SharkyUK

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The gearbox only managed about 400 miles before I couldn't get third gear on it :( I'd slot it in, it would slide out. It was my first track day having got the car back and I only managed two corners :( A couple of trusted people had a look at the box for me but it was obvious the problem lay inside somewhere :( I simply drove without a 3rd gear for a short while but the engine ate itself shortly after anyway so the T was off the road again. Hence why I thought I'd wait until the engine build was underway before getting the gearbox sorted.


The complete bottom end is actually from a 172 mate and there won't be any issues in terms of matching it to the gearbox. As for the 225 head fitting the block, I'm not 100% sure on what's required to make it happen. I have left that in the capable hands of someone else... I'll post up more when I know more myself. Hopefully I should have more information soon :)


It's quite a thorough build due to the fact that I've had to get another engine and components from scratch. Whereas most folks take their existing engine and have a specialist carefully bolt-on and tweak a few bits, I've not had that luxury! Hence I've spent a lot of time talking it over with folks, spending a bit more to buy good and proven quality components, having the engine specced to work well with said components, and so on. For the cost of the engine and engine work alone I could have another Trophy on the driveway. And that's before all the other parts needed for the turbo setup! It's being slightly over-engineered in the hope that it will afford the engine a degree more longevity and resilience :) Due to the ups and downs (mainly downs) I've experienced with the T over the years I have a great bunch of guys helping to make sure this one goes as smoothly as possible.
 
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Hi Andy, It's just called doing it right. And it sounds like your doing it right. I want to build me own engine too one day. I did it years ago for a friends escort estate xr3i conversation so it been a while. Space is the only thing stopping me right now.

i would have been tempted by Paul's supercharged £9k one I have to admit if I had the cash right now. I know there's a lot of debat about it but I am fortunate that the trophy is a weekender and Efi is only 15 miles away., to turn it all down and check the map. It's a good thing I don't have the cash.

all th best as ever Chris .
 

SharkyUK

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"Doing it right" :) Exactly, Chris! I'm very fortunate that a bunch of very generous folks have been kind enough to help me get things moving along. I just wish I had the skills and know-how to be more 'hands-on' but, alas, car mechanicals are way beyond me (apart from changing spark plugs, oil, tyres... the basics) :p

Given time and space I'm sure you'll soon be starting your own engine build. Just make sure it has a project thread...

I didn't realise you were so close to EFI. Or maybe I did (and forgot). Old age y'see... It's certainly handy having a reputable specialist like that practically on your doorstep. I suspect you'd do a pretty good job on your own anyway.
 

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October 2015 - Update #1

Not much to report as I'm still waiting for the ECU to arrive. I'm really missing the T, especially after the recent good weather we've had here and the fantastic Trophy Wales Weekender that Tim organised last month. Despite not having the T I was kindly allowed to join the group, but kept myself hidden at the back! :) Mostly. Here are a couple of snaps...

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RS Trophy Weekender by Andy Eder, on Flickr

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RS Trophy Weekender by Andy Eder, on Flickr

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RS Trophy Weekender by Andy Eder, on Flickr

Loving the EP3 whilst the Trophy is away. But it's not the same :worried:
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RS Trophy Weekender by Andy Eder, on Flickr

Fingers crossed the ECU turns up soon :) At least that will be one thing less to worry about!
 

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October 2015 - Update #2

Time for a brief update...

Sadly the ECU hasn't been delivered and is a few weeks overdue. However, I did receive the manual for it a few days ago so that's a good start! And, even better, I received a message that FedEx had picked up the kit and it's on the way from Sweden as I speak/type. It's due to arrive towards the middle of the week. :)

The engine build still hasn't happened yet as there's been some debate and decision-making about what pistons and rings to go for. This has pretty much been decided now though. Chip (thanks mate) has loaned the engine builder his Wossner pistons to use as mock-ups so that details and measurements can be made from them. The data will then be sent off and a custom set of CP pistons made up. I *think* that's pretty much everything needed then for the engine side of things (more or less).

That's all for now, cheers!
 

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October 2015 - Update #3

A very brief update...

I'm happy to report that the ECU has arrived and the digi-dash has been ordered. If everything goes to plan then Mike will be hoping to sort out the wiring on the T in the coming weeks. Progress!

20151022_digidash.png

In the end the digi-dash of choice was the AIM MXL Strada. I'll try and get some photos sorted for an update soon.
 

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:mad::mad::mad:
Digital dash arrives. Not the one advertised or paid for. Been sent the cheap version that doesn't have the features needed. Not happy and 750 quid out of pocket whilst it goes to dispute. FFS!
:(:(:(
 

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OMG! do you ever have any luck :p i think you should go into something else :(
I'm hoping this is the last issue and that everything will be smooth from here on in...

The wrong dash has been returned, money refunded and a new dash sourced. Right - let's try again...
 

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November 2015 - Update #1

Another quick update, in which I'm happy to finally report that the dash and ECU are now sorted and with Mike for 'sorting out' :)


20151109_dash01.jpg


20151109_ecu01.jpg


20151109_ecu02.jpg


20151109_ecu03.jpg


20151109_ecu04.jpg


Thanks to Mike for the pics :)
 

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Thanks Miller :) The re-wiring and loom fabricating starts soon... (glad I'm not doing it!) :p
 

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December 2015 - Update #1

A few more bits have arrived for the revised fuel system. Thanks to Dan (SJM) for the picture.


  • Swirl pot (to prevent fuel surge and to be mounted upside down against the boot floor to avoid intrusion in the cabin)
  • DEKA injectors
  • AN fixings and fittings
  • Braided fuel lines (teflon to keep the smells away)

20151214_fuel-bits.jpg

Hopefully there will be a few more bits arriving over the coming days, too... :)
 

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Me too, Miller :) Cheers.

I'm hoping for good weather tomorrow as the Trophy is to be trailered away to have the wiring / loom done. The gearbox is also now with Avanti for inspection as they are going to take it apart and find out why I can't engage third gear. I'm hoping it's nothing serious, especially as it's practically a new 'box with LSD!
 
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No well I hope the weather is alright for tomorrow. Wiring loom is not a job I would like to do, stuff that far to much hassle. I have my fingers crossed for the gearbox
 

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I'm happy to report that the weather held up and the Trophy was transported to Mike to have the wiring loom done! A big thanks to Dan (SJM Automotive) for transporting the car. Avanti are busy at the moment working on a suite of race gearboxes for race teams that are enjoying some pre-season testing. Hopefully it won't be too long before I hear the good or bad news regarding the box. All fingers and toes are crossed as I really want to keep things on budget.
 

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December 2015 - Update #2

Another brief update... the intercooler and pipework has arrived at Dan's workshop :) Here you can see how it's already mapped out and ready to go! :p

20151217_intercooler-bits.jpg

And here's Mike working on the loom... :p

20151217_mike-loom.jpg
 

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December 2015 - Update #3

What? Another update? Yes indeedy. Despite a somewhat crap latter half of the year, I'm feeling a little more in the festive spirit due to the ongoing progress of Le Clio B#$tard Rouge! I can't thank the people helping me enough, especially given their busy schedules and what is a very busy time of year. :)

Firstly, the gearbox. As I mentioned some time back I had a problem with the gearbox. I only managed a few hundred miles (if that) before I started experiencing issues with selecting third gear. I'd had it rebuilt (and a new LSD installed) and only managed a few hundred gentle miles (if that); hence I was a little concerned. I was planning on getting it looked at but then other issues started cropping up and I was without my car once again (whilst it went away to be fixed). Fast-forwarding several months to the current day...

Dan at SJM kindly took my gearbox over to a local specialist (Avanti) to get it checked out. After a recent visit he kindly grabbed me a pic of my gearbox that was in the process of being inspected.

20151223_gearbox01.jpg



Well, there's some good news. The damage (to the wallet) doesn't appear to be too bad at all. Basically the springs and balls on the selectors and syncro had gone weak and/or weren't replaced. New parts have been ordered (and already delivered) to give things a bit of a refresh and this will be happening early in the new year. It's a load off my mind knowing that I won't have to fork out a large sum when the gearbox bill arrives!

Secondly, the pistons. I was speaking with Mike today who had been speaking to Steve, the guy building my engine. The pistons were due to arrive today but failed to make an appearance. It's a bit of a shame but given the time of year I wasn't expecting much to happen until the new year had rolled in. That said, there is some good news regarding the engine itself. All other bits are ready to go and once the pistons arrive it will be all systems go. It is expected that the engine be ready within a couple handful of days of the pistons turning up. :)

Thirdly, talking of Mike, he's already made a start on planning the loom, sensor array, etc. for the build. There are a few bits and pieces that need to be checked and discussed but the basics are done. Temperature and pressure monitoring will be included and hooked into the dash via its configurable alarm interface. Better safe than sorry. :)

On that note, thanks again to the guys for their ongoing help / support.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year - cheers!
 
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Merry Christmas and by the sounds of it, it will be a happy new year for you. I can't wait and so happy that things are moving along in the right direction
 
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