VOC 300 Rally 2005

Post by **foggyjames** » 31 Dec 2004 03:42 am

I'm a member of the VOC, and I think *any* event which raises the profile of the 300 has to be a good thing. However, I have two objections to the VOC scene...temporarily ignoring the 'old school' caravan lot...

1) Anal judging. When my car was judged I think very little consideration was given to my situation. I choose to put my time into doing the things that I can, rather than struggling against Volvo's in places sub-standard build quality (cough cough rust cough). I would really like the time and effort I've put into tracking down and fitting rare parts recognised, rather than my car dismissed on the basis that I can't justify spending a couple of grand to fix the rust and bad paint on a car worth £200. Get real, Judges!

2) Total lack of interest in young drivers. The VOC membership will be gone within 20 years at this rate. Wake up! There has been one genuine winner of the young driver prize in the last 6 years or so - and she had just bought the car a week ago, and it had been lovingly cared for by its previous elderly owner!

Having said that, I am willing to support anything which promotes the RWD Volvo scene, as I see myself (and my contempories) as the future of the scene. If we go out to meets and arse around, that's what the scene will become! No labradors and caravans - just fun! You guys do know we got thrown out of the national show this year, right?

To be fair though, it wasn't intentional, and I offer my apologies to all concerned.

In summary....GOOD IDEA John - I'll be there if I can!

cheers

James

Post by **redline** » 31 Dec 2004 09:30 am

I didnt have a labrador,I had a german shepherd , mind you the 960 24valve is harder than your average volvo. LOL (oh and we had a dalmation but I always said that was the wifes dog )

Post by **5lab** » 31 Dec 2004 10:42 am

foggyjames wrote:2) Total lack of interest in young drivers. The VOC membership will be gone within 20 years at this rate. Wake up! There has been one genuine winner of the young driver prize in the last 6 years or so - and she had just bought the car a week ago, and it had been lovingly cared for by its previous elderly owner!

now now, the important thing is, was she fit?

Post by **Chesh740R** » 31 Dec 2004 12:53 pm

For ya Judges, I would Suggest that you anyone who has entered their car must then go round and mark everybody else's car thats entered.

This has allways worked very well at VW shows i've attended.
A good case in point was that a well known Tuner in the VW event trailered a car there and it was just finished and was immaculate, however there was a guy with a MK1 Gti that was also immaculate and very original but spent the first 5 hours of the show cleaning it again thoroughly.

I'm sure you can guess who the people voted for.

Failing that i'm sure perhaps me and rupert would be glad to offer our services as independant judges, as we too have fallen victim to BKV judges many a times and know what should count and what doesnt make a difference.

Also we both owned several 300 series between us so have a fondness for the car.

I tell ya it hasnt got a volvo battery because
1 there expensive and
2 the bosch is a bettery battery in my Opinion.

Post by **V6 Man** » 31 Dec 2004 12:55 pm

She wasn't bad looking if that's what you mean.........

And I had nothing to do with being thrown out........ Nothing at all.......... It was his fault........... I wasn't even there............. No idea what you are talking about.......... Powerslides???.................

Post by **36016v** » 02 Jan 2005 05:15 pm

When is the 300 meeting gonna be? thinking of bringing mine along seeing how everyone is allways asking for info on it, might even have the turbo on it by then. Last time we took a modified 300 to the voc meet we just got a load of old gits saying, well you cant enter that car cause you towed it on a trailer. Doh, thats cause its a race car and not road legal, try and show members what youve done to your car and you get that attitude

Post by **Fuse** » 02 Jan 2005 06:19 pm

You have 16V redblock in your 360? Do you have any pics of it? Modified 300-series are always interesting.

Post by **foggyjames** » 02 Jan 2005 06:56 pm

Ah, this'd be Mr Mark Higgins then!

Come along Mark, you'll get no attitude from us! All the better if you can bring Kev. With a little luck I'll have my R-Sport tuning kit in by then

To be fair to the VOC, that rule is there to stop people bringing in museum pieces - ie: it has to be a 'living breathing' road-legal car to be entered into the 'best kept Volvo' contest. But I don't think the BKV is the right event for a racing car (or even an everyday car) anyway - it's for showcars.

cheers

James

Post by **36016v** » 03 Jan 2005 07:08 pm

yup its me james, i would be interested in comming just to show the car to other members that appreciate the amount of time ive spent on it and who have a positive attitude towards the 300 series cars. Sorry for not updating my website recently, but im waiting till the turbo goes in, the manifold is being welded up at present with a local engineering firm, to fit the 16g turbo. The intercooler is allready in and the new engine management system is also wired in. Oh latest addition is a 3" exhaust sytem which needs a bit of tweaking cause its 115 db at the moment. Ive also wired in 4 cameras to the car, 1 in the front bumper, 1 in the rear, 1 looking back from the roof and 1 facing forward in the cabin. Controlled through a 4 way switcher in the dash and then to a vcr in the boot. Its good to use when your on the track as you can flick through cams to whichever view you want depending on where the action is.

Currently researching possibilities of either welding the diff up or replacing the spider gears with a locking mechanism, ill let you know if i come up with anything of interest. Oh nearly forgot, purchased a set of slicks for the last to days at brands hatch and donnington, and the car is handling unreal.

my website for anyone who is interested in what ive done to the car is
www.higgins340.fsnet.co.uk

Post by **foggyjames** » 03 Jan 2005 07:50 pm

You best watch out Mark - I've got a project car now (340 3dr), and I want silly BHP from it

You can breathe easily though - I can't even start work on it for at least a year, and it'll be a drag racer rather than a track car (at least to begin with)! The current debate is whether to go 16v redblock, 24v PRV V6, or 5 cyl whiteblock.

16G...that thing is gonna fly! Can't wait. Got any pics of the design for the exhaust manifold? What are your plans for the cams? Do you think Kev will come along too? We're having a V3M meet at Easter, so that's a bit sooner...and nothing to do with the VOC!

Why not perform a full transmission swap? I think with that much power on tap (depending on the exact spec, you're going to be looking at 3-400), you'll start having major problems no matter how careful you are. I'd suggest a front-mounted Volvo M90 gearbox (cheap, strong!) and a rear end from something else...no suggestions there at the moment!

cheers

James

Post by **jtbo** » 03 Jan 2005 08:15 pm

OMG, OMG, I have only dreamed from modding something like that

Hmm, maybe fitting Corrado brakes should be indeed possible even with our laws. What brake calibers is in there? Was it easy to fit them?

beep, beep, beep, here is your truckload of respect, sir

Post by **36016v** » 09 Jan 2005 08:56 pm

the brake calipers are willwood dynalites, they cost about £75 each and i use mintex 1199 pads, both last well on the track and only had to replace 1 set of pads per year so they last for 5-6 track days, driving solid on them.

Well i cant get any lsd from SAM in sweden, no longer do them, so researching other options.

Wouldnt do a front end g/box swap, the guy i originally bought the car from was looking into it, i dont want silly power though, might program the ecu with two settings one for max hp just to see what it can do and one for traction horsepower, sensible enough not to spin me off the track every session.

where is the easter meeting being held?????

Post by **foggyjames** » 10 Jan 2005 12:50 am

I agree about not mounting the box at the front...I suggested it as its a cheaper option. I'm planning to replace the drivetrain in Nessy with something stronger, but retain the existing layout.

The location of the meet is yet to be decided, but it'll most likely be in the Milton Keynes area (maybe a little further south?), as that seems to be the most central!

Looking forward to seeing you!

cheers

James

Post by **jtbo** » 10 Jan 2005 08:31 am

How about using parts from Alfa Romeo 75? It has gearbox at back. If one keeps rear axle, but replaces transmission, powershaft and differential, maybe is still possible to do it?

Alfa had also V6 and LSD on some models so I think it is stronger.

Post by **foggyjames** » 10 Jan 2005 11:08 am

That's good to know. It's all down to strength - the Volvo drivetrain isn't weak as such, so I want to make sure I'm getting a significant improvement to justify the work.

cheers

James