Mat's BX Blog

saintjamesy89 · Post by **saintjamesy89** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 9:33 pm

Cor, that looks and sounds like it was fantastic! My journey home was 4.5 hours of motorway dullness... But there are 10 mins of fun lanes just before I get home, so woke up then, astra felt more grippy than usual (wouldn't take much!) maybe the tyres were hot

It was nice to meet you Matt, but I meant to ask for a ride in your BX to sample 1.9 turbo diesel powah. Do you swap at the ICCCR, ride in GT for ride in 1.9td??

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 10:29 pm

You should have said! I remember you asking about the performance but subtlety will get you nowhere - I'm a bloke

TBH after its winter hibernation I thought it felt a tad flat and slightly smoky, even on the way to the event today. But maybe the sustained high speed run on the way back blew out the cobwebs? Best way to describe it is surfing on a huge wave of torque, and in that way is easier to drive than a 16v because the performance is instantly available if on boost (rather than having to drop a gear or two).

Vanny · Post by **Vanny** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 7:44 am

mat_fenwick wrote:slightly smoky,

Slightly smoky? Only Slightly? You need to travel behind it at some point! I never saw a single roundabout or hill when following, due to the all encompassing nature of your rear end smog making!

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 10:55 pm

Yeah, I kept catching it off boost which didn't help, but normally I can't see any smoke from the driver's seat (unless I deliberately induce it).

In other news, is this the first BX with a USB socket?

I prefer to avoid trailing wires across the dash as much as possible, so this seemed the best solution.

Paul296 · Post by **Paul296** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 11:12 pm

mat_fenwick wrote: trailing wires across the dash

^ I HATE those! That is really neat

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 11:23 am

It was quite tricky getting the hole in the right position - any higher and it would catch on the seam, and lower and it wouldn't sit flush due to the curve of the tray. I guess I could have turned it 90 degrees to give more clearance, but then I'd always be trying to remember which way round it was (I've made sure it's the right way up as it is!)

On the subject of trailing wires, this is what I have to run the rest of the electrical items in the car (plus a cigarette lighter in the boot to keep a mini torch permanently charged).

The multiway socket was a cheap eBay buy, but re-wired with cable capable of taking more than about an amp!

toddao · Post by **toddao** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 8:13 pm

More electrical outlets than Currys! Is that a standard BX cigarette lighter on the back of the central console?

Those pics of your drive back are great..

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 2:01 am

toddao wrote:Is that a standard BX cigarette lighter on the back of the central console?

No, as standard it had a socket like the one on the dash in your van. DIN 4165 I think.

Just finished swapping the heater tap, what a complete and utter bastard of a job! I did ask myself several times "Why am I doing this?"

Also noticed a crack starting on the throttle pedal bracket. Still, at least taking it out will give me the chance to take out that nasty spring under the brake pedal!

Vanny · Post by **Vanny** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 8:36 am

mat_fenwick wrote: at least taking it out will give me the chance to take out that nasty spring under the brake pedal!

I've heard taking it out doesn't make much difference. It supposedly doesn't come into play until your pressing really hard, the initial effort is meant to be the same. I'll be interested to see how you get on without it.

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 10:24 am

Hmmm, all I wan't to achieve is a similar feel to the Mk1 BX, and other older Citroens. I.e. very little pedal movement, just touch sensitive brakes. Someone did mention that ABS brakes felt significantly different, and I'm now wondering if that's the reason?

I had planned to take plenty of photos last night; I managed this...

...but then it went dark, as did my mood

Mickey taker · Post by **Mickey taker** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 11:26 pm

mat_fenwick wrote:

Mat , how do you remove the black plastic cover that sits under the front of the seat on the floor ( as seen just to the right of your socket/spanner,
do you have to remove the seat to get it out?

I wanted to take it out to make getting the sub and rear speaker wiring through easier or am I better off just passing the wires through one of the slots ?

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 11:36 pm

Ooh, I dunno mate, not without having a look (I've left the pedal box welding 'till tomorrow given the rain tonight). It's not part of the side trim so can't see why you'd need to take the seat out. But also can't really see what you'd gain - where are you planning to put stuff?

Mickey taker · Post by **Mickey taker** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 11:40 pm

running cables from head unit to boot , have removed side trim to lift carpet but was going to run the wires next to the loom which passes under the red (in your car) piece of metal that the front seat mounts are in

themildbunch · Post by **themildbunch** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 11:30 am

mat_fenwick wrote:
Also noticed a crack starting on the throttle pedal bracket. Still, at least taking it out will give me the chance to take out that nasty spring under the brake pedal!

Mine's been split for ages - attempted to take the pedal box out 6 months ago but was stuck on that crazy clutch cable fixing and decided to leave alone as we were going on holiday the next day... Did a quick weld up the seem with it installed but this only held for a few months... I'd love to see some images and clever tricks to detach and reattach the clutch cable if you attempt it...

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 11:44 am

I'll be giving it a go tonight, so hopefully not another late one! If I remain in a good mood I'll take some photos. I understand the original clutch cables are easier to get back on, and AFAIK mine hasn't been changed - nothing in the service history and I certainly haven't done it.

Mick, from memory if you take up the carpet in the driver's footwell there is a grove in the floorpan which then passes underneath the front seat crossmember. Not sure of the best route from then on though.