The life of... SharkyUK's Trophy

[SharkyUK]

Well that was quite the read! Starting reading for info on the Schrick cams, but many hours later I've learnt a lot more haha!
First of all, congratulations on your persistence, most people would have thrown in the towel long ago... Secondly, I hope you get the car back and running reliably soon so that you can actually enjoy it! :smile:

:up: Thanks for taking the time to read through - you have more patience and persistence than I do I've come close to throwing in the towel on many an occasion... but then (a) I remember how much fun the car CAN be and, (b) I remember how much I have invested in this car. I will see it through to the end one way or another! :tonguewink:

The Schrick cams are (were) great

Nice to see it's moving forward, and to see how generous the people of this community are :smile:

You've got a lot of very knowledgeable guys working on this so I'm sure it'll be truly epic!

Exactly mate - there are some truly generous folks around and I hope I can one day return the favour to those people

Nice updates, ecu choice looks good having seen chips on facebook.

I haven't seen mine since the end of May lol. Hoping it should be back any week now for running in :smilingimp:

Yeah, I'm looking forward to having a play with the ECU (safely). It's a really nice piece of kit offering a wealth of features and customisation. Good luck with your own car; fingers crossed all goes well with the running-in (and then for many miles more!)

 

[Lal B3N]

Yeah, I'm looking forward to having a play with the ECU (safely). It's a really nice piece of kit offering a wealth of features and customisation. Good luck with your own car; fingers crossed all goes well with the running-in (and then for many miles more!)

I hope so! Its booked on to a trackday at Spa in 5 weeks lol!

 

[SharkyUK]

October 2015 - Update #1
Not much to report as I'm still waiting for the ECU to arrive. I'm really missing the T, especially after the recent good weather we've had here and the fantastic Trophy Wales Weekender that @Tim. organised last month. Despite not having the T I was kindly allowed to join the group, but kept myself hidden at the back! :tonguewink: Mostly. Here are a couple of snaps...


RS Trophy Weekender by Andy Eder, on Flickr


RS Trophy Weekender by Andy Eder, on Flickr


RS Trophy Weekender by Andy Eder, on Flickr

Loving the EP3 whilst the Trophy is away. But it's not the same

RS Trophy Weekender by Andy Eder, on Flickr

Fingers crossed the ECU turns up soon At least that will be one thing less to worry about!

In the meantime... sad face on... *sniff*

 

[TimR26]

Has the engine been built yet?

 

[SharkyUK]

Has the engine been built yet?

I've no idea mate. The gearbox needs to be done as well and that could be another expensive job I'm hoping it's nothing serious.

 

[SharkyUK]

Another week passes and still not received the ECU The engine builder is still waiting on the pistons.

 

[MarcB]

This is some build @SharkyUK

I just hope that once its done you do not need to go through any of the issues you have had in the past.

 

[SharkyUK]

Thanks Marc. I'm sure there will be little things here and there that need addressing, but hopefully I'll be able to enjoy this one on the road and track days. It's been a long time since I last drove a Clio so looking forward to getting it back.

 

[Owen]

Ah Andy, gutted to read the last few (read many) pages and see you're still having trouble (not sure that word quite captures the heartbreak!). Good to see you've not lost the faith and that the Trophy will live to drive again.

My ITB'd 182 has been off the road for a good while since failing it's MOT due to high emissions (!). Need to organise a trailer and get it to a specialist to look at/fix/get back on the road as the novelty of driving a smoky mondeo is wearing very thin.

 

[Stefan.]

I would have lost patience a long long time ago

Credit to you for sticking with it

You must really love this trophy lol

 

[TimR26]

What pistons are you using? Guess the block will be bored out to 83mm.

Takes the piss that you still haven't received the ECU after paying weeks ago.

 

[Tony Hunter]

All sounds typical to me.

 

[SharkyUK]

Ah Andy, gutted to read the last few (read many) pages and see you're still having trouble (not sure that word quite captures the heartbreak!). Good to see you've not lost the faith and that the Trophy will live to drive again.

My ITB'd 182 has been off the road for a good while since failing it's MOT due to high emissions (!). Need to organise a trailer and get it to a specialist to look at/fix/get back on the road as the novelty of driving a smoky mondeo is wearing very thin.

I'm still hanging in there, mate. Just. It's starting to bother me now though as I've spent so much and got so little back. I feel that - no matter how good it becomes - it will never be able to pay me back now. It's sad that I've had the car since 2007 and it's spent 3.5 years in one workshop or another having work done during my ownership.

A smoky Mondeo, eh? Now that sounds like fun... but at least it keeps you mobile! Get the Clio sorted out and go enjoy those bodies

I would have lost patience a long long time ago

Credit to you for sticking with it

You must really love this trophy lol

The patience has worn thin; more so than ever before. I kinda wish I'd walked away after the first engine f**k ups way back when. It would have saved me well over 5 digits worth of pounds.

What pistons are you using? Guess the block will be bored out to 83mm.

Takes the piss that you still haven't received the ECU after paying weeks ago.

To be honest Tim, I don't know. More worrying I don't really care too much at the moment. It's just one thing after another. I know it can't be helped but even I'm coming to the end of my tether now. The pistons might be CP, but I can't recall and that might have been for someone else's build. We're trying to come up with a decent combination of pistons and rings and were looking to avoid the Wossners. As for the ECU... pass. I can't even be bothered asking or chasing any more.

All sounds typical to me.

Doesn't it just!

 

[Keith185]

Owned yours more or less as long as i have mine it will all be worth it in the end Andy.

 

[Russ_16v]

October 2015 - Update #1
Not much to report as I'm still waiting for the ECU to arrive. I'm really missing the T, especially after the recent good weather we've had here and the fantastic Trophy Wales Weekender that @Tim. organised last month. Despite not having the T I was kindly allowed to join the group, but kept myself hidden at the back! :tonguewink: Mostly. Here are a couple of snaps...


RS Trophy Weekender by Andy Eder, on Flickr


RS Trophy Weekender by Andy Eder, on Flickr


RS Trophy Weekender by Andy Eder, on Flickr

Loving the EP3 whilst the Trophy is away. But it's not the same 😧

RS Trophy Weekender by Andy Eder, on Flickr

Fingers crossed the ECU turns up soon :smile: At least that will be one thing less to worry about!

In the meantime... sad face on... *sniff*

Want to know the most suprising thing in that video? I literally cannot remember when my garage was that clean and empty :-/

 

[MarcB]

@SharkyUK

I hate to say it mate but i feel so sorry for you having putting so much money into this car and never getting to see any return.
I know it will be a very very good feeling when you get it back but if i was in your shoes i would be asking myself how much more cash i need to spend on this in the future for running costs and any issues that might happen.

Stick in mate !!

 

[SharkyUK]

Owned yours more or less as long as i have mine :smile: it will all be worth it in the end Andy.

I hope so, Keith And I hope to keep it for many, MANY more years. And in a working state :tonguewink:

Want to know the most suprising thing in that video? I literally cannot remember when my garage was that clean and empty :-/

Hahahaha, I still reckon it was a mirage... it's never been that clean! :tonguewink:

@SharkyUK

I hate to say it mate but i feel so sorry for you having putting so much money into this car and never getting to see any return.
I know it will be a very very good feeling when you get it back but if i was in your shoes i would be asking myself how much more cash i need to spend on this in the future for running costs and any issues that might happen.

Stick in mate !!

Sympathy accept! Hahaha! The hope is that I won't have to spend silly amounts again in the future once this build has been done. Sure, the pistons might need changing at some point, the valves, etc. but this is all part of the modified car ownership thing; something that I an accept. The problem has been the failures. Failures whereby the engine has been critically damaged and it's resulted in needing a new engine pretty much from scratch (or, indeed, from scratch) rather than just replacing a couple of broken parts. If I can avoid a catastrophic engine fail I'll be happy, just spending here and there as needed for maintenance and replacement. Not splashing out thousands for a whole new setup

I'm in it for the long run anyway now as it owes me far too much and I have to see it through.

 

[SharkyUK]

October 2015 - Update #2
Time for a brief update...

Sadly the ECU hasn't been delivered and is a few weeks overdue. However, I did receive the manual for it a few days ago so that's a good start! And, even better, I received a message that FedEx had picked up the kit and it's on the way from Sweden as I speak/type. It's due to arrive towards the middle of the week.

The engine build still hasn't happened yet as there's been some debate and decision-making about what pistons and rings to go for. This has pretty much been decided now though. Chip (thanks mate) has loaned the engine builder his Wossner pistons to use as mock-ups so that details and measurements can be made from them. The data will then be sent off and a custom set of CP pistons made up. I *think* that's pretty much everything needed then for the engine side of things (more or less).

That's all for now, cheers!

 

[NorthloopCup]

October 2015 - Update #2
Time for a brief update...

Sadly the ECU hasn't been delivered and is a few weeks overdue. However, I did receive the manual for it a few days ago so that's a good start! And, even better, I received a message that FedEx had picked up the kit and it's on the way from Sweden as I speak/type. It's due to arrive towards the middle of the week. :smile:

The engine build still hasn't happened yet as there's been some debate and decision-making about what pistons and rings to go for. This has pretty much been decided now though. Chip (thanks mate) has loaned the engine builder his Wossner pistons to use as mock-ups so that details and measurements can be made from them. The data will then be sent off and a custom set of CP pistons made up. I *think* that's pretty much everything needed then for the engine side of things (more or less).

That's all for now, cheers!

Do it once, (ok maybe not in the first couple of instances) do it right. I'm confident you'll have a pretty much bombproof engine when it's done mate.

 

[SharkyUK]

Do it once, (ok maybe not in the first couple of instances) do it right. I'm confident you'll have a pretty much bombproof engine when it's done mate.

LOL! The thing is, I fully believed it was going to be done right in the first couple of instances! Over to you Steve... :tonguewink: He'll do a top job along with everyone else involved; I'm sure of it

 

[dablk]

Andy, I think you just nose them against walls and then rev them till they break as you like the misery

 

[SharkyUK]

Chris, I can't even get them to drive far enough to reach a wall... the chance would be a fine thing!

 

[SharkyUK]

October 2015 - Update #3
A very brief update...

I'm happy to report that the ECU has arrived and the digi-dash has been ordered. If everything goes to plan then Mike will be hoping to sort out the wiring on the T in the coming weeks. Progress!

In the end the digi-dash of choice was the AIM MXL Strada. I'll try and get some photos sorted for an update soon.

 

[cpaterson76]

Very nice!! at least you'll have something pretty to look at when revving against the wall this time !! 🙈

Cant wait to see this progress Andy, its been a long time coming but it will be at a different level this time :wink:

 

[Matt W]

Very posh.
It'll look nice while waiting for the AA van :grin:

 

[dablk]

Very posh.
It'll look nice while waiting for the AA van :grin:

harsh ...however there are lot of alarm lights on it for Andy to light up.

Looks mega Andy. How are you thinking of intergrating into the dash?

 

[Tony Hunter]

146 in 3rd :wink:

 

[SharkyUK]

Very nice!! at least you'll have something pretty to look at when revving against the wall this time !! 🙈

Cant wait to see this progress Andy, its been a long time coming but it will be at a different level this time :wink:

LOL! What can I say? I'm a sucker for pretty lights... :tonguewink: Hopefully I'll have some decent updates and more progress to share soon. It's a shame winter's coming but I'm starting to feel a lot more upbeat for next year now. Once things are mechanically sound (or thereabouts) I'll start thinking about returning it to its former colour (although I hear that pink is the new red...)

Very posh.
It'll look nice while waiting for the AA van :grin:

I've paid a bit extra for the version with Snake installed on it. It will pass the time quicker... :tonguewink:

harsh :wink:...however there are lot of alarm lights on it for Andy to light up.

Looks mega Andy. How are you thinking of intergrating into the dash?

The data-logging and alarm features are the important things. I'd rather be alerted to an issue immediately so that the ECU or I can take appropriate measures to decrease the chances of another catastrophic engine failure The MaxxECU is a real nice bit of kit and I'm informed that it talks directly to this digital dash (which always helps). As for integrating into the dash... I don't know yet. Hanging freely by its connecting wires is an option I guess! It's something we'll need to decide (a minor thing in the scheme of things).

146 in 3rd :wink:

Indeed, but it's in km/h... so only about 90mph. I think.

On a completely unrelated note I remember a friend of mine who had an NSX that could reach 86mph in second gear...

 

[dablk]

I was actually curious how it works at mot time. I assume you have to keep some of the original dash lights? so cant just get ride of the lot?

Unless you have a friendly mot tester

 

[Euan94]

That dash is a bit of kit.

Good to see some progress

 

[NorthloopCup]

LOL! What can I say? I'm a sucker for pretty lights... :tonguewink: Hopefully I'll have some decent updates and more progress to share soon. It's a shame winter's coming but I'm starting to feel a lot more upbeat for next year now. Once things are mechanically sound (or thereabouts) I'll start thinking about returning it to its former colour (although I hear that pink is the new red...)


I've paid a bit extra for the version with Snake installed on it. It will pass the time quicker... :tonguewink:


The data-logging and alarm features are the important things. I'd rather be alerted to an issue immediately so that the ECU or I can take appropriate measures to decrease the chances of another catastrophic engine failure :smile: The MaxxECU is a real nice bit of kit and I'm informed that it talks directly to this digital dash (which always helps). As for integrating into the dash... I don't know yet. Hanging freely by its connecting wires is an option I guess! It's something we'll need to decide (a minor thing in the scheme of things).


Indeed, but it's in km/h... so only about 90mph. I think.

On a completely unrelated note I remember a friend of mine who had an NSX that could reach 86mph in second gear...

My old mk3 Astra could pull 63mph. In first. Lol! I s**t you not! Quaife CR box with long 1st and 5th gear. I think off the top of my head it was pulling around 90 in 2nd at 7500, with a top speed of 174 on the limiter.

 

[SharkyUK]

I was actually curious how it works at mot time. I assume you have to keep some of the original dash lights? so cant just get ride of the lot?

Unless you have a friendly mot tester

There are two versions of the display; one for road use and one for race. It's just a case of using the correct fascia and config as I understand it. On the road going version, some of the LED alarms around the periphery are used for indicators, oil level, etc. so as to fully comply with motoring law

That dash is a bit of kit.

Good to see some progress

It certainly is!

My old mk3 Astra could pull 63mph. In first. Lol! I s**t you not! Quaife CR box with long 1st and 5th gear. I think off the top of my head it was pulling around 90 in 2nd at 7500, with a top speed of 174 on the limiter.

Haha, that's impressive! I know the NSX could hit 60mph without having to change gear, too. But it's more impressive in an Astra!

 

[NorthloopCup]

Haha, that's impressive! I know the NSX could hit 60mph without having to change gear, too. But it's more impressive in an Astra!

Yeah it was a proper comedy gold car tbf. Well in a straightline that is! Lol! It looked totally standard on the exterior other than 17" turinis (1st set in the uk!), lowered and the big mouth bumper mod for the intercooler. Rinsed out many a super car just for s***s and giggles! With 440bhp and just over 1000kg, these operations were made particularly easy. :laughing:

 

[SharkyUK]

:rage::rage::rage:
Digital dash arrives. Not the one advertised or paid for. Been sent the cheap version that doesn't have the features needed. Not happy and 750 quid out of pocket whilst it goes to dispute. FFS!

 

[George182]

Good lord

 

[cs_dave]

:rage::rage::rage:
Digital dash arrives. Not the one advertised or paid for. Been sent the cheap version that doesn't have the features needed. Not happy and 750 quid out of pocket whilst it goes to dispute. FFS!

Mate you must be the most unlucky clio owner ever nothing seems to go smooth for you does it. Hope all gets sorted soon

 

[Euan94]

You must've been a right b*****d in a previous life! Hope it gets sorted with no bother.

 

[Tony Hunter]

Sorry Andy, but lol.
And no, I'm not being funny.

 

[Bluebeard]

You're the type of guy to win the lottery and then your house burns down with the ticket still inside. And your home insurance paperwork.

Ffs.

 

[GiT]

You're in the 1p club ain't you Sharky!?