Leaderboard

Ever since I bought my Zetec-powered Westie last year, the cold start has been iffy, the throttle response has been poor and the low-load fuelling has been wrong. None of it was awful, just enough to niggle - for example, the throttle couldn't be blipped quickly without causing spit-back through the throttle bodies. So - after a bit of research on the forum, a trip to Northampton Motorsport was booked. Thankfully, Monday's wet weather cleared and I had a dry but somewhat chilly run down the M6 and M1 at silly o'clock on Tuesday morning. First thoughts - very impressed with the setup - clean and impeccably organised, with some pretty serious machinery in the workshop - always a good sign. Second thought - despite being a very busy man, Troy put up with me watching the entire mapping session and asking all sorts of daft questions - I really like to understand what is happening and he was happy to explain. Super-clean dyno cell Car being strapped down onto the rollers Troy and assistant (sorry, I didn't get your name!) setting up the laptop to talk to the ECU Some of the many ECU settings Early tweaking of the low-rpm sites on the fuel map - the end result was significantly different to this The Results Now I'll be the first to admit that I was hoping for some extra power - the engine spec (2L Zetec silvertop with Piper 270 cams and Jenvey TBs) suggested there should have been another 10-20bhp available. The previous graph from the last mapping session in 2012 showed 172 bhp @ 6,500rpm and 147 lb ft at 5,500rpm. The first power run gave about 170bhp, which was encouraging, if only to show that the original power figure was probably fairly accurate. Troy also ran the car with and without the air filter, just to see if there was any restriction - the result was exactly the same, so it went back on. However, despite a tweak to the cam timing and a thorough re-work of the ignition and fuel maps, Troy only managed to increase the power to 173.6bhp @ 6,500rpm and 155 lb-ft @ 5,000rpm, which he said he was surprised at - normally the cam timing tweak gives at least 10bhp. We worked out that something else was probably the limiting factor - we suspect its the exhaust manifold (OE Westfield) Before and after graph What the graph doesn't tell you is: 1) I can now blip the throttle without any hesitation 2) The pickup from a closed throttle is much improved 3) Throttle response is noticeably better 4) It's smoother throughout the rev range 5) Power delivery is less "spiky" 6) The pops and bangs on the over-run have almost disappeared The combined result of all of the above (and the torque increase of 5-10 lb-ft from 2,750-5,000rpm) is that the car is quicker and easier to drive, but not because its more powerful. So - a huge thanks to Troy and the team at NMS - a very worthwhile day out I swore blind I wouldn't get onto the very slippery slope of chasing power, but I already find myself looking for a better exhaust manifold and some 285 cams....

Well you boys were seriously fast in Scotland, some great times there. I here there was a few incidents though (read offs) so I would have been well at home there lol. Results as always are linked below. Knockhill 1 (R33) - Sat Results Knockhill 2 (R34) - Sun Results Tiggs

I would agree, a crotch strap, when fitted correctly, keeps the buckle and lap belts in the correct position around the pelvis rather than having them ride up the torso ready to damage vital organs in a sudden stop situation...

I cut a slot in my JK seats which have a proper base. Position was as per the Schroth sketch (I think). The slot is in front of my wedding tackle so not too 'difficult' but pulls the buckle down firmly and properly. My seat is propped up at. the front with a piece of wood and the seat is fixed through it. I cut two slots in the wood just to take the straps (the surplus is under the seat). I then screwed the straps into the wood with some good thick washers and decent screws and then put it all back together! Alternatively, you could also bolt the straps to the front steel strip across the seat well. Not easy IMO. It may sound a bit dodgy but holding the buckle in the correct position at the very moment of having a head-on crash is all I'm after.

Yes that stopped me buying a 6 point system for a while. I actually Hunted down a pair of seat "grommets" (they were called something different and quite hard to find) but after speaking to the factory and then to the seat manufacturer in Telford I was persuaded to feed the lap belts under my but then exit the seat between the upright and the base. Once the seat was out the straps located without too much hassle. I then ran them down to the rear lowered floor panel and bolted them into place using a strengthening steel bar back and front. The Schroth website has details of the required angles needed for belt safety etc so it's worth following their guidance. I was also a bit uneasy about sitting on the crotch straps but apparently it's quite common in some race car applications, again I talked to the belt supplier when I bought them and they put my mind at rest about that. One final point, the neck rubbing problem was solved by buying a pair of Schroth pads for the shoulder straps. They're nice and snug now. When the car was last mot'd I specifically pointed out the lap belts bolts etc to the tester and he said they were absolutely fine, as strong as any of the other harness anchor points. I'd send you a couple of pics but currently enjoying the sun in Southern France.

So after 9 years she is off for checks and the final SVA.

Some post arrived today... Just need to get some reg plates made and mounted now! Annoyingly, I've got a crazy busy day today and tomorrow moving my tintop and a load of my stuff back to Ireland on the ferry tonight so I won't have a chance to drive it until Thursday. Fortunately NMS have been good enough to slot me in for alignment on Thursday afternoon, so with the last few bits to organise after that and a day or two to shake it down, I'm aiming to get a ferry from Harwich to Holland on Sunday morning, hopefully get to my brother's place in Düsseldorf for Sunday night, Denmark Monday, and on to Sweden by Tuesday. Ambitious, I know, but where's the fun in taking it easy!

10% Ebay voucher for all sellers until midnight tonight. Must use phone app for it to work. Use code: PLAYAPP

I'll be there 😎

Now sold. Bit gutted in a sense but its going to a guy who is going to drive it properly so it's like releasing it back into its natural habitat.

Don't sweat it about the manifold, I've seen close to 200bhp @ 8000 rpm from a 1.8 Zetec on the same dyno that NMS use. With the torque (and power) curves dropping off as they are in your case, I'd say maybe the head could do with a fettle if you want more power? As well as the cams, of course. You will end up with a less 'driveable' car though, the slippery slope... The DTA EX48 ECU you have there is pretty old and not very advanced, so the 'throttle on' response is tricky to tune in - great to hear Troy has improved it significantly though! As you said, no bigger headline figure but a quicker car due to much smoother map and better torque - I've always found the same from a proper map and glad to hear you have too

Glad to see somebody turned up at Aintree, so here's your scores Chris Aintree (R32) - Results Tiggs

I have one if you are interested

Mile after Mile of smiles , empty roads and perfect Westy weather , how can you top that ? Just a great W/E in good company Big thanks go to organising and a special thank you must go to Jeff the Routemaster (even if he did get his knickers in a twist once or twice ) cough ! cough !

Back to normal, boxers right way round today some photos from Sunday BernieJohnNickGrahamSteveMarkBack road around Llyn ClywedogLlyn Clywedog

Intriguing collection of vehicles. The lady passenger in the red Mk 1 Escort looked to be having a great day

What a fantastic day I have had today. Felt so unbelievably relaxed and enjoyed every minute of my day. Up at stupid "o" clock and went for breakfast at a little cafe on Bridlington Harbour. The harbour was so quiet and it was a lovely place to sit and eat. [shame about the smokers so I eventually moved inside the cafe. Lovely clean food, well priced and super coffee and it made a great start to the day. I stopped at Hornsea Mere to feed the birds and then made my way to the bunker. WOW is an understatement. The bunker is absolutely huge and so interesting. It even has 3 floor levels. All areas apart from a small section are available for viewing. They encourage you to touch items and they even removed chains in areas to grant us better access. Inside is a recreation area and the juke box, space invaders, pool table and pinball all have permanent credits on them for you to play as long as you like. I had a great time playing Galaxian, Scramble and darts. Pinball also took a hammering. The guides who take you round are really informative and friendly and I was in the place nearly 3.5 hours. Lots of top secret stuff on show and various films been played giving the history and role the bunker played throughout the Cold War. One room I found very moving and left with a tear in my eye. From here I ventured to Cherry Cobb Sands to find the decoys that they built in the war to move the port of Hull. Lamps would be hung from wooden poles, with the light shining down onto artificial pools of water underneath. The pattern of lights would hopefully resemble Hull docks when viewed from a passing Luftwaffe aircraft, and so trick the bomber crews into attacking empty mud flats and farmland safely away from the city. I was over the moon when I found the place and will be going back for drone footage. I also found the location of a heavy gun battery nearby which is well hidden but I have been told that there is quite a lot left to see, so that is a return visit. Even saw a huge field just full of sunflowers. Here are a few pictures of my day.