Paul Alex's character building, pain-in-the-ar5e, bufty money pit

[Paul C]

Re: Paul Alex's Honda-powered tarmac rally Escort

Any news or progress from this weekend Paul?

I've just noticed your web site and i have to say its fantastic! Definitely worth a look through people. http://www.alexrally.com/index.html

Are you planning on entering the MSA Asphalt Championship this year? Looks like they have got good TV coverage again this year.

[PaulAlex]

Re: Paul Alex's Honda-powered tarmac rally Escort

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the comment about the site, although it's still like the escort - very much a work-in-progress....

I'm afraid there's not a great deal of news from this weekend, as I was teaching at a Rallycross test/training day at Lydden Hill circuit on Saturday. I did manage to sneak in an hour or two (after doing garden and repairing wind-damaged shed ), mainly just stripping the last few bits and pieces that might get in Shaun's way when he paints it - so its now minus the bulkhead fittings into engine-bay and boot, the door mirror, fuel pressure regulator, door cards, boot stay, boot hinges, carbon scuttle cover, helmet net, wiper arms, seats etc etc. In fact, its pretty much just a rolling shell now - plus a handbrake and battery (which will probably come out this week) .

I think the only work remaining before it goes for paint is to fit the rivnuts for the removable front wings and front panel - rather than be doing lots of drilling on the new paint.

Some good news from last week is that, after talking to Quaife's technical department, it seems that I dont need the gearbox upgrade that I'd previously been told was needed. So thats saved a few £££'s that I had thought I'd need to find during the rebuild

I promise I'll take some pics before it heads to Shaun's, and I'll also ask him to do some during the prep/paint.....
Cheers,

Paul.

[Paul C]

Re: Paul Alex's Honda-powered tarmac rally Escort

Some good news from last week is that, after talking to Quaife's technical department, it seems that I dont need the gearbox upgrade that I'd previously been told was needed. So thats saved a few £££'s that I had thought I'd need to find during the rebuild

Cheers,

Paul.

Well that sounds more technical than the response that i had! I started by telling them that i knew of 2 people who have had the upgrade FOC, and that it must have been a recall! Few emails later they said it would be just under 1k inc vat to have the mod done. After that they said i might be alright with my power output, but i'd have to try it and see and hope for the best!! I couldn't believe it.

I thought the fault appeared with the higher revving engines, so what did they say to you Paul?

[PaulAlex]

Re: Paul Alex's Honda-powered tarmac rally Escort

Hi Paul

They were very specific that the upgarde was only for "higher output, not higher revving" engines. In particular, they were saying that it was mainly aimed at Ginetta owners with around 370-380bhp.

If you have anything in writing suggesting otherwise, please let me know and we can gang up on them - I'm sure you could justify a subsidised/free upgrade if the box was sold with specific output guidelines which could now be wrong?

In fact, I have a friend who knows the boss there very well - so if there is any need to get stroppy I know the route I'll take

Cheers,

Paul.

[4parajon]

Re: Paul Alex's Honda-powered tarmac rally Escort

After that they said i might be alright with my power output, but i'd have to try it and see and hope for the best!! I couldn't believe it.

Thats a shocking reply after you've shelled out a wodge of money on one of there products.

[GavinR]

Re: Paul Alex's Honda-powered tarmac rally Escort

They were very specific that the upgrade was only for "higher output, not higher revving" engines. In particular, they were saying that it was mainly aimed at Ginetta owners with around 370-380bhp.

Hi,

I'm curious - what sort of upgrade would this be?

Thanks

[PaulAlex]

Re: Paul Alex's Honda-powered tarmac rally Escort

Hello Gavin,

The upgrade consists of a re-machined tail section in order to replace an exiting bush with a bearing. The output spline is replaced with an output flange as well apparently. When I discussed the upgrade, Quaife said that I'd be way inside their recommendations as I was, and that the only thing to look out for was any signs of leaks/weaks from the tail of the box.....

Just to be clear, I'm a very happy Quaife customer, and dont know of any other 60G owners who dont feel the same. The box works very well, especially with the flat-shift setup on it - although if I had to pick a fault with it, it'd be that fact that they are very noisy. For the price, I think its a great piece of kit...

Cheers,

Paul

[door handles]

Re: Paul Alex's Honda-powered tarmac rally Escort

Hi Paul,just to let you know that 9" wheels are allowed over here in ireland,most of the high powered escorts are using them on the rears,keep up the good work with the project,i prepare and run a few escorts over here and if you need any information on events or any other help,just let me know,mick.

[GavinR]

Re: Paul Alex's Honda-powered tarmac rally Escort

Hello Gavin,

The upgrade consists of a re-machined tail section in order to replace an exiting bush with a bearing. The output spline is replaced with an output flange as well apparently. When I discussed the upgrade, Quaife said that I'd be way inside their recommendations as I was, and that the only thing to look out for was any signs of leaks/weaks from the tail of the box.....

Just to be clear, I'm a very happy Quaife customer, and dont know of any other 60G owners who dont feel the same. The box works very well, especially with the flat-shift setup on it - although if I had to pick a fault with it, it'd be that fact that they are very noisy. For the price, I think its a great piece of kit...

Cheers,

Paul

Hi Paul,

I thought that would be the answer as a friend of mine in Tavern MC had the problems which contributed to Quaife developing this upgrade

But he is running a 2.5 Millington in his Mk1 with about 350 bhp which would put a strain on anything

So I'm sure you'll be fine

Thanks

[sp racing]

Re: Paul Alex's Honda-powered tarmac rally Escort

just finilshing off the last bits on this reapaint buddy and you can bring her on down for the end of Feb (;-( not a nother escort with no engine or ECU, just because i live on 275 acres of farm land you lot think i mite go for a spin LOL!!!!!!!!!!!! see you sooooooooooooooooooooooooooN

[PaulAlex]

Re: Paul Alex's Honda-powered tarmac rally Escort

just finilshing off the last bits on this reapaint buddy and you can bring her on down for the end of Feb (;-( not a nother escort with no engine or ECU, just because i live on 275 acres of farm land you lot think i mite go for a spin LOL!!!!!!!!!!!! see you sooooooooooooooooooooooooooN

No problem at all big man - I'd much rather wait to have a happy & unstressed Shaun doing the job than have it done in a hurry or anywhere else...

....and you can have the car complete with engine and ECU whenever you like. If there's one person who could repair the damage, its you

[smiffy1972]

Re: Paul Alex's Honda-powered tarmac rally Escort

This has gone a bit quiet mate

[Paul C]

Re: Paul Alex's Honda-powered tarmac rally Escort

Is it back home yet Paul?

[PaulAlex]

Re: Paul Alex's Honda-powered tarmac rally Escort

Hi lads,

Sorry its been so quiet recently - that funny stuff called "work" seems to have taken over my life at the moment. I guess I shouldn't really complain, but being in China, Poland, Germany etc (and then catching up on the normal UK work), isnt helping the Escort.

Having said all that, the good news is that its down at Shaun's now, and will be back shinier than ever in around 4 weeks. I've no doubt Shaun could do it quicker, but I've told him to not stress over it, and do it as and when it suits him - a happy Shaun, means a shinier Escort I reckon

I'll get the before and after pics up asap!

Cheers,

Paul.

[Group4_Mark2]

Re: Paul Alex's Honda-powered tarmac rally Escort

How is this project coming along. It has been very quiet recently