M&W 550 Overhaul...

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alfacat
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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by alfacat »

Hi Guys
So, its time for the promised initial driving impressions.
Please bear in mind my ‘daily’ for the last few years has been a 06/07 997.1 C2S (manual) it’s still in standard spec which means it comes with power everything and while I’ll try not to let this colour things, its still lurking in the back of my mind.

Firstly, the overriding thing that hits you is (both metaphorically and in very real terms) the wind. Now, I spent twelve years with Caterhams as my only cars, but the low Perspex screen, relatively shallow waist line and my height make even a trip to the paper shop into an adventure (and that’s a good thing)!

Image
Protective headwear for the ‘Carrera De Cumbria’ or a trip to the shops.

With under 300 miles on the clock the engine is really just starting to free up, with its lightened flywheel it picks up quickly and drops off in the same way, while its not a massively ‘touquey’ unit it already feels ‘sporty’ and in character with the car.
Paul’s (Foreman) instructions where to “use the revs” but not to “labour” the engine, so I trying my best to do this.
Until the engine is fully run in its unfair to judge how well it mates with the (901/914) gear box but the signs are good, they’d be even better if I could get me head round the fact that none of the gears are in the same place as the 997.
I’m glad to say that the ‘dog leg’ shift has nice solid, precise mechanical feel and thanks to the (sometimes irritating) ‘push down to engage’ 1st/reverse gear plane, I haven’t (yet) managed to leave a set of traffic lights in reverse!
It’s safe to say engine wise it’s “good now” and it’ll be “great” once its run-in.
I’m planning a rolling road session after its first service/oil change.
As for the gearbox, it’s all good, but the driver needs work.

Image
Lil Cesar in his PJs.

Now for the real driving stuff, the car has a fabulous inherent balance, the chassis and suspension really feels ‘of a whole’, I’ve already driven into a few corners faster than intended, expecting to get all ‘arses & elbows’ only to simply drive smoothly and effortlessly through them, all this on skinny, relatively cheap Brockley 4.5 inch tyres. Its handling really is a revelation after the mess I handed to Paul!
Happy to say (on a separate occasion) those same corners, when the car in front of me ‘panic braked’ mid corner proved the all new braking system (CSP discs front, big drums rear) is excellent (also nice and progressive to when you don’t have to stand on them)!
Steering wise, the large ‘banjo’ wheel feels positive and stays true to that period constant input thing, pretty sure a smaller (wooden) wheel would make for smaller more subtle inputs but that’s not really in keeping with what I wanted for this car.
It’s also worth mentioning that a ‘little nose wonder’ at slightly over the posted limit on poorly surfaced South Lakeland ‘A’ roads has been all but cured buy lowering the front tyre pressure by 2 PSI (now running 20 front/22 rear).
Interestingly what I’ve taken away from the short time I’ve had (so far) with the car is how lazy modern cars have made me, doubling back on a medium sized roundabout takes mussels that I haven’t used in ages, hopefully as I learn to drive properly again and my confidence behind the wheel grows, drifting round roundabouts will become my standard technique (well maybe not…LOL).

Image

To sum-up, I’m absolutely delighted with the car and am really enjoying getting to know it.
It’s all I’d hoped and a good deal more besides (although as I've said "the driver still needs work')…

Thanks again to Paul Foreman.

All the best
Ian F.


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Last edited by alfacat on Fri Jan 07, 2022 4:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by Lightweight_911 »

.

Thanks for the update Ian - glad the car is living up to expectations ... :cheers:

.
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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by IanM »

alfacat wrote:This is what we have now...
Image
Incredible. I bet this car is fun to drive. 8)

The axles (half-shafts) appear to be very close to the chassis. Is there enough clearance for droop travel?
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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by alfacat »

Hi Ian
Yep, it’s a hoot to drive, sadly work and the weather have limited its use.
The gap between drive shafts and chassis is actually bigger than it looks in the photo (but it is rather tight), so far even on Cumbria’s less than ‘billiard table’ smooth roads I’ve had no issues.

All the best
Ian F
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and a few old Lotus.

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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by IanM »

alfacat wrote:The gap between drive shafts and chassis is actually bigger than it looks in the photo (but it is rather tight), so far even on Cumbria’s less than ‘billiard table’ smooth roads I’ve had no issues.
Have you ever thought about raising the engine a little higher?
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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by alfacat »

IanM wrote:
alfacat wrote:The gap between drive shafts and chassis is actually bigger than it looks in the photo (but it is rather tight), so far even on Cumbria’s less than ‘billiard table’ smooth roads I’ve had no issues.
Have you ever thought about raising the engine a little higher?
Hi Ian
Sorry for the delay in replying
To be honest I haven’t, Paul Foreman who rebuilt and redesigned this and a fare few other M&W Spyders knows way more than me, so I was happy to let him do what he does.
So far it’s everything I’d hoped, I’m even starting to get the hand of the gearbox! Image
Once the sun comes out it may even become my ‘shopping’ car...lol

All the best
Ian F


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60s, 70s, 80s, 90s & 00s Alfas
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and a few old Lotus.

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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by Spyder-finder »

Hi fellow Spyder nuts!
To answer Ian M question raising the engine would cause the fan housing to hit the underside of the clam shell. Everything is very tight under there. There is also the possibility of the generator pulley hitting the rear upper chassis cross tube.
I have given all these options some consideration.
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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by alfacat »

Spyder-finder wrote:Hi fellow Spyder nuts!
To answer Ian M question raising the engine would cause the fan housing to hit the underside of the clam shell. Everything is very tight under there. There is also the possibility of the generator pulley hitting the rear upper chassis cross tube.
I have given all these options some consideration.
Happy New Year
The sun’s out and I’ve had a short but enjoyable run...
Still loving your work! Image

All the best
Ian F.


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and a few old Lotus.

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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by Spyder-finder »

How many miles now Ian?
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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by KS »

alfacat wrote:doubling back on a medium sized roundabout takes mussels that I haven’t used in ages
Hopefully the world is now your oyster... :lol:
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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by Bootsy »

Give it a rest Keith, you're no Clamedian
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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by KS »

Ho ho! :)
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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by alfacat »

Spyder-finder wrote:How many miles now Ian?
Still way to few, but it’s cold up here and I’m still a soft southerner at heart!
If it’s still sunny tomorrow, I’ll take a run up to Windermere and back!

All the best
Ian


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________________

Gone but not forgotten
72 2.4 T in Sepia (Charlie)
60s, 70s, 80s, 90s & 00s Alfas
Caterhams (one fast & one very Fast!)
and a few old Lotus.

Still with us
997 C2S (Alice) & M&W 550 Spyder (Lil Caesar)
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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by alfacat »

KS wrote:
alfacat wrote:doubling back on a medium sized roundabout takes mussels that I haven’t used in ages
Hopefully the world is now your oyster... :lol:
Erh oops! Image


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72 2.4 T in Sepia (Charlie)
60s, 70s, 80s, 90s & 00s Alfas
Caterhams (one fast & one very Fast!)
and a few old Lotus.

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997 C2S (Alice) & M&W 550 Spyder (Lil Caesar)
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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by IanM »

Spyder-finder wrote:To answer Ian M question raising the engine would cause the fan housing to hit the underside of the clam shell. Everything is very tight under there. There is also the possibility of the generator pulley hitting the rear upper chassis cross tube.
I have given all these options some consideration.
Why not use a flat fan... (can someone reduce the size of this image please?)
Image
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