HELEN FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT

HELEN FTDS 3rd March 2010

Further examination of the subframe showed further damage to the underside, so more welding. But with it done it's probably in better shape than any other on the grid, it's strong everywhere that matters.

We happen to have a spare 3.54 diff, so that goes in instead, as we think mine was feeling tired and emotional. It had got to the point that you could spin an inside wheel, and that's not good, not only wasn't it in right, and it didn't do the job anyway.

Bottom arms hit a strange problem, two come off, and a modified pair go on. Those with eyes will spot the additional bracing to the arms. However, those with really sharp eyes will spot that the modified pair aren't actually a pair....they're both the same side. Bugger.

An hour cleaning up a new pair for modification, and they turn out to be the same side again, we have 4 offside arms, and only one nearside. Don't even ask how.

A small rectification job, and bottom arms, indestructible at that, can be fitted. The needle roller bearings in the diff end are previously experienced and have to be replaced, we're not big on spending cash we don't have to, but when they're full of rusty grease it's time to swap them, and at £3-odd a pop it's tough to grumble, even if there are 8 per car...

As we've swapped the diff the old camber setting will no longer apply, so the shims don't necessarily work any longer. Until it's in the car I can only guess, so we even out the shims on an interim basis, settings can only be finalised on-car.

Much time spent cleaning and inspecting, with so many rear hubs breaking, and with a threatened increase in grip it is important to at least to pretend to check.

To try and prevent the diff escaping again we swap the bottom plate for something a little more sturdy, 6mm plate. That's what we call stronger. 14 bolts securing the diff to it should stop it trying to escape again.

The subframe leaps back in without complaint. The only holdup is missing parts, rear pads were the wrong item and we've no exhaust yet.

New prop fitted, radius arms have the bushes replaced and refitted, anti-roll bar reconnected, brakes re-bled, the usual subframe procedure.

With time to kill until the new parts arrive we continue to work on the subframe for Project X.

The front bumper gets some much-needed attention, it was damaged when The Bear dropped the truck with the cars in. Don't ask.

Next comes the rear spoiler. I read a book. A redesign became inevitable. Nascar meets Broadspeed...

Finally the car is going back together. They are all reliability and strengthening mods to date, designed at improving longevity and a sustained performance.

The new tyres arrive, and our fears are justified, they do look like there is more grip. The extra strength does seem like it is needed.

Trackday in 2 weeks, and we look like we may even be ready for it.

Brakes are the worry. 70 extra kg, brakes that were already marginal, pads that we are downgrading to improve balance, and more grip to allow later braking. That can't end well.

The new tyres have the same load rating as the old, and the worry is we were literally ripping the tread off the old tyres. The new ones don't really have tread blocks, but there's a question mark here...