Not so N/A S13 anymore...

[Bu11et]

Not much has happened recently... I haven't touched the car mechanically or any other way.. unless you count buying some water absorbing bags to put inside it whilst it's sat doing nothing so that it doesn't get full of water lol

Last weekend I was invited by a local motor club to come and do some donutting(aka Autotesting, time trial doing pre-determined layout as fast as possible without touching the cones) - Sunday 9th Dec @ The Rock & Heifer Pub in Thornton, West Yorkshire.

Did a few checks the night before and took the car for a spin to make sure it was hunky dory - aye, still good.

Next morning, had a lie in and arrived at the Rock & Heifer Pub by 11.30, signed up to the motor club(£10 for the year) and paid my entry fee for this event(£15 per event) - bosh - £25 and I'm ready to go...(this picture looks like I have massive bollocks in my shadow, just to clarify, I do NOT)

So the way it works, is there is 3 rounds per event with a different layout each round - each round you do 6 runs, and your fastest 3 times per round are taken and added to your total score, although normally round 3, you only do 3 runs and each one of these scores are taken regardless of any penalties etc.

Had a nosey around the competition... 2 Protons, a Mk1 Escort, Seat Ibiza, Nissan Micra, Vauxhall Corsa and 2 Saxos and then me...

Tried to get my head around the layout for round 1

Then gave it a go:

This was the only footage i've found so far from this event lol

This was the layout for round 2

On my last run of round 2, as I came around the bottom right corner to have the long run to the finish line, I managed to clip the curb with my wheel...as you can see, its grazed it and also put a dent in the lip lol, luckily that's all the damage from what I can see at the minute, and this is only 1 of 6 Rota's I have for skidding on thankfully!

and layout for round 3

I ended up finishing 2nd overall out of 13 competitors in total
1st finished with a total time of: 263.73 seconds
I finshed 2nd with a total time of: 265.17 seconds

Not far off first place!! Apparently he wins every time, so I may have to go back next month and try a little harder lol

This was my first time doing Autotesting and I actually really enjoyed it! It's all about precision and having as much grip as possible exiting etc which was interesting in a 280hp S13 with 205/45/16 tyres on the back lol and at £15 an event, can't complain really...

Not much else to update on... I'll have a think of what I can do lol - although Skyline is causing me problems right now, mis-firing and the EML is on all the time

Swapped out the spark plugs(Oh ye, nice and quick job...compared to an SR20... NOT!!!!). On an RB25 you have to remove the whole inlet manifold to even get to the coilpack cover etc...bloody nightmare and there are SO many pipes going here there and everywhere!

Then took the first spark plug and instantly could see my problem here...

Luckily I had the S13 ready to go, so jumped in that and shot back to Euro Car Parts to get the CORRECT spark plugs seen as the first ones they had given me where clearly the wrong thread.

Anyway, finally got it all done and it hasn't made a difference, so I think my next port of call is Coilpacks, although I have ordered a Nistune plug to plug in and then hopefully I can see what the actual problem is with the car...I'm currently thinking of dailying the S13 again as its annoying as hell right now!!

 

[BenRice]

I'm 100% with you on the autocross type stuff

So cheap, and it's more seat time. Great for shakedowns and filling in gaps between track days

 

[Bu11et]

Small update - I'm going Drifting!!

Got sent another pic from Rocki, I was starting to think my 16's didn't make any smoke, although this is a pretty lousey amount lol

Took a late night pic on our avenue, looked pretty cool I thought...

Bought a new GoPro Mount for my rollcage...

Ordered some new front indicators, since one of my other one's fell out and smashed into a million pieces when I was auto-crossing. I also ordered some more connectors to properly sort out my indicator wiring once and for all. Haven't spent ANY time on the S13 whatsoever so I will update when these eventually get done...

Also for Christmas I asked Amy extremely nicely for a Torque Wrench because for the past 5 years I've just been guessing wheel torque with the same £10 eBay Breaker Bar, and I fancied a new toy... Also got a Neck Brace, as I've come to realise that I haven't had a big off yet in the 5 years I've been drifting, so I'm bound to and I don't fancy scouring eBay for a new neck/spine, maybe a bit drastic but I might aswell, especially as I'm competing in 2019, who knows what will happen....

Back to the initial statement, I'm going Drifting!! NYE at Teesside! Final blowout for the year, but there's a slight hitch...I'm not actually drifting:

Yep, taking Amy's Mx5, and it's going to be her first drift day in her own car, she's sharing it with a friend(Jamie) but I'm hoping she's looking forward to it! Especially as I'm being so kind as to trailer the darn thing there and back.

Me and Jamie have spent some time on the Mx5 recently trying to fix it. Whilst it has been parked at Jamie's, the clutch has stopped working...essentially meaning you couldn't select gears whilst the car was running, TAD annoying.

Ordered a new clutch slave cylinder for it, fitted it and no luck, so then we ordered a new master cylinder, fitted that and it works again! Although if the car has been sat for a few days, you have to pump the clutch pedal a few times and then it works no bother, bit odd but we can manage with it!

Also replaced the front steer tires, they were a tad worn... Managed to bag a BRAND NEW Pair of Federal 595 RSR's 195/50/15 on eBay for £50, and Norfy picked them up and posted them up to me kindly...

Jamie also found a random air filter he had in his unit, so he fitted that lol. Probably lost power but let's face it, this is a 1.6 Mx5...

Will be taking my GoPro so expect some onboard footage of 2 newbies to drifting sharing an Mx5, and probably crashing and spinning lots - should be a good day though! I may even jump in the drivers seat for a spin if we have tyres left...

 

[s13silvia]

It's very likely to be a coilpack on your rb25 pal :-)

 

[Bu11et]

It's very likely to be a coilpack on your rb25 pal :-)

Aye, I believe that my RB25DE NEO runs RB25 S2 Coilpacks? From what i've read online - so need to get one bought I reckon!

 

[Bu11et]

So... This update does not even involve the S13...


New Year's Eve has been and gone, and we went to Teesside

Let me set the scene, you've been for a nice carvery for tea opposite your Premier Inn hotel, you then stay and have a few quiet drinks with your friends and have a good laugh. You then decide to go back to your rooms because you have to be up at 6am the next morning for drifting at Teesside. You eventually start falling asleep at about 11.15pm, 15 minutes later you wake up to this god awful noise!!

Yes, a bloody fucking fire alarm!! At 11.30pm the night before you are due to go drifting. WTFFFF

Anyway, to get to the point, we waited around for 2 hours, and then eventually were told we aren't allowed to stay due to an electrical fire in the roof of the hotel. Got moved to another Premier Inn 10 minutes away and eventually go to sleep about 2.30am. And woke up again at 6am. Niceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee


Anyway, we arrived at Teesside and had a cracking time all day, as I said in my previous post, this day was for Amy & Jamie to both learn how to drift in the little Mx5

Suprisingly there was time for me to jump in and have a few laps. I havent driven an Mx5 since I started drifting 5 years ago! This is only a 1.6 and i'd be very surprised if it had more than 100hp, but its so fun! Literally just pin the throttle in 2nd gear and give it some big flicks here and there and your away!

The photographers even got a few photos of me!

Even a photo with Gun fingers!

Amy & Jamie both did brilliantly and both progressed loads on their first official drift day! Can't wait for Jamie to finish his SR20DE S13 so he can get out there and practice all the time and become mega, aswell as Amy who just needs a tiny bit more seat time and she'll have cracked it. Mega proud of both of them!


Onto more important things! Ordered some snazzy eBay coilpacks for the R34, so I can finally use it again, well atleast so I hope...

Also did I mention I hate working on RB25's with the cross-over intake? Yes, I absolutely bloody hate it!

Compared the new coilpacks to the old ones

Then swapped them all over

Then put everything back together and started the car and it worked, no EML and the car runs as smooth as silk!!! Bloody perfect, Took it for a quick spin to Morrisons to top her juices up as the fuel gauge was empty and forgot how much I like auto life lol.

The drive is looking much more healthier now lol...

So... plans for the future

January 20th, I'm booked onto Three Sisters Drift Day in the S13, and then last night Teesside put a post up saying they are hosting a last minute drift event on January 21st at a discounted rate - So decided that we will take the Mx5 upto that and let Amy have another crack at nailing drifting, and I will also give the Mx5 some hot laps! Mega excited to get some seat time coming in, I also think there is another Teesside Drift Day on 17th Feb which will be another chance to get some seat time in the S13 so will probably give that a go aswell!

 

[Lucky_13]

Seen loads of pics of this today at 3 sisters, i should of had a ride over its only 20 mins from mine. Interested to see how you found it at 3s

 

[dandadude]

Good on ya for getting in all the seat time, need to do the same when i've got mine back together. Wish 3 sisters and Teeside were closer to me though.... I've often thought about getting an mx-5 or similar to keep as a cheap missile, looks like you guys had fun skidding it.

 

[Bu11et]

Just a few pictures from Three Sisters on Sunday - will do a proper update tonight/tomorrow when i've gone through my on-board footage and uploaded it all etc

It was seat-time city at Three Sisters and as the day went on the track dried out and I found out the S13 is actually pretty fast!

Thanks to the photographers! There were many about and got many many photos! Heres a few teasers - the un-watermarked ones are either @lauriesouthernphoto or @unclear.images

The car really picked up speed in the dry and you can see the rear squatting here, coming out of the first corner in 3rd heading into the tight left hander that I kept attempting backwards entries on that I never really managed to pull off

Also had a load of fun chasing @Karlosfandango (Dango) in his M5 Powered Laurel as he was doing passenger rides - managed to get close but I need to practice proximity! Need to get closer!

I'm getting extremely bored of my front bumper now, sort of fallen out with it tbh and feel like changing it, maybe a Type-X Front Bumper would match the rest of the kit? I also smashed the front lip again so it needs repairing AGAIN

 

[BenRice]

If you're going to flip up just the front bumper you'd need to consider what works with the rest of the kit

Type X is a bit more "fiddly" than the RB / IG style kits. Maybe something like a Vertex or Origin Lab Stream Line / Stylish Line might flow better with the sides & rear

But if the plan is to go full Type X then crack on!

 

[ianlea73]

I've got a rocket bunny style bumper with brand new crystal indicators. Has dzus fasteners fitted.

 

[Bu11et]

If you're going to flip up just the front bumper you'd need to consider what works with the rest of the kit

Type X is a bit more "fiddly" than the RB / IG style kits. Maybe something like a Vertex or Origin Lab Stream Line / Stylish Line might flow better with the sides & rear

But if the plan is to go full Type X then crack on!

Ye good shout tbh... I find the front lip on the supermade bumper very low, so I wouldn't mind something that has a bit of a higher front lip so it doesn't rip off on rumble strips etc...

Would love full Type X but it's very expensive!

I've got a rocket bunny style bumper with brand new crystal indicators. Has dzus fasteners fitted.

Rocket Bunny is extremely similar to what ive currently got so wouldn't work unfortunately, cheers man

 

[Bu11et]

*WARNING* Alot of text at the top, with a few videos in the middle, followed by a HUGE photo dump at the bottom. Feel free to skip to the relevant section.



Three Sisters! What a day! Let me explain how they run the drift days.

They have "Big Boy Days" and "Novice Days" - basically, Big Boys is for people who can drift, Novice is for begineers - works out ok tbh...

In the "Big Boys Day" which I attended on the 20th Jan, they run 2 groups, Caged and Non-Caged - Obviously I was in the Caged group.

They run 20 minute sessions per group, so Caged go first, and then its just alternate one after another - and they have a 15 minute lunch break half way through the day and carry on. Drifting is from 10-4 so plenty of seat time.

There was in total probably 8 Caged Cars signed on MAX, it was seat time city. With the size of the circuit you could have all 8 cars out with a distance between them and no queue. It was amazing!

I actually did my last session at about 3 and then once it was over I packed up and went home because I was worn out!


Anyway, the car was FAULTLESS all day, only thing I could say is I need to improve my cooling I believe. I don't have any gauges and just use the stock temperature gauge so I'm a bit iffy about trusting it, but due to doing lap after lap, the gauge would rise to half(normally sits 1/3 of the way up the gauge) - So I would have to do 1 lap of just driving round in 4th to bring the temps back down. Luckily, on the way to Three Sisters I called at a friends house and picked up an RB25 Viscous Fan, which compared to an SR Viscous Fan has an extra 2 fins, so I plan on fitting this soon, along with getting some alloy sheet and creating some ducting in the near future I'm hoping these 2 will sort out my cooling!


I really need to work on my steering, my hands are all over the place, I guess it didn't help that the track was patchy in places due to overnight rain and then slowly drying out during the day, but I couldn't get a comfortable feel for the car transitioning all day. You'll see in the videos below that sometimes it would switch mega fast, others it would barely even get any angle.

Practice is all that's needed here. This is only my 2nd time driving this car in anger with the new engine setup so I'm still getting a feel for how it reacts, especially with the gearing it means I can be in 3rd for the full track if I wanted, and 4th coming out of the big corner!


Onboard Videos to follow!

Outside view of my best backie attempt - Thanks to @ChrisL200SX for the footage:

Backie Attempts - I really enjoyed doing these but I feel like I needed just a little bit more rear grip, but looking back I think I just needed to add power a little sooner and I would have saved quite a few of these! Doesn't help that whilst the car was on angle, I just had the clutch in and didn't keep revs up, so when I eventually dumped the clutch, it just bogged:

Short Course - The track was very much damp when we ran this so a bit sketchy but still good fun:

Long Course - The track had started drying out and was patchy in places and dried out towards the end of the day - overall very fun!:



Photo Dumpppppp - Thank you to ALL the photographers - There was absolutely loads dotted all over the place and I've got a tonne of photos to share! I've tried picking interesting ones so it's not just the same!

DH Photography
Laurie Southern Photography
Unclear.Images
OR Photography
Bob Ormiston Photography
SLIDE by Mike
SK Photography
Harry Adair Photography

This has to be my favourite from the day so far, not sure if its the lighting, or the editing done to it, but I think it looks ace:

I also tried to get alot of twinning in, as I haven't done this for like 4 years, I felt like alot can be improved but I was happy with how it went:

Please ignore how filthy the car is! It needs a real good clean!

I absolutely love how the car looks when it squats under hard acceleration! This was coming out of the first corner, flat out in 3rd heading for the hairpin attempting some decent backies! Although didn't succeed!

Moody shot in the pits in-between sessions

If you've got this far, you deserve a medal. Feel free to leave a comment and I'll give you a Driftworks Medal

 

[BenRice]

I was going to say after watching the backie attempts that picking up the throttle a little sooner would have helped but you saw it yourself.

What tyres were you using on the rear? The new sticky ones?

 

[Bu11et]

I was going to say after watching the backie attempts that picking up the throttle a little sooner would have helped but you saw it yourself.

What tyres were you using on the rear? The new sticky ones?

Hopefully going back on 10th/17th Feb and if its dry i'll try again


Nope, the same ones I ran at Rockingham which felt like no grip at all, £30 Aptany 205/45/16's but this time at 20psi, and they felt pretty good and sticky, very responsive to my throttle input etc? Very surprised - Still waiting on my mate to come down this way so he can bring me a pair of Kenda KR20 to try out lol

 

[Bu11et]

Spent the day on the S13 today and done some bits...

First off, fit the RB25 Viscous Fan... This was supposed to be a nice quick job. Nope!

Got the old one out without too much hassle, can see the difference here, 2 more fins and slightly larger radius, also alot cleaner!

New one went in without too much trouble, although had to make new radiator brackets

Car runs noticeably cooler on idle and as soon as I put fans on full it quickly drops which is good! Hopefully less cool down laps, more drift laps!

One of my jubilee clamps snapped when re-fitting my intercooler pipe. Luckily had a spare jubilee clip in the shed that'll get me by.

Fixed my fuel leak I hope. Got some Jb-Weld that I've put over the area that leaks, need to fill it up now and hopefully sorted!

Fitted a rear towing hook that I bought a while ago finally

Also bought a jug to put fuel in the S13, as the metal 20L Jerry can we have doesn't have a neck on it so we've had to borrow before, this should do job though

Attending Three Sisters Race Circuit on 10th Feb to do some Drift Demos, also going again on the 17th Feb for a practice day so hopefully getting some good seat time in now!

 

[r3k1355]

You might be doing it up too tight if you've broken it?

the metal 20L Jerry can we have doesn't have a neck on it so we've had to borrow before,

You know they do spouts for em right?? for a fiver or so.

 

[Bu11et]

@r3k1355 - nah man they are cheap Chinese shit that I got with the intercooler stuff, it didn't even get tight on the hose, I could spin it freely

Ye I had one of those necks but it wouldn't seal right and leaked everywhere so gave up, plus this jug weighs less so much easier to pour in hahaha

 

[Bu11et]

Small update...

We got a bit of snow....

I cleaned the S13 in preparation for Drift Demo's tomorrow at Three Sisters

May have bought some new wheels for the S13

 

[Bu11et]

Really not done much...

Was invited to do Drift Demo's at an event at Three Sisters - 1x10 Minute session per hour - 12 cars in totalish, plenty of seat time!! And loads of fun twinning with everybody!

All I have is onboard footage and photos from the photographers unfortunately...

17 min vid of Chase runs...apologies for the length!

7 minute vid of Lead runs...

Lots of pics...

Had loads of fun in the 2nd session chasing down Iain and Paz from RetroSpeedShop in their S14 and KE70 Estate...

Hot stuff

Smoke

Think I'm drifting again this weekend, although I'm undecided on whether to go back to Three Sisters or go to Teesside.

I am also still hating my front bumper. Seriously think it's time for a change, although fund's don't currently allow!!