Messages

Thanks Alan . . .
   
   The car's in Guildford if anyone wants to see it - it's now running 350lbs/ft and 300 bhp
   
   Bring your own brown corduroy trousers
   
   M-A

Sorry to be a pedant nikbj68 but . . .
   
   Although there are actually 12 "l"s in gullible it is in fact commonly mis-spelled using THREE.
   
   Mark-Anthony
   CRS #22

Bruce
   
   Many thanks for the update.  If I can help in any way then please don't hesitate to get in contact (mac666@sky.com).
   
   I think that Alan Faulkner-Stevens is more than likely to be game-on, I'll call and harass him.
   
   If it does go ahead then I, being a clueless-track-day-virgin, will need some help: do I need racing harnesses? do I need helmets, gloves, basic equipment (not that I'd do a track without them but . . .), racing licence? driving licence? Insurance? etc etc.
   
   Trust we'll get a day on the track in the end
   
   Regards
   
   Mark-Anthony

Sorry to be a bore but . . .
   
   Is there going to be any sort of track day?
   
   Mark-Anthony
   CRS #22

I'm game
   
   Sorry I found this so late.
   
   Is it still on?
   
   Mark-Anthony

Fred,
   
   You're mad!
   
   Mark-Anthony
   CRS #22

Sorry Fred
   
   You're in Monarco - blonde moment.
   
   I've just had news from the bloke building my new fuel tank that the sender he's putting in the tank has had to be uprated (read 'more expensive') but it means that he can use the original Smiths fuel gauge (read 'cheaper').
   
   The result: I will actually save a few quid overall and get to keep the (now accurate) correct Smiths gauge.
   
   Regards
   
   Mark-Anthony
   CRS #22

[£Loads]

Hi Fred
   
   I assume you are a member of the club, if not join quick, all the members have the same addiction you do!
   
   Let us know which chassis number you have so that your car's details and modifications can be added to the CRS register, if not already
   
   Almost amusing to read your e-mail.  (Note correct use of the word 'almost').  I was very unhappy with the power output of my CRS too so I have spent £Loads curing that problem.
   
   I went about curing the (lack of) power in a totally different way though I did initially want to supercharge it I learnt, very fast, just how costly that would be.  I also found out that a Paxton style blower wouldn't fit on top of the motor without cutting a huge hole in it - which I really didn't want to do.
   
   I have just sent an extensive article (and photos) about the power increase, how I went about it, and how much it cost, to the club magazine, which I'm told will be in the November issue, for your delectation.
   
   I'm now running about 350 bhp and about the same torque.  No idea what the top end is - not interested - I'm an acceleration addict (ex-biker).  Can't quite believe that you can run 500bhp without shredding your tyres at every set of lights.  How in the name of God himself do you go 'round corners?  Sideways?  You are, I suspect, a braver man than me.
   
   As to the fuel issues.  I assume you are aware that your fuel tank is 12 gallons.  You didn't know?  You thought it was only 8 or 9 gallons.  Well there's a really good reason for that.  The bottom section of the tank (about 3 gallons) can't really be used, a design fault.  That's why you think it's far too small.
   
   I have the same problems (you me and every other CRS owner).  I am currently having a new tank built for my CRS.  It will come to about 17 gallons and the company building it will, once mine has been fully sorted, be able to build you one and mail it to you for considerably less than it has cost me but then - hey - that's what clubs are all about.  If ever I need anything I can almost guarantee that some one in the club has:- got one/built one/is selling one/knows why you're an idiot and shouldn't be doing it anyway.  It will have proper baffling, foam filling, a new sender and (sadly) a new, but accurate, fuel gauge.
   
   The very lovely Smiths fuel gauge which is in my Mk III dash (dunno why my cars got a Mk III dash - the original owner who bought it new doesn't know either).  I love the Smiths gauge but it is not compatible with the new sender.  I'll keep it in case the next owner wants it replaced.
   
   Let me have your e-mail address and I'll send you the first draft of that fuel tank article which is intended for the December issue of ACtion magazine - if they'll have it.  The info' in it will take you to the guy building my tank and, as he already has at least one more club member lined up for a new tank, then the more of us that get them the cheaper it will be in the long run (and the more people that will owe me beer!).
   
   As to the sticky tyres most of us CRS owners are on your side there.  I couldn't wait to get the Avons off and I too have just fitted Kuhmos, massive difference - but - the biggest difference came with having the suspension correctly set up (by Big Al at Thunder Road. tel: 01483 763  399).  The car has been transformed.
   
   You can definately fit more sticky tyres but you'll have to increase your wheel size - easy enough - just not cheap, Gerry Hawkridge will have what you need (Tel: 01892 750 341).  If he doesn't he can get them.  I think he supplies AC themselves though I stand to be corrected on that point.
   
   Get your e-mail address to me and I'll send you the stuff I've written on the tank, as to the article I wrote on the engine upgrade you'll see it in the magazine in a week or so.  Oh yes, let us know where you're based and we'll see if we can't get together and act the hooligan one week-end.  Track day maybe?
   
   Best Regards
   
   Mark-Anthony
   CRS chassis #22

Call me a bit thick guys (many do)
   
   But the asking price is £60,000 (Sterling)
   
   Mark-Anthony
   CRS #22

cobham cobra,
   
   The whole reason I got the bigger motor was because I was so fed up with towing a fuel bowser.  However I am glad to see you know where to stick, sorry I meant "store", your idea!
   
   I have now eliminated the rubber tank, the plastic tank, and the steel tank options - so it looks as though I'll fit a made to measure ally tank, foam filled.  All will be revealed (once I know) in ACtion.
   
   I don't carry a spare.  So I'll increase the depth (front to back) of the fuel tank by a few inches as well as adding a few inches in height.  This will only cost me about 4 inches of horizontal boot space so no loss of squashy bags.  My wife's Louis Vuitton Steamer Trunk won't make it though.  I should end up with about 11 - 12 gallons.
   
   With the old set up I was getting between 15 - 18 mpg and with the new motor I have yet to do a measured run but I figure she's doing about 22 - 25 mpg now.  I'm taking her out for a run at the week-end (August weather permitting) - so I'll let you know how she did next week.
   
   Regards
   
   Mark-Anthony
   CRS #22

[ACE-of-diamonds]

ACE-of-diamonds,
   
   Just spoken (at length) with Proally Motorsport and now we're talking £700 or less.
   
   Many, many thanks.
   
   Could be I owe you a beer (or three)
   
   Mark-Anthony
   CRS #22

OK, OK,
   
   It's clear that you're all reading this posting but no-one's adding anything of value, or no-one wants a bigger tank, or worse, you'd like a bigger tank but you don't want to join in a costs-sharing excercise.
   
   I have had lengthy discussions with Gerry Hawkridge who was as helpful and honest as usual.  It looks as though it will cost £1,500 - £2,000 to build a first tank.  Thereafter the costs will plummet.
   
   The process (which came as a shock to an ignoramus like me) is:- The first car will have to be off the road for some time while the fore and aft bulkheads are removed, the interior stripped out, the tank stripped out, the tank and the space left measured to see where, and how far, the existing tank can be expanded.  Then the tank will be sent off to be professionally cleaned, brought back for welding.  Welded up, crack tested, fitted, and all the panels, bulkheads and interior re-fitted (they will have to be stripped out for the fitting of the first tank to the first experimental car).  Then the finished tank will be ready to be copied, relatively cheaply, thereafter.
   
   Having spent many thousands of pounds, and three years, fitting a new Ford Motorsport engine while retaining the politically correct emmision ratings (read fuel injection) I do not feel inclined to conduct another engineering excercise.  I would however be happy, if I could find a few like-minded club members, to put my car up as the ginea pig while we all shared the costs - and the benefits.
   
   I currently have one co-conspirator, I need a few more.  HELP!
   
   Many thanks,
   
   Mark-Anthony
   CRS #22

[1984MkIV]

Greetings!
   
   1984MkIV, Great, just great.  A simple and effective (if not cost effective) method of checking torque.  I need the results like I need the expense of filling my gearbox casing with VERY expensive swarf!  I'm aiming at 310 lb/ft so hopefully I won't encounter the swarf problem!
   
   nikbj68,  I have had extensive talks with Gerry.  See my new post under the Fuel tank thread.
   
   Regards
   
   Mark-Anthony
   CRS #22

Thanks for all the feed-back guys.
   
   It's now booked in at SPC in Horsham.  I'll post the results (if any).
   
   Sorry for any confusion Baron, what I listed as "Tuning Japanese in Guildford" are of course SAS at Aldershot.  They are (also) known as Tuning Japanese (or they were yesterday when I got their invoice).  Thay are still run by the brilliant, knowledgeable and helpful Tim Enderby and they have never been based in Guildford.
   
   Regards
   
   Mark-Anthony
   CRS #22
   
   PS.   No-one got any comments on my fuel tank problem?

Hi Terry
   
   I wouldn't sell mine for £45,000.
   Let's be honest a good kit car is £35,000 - a real AC Cobra for £45,000?
   It's a no-brainer, but - then again - I'm already a convert.
   
   Mark-Anthony
   CRS #22