5 replies to this topic

[Jaxta]

Just thought I'd intro myself and the new motor.

 

I'm on the FB group (eventually!). Had Tesla's for the last 6 years so switching from digital to analogue. The Mrs drives that more than me anyway so I needed a 2nd car for the occasional 'nip to the shops'. She already hates it with a passion.

 

Had the car a week and not really had much time to play - had 2 hours yesterday just cleaning things up a bit and sussing it out. TBH spent more time driving on the lanes around here - the handling is truly amazing. The car seems to really flow with the roads - it's uncanny. Even passengers, who aren't used to cars like this, can feel it. I'm very, very pleased with it. Albeit at 53, feels a bit mid-life crisis but fk it.

 

My gut tells me it's running hot but the data (well, the dashboard) says it's ok. I've bought the ODB MX+ but not really had time to play with it (I'm a data kinda guy) but I'll suss it out.

 

Plan with the car is to bring it up to date a bit - sort of restomod vibes rather than street racer. I want carbon/ally everything and just have it properly sorted. It won't be a garage queen but I want it to feel properly sorted and looked after.

 

Engine spec - K04 turbo,* Klasen Inlet Manifold, Courtney High Flow Plenum, Regelin Intercooler, VXR Injectors, VXR MAF, 2bular 3’’, Courtenay flywheel and clutch, Vibratechnics engine and gearbox mounts.

 

Chassis spec - 4 channel Exige ABS, Nitron, Mintex 1155 pads (are they meant to be noisy/grinder when going slow?), all bushes, etc replaced about 10k miles ago.

 

Bodywork is pretty good - some osmosis near rear spoiler but otherwise, mostly swirling and stuff that'll buff out.

 

So I think most of the main bits are there - I just need to learn it, get underneath it and get to trust it - I do worry about it getting warm but so far, so very good. It's not so fast as to scare ya but has enough to be interesting between the corners. I'm not a 100mph+ kinda bloke - it's the twisties that do it for me. I can see why high revving engines suit these - happy with the mid-range of the turbo though and mine's definitely not reluctant to rev.

 

My next step was going to be a rolling road as I'm not sure it's pulling cleanly all the time - bit worried the map isn't quite right. Any recommendations for Derby/L'boro area?

 

 

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Edited by Jaxta, 29 June 2025 - 08:17 PM.

[Ivor]

Personally I'd steer clear of mmg for mapping

[Jaxta]

Noted. Heard anything about DRS in Derby? I've been recommended EFI Performance but it's a 4 hour round-trip...  

[Ivor]

Noted. Heard anything about DRS in Derby? I've been recommended EFI Performance but it's a 4 hour round-trip...

No sorry, I'm now way out west in Wales, mmg originally mapped my car, awful.

[C8RKH]

Lovely car @jaxta and like you I'm not a 100mph+ guy myself, same as you, I like the B roads and the corners and powering out of them.

 

They really are superb cars though, just love mine to bits and that's after 8 years ow ownership and having a Lotus Evora in the garage too - I drive the VX more.....

[Jaxta]

Lovely car @jaxta and like you I'm not a 100mph+ guy myself, same as you, I like the B roads and the corners and powering out of them.

 

They really are superb cars though, just love mine to bits and that's after 8 years ow ownership and having a Lotus Evora in the garage too - I drive the VX more.....

 

I've had a few more 'leisurely drives' (done 600+ miles in my first week - drinks fuel) and I just can't get over the handling. There's some very tight lanes around here with some small, hump-backed bridges - I got a bit carried away and got full-on air over one of them with a sharp right afterwards - it absolutely lapped it up - not a murmur - just 'come on then! More of that!'. What a belter of a car! I've just got back from my thrash so I'm a bit giddy!

 

I have a (frankly embarrassing) short attention span and takes quite a lot for me to be genuinely impressed (not that I'm used to better, just tend to be disappointed when meeting heroes type thing) but I am very impressed. It's a very, very capable, fun car.

 

It's so chuckable and it's really ticking my boxes when pushing it through the bends - you don't have to be doing Mach 3 to have fun as you would in an M2 or whatever.

 

Need to get rid of the rattles and I'm not sure the suspension is quite right (bangs about a bit more than it should when cruising I feel) but when you're on it, it's sublime. Engine does not like being below 2k rpm - just a bit grumpy. Quite a lot of NVH due to the upgraded engine mounts and everything being a bit... British assembled so everything kinda shudders at low RPM. It's very, very happy to rush (and it is a rush) to the redline but short shifting between corners is a blast. Don't need it any quicker - just want it reliable, safe and feel a bit more quality to the interior. 

 

I've got the ODB MX+ so starting to get some data but enjoying driving it too much to faff about with that right now! I had all sorts of plans but they're all on hold - weather is perfect. I've manufactured a 100 mile trip tomorrow for 'work'... that's actually 5 miles away - tells it's own story.