JonnyP's Black LCR 210

Aug 1, 2009
511
0
Hemel Hempstead
I was actually thinking about getting in touch with the 2 of you - didnt know if you thought the rolling Hemel posse was a bit sad :p Lets see when people want to head in and we can make a decision nearer the time, but I'm up for it.
 
Aug 1, 2009
511
0
Hemel Hempstead
AMD Rolling Road Day

Thought it would be nice to finally get round to putting down a few bits and pieces about the SCN meet at AMD Essex last weekend. After a bit of a last minute organise, a few of us who live in the Hemel/Watford/Luton area decided that it might be nice to meet up and have a mini convoy. So we met just off J8 at the lovely time of 0830...

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Lining up from front to back is me, Lee (Ginger's) mate, Jaimi (H7 Cya), Stu (Hudson 82) and last but not least Lee (Ginger). Also about later was another of Lees mates in a Golf MKIV. We spend a bit of time having a chat and having a look at each others cars. The weather had been miserable, so we hadn't really been able to wash our cars, well, except Jaimi, who had decided to get up that morning to clean his - mentalist!!! That said - his did look exceptionally minted. Paintwork looked really good and the red was gleaming...

Well, after nattering away a bit and trying to find a spare clip (because we all carry them :blink:) for Hudsons DV hosing - which we didn't, then we finally set off down the motorway. Was nice to head out together - bit of SEAT pride!!! Sad but true. Love this next pic, I managed to squeeze 3, maybe 4 Leons into it :p

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I was expecting more convoy overtaking, but found out later that no-one really knew the way, so once I got to the front, I stayed there for most of it :) Eventually, we managed to get there, but no before we took a slight detour via the IKEA carpark (Cheers Jaimi, lol :)) The weather way freeezing and miserable, but there was already a good turnout. Was nice to be able to have a look round some of the cars that I read about here in the flesh. I'm not a massive modder but even I got some ideas for the engine bay... Saw loads of wicked wheels though, fave have got to be JonJays, loving the way that they are 2-tone. Makes the 'spokes' stand out a lot, and if i get a refurb, then I'll prob get 2 shades of silver/grey.

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Well, I'd brought the car down with the intention of rolling her (not literally) to make sure I had a base for any for any known mods. Have to say that I was a little nervous - she drives fine and everything, but I thought that she was gonna blow up or something when she went on. Didnt help that something sounded really odd when she was on there. Maybe it was the fans or the rollers themselves, but there was some loud reverberating sound that seemed to be coming from the direction of my car!!! Doesnt sound like that when I drive, but now I'm paranoid!

Rolling Rolling Rolling!!!

Funily, the chap doing the runs told me that she seemed really low for some reason when he first tried it, and that he realised it was because the floormat was too far up and was stopping him from putting the go-pedal down far enough :clap: Phew!! I didnt really manage to get any more comments about how it felt, but she made surprising figures...

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So 240 bhp and 260 torques... Now, I'm not sure about the graph, it seems that the curves are faily smooth (???), which I guess equates to power delivery, though the torque does tail off nearer the redline though, so who knows. I've heard about the AMD rollers being slightly optimistic, but the main thing from my point of view is that its not massively down on power.

All in all, a great day, nice to get there, have a good look round, eat lots of food and chat with some like minded SEAT owners. Cant wait until the next one - hopefully in the summer, or when its a bit warmer!!! Until then I have some nice ideas to aim for - I'm thinking of some basics first, like a Jetex and maybe the 3" TIP that everyone is raving about... and some painted wheels... and maybe a beefier sounding exhaust... and...

Big thanks to all who helped arrange it. Car meet cherry popped then!!! :funk:
 
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h7 cya

Active Member
Jun 3, 2009
453
0
Great write up john, was nice to meet you and the other guys. Roll on better weather and the next rr day!
 

t0m

LCR 225
Apr 29, 2007
8,133
7
Kent
Nice write up and pics/vid!

Will make more effort to meet you and others next time. I was a bit unsure who was who..
 
Aug 1, 2009
511
0
Hemel Hempstead
A bit of TLC

Well, its been ages since I've chucked anything on here, between work and the little one, I don't know where all the time goes. A combination of time and weather has meant that I haven't really been able to give her a proper clean for quite some time. Shes been cleaned, but only a quick one each time.

Managed to persuade to go and visit some friends (and take Josh with her) so that meant that I had a good afternoon to get some cleaning and layering done. Spent a good while waiting for the flipping weather to sort itself out (Not too hot, but not raining), so whilst that was going one, I nipped out to get some more of my fave shampoo, Zymol Natural Shampoo. They were having 3 for 2 so I thought I would go for some Megs Quick Wax for topping up between washes.

Finally managed to get down to it washed her twice, then a dried with this. I usually use Megs water magnets, but only got this recently and found it amazing. It really soaks up water really well and meat that I could get round in decent time without any streaks. Must get another as a backup, cant argue at that price really.

Next up, a few layers of AutoGlym Super Resin Polish, then a couple of layers of AG Extra Gloss Protection to seal it off. This is a pretty standard combo and works well together, especially for dark cars.

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Its tough to make out in pictures, but I always find that it makes the black a lot 'deeper' and hopefully its down to the filling agents in the SRP. By that time, my arms were falling off, so I instead of chucking on my regular Dodo Juice wax, I just used the Megs spray wax. I'm sure that it will rain soon, so will be able to see how it holds up, or whether it really needs a proper layer underneath it to be effective.

Done a couple of bits and bobs since the last post, though nothing major, will chuck them on here if I can find the pics.
 
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Aug 1, 2009
511
0
Hemel Hempstead
Osram Nightbreakers

Did another simple but effective change when someone noticed at work that one of my headlights was out. I was thinking about going the HIDs route, but wasnt sure because of the changes in MOT regulations that are coming in. I'll probably wait until that happens and see if people are getting failures because of all the hid kits.

Pretty much the best known non-HID bulb, and settled for some Osram Nightbreaker Plus Bulbs (H7). Easy to fit, the hardest part was remembering how to put back on the securing clip behind the bulb!

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Wasnt really expecting that much, but pleasantly surprised by them. I think that they look quite white to me, but forgot to get a before picure so cant really compare. Still not sure about the beam pattern though, looks a bit off and jagged to me, but maybe thats what its always been like and I havent noticed because of how dull the old bulbs were. Does that look right to you lot?

The original Nightbreakers were known to burn out quickly, but apparentle these 'Plus' versions last a lot longer. We will see, but still got my eye on some HIDs :p
 
Aug 1, 2009
511
0
Hemel Hempstead
Cruise Control...

Since the turn of the year, my work has taken me to a client in Milton Keynes, which has mean that I've become an M1 journeyman... Which normally would be great, but I live in Hemel Hempstead, so I get on at J9 and get off at J14, which means each morning and evening I live my life at 50mph... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

After a while, I decided that the drive was getting frustrating enough with the other idiot drivers, let alone the strain (or lack of) it puts on your right foot, so I decided to get cruise control retrofitted. Had a look on these forums and figures out the parts to get etc, and would have given it a shot myself, but the only bit that I wasnt sure about doing was hooking wiring into the ECU. The scope of major FAIL was too high so had a look at somewhere to get it done.

Eventually settled on a place nearby called HazzyDayz which was nearby. They actually operate all round the country, but are based near me, so I phoned up one weekend to get a quote and had some time to get it fitted that day so 15 mins later, there I was.

Really sound guy called Martin was my technician, and he let me hang about to watch. Definitely could have done most of it, but he made it look dead simple. He was a top block to chat to, and I would recommend them to anyone. Also got a 10% discount for coming in, so all in was £178.

Drives in the morning are a piece of cake now, I wonder how I ever got on without it. Mind you, when tired in mornings, it makes it almost too easy to fall asleep! Going through that 50 zone and with CC enabled has probably made my car the most efficient it will ever be - regularly see the 30 mile trip end 42-44 on the average MPG counter - I think this reads high though, but manually working out a tank has given me 36 mpg, which is really good, 400 miles a tank good...

...All of which means I have more petrol to spank on a spirited drive when not on the M1 :)
 

h7 cya

Active Member
Jun 3, 2009
453
0
Hey jonathan how are you keeping? Nice updates buddy. I feel your pain for them road works they really can be a pain in the backside!

Really liking them direct fit bulbs they! If one of mine pops i think i may invest in a set. Where did you get them from?
 

J@mes W

Stage 1 Revo'd LCR
Jun 28, 2009
985
1
Colchester
Nice update Jon, sometimes i wish i had cruise control. Im very impressed with the bulbs! :)

Following on from our conversation the other day about detailing, its all about the clay bar. This makes a huge difference when you put the polish and wax on.
 
Aug 1, 2009
511
0
Hemel Hempstead
Well, you can get them from pretty much anywhere, if you can wait then places online like here on amazon etc can give you the best prices. By the way, I've used that seller ace parts too for bits and pieces like NGK Iridiums etc and they are probably the cheapest around, so def worth checking them out if you need bits and pieces.

I found out at work when someone spotted me coming back in with one bulb gone, but I needed them that evening, so I had to get them from a eurocarparts place near where I live. Cost me £25 so well over the odds, but still worth it.

I'm definitely impressed with them, so may try and get the fogs and maybe even the main beam ones too to complete the set.
 
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Aug 1, 2009
511
0
Hemel Hempstead
Nice update Jon, sometimes i wish i had cruise control. Im very impressed with the bulbs! :)

Following on from our conversation the other day about detailing, its all about the clay bar. This makes a huge difference when you put the polish and wax on.

If you do any sort of motorway miles regularly then I suggest you definitely think about getting cruise control. I mean I love to bomb it up and down the highway (er...up to the speed limit of course) but you just cant afford to do that all the time unless its just a weekend car, or you get paid loooads. Makes you less succeptible to road rage too :) The last few things are only small updates, but truth be told, I'm relatively happy with the way she goes, and the economy she gives me, so I'm spending the car money more on gadgety things and cleaning gear (You know, more waxes, cloths etc) as I those are the things that are getting to me. I need to sort out the painwork, as I have a scuff on the bumper that I've had for months, and I would love to get some proper polishing hardware as getting that SRP in by hand is tough!!! But yeah - I did think about getting the clay bar action going, but will have to wait for next time.

Mind you, your remap figures, and the power delivery has got me thinking :think: it might just be worth saving up for a remap. How much was it actually? I had a look on the Revo site and couldnt find anything specific to the linear map.

PS. You should definitely check out the drying towel I linked to - its really good and good value too. Nothing worse than cleaning the car, then the efffing sun coming out before you can properly dry it all off.
 
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h7 cya

Active Member
Jun 3, 2009
453
0
Thanks for the link mate, ive saved it to favourites. Just checked out your drting towel and have also got this towel... It certainly is great. I used to have a poorboys waffle weave and thought that was good intil my gf got me this for christmas. Really does make life easier when washing in the sun and still performs great after numerous washes and a few trips in the washing machine. Would recommend it to anyone!!
 
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