OK, so I thought I would start a thread (like I have seen on other forums) updating the progress, share idea's and ask questions concerning my car. Here's a pic so everyone knows what we are talking about:
I finally got it registered last Monday so it is great to be able to drive it around finally! This really helps to identify faults and improvments that I need to do. I spent last weekend sorting out all the suspension geometry. I hadn't bothered doing this until after I got it passed for rego (I had to jack up the front to get it through). It was wandering over the road quite badly so it was a bit of a priority to get this sorted. After I lowered it to a more suitable height I checked the castor and found it was way out! 0 deg on one side and -~5deg on the other (no wonder it wasn't holding holding a staight line to well ) So I set both sides to a more reasonable 3.5 deg. The camber on the front was 3.5 and 3 deg negative so I set both these to 2.5 deg negative. Did the toe in and the car was much better, still seemed a but taily though so I strung the car and found the rear drivers wheel was toeing out 7mm and the rear passengers toeing out 2mm! Both rear wheels had .5 deg positve camber as well. So I fitted some adjustable toe/camber brackets and managed to get both wheels aligned and toeing in 1mm and the camber to 1deg neg on both side's. Car is 20x better but it does seem to bump steer/wander slightly still so there are still improvements to be made. Next thing I need to sort out is the fuel pickup from the tank. It has an enlarged van tank so it now has around 50 litres capacity but when it is at about the 22 litre mark it starts to suck air/fuel. This is about the height that the fuel pickup goes into the tank so I would say that there must be a crack or something in the pipe to cause it to suck the air. Does any one have any idea's on this and if the internal pipe can be replaced at all?
Edit: Shadow removed
Last modified October 21st, 2008, 23:52:54 by Syd Crawford
Looks like COTM for November is sorted! Just need to paint out that shadow at the front
You adjust the castor angle by using adjustable tie bars in conjunction with adjustable bottom arms. It needs a bit of juggling because changing either affects castor, camber and tracking. How are you measuring the castor angle?
I don't think you can do anything about the fuel pickup without opening up the tank. You might be able to cut a hole around the outlet union big enough to withdraw the pipe and filter, and then weld it back in when you've corrected the problem. It might be easier to block off the current outlet and fit a new pick-up pipe from the top, with an external filter.
Really good value I reckon. Didn't get the rose joints as historic racing won't allow them (but they can be bought seperately to add later). To set everything up I also got this: http://www.minispares.com/Prod.....ER%20GAUGE%20see%20n...
I had a bubble guage originally but had trouble with getting the hub adaptor for to fit. The MS guage is a bit pricey for what it is but is much cheaper that any bubble guage. I like it's simplicity and it is still very accurate. As richard said, to increase the castor angle you shorten the tie rods. The only problem now is the L/H front wheel is fouling on the front of the guard on cornering (same problem as you are having Neil) so I'm going to have to cut a little off the front of the guard .
Good idea Richard - Shadow gone
I put the car on the ramps last night and the fuel pickup is brazed onto the tank so it isn't really an easy fix. Your probably right Richard, it would be easier to block it off and install a new one.
I am also considering biting the bullet and just replacing it with something like this: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/FUEL-CE....._trksid=p3286.c0.m14 and some foam to fill it. The dimensions are very similar to what I have in there already.
I've just realised that yoiu sent me that photo back in April, but I didn't use it at the time because I'd already got lots of pics on its web page. I probably had it in mind for the home page and forgot - anyway it's a cert for November.
Well I don't think it is the pickup in the tank. It started spluttering again the other day and the tank was virtually full. It is intermittent so I still managed to make it home. Took it to the skid pan yesterday (which was great fun ) but afterwards the pump went totally quiet (dead). So I might put an order in for a Facet and Reg. At least that is a fair bit easier than stuffing around with the tank .
Thanks Richard it's actually a 'FuelFlo' solid state one. I pulled it off to have a look and found the flow from the tank was pathetic, so it is acctually the tank that is the problem and the pump has just died of natural causes (ie.. skid pan). So I've pulled out the tank and fount this.
mmm... almost looks as if the filter has melted somehow there's heaps of rust and junk in the bottom of the tank as well so I'd say the pickup was getting pretty blocked.
At least with the tank out it is a good opportunity to fill the old tail light holes and fit my new ones
I didn't get any photo's of the skid pan day but I have taken some caps of the video footage, so appologises for the quality:
Syd
Last modified November 4th, 2008, 11:17:34 by Syd Crawford
OK, a bit of an update. I've been busy over the last couple of weeks getting my Jem back on the road. What started off as just replacing the fuel tank turned into doing other things while I was at it. Seeing as the tank was out it was a good oportunity to replace the tailights (ex VW combivan) with some nicer ones (I think anyway) that the number plate would fit between. So I fibreglassed up the old light holes (first time fibreglassing), hi-filled, repainted (Black), and fitted the new lights. Then I had to remake the rear wiring harness because the new lights were further apart. While I was enthused by fibreglassing I decided to make up a properly sealed battery box:
I'll glue it into the current box and drill holes to vent it to the outside.
Have also fitted one (of the 2) new fuel cells. Which sit down either side of the exhaust. Also fitted a new facet fuel pump (regulator, yet to be fitted) and modified the fuel filler neck to work, Also, re-routed the battery cables and wired in a battery cut off. Just in time to get it to Marques in the Park yesterday:
Took my Jem for it's first decent trip on the Weekend. Travelled up to 'Eastern Creek Raceway' for the historic racing (~500km round trip). Went like a Jem (literally) and didn't miss a beat.
great looking Jem Syd!. That dash boards a busy work space though! Hows the leg room climbng in? I've fitted a quick release hub so I don't have to contort my self to much.
Next time your out for a drive head over the bridge so we can meet up.....well when they get around to building that bridge to connect the west island to the north island that is LOL
Thanks Tim, I've developed a good technique for getting in and out but you do need to be flexible I replaced the column with a Mitsubishi Lancer one (Double uni, colapsible, height/length adjustable) but haven't got around to replacing the wheel with something more suitable to the car. I was thinking of one of those quick release hubs as well (especially when I get a roll cage fitted). I don't think you would really want that bridge - imagine all the Aussies that would be hassling you with NZ jokes
but those jokes cut both ways....baa baa LOL. Give us a yell if you want a good qucik relaease hub adaptor theres is a guy over here who has fantastic alloy and bearing ones for about $100....a 1/6 the price of a Momo or Sparco one and in the words of my engineer better f**king quality to!
Might PM you about those wheel hubs Tim. I just got a nice Maxrob wheel off ebay that I'll be fitting soon. Took the car up to Wakefield Park on Monday. Nice to stretch her legs finally!
Last modified December 25th, 2008, 08:53:50 by Syd Crawford
so true ! When I took mine out on the track last week for a dual car sprint I paired up with a FXGT Corrolla and in dwarfed my jem! Mind you I had the last laugh when he spent the entire race trying to catch me!
A bit of an update. Car is almost together again after a few improvments. Fitted a D1spec quick release steering hub and adapted it so I could fit my Maxrob wheel. It brings the wheel a fair bit closer but I needed this so it works well (Thanks for the recommendation Tim Had a swirl pot/header tank made up to replace the useless system I had before. Had the guy put in a threaded outlet for the thermo fan switch as well. Also fitted an expansion tank. I purchased a race head from a guy over in South Australia and it arrived yesterday so I was able to fit this as well. Also changed the extractors to a better set. All that's left to do is modify the exhaust system to fit the new extractors. Looking forward to seeing how much of a difference the head makes
Last modified January 31st, 2009, 00:13:11 by Syd Crawford
so did you get the hub of the guy on Trade me Sid? Great quality arnt they!
Ive just redone my front suspension. We could only get .75degree negative on oneside so it was oversteering going to the left and underseering on the right. I got a fully adjustable rose jointed set up from a local company and its in today getting the corner weights sorted out and alingement. I took the car to The British Car day in Wellington yesterday and it created quite a buz as you would imagine. it sat front and centre on the Mini stand with 50 classic either side. Lis and I took it for a blast around the paddock and gave him a good blast down one of the slip roads beside the paddock area. Didnt win best of show but thn we did have a rego number and that what the public had to use in voting!
Last modified February 16th, 2009, 04:39:28 by Tim Neal
Actually I got the hub off Ebay Tim. Fairly sure it was the same guy as the Trade me one (from NZ). Yes, very happy with it, it really is a nice bit of engineering. Solved the problem of the wheel being to far from me as well.
I've also spent a fair bit of time sorting out the suspension after I took it to wakefeild. I was getting to much understeer on corner exit, track day testing is in the wind again! Can't wait! I totally understand what your saying about the attention they create, I don't think I have once filled up at a petrol station without someone asking me "what is it?".
I've been busy trying to get my car ready for it's (and mine) first race at 'Oran Park' before they close this track for good. All went well, kept out of trouble had heaps of fun. Only snag was in the last race the main oil cooler hose blew off at the end of the main straight! Luckily I switched it off before it did any damage - but it did red flag the race which was unfortunate (especially seeing as it was the last Mini race ever at Oran Park). Photo's here: http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=59534
That sounds familiar. They are trying to get planning permission for a large housing development on the Top Gear test track at Dunsfold, where the harrier jump jet was developed. It is only 20 minutes from where I live.
Yeh, could be and idea Tim. I acctually started writing something up but then got distracted Maybe you could write a bit and we could mash them together?
Location: Kloosterzande, The Netherlands Posts: 293
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Very nice car Syd! I think the stickers are looking good and the interieur to! I see a lot of pictures from mini based cars outside EU that are running on Hoosier tyres. Are they good? Wet or dry?
Hi Joost - yes the Hoosiers are very good in the dry - In the Wet - forget it! Problem is they are expensive and don't last that long. I'm thinking at changing to Yokohama AO32R's which are good in both dry and wet (and they are also a road legal tyre which is an added benefit).
Location: Kloosterzande, The Netherlands Posts: 293
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Hi Syd,
Thanks for the info! I like the tyres because they look like the old classic dunlop racing tyres. I know the yokohama A032R, there is already a set of 4 laying in my bed room . I hope they will ever make the A038 in 10" because that are very very good tyres!
Boy it's been a while since I posted anything. I had a really fun race meet last weekend and got some good incar video footage. Have a look if you are bored - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlzFl2n4ZBw
Yes he was very close. He did get me in the end - my brakes and tyres were going off due to a combination of understeer and bump steer. I'm fixing this at the moment though If you get a chance Richard - it might be nice to update the pics on the gallery page. I hardly recognise the car from those pics anymore http://www.minimarcos.org.uk/memcars/minijem/oz1/index.html
Apart from the racing shots which would go on Sport Scene, I've got one nice pic of your car that's on Cars of te Month. If you'd like to send me one or two more I'll certainly update the page.
Finally got my Jem back together ready in time for the race last weekend. Fixing the bump steer and adding a rear anti-roll bar mad a big difference (1.5 seconds a lap quicker).
Unfortunately I had trouble with the incar camera's so I only got some footage of the only race I didn't have people around me. Put up 1 lap anyway: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQVNKFq0UoY
We had a festival a couple of weeks ago down here in Australia. The celebration was for 50 years of Mini's in Australia and the main event was at Wakefield Park raceway. Was great fun and a really good turn out. There was some great racing and I had a ball being thrown in with the sports sedans! There were a lot of nice minis including famous race cars and different derivatives - Buckle, Broadspeed, Nota Fang, Midas, Marcos and my Jem Was good to meet up in person with Geoff Dunlop and check out his Mk3 Marcos. He hasn't had it out for a while and I think he enjoyed getting back in it. Geoff's Marcos:
Yeh, that was good fun in race 3. Robert tried a bit of a desperate lunge at the end of the straight but only stuffed himself up (luckily). Spent the rest of the race in clean air so didn't bother uploading that part.
mmm... 6 months since I last posted. Just uploaded some more incar vids from last weekend's racing. As usuall I had my car weighed down with cameras. For your amusement: Race1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTlutv1MCh8
Mini Marcos Forum > General Boards > Mini Jem > Syd's MK 1 Taylorspeed Jem
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Syd's MK 1 Taylorspeed Jem (currently 1,954 views)
) So I set both sides to a more reasonable 3.5 deg. The camber on the front was 3.5 and 3 deg negative so I set both these to 2.5 deg negative. Did the toe in and the car was much better, still seemed a but taily though so I strung the car and found the rear drivers wheel was toeing out 7mm and the rear passengers toeing out 2mm! 
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) but afterwards the pump went totally quiet (dead). So I might put an order in for a Facet and Reg. At least that is a fair bit easier than stuffing around with the tank 
there's heaps of rust and junk in the bottom of the tank as well so I'd say the pickup was getting pretty blocked. 
? So we can hear what a great sound it has? Just a thout..
but thn we did have a rego number and that what the public had to use in voting!
. I hope they will ever make the A038 in 10" because that are very very good tyres! 
