Mat's BX Blog

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Tue Oct 06, 2009 11:33 am

Well, it's mounted on top of the engine, and the engine is at the front, so yes...

Seriously though, it's something I may do - I notice that performance seems to drop off slightly after a bit of a work out. I keep meaning to rig up a couple of temperature sensors on the inlet and outlet of the intercooler to assess the temperature change.
I've got a spare Xantia inlet manifold for when I do try it, but I've got the A/C condenser to worry about as well in the same space!

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Tue Oct 06, 2009 11:36 am

Bonnet scoop, water spray... talk to Phil Boxall

BX Bandit · Post by **BX Bandit** » Tue Oct 06, 2009 12:20 pm

Ah ok it is a top mount then. I looked a re-routing mine but the front mount Xantia i/c is huge and you need to cut bit's out the front end of the car - which I didn't want to do. Vanny did it though. I have some spare bits actually for a Xantia front mount which TBH I am unlikely to use, so if you get stuck let me know.

I think you could get one the same width but double the length of the top mount (approx dims) in between the fog lamps.

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 7:37 pm

Thanks for the offer Mr. Bandit but like you I am unlikely to start cutting things about too much. I am sure there exists somewhere an intercooler that would be a perfect fit.
MOT day today - passed with no advisories! Always a relief. I think I'll waxoyl it at the weekend and fit some new number plates, I cracked the front one and the rear is looking a bit shabby. Must be getting vain...

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 7:39 pm

Result! Congrats on the pass.

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 7:44 pm

Well done Matt! $\:D/$

$\:D/$

Post by **Tim Leech** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 9:23 pm

mat_fenwick wrote: think I'll waxoyl it at the weekend and fit some new number plates, I cracked the front one and the rear is looking a bit shabby. Must be getting vain...

Heavens! next think you know you will be getting near it with a bucket and sponge!

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:53 am

Well, about 3600 miles later - no problems to report. I'll try and summarise another day what went on, but had a brilliant time, and getting a few more donations now I've actually done it!

Here's a video of one of the memorable driving roads in the Pyrenees, going up to about 2100m. It actually felt reasonably fast at the time given that I didn't know the road, but looks really slow on the video. Maybe it is slow and I'm just a big girl...
Work those struts!

Edited to improve the sound quality on the video.

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:48 pm

You definitely were not slow Mat! Unless we were just really, really slow...

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:07 pm

Dollywobbler wrote:Unless we were just really, really slow...

I wouldn't say that...in fact I was impressed by the way you were hustling Francine round some of those bends (downhill anyway!) Probably faster than I'd like to corner on 165 section rubber. Obviously helped by the extreme negative camber.

Daisy · Post by **Daisy** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 12:19 am

Truly scary Matt, (if we'd done that part, it would have been 2nd all the way (which clearly you were not.) Fanstastic footage.

Mike E (uk) · Post by **Mike E (uk)** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 11:58 pm

Team Red Leader were well impressed by the hill climbing ability of 'Smokey'

At altitute, the forced induction must have helped. The high torque at low RPM is ideal when navigating multiple hairpin bends up a French alp.

Sounded like a tank too.

Mike

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:06 am

Daisy wrote:Fantastic footage

Thanks, but I wish I'd cleaned the windscreen first! I think the camera really picks up on the grime.

Been fairly busy over the last few weeks...had hoped to do it before I left but just ran out of time. I did manage to get the base and single course of bricks done beforehand, so at least I made a start. The whole process has taken over a year, so I could never be accused of rushing into it!

From this

To this!

I'd better point out that it was essentially a kit build - I'd like to claim that my carpentry skills are up to constructing something like this from scratch, but sadly I think it would take too long. The trickiest bit was getting the roof angles right for where the two parts of the L shape join, they were something that had to be cut on site as any slight differences in the base and angle of the L would mean the beams may not fit, if they were supplied pre-cut. Now all I have to do is get it wired, put up guttering and fencing. Oh, and finish the house too!

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:44 am

Ooooooh! That's luuuurverly!! Who else is envious?!

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 12:02 pm

Fantastic. Are horses moving in?