My new car
#151
.......*SMACS*...........
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From: Manchester - Official SMACS Cleaning Freak who suffers from OCD
for gods sake stop it - bloody neons (dont go there ) you will be getting fluffy seat covers next - please no more I cannot take it.
And relax
http://www.quadconversions.com/led_u...r_lighting.htm
And relax
http://www.quadconversions.com/led_u...r_lighting.htm
#161
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From: google "SMACS" We're # 1!
UPDATE while I'm here
New tyres yesterday, Goodyear Eagle F1's 225/40/18 XL.
Replacing Continental Sport Contact 2's.
First impressions: very quiet tyre, smoother ride. I don't know how to put this, but I had a blat along the snake to scrub them up a bit, and they felt very progressive through the corners, giving me much more feedback on the very greasy surface along the road.
Done some motorway driving mostly since yesterday, and very sure footed in very wet conditions atm up north.
Happy so far, I'll let you know what they're like on the country lanes when I get them scrubbed in properly and have a proper run out
New tyres yesterday, Goodyear Eagle F1's 225/40/18 XL.
Replacing Continental Sport Contact 2's.
First impressions: very quiet tyre, smoother ride. I don't know how to put this, but I had a blat along the snake to scrub them up a bit, and they felt very progressive through the corners, giving me much more feedback on the very greasy surface along the road.
Done some motorway driving mostly since yesterday, and very sure footed in very wet conditions atm up north.
Happy so far, I'll let you know what they're like on the country lanes when I get them scrubbed in properly and have a proper run out
#163
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: With South Manchester And Cheshire Subarus
No longer on slicks then
Had the 4 wheel alignment and new front springs yesterday, need to get a run out over weekend and see how it is and get tyres working.
Ring not long now.
Good thread mate
Had the 4 wheel alignment and new front springs yesterday, need to get a run out over weekend and see how it is and get tyres working.
Ring not long now.
Good thread mate
#169
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From: google "SMACS" We're # 1!
I can't believe I've not posted on this thread all year! Shame on me
So here goes, a major update to the ownership experience.
It's been a quiet year on the update and modifying front, mainly due to having little money to do it, but also not really feeling like I'd need to. I think as with a lot of things you can buy, when you hit a certain point, and I've done the same with my hi-fi/home cinema, you get to the law of diminishing returns. So, it's been a year of replace when needed, rather than for the sake of it.
The first cost this year back in Feb was for it's first MOT. Carried out by Greenwood Subaru in Manchester: Lockwood and Greenwood Nissan and Subaru, Manchester, UK
It flew through without a hitch, although they did advise me my brakes would need looking at soon.
April came by, and all I needed was a new set of wiper blade refils for my PIAA silicone blades, just in time for summer, top service as always from Naveed at Pri Racing: PRI Racing Ltd. Authorised dealer buy online
I've had these type of blades on for 2 years now, and they are brilliant, I've even got the missus some, they're that good
Again, fast forward over the summer, and it's been a bit quiet on the SMACS front this summer, with not many runs out, hence the reason why my brakes have lasted so long I guess
Which brings me neatly to August/September/October, and spreading the cost of my brake upgrade/replacement.
I'd been looking around for a while before on what to get, stock? update? ebc? ap's? (yeah right!) when I happened upon the Nitrac website: Nitrac Performance Brake Discs
To cut a long story short, I decided to give there discs a try. As they are cold treated, they should last a bit longer than stock or ebc's, which were my realistic other options.
So, I was up bright and early this morning to get them fitted, along with my ebc yellow stuff pads.
I'd already booked in to see Adam at Autotechnica in Buxton. Fast, friendly, reliable service, and reasonable rates, Adam delivers everytime, just ask any of the smacs
Nursing a suspected broken rib, or ruptured spleen, he wasn't sure he set about removing my old discs and pads, and cleaning everything up prior to fitting the new stuff.
starting the job, hello adam
the caliper comes off
old discs off, with no problems thank god
old pads, not much life left in them was there?
adams dad gives the new discs a quick clean
new discs in place, good for 40k??
brembo head
cleaning out the calipers, prior to fitting the new pads
copperslipping the new pads and shims, just before fitment
in they go, back ones first
all done, greased up and ready to stop
done and dusted, time to lower the car, pay the man, and be on my way
Big thanks to Adam and his dad this morning, very quick painless service (for me that is, Adam was in some pain )
And so to home, heading along the by-pass to give my new discs/pads a chance to bed in. Running upto 70mph along the by-pass, then slowing gradually back to 30 a couple of times, and I noticed straight away the massive improvement over what was in before. And, it'll only get better, once they're bedded in
Did make my brakes smoke though after all that copperslip heated up and the brake cleaner burnt off
Here's to a fun filled future with these discs and pads, I'll keep you all updated on thier progress
So here goes, a major update to the ownership experience.
It's been a quiet year on the update and modifying front, mainly due to having little money to do it, but also not really feeling like I'd need to. I think as with a lot of things you can buy, when you hit a certain point, and I've done the same with my hi-fi/home cinema, you get to the law of diminishing returns. So, it's been a year of replace when needed, rather than for the sake of it.
The first cost this year back in Feb was for it's first MOT. Carried out by Greenwood Subaru in Manchester: Lockwood and Greenwood Nissan and Subaru, Manchester, UK
It flew through without a hitch, although they did advise me my brakes would need looking at soon.
April came by, and all I needed was a new set of wiper blade refils for my PIAA silicone blades, just in time for summer, top service as always from Naveed at Pri Racing: PRI Racing Ltd. Authorised dealer buy online
I've had these type of blades on for 2 years now, and they are brilliant, I've even got the missus some, they're that good
Again, fast forward over the summer, and it's been a bit quiet on the SMACS front this summer, with not many runs out, hence the reason why my brakes have lasted so long I guess
Which brings me neatly to August/September/October, and spreading the cost of my brake upgrade/replacement.
I'd been looking around for a while before on what to get, stock? update? ebc? ap's? (yeah right!) when I happened upon the Nitrac website: Nitrac Performance Brake Discs
To cut a long story short, I decided to give there discs a try. As they are cold treated, they should last a bit longer than stock or ebc's, which were my realistic other options.
So, I was up bright and early this morning to get them fitted, along with my ebc yellow stuff pads.
I'd already booked in to see Adam at Autotechnica in Buxton. Fast, friendly, reliable service, and reasonable rates, Adam delivers everytime, just ask any of the smacs
Nursing a suspected broken rib, or ruptured spleen, he wasn't sure he set about removing my old discs and pads, and cleaning everything up prior to fitting the new stuff.
starting the job, hello adam
the caliper comes off
old discs off, with no problems thank god
old pads, not much life left in them was there?
adams dad gives the new discs a quick clean
new discs in place, good for 40k??
brembo head
cleaning out the calipers, prior to fitting the new pads
copperslipping the new pads and shims, just before fitment
in they go, back ones first
all done, greased up and ready to stop
done and dusted, time to lower the car, pay the man, and be on my way
Big thanks to Adam and his dad this morning, very quick painless service (for me that is, Adam was in some pain )
And so to home, heading along the by-pass to give my new discs/pads a chance to bed in. Running upto 70mph along the by-pass, then slowing gradually back to 30 a couple of times, and I noticed straight away the massive improvement over what was in before. And, it'll only get better, once they're bedded in
Did make my brakes smoke though after all that copperslip heated up and the brake cleaner burnt off
Here's to a fun filled future with these discs and pads, I'll keep you all updated on thier progress
#172
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From: google "SMACS" We're # 1!
Crickey! October 2007 was the last post on this thread ^^^
Time to update methinks
NEW SUSPENSION TIME
Choices choices?! AST's, EX-TC's, APEX/BC's, STOCK?
Budget is everything to me these days, and as much as I'd love to go with EX-TC's or even AST's (which was what I always promised I'd do) I simply can't afford it. So on with the budget APEX/BC COILOVERS from Bren and the boys at APEX PERFORMANCE Apex Performance Parts welcome page
I'd been watching the group buy #2 with keen interest, and hoping it kept going until I got my work bonus. The car was due it's 60k service, and I already had it booked in with Adam @ Auto Technica in Buxton for that, and was planning on getting the suspension sorted while the service was being done.
It all just about fell into place. I was off sick after having a hernia op, so Andy_s kindly took my car up to Buxton. My bonus came through, and I was on the phone straight away to Apex, chatting with Kev who shipped the suspension out pronto for me. Once I'd got them upto Buxton, Adam was able to get to work. I managed to take a few shots of the fitting
The shocks on my dining table, prior to fitment:
Both mine and Andy_s's car outside Adams workshop:
On the ramps and ready to go:
Front shock fitted:
Rear shock fitted:
Just then, the heavens opened, and Buxton lived up to it's title as the wettest town in England!
(at least andy's car got a clean )
Rear shock adjuster:
Checking the ride height:
Finally, last night I went upto my favourite photo spot and took a few shots to compare the height, before and after bc
before:
after:
and from further out:
before:
after:
I like!
First impressions: Bloody hell!
What a major difference from my rather tired stock sti suspension. I now have proper control of the cars roll and pitch. I've yet to have the geometry re-done, but even now turn-in is sharper, body roll down a major proportion, and overall car control much much better.
As for the adjustability, these have 32 clicks on the top mount adjusters, so 8 clicks equates to a quarter of adjustment. So far I've tried:
FULL SOFT: very similar to stock sti suspension
8 CLICKS: more control over roll, slightly stiffer than stock
16 CLICKS: noticeably stiffer on country lanes, not bouncy but not B road settings, more an A road/motorway setting I'd say.
Not yet tried 16 or 32 clicks yet.
Video on Youtube: YouTube - apex/bc coilovers
So, excellent service from Apex, brilliant price in the group buy:
https://www.scoobynet.com/group-buys...umber-3-a.html, top job from Adam, big thanks to Andy_s and one happy scooby driver
Highly recommended.
Tell Bren cw42 sent you
Time to update methinks
NEW SUSPENSION TIME
Choices choices?! AST's, EX-TC's, APEX/BC's, STOCK?
Budget is everything to me these days, and as much as I'd love to go with EX-TC's or even AST's (which was what I always promised I'd do) I simply can't afford it. So on with the budget APEX/BC COILOVERS from Bren and the boys at APEX PERFORMANCE Apex Performance Parts welcome page
I'd been watching the group buy #2 with keen interest, and hoping it kept going until I got my work bonus. The car was due it's 60k service, and I already had it booked in with Adam @ Auto Technica in Buxton for that, and was planning on getting the suspension sorted while the service was being done.
It all just about fell into place. I was off sick after having a hernia op, so Andy_s kindly took my car up to Buxton. My bonus came through, and I was on the phone straight away to Apex, chatting with Kev who shipped the suspension out pronto for me. Once I'd got them upto Buxton, Adam was able to get to work. I managed to take a few shots of the fitting
The shocks on my dining table, prior to fitment:
Both mine and Andy_s's car outside Adams workshop:
On the ramps and ready to go:
Front shock fitted:
Rear shock fitted:
Just then, the heavens opened, and Buxton lived up to it's title as the wettest town in England!
(at least andy's car got a clean )
Rear shock adjuster:
Checking the ride height:
Finally, last night I went upto my favourite photo spot and took a few shots to compare the height, before and after bc
before:
after:
and from further out:
before:
after:
I like!
First impressions: Bloody hell!
What a major difference from my rather tired stock sti suspension. I now have proper control of the cars roll and pitch. I've yet to have the geometry re-done, but even now turn-in is sharper, body roll down a major proportion, and overall car control much much better.
As for the adjustability, these have 32 clicks on the top mount adjusters, so 8 clicks equates to a quarter of adjustment. So far I've tried:
FULL SOFT: very similar to stock sti suspension
8 CLICKS: more control over roll, slightly stiffer than stock
16 CLICKS: noticeably stiffer on country lanes, not bouncy but not B road settings, more an A road/motorway setting I'd say.
Not yet tried 16 or 32 clicks yet.
Video on Youtube: YouTube - apex/bc coilovers
So, excellent service from Apex, brilliant price in the group buy:
https://www.scoobynet.com/group-buys...umber-3-a.html, top job from Adam, big thanks to Andy_s and one happy scooby driver
Highly recommended.
Tell Bren cw42 sent you
Last edited by cw42; 13 July 2008 at 09:22 PM. Reason: added video
#173
great write up think of getting some my self for my bugeye wrx, I have Eibech springs and uprated arb eta but rather tired stocks so they could be the answer but on the other hand I would not like a roller skate so could I live with them every day must be getting old
#174
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From: google "SMACS" We're # 1!
Steve, no issues with them being like a roller skate. They're no harder than stock sti set-up on the softest settings, you can then adjust the spring compression and then the adjusters on the top, to your preferred set-up.
Highly recommend them, even for old age pensioners
Highly recommend them, even for old age pensioners
#175
thanks they do sound good I have to save some pennies and not quit that old