Nick Jones

Isn't that Sylva Neils sons car? Nick

Chris, re the clutch, I'd seriously consider a concentric slave as organising an elegant cable pull system based on the Triumph pedal will be a major ball-ache. The Focus has a concentric slave as do many other modern cars. I think Burton Power do a concentric kit for the T9 box too (think Dave used it but maybe had a problem with it?). Steve, there is another batch of CV bits in work. Just don't ask for a date yet! Will be less of an issue for Chris as the ZSE won't have the torque of your 2.5. Nick

Marks on the rock may be the result of glacier dragging rocks over the top rather than wear from crashing MTB enthusiasts Nick

Yes, you want hose to at least R9 specification. This is reasonably readily available (from ebay for example), though the lack of actual legislation in the UK means that Gates and the like are still offloading any old tat through the motorfactors, so make sure you get what you pay for. If it doesn't have R9 marked on it then it probably isn't. Some of the lower R numbers are still out there but appear to be slightly porous to ethanol and cause terrible fuel smell without any visible leaks. Nick

Well, good luck and report back...... Nick

Those TBs do look very nice but I have to admit that the kit cost brings me out in a cold sweat! On the other hand, that bell housing is excellent value. I'll be watching this project with great interest - I think the end result will be very special Nick

100% agree on the oil capacity. Nick

Not sure they are quite the same? This is the Mk5 Fiesta one.... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Fiesta-Sump-2002-Model-Mark-5-1250-1-25-Zetec-se-/120853631256?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c23701118 It's also a 1.25L version - dunno if that makes a difference....... ........but this one is a 1.6 still looks to have a bigger shallow section at the front though? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Fiesta-MK5-Engine-Block-1-6-Zetec-SE-70K-99-02-/280850841080?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item416403bdf8 I have seen comment that MX5 gearboxes (perhaps later models) fit these engines but never specific enough to convince me it is true. Nick

That is exactly right. Good skills mix and willingness to have a go for yourself. This way you can keep material costs down (but will pay in your own time) Alternatively you can choose to pay out more for a developed system and save your time. Just better hope that the developed system works from the box or has good support! Nick

I think they could be Glaciers. Not sure if there is a way to tell from the P/No - it is marked on the shell itself though - if it doesn't say VP2 on the back of the shell then it isn't VP2. Nick

Zetec SE from the Mk5 Fiesta has a more promising looking sump shape - shallow section at the front. I guess with the T6 Bonnet you'll have a little more headroom. Choice of 1.25, 1.4 & 1.6........ I'd be choosing the 1.6. Nick

We've been training for the Watchet - West Bay run. Some 10 - 12 miles runs at weekends (both days) for the last 5 weeks now plus 27 miles on Good Friday. 17 miles yesterday and 28 miles today which actually included a section of the route with a BIG hill in it. Feeling a little elderly this evening and my arse hurts...... No 2 son (who isn't actually doing the run) kept up admirably even though he's on a MTB and we are on road bikes (well, mines a hybrid but more road biased). Maybe I should drag the tag-along out of retirement and pop him on that as my secret weapon! Nick

Oil change every 2000.......? Why? Use a quality mineral oil and I reckon at least 6k. Use a synthetic and 10 - 12K should ok. Tappets should be good for 12k at least. Only semi-frequent maintenance I do on the Vitesse is oiling the trunnions and adjusting the back brakes. The oil does change itself to an extent..... though doesn't seem as bad since whipping it round the mountains - only used 1/2 - 3/4 pint on the HCR. Zetec SE has got to be tempting........ Slow is right about the sump though (alloy so not especially easy to mod) - depends if you can get it far enough back to miss the X-member. Nick

Cooper S brakes? Nick

If thinking Suzuki, the RWD gearbox from some of the 4WDs (they have entirely separate transfer box) could be used with the more powerful engines from Swift Gti etc. Have seen this combination used though not in a Triumph. As suggested above the 4AGE is an excellent engine and has been fitted to Spits before. In the UK the biggest barrier to this is the rarity of suitable RWD gearboxes (T50 and possibly W57/8 if you can find the right bellhousing) Nick

Ah...... was wondering. This one nearly buried himself - in the tyre wall! Nick

I'm sure the MXSpit has been done on MX5 running gear - and a couple of Heralds at least. V6 - probably not, but possible if it fits to an MX5 gearbox - though I reckon that'll be similarly be liable to diff problems as the zetec - though I'm not convinced the diff is a big problem with the Zetec provided you don't do too much drag racing. I quite like the idea of the Zetec SE (1.6 or 1.7 from Focus or Puma) which might also fit on the MX 5 box. Nice light compact engine with good power and economy possible. Nick

Keep changing the oil........ engines not noted for long life apparently. Nick

Daihatsu Charade GTTI. 3 cylinders, 999cc, 100bhp as standard, up to 160bhp possible on standard internals and sounds almost like a 6. FWD but the power unit is pretty narrow - might go in a 1300 FWD..... Nick

Mine used to produce a very dense smokescreen in similar conditions (all the EGR soot being dumped into the inlet manifold and settling out, then being blown through when boost comes up) and was cured by EGR disablement. Even the latest anti-smoke features are liable to go into "regenerate" mode under similar circumstances to burn off all the soot they've collected while pootling along and that can produce a fair old cloud as well. The problem with the Tesla apparently is if the batteries discharge too far they turn into "bricks" and have to be renewed at major expense. http://jalopnik.com/5887265/tesla-motors-devastating-design-problem Nick

Oh yes.......! Mind you, I'll settle for an ordinary 3.45:1 that doesn't howl like a banshee. Nick

Thanks..... Just need a lathe big enough to hold it now. Spoke to Paddocks today. They stopped selling the exhaust guides over 2 years ago due to numerous complaint about size/quality. Still list the inlets possibly because they are ok. Nick

I was going to say no worries, they are not too expensive......... but just checked the Paddock website to find that although they do have bronze inlet guides at reasonable cost, they don't have bronze exhaust ones listed....... Will ring tomorrow to check. Rimmers do but more expensive (no change there then) and Moss only sell complete sets @ £ 90 ish. Mr Witor is still out of stock. Might have a word with the engine shop man........ otherwise it looks like Rimmers. Nick

They actually came from Paddocks, but I reckon they'll be from the same manufacturer as most of the other suppliers. Bought them in 2009 so hopefully current stocks are from different batches and correct........ I have no way of knurling them anyway so I'll just buy some more. Nick

I've just used this as my guide on a head I'm doing for my PI Write-up is here http://sideways-technologies.co.uk/forums/index.php/topic/6080-nicks-diy-head/page__fromsearch__1 Nick