Mongrel Street Racer

[Darren65]

Thanks for the feedback Guys,

Not actually my system so not sure, was more a case of showing what we'll be doing with twin exhaust tips protruding below the over-riders. Nick is currently putting together a shopping list for me.

We've discussed both a straight through exhaust system and a separate silenced box for use on track days.

Headers are another thing I know nothing about and planned to ask the question....I was thinking European Racing Headers from GT Racing although just did quick search on the OBX items and these seem a great price.....for's and against and recommendations would be much appreciated?

Likewise with the exhaust?

Cheers,

[Lightweight_911]

I had a few sets of the OBX stainless steel headers when they first appeared several years ago - they looked good quality but turned out to be very poorly made.

Check out the threads on Pelican & elsewhere - many tales of poor fit, welds breaking, etc.

In my opinion, the best 'off the shelf' headers were the 'European' headers produced by George Narbel who unfortunately died a couple of years ago. Someone took over the production but I can't remember who.

You can buy many/most of the parts that Hank at GT Racing stocks cheaper elsewhere ...

[911hillclimber]

Agree with the comments on OBX above. Know of a set that cracked on the welds.
All a bit too bling, form over function etc.

I looked for ages for some I could modify for my Lola 3.2 engine, but a set of Porsche 'SSI' forms without heater boxes are very even-length etc if not very sexy.

Turbo Thomas??

[Darren65]

In my opinion, the best 'off the shelf' headers were the 'European' headers produced by George Narbel who unfortunately died a couple of years ago. Someone took over the production but I can't remember who.

Thanks Andy, I'll do some searching.

Turbo Thomas are certainly a consideration, cheers Graham

[Darren65]

Building a heart!……..

Had a fun day with Nick Fulljames and the team at Redtek on Wednesday…...the car park had me wondering if I should be gaining some width! ….



….come prepared and you'll always get a warm welcome from the boys at Redtek…



The plan was to completely strip the 2.2S engine at the heart of this project, it's been under wraps for some time now and hasn't run since 1989!..…



Not a pretty sight, the before and after photos should be a spectacular contrast….



The day started with a huge dose of trepidation on my part and I've actually been quite fearful of what we may find inside my lump….dreaming of 906 centre fed cams although half expecting a molten mess of scrap…..only one way to find out so let's strip this baby…

[Ferry Man]

Hey, that's a fine looking car. Can I expect to find any donuts in the car when I collect?

[Darren65]

The engine number indicated that this is a 1970 2.2 S engine, the first bit of good news is that all parts revealed November 1969 date stamps….





…next positive moment was when the engine was flipped and with the sump plate removed everything looked clean and free from debris and contamination, it looks like the engine has had a cared-for life ….



…Nick stated that the engine has definitely been rebuilt at some point with very few miles thereafter, an oil change with fresh fuel and it probably would have ran perfectly!…





….the selling of a perfect set of in-spec 2.2S barrels, pistons and cams will help fund the project. They'll be cleaned, checked and fully prepped prior to sale if anyone's looking?…



The magic moment was splitting the case to reveal perfect internals and a sound looking crank….





…a few final perfect measurement checks and we were in the clear, an excellent day with a perfect result. Me worried?….nah!



Now I'm a great believer in fate and destiny….things that are meant to be happen naturally for me…..

….during the day there's was much talk of induction systems and how to make this baby breath……as we spoke out of the corner of my eye I noticed what I thought was a moth fluttering up High above me….as I looked up a Butterfly that had forgot we're approaching December drifted down and came to rest on my shoulder!……



a sign maybe?…...I swear I couldn't make this stuff up!

Cheers,

[Darren65]

Hey, that's a fine looking car. Can I expect to find any donuts in the car when I collect?

Damned fine looking car …..…alas, probably best for your width that we scoffed the lot!

[Darren65]

pă'ssion¹ (shon) n. 1. strong emotion; outburst
of anger (flew into a passion); sexual love; strong
enthusiasm (for thing, for doing), object arousing this.
2. (P~). the sufferings of Christ on the Cross, (musical
setting of) narrative of this from Gospels. 3. ~-flower,
plant of genus Passiflora [flower of which was supposed
to suggest instruments of the Crucifixion];~-fruit, edible
fruit of some species of passion-flower;
pă'ssion² (-shon) v.i (poet.) 1. feel or express passion. [f.
OF passionner (as prec.)] 2. ~-the work of Ben Coles;

[Bootsy]

Profound.

[Darren65]

pă'ssion¹ (shon) n. 1. strong emotion; outburst
of anger (flew into a passion); sexual love; strong
enthusiasm (for thing, for doing), object arousing this.
2. (P~). the sufferings of Christ on the Cross, (musical
setting of) narrative of this from Gospels. 3. ~-flower,
plant of genus Passiflora [flower of which was supposed
to suggest instruments of the Crucifixion];~-fruit, edible
fruit of some species of passion-flower;
pă'ssion² (-shon) v.i (poet.) 1. feel or express passion. [f.
OF passionner (as prec.)] 2. ~-the work of Ben Coles;

Paid a visit to Ben Coles today - http://www.bencoles.co.uk/

Now Ben is a bit of an enigma….one of the few 'specialists' that does very little self promotion and kinda slips below the radar. I've heard differing opinions on Ben although my previous experience of dealing with him was positive having purchased a well priced, excellent quality RS/RSR type Strut Brace (the correct fixed, non-adjustable type Andy, bolted to welded brackets )….plus, Ben produces a few parts that are of real interest!

It turns out Ben is a top bloke…a good old punk rocker that has a great view of a work/life balance….I doubt you could ever rush him….well, making quality parts takes time…and as for next day postage...well, wouldn't you prefer to collect!

But there's no doubt he has a deep passion, clearly evident when he shows you his Dining Room….







….fancy an aluminium door skin?….



As I know very little about anything, Nick Fulljames of Redtek kindly offered to accompany me to check out his wares….it's fair to say that Ben's sales/show room is something else, it really has to be seen….it's a real treasure chest of the most beautifully manufactured, exquisitely detailed, quality rare parts, perfectly copied and manufactured using the same techniques and materials as the originals

Whilst I spent my time trying to distinguish any noticeable differences in Ben's High Butterflies, comparing them against umpteen photos of original items (none that I could see), Nick was just in awe that Ben had plentiful stock of EVERYTHING listed on his website and was truly gobsmacked by the quality and detail of the items on display.

A real fun day. Thanks to Ben for his hospitality.

Back to the enigma….if you'd like buy something fine, if not, no worries……Ben's not in it for the money…his passion and pleasure comes from producing those hard to get parts that few could tell from the real thing. Pure class!

Back to my HB dilemma….very hard to justify but so, so sexy….anybody need a kidney!

Cheers,

[DustyM]

It turns out Ben is a top bloke…a good old punk rocker that has a great view of a work/life balance….I doubt you could ever rush him….well, making quality parts takes time…and as for next day postage...well, wouldn't you prefer to collect!

I've met Ben on a couple of occasions when buying his parts, he is certainly one chilled out guy with great skills.

[Lightweight_911]

Yes, he's a very laid back, down to earth bloke with some impressive skills & an enviable workshop.

[myatt1972]

Come on then Darren, what did you buy ?

[Darren65]

Come on then Darren, what did you buy ?

Nothing yet Keith, heart is doing battle with head! ......just pulling everything together and will make a final decision soon.

Cheers,