VINTAGE CLARITY
Sep 16th
Most of us are increasingly aware that the poor lighting on classic and classic-type kitcars cars is a cause for concern. These treasured and much loved machines have none of the safety features we now take for granted and, especially compared to new cars, are virtually invisible on the road.
One of the worst offenders are vehicles that use the ubiquitous Lucas L549 rear lamp, where the bulb faces downwards and there is no reflector, so most of the output is wasted. The same problem stymies LED bulb designers. One conversion involves having to remove the light unit from the car, More >
TOM TOM BANG THE DRUM
Sep 16th
TomTom has launched RoadDNA, an innovative new product for vehicle localisation that will help make automated driving a reality, faster. Designed with vehicle data storage and processing limitations in mind, RoadDNA delivers highly accurate location information that can easily be integrated into the on-board system of a vehicle.
“We know that the future of automated driving hinges on the ability of a vehicle to continuously know exactly where it is located on the road,” said Harold Goddijn, TomTom CEO. “TomTom RoadDNA is the only technology of its kind (patent pending) that delivers highly accurate vehicle localisation content in an efficient and More >
SPECIAL K
Sep 10th
MJS Turbocharged K-Series under build
In recent years we’ve seen plenty of Rover K-Series engines undergoing tuning and TLC in the TKC Mag/totalkitcar workshop. As a result, I’m a big fan of the engines, particularly in VVC guise.
Lots of instant experts wring their hands about head gasket failures tales of woe, most of which is bandwagon jumping. However, the engine does have an Achilles heel but there are readily available and effective cures.
Our K-Series always go to Charlie and team at CTM Performance in Dagenham although someone else I’d highly recommend is Littlehampton-based MJS Auto & Marine, who in addition to their More >
TAKE A DEEP BREATH
Sep 10th
Filtration expert Pipercross has reminded us all of a small-but-perfectly-formed performance essential in the form of its stainless steel crankcase (or valve cover) breather.
This simple but effective part has been designed to fit onto existing engine crankcase breathers and oil catch tanks to allow oil vapour to vent to atmosphere rather than back into the engine inlet, thus protecting the engine and allowing it to run more efficiently.
Made of sintered stainless steel it has a rubber inlet neck with a simple clamp mechanism for securing and a built in stepped neck to fit 13, 16 or 19mm pipework.
The filter inside More >
BOING…BOIIIINNNNGGGG
Sep 10th
V-Maxx’s busy team of engineers have been at it again – this time perfecting and tailoring a range of effective chassis upgrades for the now criminally affordable Toyota MR2 Roadster.
This kit is a direct replacement for the model’s factory springs and has been designed to work effectively with the OEM dampers – or any quality aftermarket offerings. Fitting all of the 1.8-litre engine variants, it’s a great way to get any MR2 sitting and handling better.
As this car is now used as the basis for many kitcars, it’s also an essential when trying to make your car look believably Italian, More >
A RAIL SERVICE THAT WORKS!
Sep 10th
Webcon has launched a range of In-Rail fuel pressure regulators, which replace most popular OEM types, and changing fuel pressure is now as easy as removing the old unit and replacing with a new, higher pressure or adjustable regulator. Webcon In-Rail regulators are available as follows –
Pressure (bar) Part Number RRP £ (inc VAT) 2.5 fixed WFR048 £59.94 3.0 fixed WFR024 £59.94 3.5 fixed WFR029 £86.33 4.0 fixed WFR057 £95.54 4.3 fixed WFR055 £71.74 4.5 fixed WFR043 £109.26 0-5 adjustable WFR060 £83.09
Available now More >
PLASTIC FANTASTIC
Sep 10th
New from Frost is Eastwood’s Plastic Re-surfacer Aerosol will restore and re-surface your plastics, returning the materials to their original lustre. Not just another wipe-on coating – this is a permanent repair and gets deep within the plastic to reflow and re-surfaces all faded and chalky bumper, dashboard, car trim, or other plastic automotive parts.
The maker’s claim that survives over seven years of UV light and has passed 2500-hours of ASTM D4587 QUV testing.
Unlike many wipe-on products it actually etches and reflows the surface embedding black resins into the substrate and maintaining the original texture and is compatible with all More >
SHINING LIGHT
Sep 10th
2015 has been a good year for the Lazer Lamps Triple-R lighting range. Officially launched in the spring.
Now, less than six months later, Lazer Lamps has announced two exciting developments that it feels will make the Triple-R range even more popular within the marketplace.
The first is that the Lazer Lamps Triple-R 750 duo of Standard and Elite models have been granted E-mark certification and are therefore fully legal for use on public roads. Production of models with the all-important E-mark on the lens commenced immediately, so that availability would be assured immediately after this announcement.
Each model possesses over five times More >
ALL PART OF THE SERVICE AT SEBRING INTERNATIONAL
Sep 3rd
Sebring boss, Phil Overall (left), with race engineer, Geoff Kinston, who has devised new suspension and geometry for the Sebring International range of Healey replicas.
Things are moving swiftly at the ‘new’ Sebring International operation, now run by Phil and Sophie Overall, based in Cheltenham. Since acquiring the excellent and well-regarded range of Sebring Healey-inspired models, ex-Broadspeed, TWR and leading BTCC engineer, Phil Overall has been working hard on making the kits easier to build and revising the kit packages.
A recent announcement saw the arrival of BMW E46-generation 3-Series as donor options, which will, I’m certain, prove popular. Phil is also More >
IF IT CAN BE MADE IN METAL; THEN FORGE CAN MAKE IT
Sep 3rd
Gloucestershire-based Forge Motorsport has been at the forefront of engineering-led tuning improvement for decades, but not many enthusiasts know about their bespoke fabrication division. Although the mainstay of Forge’s output is beautifully CNC-machined and hand-crafted production items, there also exists a small, but talented team that can crate literally anything for motorsport, specialist manufacturing or prototyping purposes.
Working from the latest Solidworks 3D CAD software, or even ‘a rough sketch off the back of a fag packet’, these talented alloy artisans can produce anything as a one-off. Whether it be a set of titanium wheel nuts for a Bugatti EB110 or More >
