Author Topic: 54/1690  (Read 21524 times)

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Offline StephenH

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54/1690
« on: Saturday,June 29, 2013, 03:18:14 AM »
Thought I would start a bit of a running history on this forum.
Apologise in advance for any double post of the odd image.




Images below courtesy of Gary Hill, Elgee Word & Pictures.



And yes, we do have to race against all local classes.
« Last Edit: Sunday,June 30, 2013, 01:07:42 AM by StephenH »
Stephen
54/1690 1969 S2

Offline cal44

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Re: 54/1690
« Reply #1 on: Saturday,June 29, 2013, 07:33:41 AM »
The Roo shots.............are amazing.  I would hate to be on the receiving end of the claws...........dang.
Your car...........I can't get enough
What make and model of camera?

mike
« Last Edit: Saturday,June 29, 2013, 07:35:17 AM by cal44 »
"Be Polite, Be Professional, But have a plan to kill everyone you meet"
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Offline LotusJoe

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Re: 54/1690
« Reply #2 on: Saturday,June 29, 2013, 05:11:51 PM »
 :trophy: Very nice car
Joe Irwin
3927R TC Special
(The Classic Barn Find)


Offline StephenH

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Re: 54/1690
« Reply #3 on: Sunday,June 30, 2013, 01:06:03 AM »
The Roo shots.............are amazing.  I would hate to be on the receiving end of the claws...........dang.
Your car...........I can't get enough
What make and model of camera?

mike

Roos are not to be argued with.

Ran 5th in the 1600 class, the Alpine was 2.5sec faster on race rubber, my target was within 2sec and until the last run I was there, but with the Alpine turning it's fastest ever time (and ripping out its gearbox sump plug for that last 0.5sec) I'm happy.
Would also have run 5th in the 2000 class, 2nd in 3000 class and was 22nd from 52 outright.
Plenty of modern cars behind me.
Car damage for the day was a little bit of paint where I was too heavy handed removing one of the numbers  :-[

Camera: Canon EOS-1D Mark II
While I'm at it, acknowledgment that the shots where I'm behind the wheel and of the Roo are courtesy of Gary Hill, Elgee Word & Pictures (bought & paid for).
« Last Edit: Sunday,June 30, 2013, 01:20:11 AM by StephenH »
Stephen
54/1690 1969 S2

Offline cal44

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Re: 54/1690
« Reply #4 on: Sunday,June 30, 2013, 05:23:34 AM »
Thanks Stephen.
"Be Polite, Be Professional, But have a plan to kill everyone you meet"
General "mad dog" James Mattis
United States Marines

Offline Mecky

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Re: 54/1690
« Reply #5 on: Monday,July 01, 2013, 07:23:13 AM »
Hi Stephen,

your car looks really well built and tidy. What kind of races are driving? Hill climb?

Give us some more information about the car. Do you use the 1565 cc engine? Is your crossflow head in original condition? How much Horsepowers does the machine have? Have you ever checked the weight of your S2?

I like that there are a few racers showing up in our community :-)

Regards

Stefan

Offline StephenH

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Re: 54/1690
« Reply #6 on: Monday,July 01, 2013, 08:18:24 PM »
I can't take the claim for any of the build or preparation as I bought the car basically as is.
My work has been some small modifications to the throttle linkage and gearshift, plus adding a 12V outlet to charge my phone  ;)
Basically I got out my toolkit and climbed in under and around checking bolts were tight.

I do have a large file of notes from the previous owner but haven't yet sorted them out into a summary.
I can tell you it has a 1565cc based engine with a slight overbore, Gordini rods and twin 45mm Webers (which seem too big).
Head and valves are unlikely to be standard (I found an order for some valves in the file).
Details of the cam, choke, pistons etc are also all buried in the file.
Gearbox is a later model 5 speed with the 4 spider diff.
Radiator is a custom aluminium unit and the chassis and suspension has been plated and braced for additional strength.
Springs and Dampers are adjustable but I haven't touched them as yet.

Many of the parts either came from Banks engineering in the UK or were recommended by the same source.

Eventually I'll get all the notes together as well as weights (will get it corner weighted soon for reference), then I might have some answers to all the questions.

So far I have run 1 short hillclimb event, I don't plan on racing car to car, just on time in hillclimbs and sprints.
Stephen
54/1690 1969 S2

Offline StephenH

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Re: 54/1690
« Reply #7 on: Sunday,July 07, 2013, 12:08:14 AM »
Had a nice morning run in the hills with a mixed group of sporting cars from several nations.



Stephen
54/1690 1969 S2

Offline Bainford

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Re: 54/1690
« Reply #8 on: Monday,July 08, 2013, 06:40:46 AM »
Stephen, your Europa is gorgeous. It's very nicely trimmed and finished, and obviously performs well also. Cheers.
The Twin Cam plays the symphony whilst my right foot conducts the orchestra. At 3800 rpm the Mad Pipe Organ joins in.

Trevor

Offline StephenH

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Re: 54/1690
« Reply #9 on: Thursday,November 28, 2013, 01:19:40 AM »
A couple of videos from last Sunday.
The best run in each of wet & damp conditions.
Good enough on the day for class win and 3rd outright.

In the wet, 2nd gear start, sorry about the wiper position.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nk-BlYk7uE

Later in the day when it was only damp, with mud on the track.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ujPV9a2Dp4&feature=youtu.be
Stephen
54/1690 1969 S2

Offline EuropaTC

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Re: 54/1690
« Reply #10 on: Thursday,November 28, 2013, 06:33:35 AM »
 :)

A great engine sound...   thanks for posting the links

Brian

Offline cal44

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Re: 54/1690
« Reply #11 on: Thursday,November 28, 2013, 08:19:21 AM »
Man........they don't provide much stopping distance at the end.  I was getting nervous.........
Your car is so nice and Brian is spot on.......the sound is a delight.

mike
"Be Polite, Be Professional, But have a plan to kill everyone you meet"
General "mad dog" James Mattis
United States Marines

Offline StephenH

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Re: 54/1690
« Reply #12 on: Thursday,November 28, 2013, 03:35:35 PM »
Unfortunately due to environmental overlays in the local planning laws, the previous 'oh crap' gate must now remain closed as it exits onto a fire access track.
So recently it changed from 'just keep it straight and all is OK', to 'which bit do I want to bend if it goes wrong'

Hence backing off the throttle before the actual finish line as grip in the braking area was uncertain.

Also a justification for why I was talking to Richard Banks last night and ordering a brake upgrade for Christmas...........
I'm sure my wife will remain calm and understand  :help:
Stephen
54/1690 1969 S2

Offline EuropaTC

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Re: 54/1690
« Reply #13 on: Thursday,November 28, 2013, 10:06:59 PM »
I'm sure my wife will remain calm and understand  :help:

 :)

I find the key thing in these cases is to use perspective. For example when I bought some s/h wheels for mine last year and got the raised eyebrows when they arrived, I just used the perspective that all 4 wheels (plus 2 good tyres) cost less than the single tyre we'd fitted to her TT after hitting a pothole.  So household items, decorating, perfumes, etc are all great perspectives.

Of course, if that doesn't work my favourite and most used perspective is being in the next county when she finds out.....   ;)

Being serious, what upgrade are you going for, 4 pot calipers ?

Brian

Offline StephenH

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Re: 54/1690
« Reply #14 on: Thursday,November 28, 2013, 10:56:19 PM »
Nothing over the top.
Europa Engineering's road biased upgrades with vented discs up front and disc conversion rear.
Both use 'period' looking Girling calipers so are in character, but should lift my confidence a little if nothing else.
I already have a dual master cylinder setup with balance adjustable from the dash.
Stephen
54/1690 1969 S2