8 replies to this topic

[foggyjames]

Work to get my 343 MOT'd in time for Combe is...er...progressing. I was hoping to get it an MOT in time for the VOC's national show last Sunday, but it wasn't to be...foiled by a rear exhaust box that didn't fit.

Spec is...
1981 343, with a B200 (2.0 8v redblock) swap, with accessory R-Sport tuning kit (twin carbs, essentially). Last dyno pull was 140bhp / 145lbft, with a kerb weight of around 1100kg, but that was with a full factory exhaust, which is highly restrictive (includes a 360 degree turn!). It's just had all its rust removed, and had a respray. My 2005 V70 D5 owes me less money...

Eventually it'll be getting some trick suspension bits, but I suspect it'll be wobbling around on freshened up stock stuff (gas shocks, and GLT-spec springs) at Combe. It won't be particularly fast (although I think it'd easily see off the stock D5), but it'll be entertaining! I'm bringing the V70R too, for when I get bored / blow it up / cook its brakes.









cheers

James

[s70t5chris]

They'll look quite cool together I reckon!

[grainqey]

from what i was told the weather was shite at the VOC meet

[Urban Tiger]

grainqey, on 29 June 2011 - 17:56 , said:

from what i was told the weather was shite at the VOC meet

It was. It pissed it down all day... But that didn't stop certain people from winning a trophy...... :-)

[foggyjames]

Neither of these cars were at the VOC national

...but I was, and the weather was indeed bloody awful!

The car has MOT now, and I've taken it out for its first proper drive tonight. It's slower than I remember, but last time I drove it in anger, my daily driver was the S70 2.5 20v. It revs out well, but only 145lbft of torque doesn't give you the kick in the back that both the R and D5 give. The suspension is a bit soft (may get around to putting Koni rear shocks on) and the brakes are a little dull....so it's hardly going to be thundering around Combe....but it put a smile on my face, and it'll be something a little different, even if I only take it out a couple of times for a handful of laps. Hopefully by next year it'll be properly shaken down and will be going, stopping, and turning a little better!

cheers

James

[Engineer]

foggyjames, on 30 June 2011 - 00:39 , said:

Neither of these cars were at the VOC national

...but I was, and the weather was indeed bloody awful!

The car has MOT now, and I've taken it out for its first proper drive tonight. It's slower than I remember, but last time I drove it in anger, my daily driver was the S70 2.5 20v. It revs out well, but only 145lbft of torque doesn't give you the kick in the back that both the R and D5 give. The suspension is a bit soft (may get around to putting Koni rear shocks on) and the brakes are a little dull....so it's hardly going to be thundering around Combe....but it put a smile on my face, and it'll be something a little different, even if I only take it out a couple of times for a handful of laps. Hopefully by next year it'll be properly shaken down and will be going, stopping, and turning a little better!

cheers

James

Nice one James will be nice to see one of these old girls going round CC, I'm sure your aware but just in case check your gearbox and axle oil levels as the axles seize up if oil leaks into gearbox or it might be vicy versy long time ago, happened to me once.............. not nice

[GazT4R]

Looking forward to seeing her on and off the track .

[stedman]

Can't wait to key it mate

[foggyjames]

I'll key your Mum, Steddy!

Yeah, fairly familiar with the diff problem. The usual trick is that the cover plate (pressed steel) gets a bit warped or holed by rust, and lets the oil out....then the thing welds itself up. Not nice! There's a very slight weep from the diff on this car (a handful of drops in a week or so), but it had a complete box fluid change in late 2007, and was still dry in early 2009, and has barely moved since so I'm crossing my fingers and toes that it's ok...

cheers

James