M&W 550 Overhaul...
Moderator: Bootsy
Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...
Hi Guys
So, its time for the promised initial driving impressions.
Please bear in mind my ‘daily’ for the last few years has been a 06/07 997.1 C2S (manual) it’s still in standard spec which means it comes with power everything and while I’ll try not to let this colour things, its still lurking in the back of my mind.
Firstly, the overriding thing that hits you is (both metaphorically and in very real terms) the wind. Now, I spent twelve years with Caterhams as my only cars, but the low Perspex screen, relatively shallow waist line and my height make even a trip to the paper shop into an adventure (and that’s a good thing)!
Protective headwear for the ‘Carrera De Cumbria’ or a trip to the shops.
With under 300 miles on the clock the engine is really just starting to free up, with its lightened flywheel it picks up quickly and drops off in the same way, while its not a massively ‘touquey’ unit it already feels ‘sporty’ and in character with the car.
Paul’s (Foreman) instructions where to “use the revs” but not to “labour” the engine, so I trying my best to do this.
Until the engine is fully run in its unfair to judge how well it mates with the (901/914) gear box but the signs are good, they’d be even better if I could get me head round the fact that none of the gears are in the same place as the 997.
I’m glad to say that the ‘dog leg’ shift has nice solid, precise mechanical feel and thanks to the (sometimes irritating) ‘push down to engage’ 1st/reverse gear plane, I haven’t (yet) managed to leave a set of traffic lights in reverse!
It’s safe to say engine wise it’s “good now” and it’ll be “great” once its run-in.
I’m planning a rolling road session after its first service/oil change.
As for the gearbox, it’s all good, but the driver needs work.
Lil Cesar in his PJs.
Now for the real driving stuff, the car has a fabulous inherent balance, the chassis and suspension really feels ‘of a whole’, I’ve already driven into a few corners faster than intended, expecting to get all ‘arses & elbows’ only to simply drive smoothly and effortlessly through them, all this on skinny, relatively cheap Brockley 4.5 inch tyres. Its handling really is a revelation after the mess I handed to Paul!
Happy to say (on a separate occasion) those same corners, when the car in front of me ‘panic braked’ mid corner proved the all new braking system (CSP discs front, big drums rear) is excellent (also nice and progressive to when you don’t have to stand on them)!
Steering wise, the large ‘banjo’ wheel feels positive and stays true to that period constant input thing, pretty sure a smaller (wooden) wheel would make for smaller more subtle inputs but that’s not really in keeping with what I wanted for this car.
It’s also worth mentioning that a ‘little nose wonder’ at slightly over the posted limit on poorly surfaced South Lakeland ‘A’ roads has been all but cured buy lowering the front tyre pressure by 2 PSI (now running 20 front/22 rear).
Interestingly what I’ve taken away from the short time I’ve had (so far) with the car is how lazy modern cars have made me, doubling back on a medium sized roundabout takes mussels that I haven’t used in ages, hopefully as I learn to drive properly again and my confidence behind the wheel grows, drifting round roundabouts will become my standard technique (well maybe not…LOL).
To sum-up, I’m absolutely delighted with the car and am really enjoying getting to know it.
It’s all I’d hoped and a good deal more besides (although as I've said "the driver still needs work')…
Thanks again to Paul Foreman.
All the best
Ian F.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
So, its time for the promised initial driving impressions.
Please bear in mind my ‘daily’ for the last few years has been a 06/07 997.1 C2S (manual) it’s still in standard spec which means it comes with power everything and while I’ll try not to let this colour things, its still lurking in the back of my mind.
Firstly, the overriding thing that hits you is (both metaphorically and in very real terms) the wind. Now, I spent twelve years with Caterhams as my only cars, but the low Perspex screen, relatively shallow waist line and my height make even a trip to the paper shop into an adventure (and that’s a good thing)!
Protective headwear for the ‘Carrera De Cumbria’ or a trip to the shops.
With under 300 miles on the clock the engine is really just starting to free up, with its lightened flywheel it picks up quickly and drops off in the same way, while its not a massively ‘touquey’ unit it already feels ‘sporty’ and in character with the car.
Paul’s (Foreman) instructions where to “use the revs” but not to “labour” the engine, so I trying my best to do this.
Until the engine is fully run in its unfair to judge how well it mates with the (901/914) gear box but the signs are good, they’d be even better if I could get me head round the fact that none of the gears are in the same place as the 997.
I’m glad to say that the ‘dog leg’ shift has nice solid, precise mechanical feel and thanks to the (sometimes irritating) ‘push down to engage’ 1st/reverse gear plane, I haven’t (yet) managed to leave a set of traffic lights in reverse!
It’s safe to say engine wise it’s “good now” and it’ll be “great” once its run-in.
I’m planning a rolling road session after its first service/oil change.
As for the gearbox, it’s all good, but the driver needs work.
Lil Cesar in his PJs.
Now for the real driving stuff, the car has a fabulous inherent balance, the chassis and suspension really feels ‘of a whole’, I’ve already driven into a few corners faster than intended, expecting to get all ‘arses & elbows’ only to simply drive smoothly and effortlessly through them, all this on skinny, relatively cheap Brockley 4.5 inch tyres. Its handling really is a revelation after the mess I handed to Paul!
Happy to say (on a separate occasion) those same corners, when the car in front of me ‘panic braked’ mid corner proved the all new braking system (CSP discs front, big drums rear) is excellent (also nice and progressive to when you don’t have to stand on them)!
Steering wise, the large ‘banjo’ wheel feels positive and stays true to that period constant input thing, pretty sure a smaller (wooden) wheel would make for smaller more subtle inputs but that’s not really in keeping with what I wanted for this car.
It’s also worth mentioning that a ‘little nose wonder’ at slightly over the posted limit on poorly surfaced South Lakeland ‘A’ roads has been all but cured buy lowering the front tyre pressure by 2 PSI (now running 20 front/22 rear).
Interestingly what I’ve taken away from the short time I’ve had (so far) with the car is how lazy modern cars have made me, doubling back on a medium sized roundabout takes mussels that I haven’t used in ages, hopefully as I learn to drive properly again and my confidence behind the wheel grows, drifting round roundabouts will become my standard technique (well maybe not…LOL).
To sum-up, I’m absolutely delighted with the car and am really enjoying getting to know it.
It’s all I’d hoped and a good deal more besides (although as I've said "the driver still needs work')…
Thanks again to Paul Foreman.
All the best
Ian F.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Last edited by alfacat on Fri Jan 07, 2022 4:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
________________
Gone but not forgotten
72 2.4 T in Sepia (Charlie)
60s, 70s, 80s, 90s & 00s Alfas
Caterhams (one fast & one very Fast!)
and a few old Lotus.
Still with us
997 C2S (Alice) & M&W 550 Spyder (Lil Caesar)
Gone but not forgotten
72 2.4 T in Sepia (Charlie)
60s, 70s, 80s, 90s & 00s Alfas
Caterhams (one fast & one very Fast!)
and a few old Lotus.
Still with us
997 C2S (Alice) & M&W 550 Spyder (Lil Caesar)
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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...
.
Thanks for the update Ian - glad the car is living up to expectations ...
.
Thanks for the update Ian - glad the car is living up to expectations ...
.
Andy
“Adding power makes you faster on the straights;
- subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere”
“Adding power makes you faster on the straights;
- subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere”
Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...
Incredible. I bet this car is fun to drive.alfacat wrote:This is what we have now...
The axles (half-shafts) appear to be very close to the chassis. Is there enough clearance for droop travel?
Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...
Hi Ian
Yep, it’s a hoot to drive, sadly work and the weather have limited its use.
The gap between drive shafts and chassis is actually bigger than it looks in the photo (but it is rather tight), so far even on Cumbria’s less than ‘billiard table’ smooth roads I’ve had no issues.
All the best
Ian F
Yep, it’s a hoot to drive, sadly work and the weather have limited its use.
The gap between drive shafts and chassis is actually bigger than it looks in the photo (but it is rather tight), so far even on Cumbria’s less than ‘billiard table’ smooth roads I’ve had no issues.
All the best
Ian F
________________
Gone but not forgotten
72 2.4 T in Sepia (Charlie)
60s, 70s, 80s, 90s & 00s Alfas
Caterhams (one fast & one very Fast!)
and a few old Lotus.
Still with us
997 C2S (Alice) & M&W 550 Spyder (Lil Caesar)
Gone but not forgotten
72 2.4 T in Sepia (Charlie)
60s, 70s, 80s, 90s & 00s Alfas
Caterhams (one fast & one very Fast!)
and a few old Lotus.
Still with us
997 C2S (Alice) & M&W 550 Spyder (Lil Caesar)
Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...
Have you ever thought about raising the engine a little higher?alfacat wrote:The gap between drive shafts and chassis is actually bigger than it looks in the photo (but it is rather tight), so far even on Cumbria’s less than ‘billiard table’ smooth roads I’ve had no issues.
Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...
Hi IanIanM wrote:Have you ever thought about raising the engine a little higher?alfacat wrote:The gap between drive shafts and chassis is actually bigger than it looks in the photo (but it is rather tight), so far even on Cumbria’s less than ‘billiard table’ smooth roads I’ve had no issues.
Sorry for the delay in replying
To be honest I haven’t, Paul Foreman who rebuilt and redesigned this and a fare few other M&W Spyders knows way more than me, so I was happy to let him do what he does.
So far it’s everything I’d hoped, I’m even starting to get the hand of the gearbox!
Once the sun comes out it may even become my ‘shopping’ car...lol
All the best
Ian F
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
________________
Gone but not forgotten
72 2.4 T in Sepia (Charlie)
60s, 70s, 80s, 90s & 00s Alfas
Caterhams (one fast & one very Fast!)
and a few old Lotus.
Still with us
997 C2S (Alice) & M&W 550 Spyder (Lil Caesar)
Gone but not forgotten
72 2.4 T in Sepia (Charlie)
60s, 70s, 80s, 90s & 00s Alfas
Caterhams (one fast & one very Fast!)
and a few old Lotus.
Still with us
997 C2S (Alice) & M&W 550 Spyder (Lil Caesar)
- Spyder-finder
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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...
Hi fellow Spyder nuts!
To answer Ian M question raising the engine would cause the fan housing to hit the underside of the clam shell. Everything is very tight under there. There is also the possibility of the generator pulley hitting the rear upper chassis cross tube.
I have given all these options some consideration.
To answer Ian M question raising the engine would cause the fan housing to hit the underside of the clam shell. Everything is very tight under there. There is also the possibility of the generator pulley hitting the rear upper chassis cross tube.
I have given all these options some consideration.
RS60, 550, 356 Speedster, 356 outlaw coupe, KTM RC8 and 1955 Norton Dominator 88
Why tip toe through life only to arrive safely at death!
Why tip toe through life only to arrive safely at death!
Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...
Happy New YearSpyder-finder wrote:Hi fellow Spyder nuts!
To answer Ian M question raising the engine would cause the fan housing to hit the underside of the clam shell. Everything is very tight under there. There is also the possibility of the generator pulley hitting the rear upper chassis cross tube.
I have given all these options some consideration.
The sun’s out and I’ve had a short but enjoyable run...
Still loving your work!
All the best
Ian F.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
________________
Gone but not forgotten
72 2.4 T in Sepia (Charlie)
60s, 70s, 80s, 90s & 00s Alfas
Caterhams (one fast & one very Fast!)
and a few old Lotus.
Still with us
997 C2S (Alice) & M&W 550 Spyder (Lil Caesar)
Gone but not forgotten
72 2.4 T in Sepia (Charlie)
60s, 70s, 80s, 90s & 00s Alfas
Caterhams (one fast & one very Fast!)
and a few old Lotus.
Still with us
997 C2S (Alice) & M&W 550 Spyder (Lil Caesar)
- Spyder-finder
- DDK Fanatic
- Posts: 90
- Joined: Wed Feb 01, 2006 10:40 am
- Location: Rochester, England
Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...
How many miles now Ian?
RS60, 550, 356 Speedster, 356 outlaw coupe, KTM RC8 and 1955 Norton Dominator 88
Why tip toe through life only to arrive safely at death!
Why tip toe through life only to arrive safely at death!
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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...
Hopefully the world is now your oyster...alfacat wrote:doubling back on a medium sized roundabout takes mussels that I haven’t used in ages
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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...
Give it a rest Keith, you're no Clamedian
1972 911T | 1994 993 Carrera | 1999 986 Boxster | 1990 T25 Camper
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Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...
Still way to few, but it’s cold up here and I’m still a soft southerner at heart!Spyder-finder wrote:How many miles now Ian?
If it’s still sunny tomorrow, I’ll take a run up to Windermere and back!
All the best
Ian
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
________________
Gone but not forgotten
72 2.4 T in Sepia (Charlie)
60s, 70s, 80s, 90s & 00s Alfas
Caterhams (one fast & one very Fast!)
and a few old Lotus.
Still with us
997 C2S (Alice) & M&W 550 Spyder (Lil Caesar)
Gone but not forgotten
72 2.4 T in Sepia (Charlie)
60s, 70s, 80s, 90s & 00s Alfas
Caterhams (one fast & one very Fast!)
and a few old Lotus.
Still with us
997 C2S (Alice) & M&W 550 Spyder (Lil Caesar)
Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...
Erh oops!KS wrote:Hopefully the world is now your oyster...alfacat wrote:doubling back on a medium sized roundabout takes mussels that I haven’t used in ages
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
________________
Gone but not forgotten
72 2.4 T in Sepia (Charlie)
60s, 70s, 80s, 90s & 00s Alfas
Caterhams (one fast & one very Fast!)
and a few old Lotus.
Still with us
997 C2S (Alice) & M&W 550 Spyder (Lil Caesar)
Gone but not forgotten
72 2.4 T in Sepia (Charlie)
60s, 70s, 80s, 90s & 00s Alfas
Caterhams (one fast & one very Fast!)
and a few old Lotus.
Still with us
997 C2S (Alice) & M&W 550 Spyder (Lil Caesar)
Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...
Why not use a flat fan... (can someone reduce the size of this image please?)Spyder-finder wrote:To answer Ian M question raising the engine would cause the fan housing to hit the underside of the clam shell. Everything is very tight under there. There is also the possibility of the generator pulley hitting the rear upper chassis cross tube.
I have given all these options some consideration.