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257
General Discussion Area / BRC Sequent SGI system - anyone know it?
« on: 10 April 2008, 23:10:45 »
I've come across someone who has a BRC Sequent SGI front end originally fitted to a V6 Omega for sale. Just wondering if anyone knows it?
Is it likely to be suitable for a DIY install? :-/
I'm very tempted to go for the AC system as I know my way around it now, and it certainly works well, but just wondering how they are likely to compare?
I guess the main question is what the support is like for DIY installs.
I've suggested he advertises it here.
Kevin
Is it likely to be suitable for a DIY install? :-/
I'm very tempted to go for the AC system as I know my way around it now, and it certainly works well, but just wondering how they are likely to compare?
I guess the main question is what the support is like for DIY installs.
I've suggested he advertises it here.
Kevin
259
General Discussion Area / Re: 2nd hand Cam Kit on feebay
« on: 25 February 2008, 17:14:40 »
He's got to be joking!
Do you think he does used toilet roll too? Just about as useful...
Kevin
Do you think he does used toilet roll too? Just about as useful...
Kevin
260
General Discussion Area / Auto box filters and gaskets
« on: 05 February 2008, 19:30:02 »
Ordered a replacement filter and sump gasket set for my automatic gearbox from Dave Kember who advertises in the back of straight 6 news. It arrived today so looks like I'm all set for a coiffure en huile de boîte de vitesse at the weekend, or maybe at Telford if I don't get round to it.
Cost was 30 quid plus postage (35 total IIRC).
Kevin
Cost was 30 quid plus postage (35 total IIRC).
Kevin
261
General Discussion Area / CH 5 now. VXR8 vs Lotus Carlton
« on: 04 February 2008, 20:05:11 »
Kevin
262
General Discussion Area / New diagnostic cable
« on: 31 January 2008, 19:48:25 »
Well, I got fed up with having to borrow the "Golden Laptop" from work every time I need to use my cheapo Tech 2 (quite often with a 3.2!) so I thought I'd investigate another possibility.
Got myself one of these, which arrived today: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250208955409
What turned up was actually slightly different to the picture, and had a USB rather than serial interface but it's a very nicely made unit. For the price, I'm impressed.
The first thing to say is that these only work on OBDII vehicles, so 2.2/2.6/3.2. However, they aren't specific to Vauxhall and should work with most OBDII and CAN vehicles. Without paying for more software they will only read the engine ECU too. However, since that is what normally gives grief I decided it would be useful.
Got it out of the box, installed the software on a laptop and set out to discover the reason for my emissions light being on (as if I didn't know!). It worked absolutely first time, reported things in english and is clearly much more stable and less fussy than a cheapo tech 2. P0420 and P0430 were showing (usual cat efficiency problem on a 3.2). The codes could be cleared no problem.
The supplied free software (scantool.net) http://www.scantool.net/ can do basic code reading and clearing from the engine ECU and also reports live data including all main parameters likely to be of interest.
I will probably investigate a few more software packages available in due course but, in my opinion, this is a good alternative to a cheapo Tech 2 for anyone who has a later Omega, for similar money. It took a lot less messing about to get it working!
Kevin
Got myself one of these, which arrived today: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250208955409
What turned up was actually slightly different to the picture, and had a USB rather than serial interface but it's a very nicely made unit. For the price, I'm impressed.
The first thing to say is that these only work on OBDII vehicles, so 2.2/2.6/3.2. However, they aren't specific to Vauxhall and should work with most OBDII and CAN vehicles. Without paying for more software they will only read the engine ECU too. However, since that is what normally gives grief I decided it would be useful.
Got it out of the box, installed the software on a laptop and set out to discover the reason for my emissions light being on (as if I didn't know!). It worked absolutely first time, reported things in english and is clearly much more stable and less fussy than a cheapo tech 2. P0420 and P0430 were showing (usual cat efficiency problem on a 3.2). The codes could be cleared no problem.
The supplied free software (scantool.net) http://www.scantool.net/ can do basic code reading and clearing from the engine ECU and also reports live data including all main parameters likely to be of interest.
I will probably investigate a few more software packages available in due course but, in my opinion, this is a good alternative to a cheapo Tech 2 for anyone who has a later Omega, for similar money. It took a lot less messing about to get it working!
Kevin
263
General Discussion Area / Any one for a "Sleeper"
« on: 26 January 2008, 14:08:27 »http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2008/01/1929-ford-model-with-250-hp-cosworth.html
Could have some fun at the traffic light grand prix in that!
The BDA engine even looks like quite a convincing side-valve from a distance.
Kevin
264
General Discussion Area / Moderators?
« on: 19 January 2008, 12:16:33 »
Read Rachel's review - and then the comments...
http://www.london-eating.co.uk/1626.htm
http://www.london-eating.co.uk/review-comments/123446.htm
Kevin
http://www.london-eating.co.uk/1626.htm
http://www.london-eating.co.uk/review-comments/123446.htm
Kevin
265
General Discussion Area / Stunning car...
« on: 08 January 2008, 20:22:06 »
... but the guy obviously didn't have the heart to drive it. Not sure I would either, especially at 95k dollars 
http://auto-europe-sales.ebizautos.com/webdetail.aspx?iid=1272271
Kevin
http://auto-europe-sales.ebizautos.com/webdetail.aspx?iid=1272271
Kevin
266
General Discussion Area / Restrict use of older cars?
« on: 07 January 2008, 21:42:06 »
Now, I gave up signing these damn things a while ago. Got fed up with getting the usual rubbish in return thanking me for my interest but explaining that I am sadly misguided and that nanny state knows what's best for me... 
However, this one means a lot to me. I can't believe there's a shred of truth in it but I've signed up just in case.
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Classic-Cars/
Kevin
However, this one means a lot to me. I can't believe there's a shred of truth in it but I've signed up just in case.
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Classic-Cars/
Kevin
268
General Discussion Area / How True...
« on: 29 December 2007, 23:46:30 »
HAMMER: Originally employed as a weapon of war, the hammer nowadays is used as a kind of divining rod to locate expensive parts not far from the object we are trying to hit.
MECHANIC'S KNIFE: Used to open and slice through the contents of cardboard cartons delivered to your front door; works particularly well on boxes containing seats and motorcycle jackets.
ELECTRIC HAND DRILL: Normally used for spinning steel Pop rivets in their holes until you die of old age, but it also works great for drilling mounting holes in fenders just above the brake line that goes to the rear wheel.
PLIERS: Used to round off bolt heads.
HACKSAW: One of a family of cutting tools built on the Ouija board principle. It transforms human energy into a crooked, unpredictable motion, and the more you attempt to influence its course, the more dismal your future becomes.
VISE-GRIPS: Used to round off bolt heads. If nothing else is available, they can also be used to transfer intense welding heat to the palm of your hand.
OXYACETELENE TORCH: Used almost entirely for lighting various flammable objects in your garage on fire. Also handy for igniting the grease inside a brakedrum you're trying to get the bearing race out of.
WHITWORTH SOCKETS: Once used for working on older British cars and motorcycles, they are now used mainly for impersonating that 9/16 or 1/2 socket you've been searching for the last 15 minutes.
DRILL PRESS: A tall upright machine useful for suddenly snatching flat metal bar stock out of your hands so that it smacks you in the chest and flings your beer across the room, splattering it against that freshly painted part you were drying.
WIRE WHEEL: Cleans rust off old bolts and then throws them somewhere under the workbench with the speed of light. Also removes fingerprint whorls and hard-earned guitar callouses in about the time it takes you to say, "Ouc...."
HYDRAULIC FLOOR JACK: Used for lowering a motorcycle to the ground after you have installed your new front disk brake setup, trapping the jack handle firmly under the front fender.
EIGHT-FOOT LONG DOUGLAS FIR 2X4: Used for levering a motorcycle upward off a hydraulic jack.
TWEEZRS: A tool for removing wood splinters.
PHONE: Tool for calling your neighbor to see if he has another hydraulic floor jack.
SNAP-ON GASKET SCRAPER: Theoretically useful as a sandwich tool for spreading mayonnaise; used mainly for getting dog-doo off your boot.
E-Z OUT BOLT AND STUD EXTRACTOR: A tool that snaps off in bolt holes and is ten times harder than any known drill bit.
TIMING LIGHT: A stroboscopic instrument for illuminating grease buildup.
TWO-TON HYDRAULIC ENGINE HOIST: A handy tool for testing the tensile strength of ground straps and brake lines you may have forgotten to disconnect.
CRAFTSMAN 1/2 x 16-INCH SCREWDRIVER: A large motor mount prying tool that inexplicably has an accurately machined screwdriver tip on the end without the handle.
BATTERY ELECTROLYTE TESTER: A handy tool for transferring sulfuric acid from a car battery to the inside of your toolbox after determining that your battery is dead as a doornail, just as you thought.
AVIATION METAL SNIPS: See hacksaw.
TROUBLE LIGHT: The mechanic's own tanning booth. Sometimes called a drop light, it is a good source of vitamin D, "the sunshine vitamin," which is not otherwise found under motorcycles at night. Health benefits aside, its main purpose is to consume 40-watt light bulbs at about the same rate that 105-mm howitzer shells might be used during, say, the first few hours of the Battle of the Bulge. More often dark than light, its name is somewhat misleading.
PHILLIPS SCREWDRIVER: Normally used to stab the lids of old-style paper-and-tin oil cans and splash oil on your shirt; can also be used, as the name implies, to round off Phillips screw heads.
AIR COMPRESSOR: A machine that takes energy produced in a coal-burning power plant 200 miles away and transforms it into compressed air that travels by hose to a Chicago Pneumatic impact wrench that grips rusty bolts last tightened 60 years ago by someone in Springfield, and rounds them off.
PRY BAR: A tool used to crumple the metal surrounding that clip or bracket you needed to remove in order to replace a 50 cent part.
HOSE CUTTER: A tool used to cut hoses 1/2 inch too short.
MECHANIC'S KNIFE: Used to open and slice through the contents of cardboard cartons delivered to your front door; works particularly well on boxes containing seats and motorcycle jackets.
ELECTRIC HAND DRILL: Normally used for spinning steel Pop rivets in their holes until you die of old age, but it also works great for drilling mounting holes in fenders just above the brake line that goes to the rear wheel.
PLIERS: Used to round off bolt heads.
HACKSAW: One of a family of cutting tools built on the Ouija board principle. It transforms human energy into a crooked, unpredictable motion, and the more you attempt to influence its course, the more dismal your future becomes.
VISE-GRIPS: Used to round off bolt heads. If nothing else is available, they can also be used to transfer intense welding heat to the palm of your hand.
OXYACETELENE TORCH: Used almost entirely for lighting various flammable objects in your garage on fire. Also handy for igniting the grease inside a brakedrum you're trying to get the bearing race out of.
WHITWORTH SOCKETS: Once used for working on older British cars and motorcycles, they are now used mainly for impersonating that 9/16 or 1/2 socket you've been searching for the last 15 minutes.
DRILL PRESS: A tall upright machine useful for suddenly snatching flat metal bar stock out of your hands so that it smacks you in the chest and flings your beer across the room, splattering it against that freshly painted part you were drying.
WIRE WHEEL: Cleans rust off old bolts and then throws them somewhere under the workbench with the speed of light. Also removes fingerprint whorls and hard-earned guitar callouses in about the time it takes you to say, "Ouc...."
HYDRAULIC FLOOR JACK: Used for lowering a motorcycle to the ground after you have installed your new front disk brake setup, trapping the jack handle firmly under the front fender.
EIGHT-FOOT LONG DOUGLAS FIR 2X4: Used for levering a motorcycle upward off a hydraulic jack.
TWEEZRS: A tool for removing wood splinters.
PHONE: Tool for calling your neighbor to see if he has another hydraulic floor jack.
SNAP-ON GASKET SCRAPER: Theoretically useful as a sandwich tool for spreading mayonnaise; used mainly for getting dog-doo off your boot.
E-Z OUT BOLT AND STUD EXTRACTOR: A tool that snaps off in bolt holes and is ten times harder than any known drill bit.
TIMING LIGHT: A stroboscopic instrument for illuminating grease buildup.
TWO-TON HYDRAULIC ENGINE HOIST: A handy tool for testing the tensile strength of ground straps and brake lines you may have forgotten to disconnect.
CRAFTSMAN 1/2 x 16-INCH SCREWDRIVER: A large motor mount prying tool that inexplicably has an accurately machined screwdriver tip on the end without the handle.
BATTERY ELECTROLYTE TESTER: A handy tool for transferring sulfuric acid from a car battery to the inside of your toolbox after determining that your battery is dead as a doornail, just as you thought.
AVIATION METAL SNIPS: See hacksaw.
TROUBLE LIGHT: The mechanic's own tanning booth. Sometimes called a drop light, it is a good source of vitamin D, "the sunshine vitamin," which is not otherwise found under motorcycles at night. Health benefits aside, its main purpose is to consume 40-watt light bulbs at about the same rate that 105-mm howitzer shells might be used during, say, the first few hours of the Battle of the Bulge. More often dark than light, its name is somewhat misleading.
PHILLIPS SCREWDRIVER: Normally used to stab the lids of old-style paper-and-tin oil cans and splash oil on your shirt; can also be used, as the name implies, to round off Phillips screw heads.
AIR COMPRESSOR: A machine that takes energy produced in a coal-burning power plant 200 miles away and transforms it into compressed air that travels by hose to a Chicago Pneumatic impact wrench that grips rusty bolts last tightened 60 years ago by someone in Springfield, and rounds them off.
PRY BAR: A tool used to crumple the metal surrounding that clip or bracket you needed to remove in order to replace a 50 cent part.
HOSE CUTTER: A tool used to cut hoses 1/2 inch too short.
269
General Discussion Area / And another stupid bit of PC'ness!
« on: 18 December 2007, 17:15:30 »
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7149525.stm
Words to that song seemed fine for 20 years, but not so...
I wonder what they'd think of the lyrics in my "Kevin Bl00dy Wilson" collection?
Kevin
Words to that song seemed fine for 20 years, but not so...
I wonder what they'd think of the lyrics in my "Kevin Bl00dy Wilson" collection?
Kevin
270