When They're Broken, I Hate Them

[maturin23 10]

What a lovely morning - blue skies and dry tarmac

 

After over 2 months of having non-functioning toys getting rained on, they're both back on the road and I've just had a nice drive of both.

 

This is entirely thanks to Kieran - some say his blood is in fact synthetic multigrade oil, his brain is the size of Essex and he's Cat Steven's long lost son - all we know is his name is JackHerer....

 

The 205 has had:

 

- its impenetrable starting problem fixed (otherwise functioning starter motor generating enough electrical noise to swamp the crank sensor signal) which NO garage would have spotted.

- a Xsara quick rack and Saxo pump fitted,

- moved the battery to the boot

- repair to a fundamental front suspension problem that has been missed by everyone who's looked at the car in the last 5 years

 

The Caterham has had:

 

- entirely new ignition system

- new MBE 7A4i ECU fitted inc TPS

- fixed loose rear ARB

 

Both cars are TRANSFORMED - the Pug in particular.

 

I'll take my hat off to Kieran, he's as good with the wiry bits as he is with the greasy stuff and he's a thoroughly nice bloke too.

 

I think I've now got the perfect enhanced road spec and won't be making any more changes - it feels OEM in terms of compliancy and adjustability but quick, tight and modern too.

 

Standard but healthy alloy Mi16

Front GTI6 shocks

309 Ream beam with OEM mounts.

Xsara quick rack

 

It's quick enough, it's soft enough and the steering is SO lively and precise.

 

In my opinion if they made 'em now, they'd make 'em like this.

Edited October 2, 2010 by maturin23

[hexhamstu 9]

Did you have custom pipes made up for the saxo pump to xsara vts PAS rack?

[maturin23 10]

Yes - or rather Kieran got them put together for me - £70 I think.

 

It seemed to be quite an involved job, the pump ended up going on the battery tray. It looks a VERY tidy job.

 

I'd say it's probably the most effective and transforming mod I've had done, even more so than going 16v.

 

 

Prior to this setup I had the standard PAS setup, then the PAS rack with the ram and pump removed. It's not just the weight and speed of the rack, it's the complete absence of a 'dead' spot around straight-ahead that my 205 PAS had with and without the assistance gubbins.

Edited October 2, 2010 by maturin23

[jackherer 543]

Hehe, cheers Ian

 

Some say Cat Stevens, others say Peter Green from Fleetwood Mac

 

So the Caterham is running well on the new management then?

[maturin23 10]

You can't knock either of them - possibly the finest British blues guitarist, God included or one of the finest singer/songwriters

 

Yep - the Caterham feels better, not faster on full throttle (in fact possibly slightly down) but much more responsive when not giving it 100%. Seems quieter on part-throttle too. The idle is quite high and I think the carbs need balancing so a bit of a tune-up is in order and should bring back the WOT performance, but it does feel more like a 'modern' setup.

[jackherer 543]

I'll phone SBD on Monday to sort out the TPS issue, its worth getting that spot on before you get the carbs set up.

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

Come on then, we are all in suspense, what was the front susp problem??

[James_m 0]

PAS is the best thing ever on a 205, would never go back to non

[JRL 14 1 Cars]

Xsara vts rack 2.4 turns lock to lock I have one on my 205 but without power steering its a great upgrde makes the car feel even more responisve.

[jackherer 543]

JRL, I can't recommend PAS with the Xsara rack enough, you really are missing out. I'm not convinced the steering column U/Js can cope with the torque required with a Xsara rack and no assistance either.

[Alastairh 47]

PAS is the best thing ever on a 205, would never go back to non

 

Amen. My k plate with pas is soo much of a nicer and capable car to drive compared to my other 205 without pas!

 

Al

[maturin23 10]

Come on then, we are all in suspense, what was the front susp problem??

 

It's more than a little embarrassing but I've never pretended to be anything other than a duffer when it comes to the mechanicals on here

 

Shortly after I bought the car I fitted new/refurbed front and rear suspension. Given the rustiness of the but/bolt it looks like I failed to tighten the clamp bolt that holds the base of the strut to the hub

 

It's been like that for 6 years, and despite knowing there was 'something' wrong it's not been spotted either by me, the MOT guys or other people who've replaced wishbones/bushes chasing the problem..

 

Not surprisingly the car feel massively tighter.

 

The Xsara steering set up is just brilliant. Sounds like a distressed whale (honestly!) and enhances the roller-skate feel.