SouthernBlue80s

My approach is that I see my efforts as a 3d painting, trying to create an atmosphere.

So I totaly get where you are coming from.

I look forward to your next project

Steve

A few pictures taken today, including my new VBA in the foreground.

I am still awaiting the Heljan 47 to compare with the Bachmann to see which way to go.

To save me wading through 334 pages,

have Accurascale produced a blue plated split headcode version yet, like 37049 pictured?

Or if not do they plan to? Thanks

On 08/01/2024 at 18:27, big jim said:

the car has a bitronik remap done by 1320 mini specialists in Cambridgeshire, it’s putting out 225bhp at the crank at the minute, that’s with a janspeed sport manifold and cat (to be replaced with a custom made cat), stainless exhaust, smaller supercharger pulley, fast road cam, bigger intercooler, uprated coil pack and plugs etc

 

the abs and traction control sensor problem cleared itself this morning, I took it to my mate at a local garage who put it in the diagnostics and there were no faults showing other than sidelights (they have been replaced by LED halo lights so the reader wasn’t recognising them) 

 

once I reconnected the battery I got the burning smell again and no power steering then after he had done the diagnostics with the ignition on and engine off it wouldn’t restart without a jump pack so I suspect the power steering pump is shorting/diverting power away from the battery which is a common problem when they go, leaving the battery connected can increase the risk of fire so I’ve disconnected it again at home and have cancelled the cat work and retune on Thursday, going to rebook it once I’ve sorted the pump, it’s not a major job, only 3 bolts and 2 pipes but the pump is damn expensive to replace even with a reconditioned or 2nd hand one

Jim. I hope your car is running again

Steve

A bit sad about this. like many I bought my first loco from Hattons and allways had good service from them.

I wish their staff well.

Modeling BR Blue, I have allways felt a rail blue 09 would be a quick win for them. They have the tooling it is a simple livery. They have never produced one.

I guess they don´t think it is commercialy viable, which is fair enough.

12 minutes ago, big jim said:

the car has a bitronik remap done by 1320 mini specialists in Cambridgeshire, it’s putting out 225bhp at the crank at the minute, that’s with a janspeed sport manifold and cat (to be replaced with a custom made cat), stainless exhaust, smaller supercharger pulley, fast road cam, bigger intercooler, uprated coil pack and plugs etc

 

the abs and traction control sensor problem cleared itself this morning, I took it to my mate at a local garage who put it in the diagnostics and there were no faults showing other than sidelights (they have been replaced by LED halo lights so the reader wasn’t recognising them) 

 

once I reconnected the battery I got the burning smell again and no power steering then after he had done the diagnostics with the ignition on and engine off it wouldn’t restart without a jump pack so I suspect the power steering pump is shorting/diverting power away from the battery which is a common problem when they go, leaving the battery connected can increase the risk of fire so I’ve disconnected it again at home and have cancelled the cat work and retune on Thursday, going to rebook it once I’ve sorted the pump, it’s not a major job, only 3 bolts and 2 pipes but the pump is damn expensive to replace even with a reconditioned or 2nd hand one

Yes it sounds like it is shorting. Its a shame you have to cancel the work. And yes many parts have become very expensive. 

Too add gone are the days of wandering around a breakers yard and finding what you need.

19 hours ago, big jim said:

proper shape Impreza!
 

never liked the bug eye one that came out afterward but all these years down the line they have grown on me and I think they look good

 

got the induction kit on the mini but I’ve lost the power steering on it, as I discovered on the way home from Bescot earlier, it was heavy when I got in it and started it for the first time in 6 weeks so i checked the reservoir and the fluid was low so I topped it up and it seemed a bit better for a good 20 miles or so but then when I got to small heath and switched the engine off the pump kept running which is a sign of it having an issue and there was an slight acrid electrical smell from the back of the engine in the pump area, after getting it on the ramps at home and with some advice from my mini mechanic mate it’s looking like it will need a new pump which unfortunately is about the same price as the work I was having done at the tuners later in the week (Custom sport cat and retune) so I think I’m going to have to cancel it, The pump has a permanent feed from the battery so I’ve disconnected it for the night for safety as the pumps have been known to overheat or start up remotely and cause fires (and to prevent the battery draining) 

 

to top it off the abs, traction control and tyre pressure light came on which suggests one of the ABS sensors has also gone, no doubt from being sat round for so long, those aren’t bad to change but another pain in the bum to have to deal with!
 

induction kit looks good though

 

 

The bugs were ugly. However with a set of morret front lights they look good. Also the 2.0 JDM ones had a particularly strong bottom end. They were good for 400 - 450hp. So it still is the cheapest way to reasonable power.

Yes car are like people. They liked to be exercised and when they are not things start to go wrong. The sensor could be dampness. Sometimes I have found once things have warmed up, sensors unplugged plugged back in ect all comes right. 

Is the retune a tweak to the existing map that in effect is flashed on. I don't know much about Mini ecus and how 'flexible' they are. Obviously as you have said, you need to get the car working properly first.  The way to really get the most out of it is an aftermarket ECU and a proper map. But for the expense sometimes isn't worth it.

Pic of a mini on our rolling road just down the road from Bescot. Note a PROPERLY calibrated rolling road.

And....I like your induction kit.

On 26/12/2023 at 12:45, big jim said:

Just bought a couple of tickets for Japfest at silverstone in April, not a car show fan but the tickets are cheap through Kelsey media until 31st Dec and I know Dominic will love it, he might actually wash his car before it too

 

https://events.fastcar.co.uk/japfest/
 

 

I was due to drive at Japfest in 2020. It was all lined up with the organisers. And then covid and then my dad with cancer ect etc.

This was me testing the car at Donnington Park March 2020 just as covid was kicking in. Little did I know it would be the last time I would drive it, I was an interesting 14 year engineering journey.

In a few years I will perhaps embark on a new car project.

I hope you both have a good time there,

Steve

I am very sorry to hear this news, I had noticed he had not posted for a while.

We always gave our layout pictures likes and I very much enjoyed his pictures.

He came across as a very decent chap.

I always think of his layout when I pass through that part of Kent.

Rest in peace Adrian.

This reminds me of when I used to visit the place

17 hours ago, ISW said:

 

According to the Combined Volume 1983, 08818 was vacuum only (but had radio telephone fitted). By  Combined Volume 1988, 08818 was dual braked.

 

Ian

Thank you for clarifying that Ian

Vacuume braked it is.

1981-83 was when I used to see it in South Wales

Steve

I have just weathered 08818.

The final stage is to put the brake pipes on.

There are a few pictures of it late 80s as a dual braked machine.

However my period is early 80s. I have found a couple of blurry pics on Flikr of it in South Wales but I can not make out any detail. It seems to be vac brake only?

So was 818 vac brake only in 1982?

What a fantastic looking model.

I am very surprised there is no 56036

08375

I reworked this. Largely finished.

I tried to get the yellow buffer beams with a chipped dirt covered effect. Which seems to have turned out well.

08818 finished.

It's very poor light here so the camera phone isn't doing a great job.

I will probably tweak it in a few weeks

Yes I mix the powder with water so it can be painted on. Not too thick or too wet but a nice mid useable consistency. Then I let it dry, it doesn't take long, the water seems to evaporate away pretty quickly.

I then use dry cotton buds. You will  need a lot of them, after a stroke or two a cotton bud end is dead. On bigger surfaces I have also used kitchen paper to wipe away excess weathering power.

I used to airbrush. But my place isn't big and I no longer have the kit. I think it still is the best way to get initial base colours or fading on like you have done. And then for me the powders create the detail in the weathering

12 minutes ago, sb67 said:

Good to see an update Steve. The 08 is looking very nice, love the fading. something I want to do myself at some point.

I've been practising fading on some wagons, the one on the right is the original colour and the one on the left has had a pass of a Lifecolour dust wash from an airbrush. 

 

 

I also faded this using Humbrol Dust wash and a flat paint brush. 

 

 

I really like the Dogfish as well, something I've started on. I'll be happy if I can get them to look half as good as yours! 👍

 

That dust wash you have used looks really effective. I might look into that.

Something to try...on top of your effective fading

How I get the dirt into the crevasses and to build up. Id I mix up a weathering powder equivalent of frame dirt paint it wet into all the corners and along edges where dirt might build up and leave to dry.

Then I rub off and work in with cotton buds usually in horizontal motion as that is the way water runs down the sides of stock. (This is illustrated with my first two 08 pictures)

I have my other 08 out now. And I hope tomorrow to have a big session to see if I can finish them. Even though I am pretty experienced with this weathering thing by now I am always a bit nervous I will muck it up at the last moment.

1 hour ago, Enfys_Rainbow said:

Very nice work! My own 08 needs finished off, this might prompt me to finally finish it!

What you have done so far looks very good. It probably wouldn´t take too much to finish it.

Steve

After my first disastrous 08 attempt.

I bought a new body from Bachmann spares. (I might salvage the old one still)

I made a start today and I am pleased the way it is heading.

Work in progress.

On 21/11/2023 at 13:23, The Bandit said:

I’ve been wanting to try out O on a small board for quite a while now so I’ll be interested to see how you get on. 

I have been toying with the idea as well.

The Heljan model is looking good to my eyes. But I am no expert on the detail differences.

So the Jury is out for me too.

Now edging towards Heljan, as I want two rail blue plated headcode versions to start with and they are releasing a 47/3 in that guise.

Not for me , but it is nice to see people now have a 48 they can purchase as well.

Roll on January :)