday morning and they said that whatever event they had on meant that the DB testers were not there to take any measurements Will go again sometime this week hopefully, as I am keen to see what effect my little fabrication has.

Edited by Nev, 31 August 2015 - 09:28 PM.

[Nev]

Went to castle coombe, had the DB tested. Without the DB killer it was 105.5, with the db killer it was 102.5. So the noise has halved, however this is still not enough to get on track

[Acidpopstar]

Plenty of 105db days around.

[smiley]

Pembrey and Llandow are both 105 tracks.

 

[KurtVerbose]

Remember when Bart Simpson put a load of megaphones in series?

 

Can't you do the same, but in reverse?

[KurtVerbose]

This.

 

[FLD]

Remember when Bart Simpson put a load of megaphones in series?

 

Can't you do the same, but in reverse?

 

Isn't that a supertrap?

[Nev]

Spent a fair bit more time practicing welding today, I reckon I'm just about good enough to build an exhaust that won't fall apart now. However I will have to wait until Xmas time as I don't want to take the car off the road for a prolonged time at the mo.

Edited by Nev, 03 September 2015 - 03:22 PM.

[FLD]

Spent a fair bit more time practicing welding today, I reckon I'm just about good enough to build an exhaust that won't fall apart now.  

 

Looking forward to the pics

[mbes2]

Operation Nipper on track = complete :-)))

[mbes2]

Would be good to get your thoughts of nipper first time on track nev Would you do it again

[Nev]

Would be good to get your thoughts of nipper first time on track nev Would you do it again

Hmmm, he felt heavy and very different in character to the nimble Caterhams and 7s. It took me 1 day to even start to get the lines right, helped a lot with Simon in the car shouting and pointing. Even when I knew what I was supposed to do, remembering it all and actually executing it was hard (ie I had little consistency). I nearly shot through the escape line at BusStop on one occasion, but managed to feather the brakes enough to (just) get round the hairpin. Grip: Loads of grip on the "normal" radius corners (more than an OEM wheeled VX for sure), poor grip on the very severe 30 MPH Busstop chicane where it felt like the weight of the front wheels were too much to cope with the very rapid changes in direction. Noise: Surprisingly Simon said he wasn't any noisier than the Caterhams and 7s once he was moving, which is intriguing, maybe I just need to get the static 4500 RPM noise down somehow. Balance: Was great, was easily able to control lateral grip/slides, provoking oversteer was as easy on the road. Brakes: Did really well, I was surprised myself, no fade and more potent than my old setup (OEM calipers + RC6 pads) I'd say. I had the ABS on as it actually works well in my car, though it only cut in a few times when the tyres squirreled. Suspension: Springs seemed too hard, I should stick my 350/450 ones back in, better for the type of roads I drive on too. Overall yep, I'll certainly do it again, though it was expensive as you know. Ideally I'd like to get on a track that is more suited to Nipper like castle coombe (which is only 15 miles down the road from me). I have (I think) fixed the oil leak, it turned out to be a bit of sloppy pipework + oil catch tank routing in the end, and also a dribble from one of my gearbox seals too. Many thanks Simon (MrApex) for letting me drive Vikki after Nipper had been black flagged.

Edited by Nev, 09 September 2015 - 08:31 AM.

[Zoobeef]

National is still available at Snett and is perfect for higher power cars as 2 big straights and the twisty bits aren't too twisty

[chris_uk]

Id be interested to see how nipper compares to other vx's on track.