Block Mod and Forged Rods

In January 2014, the car went to Tim William's garage in Leicester. Liner failures on the ST have been well documented so I saved up to go and have it professionally remedied by Tim. The process involved filling in gaps between the liners where they seem to crack and leak coolant.

The car was stripped and Tim checked the liners, they were all fine which was a huge relief. I also had the Kalmar Union forged RS rods and ARP bolts. These lower the compression ratio to that of an RS so now the engine could run RS maps (with other supporting hardware).

No cracks

The Lift Home

Giles' Lotus Elise - handles like glue on roads, like iceskates on oil.

Ford Fair 2013 - Prep and Show

Ford Fair came around very quickly and the car again needed a full detail. More AutoBrite stuff purchased to soothe my addiction.

Show pictures are below the detailing ones.

Show Prep

Show

Check out the reflection on this next one! You don't get that with Meguiars..........

Photo by JPAube

The Fast Show @ Santa Pod 2013

The show was the fiirst of the season but it was a complete and utter washout! However I got a brilliant shot by JP Aube, so thought it worthy of a post.

Another Polish and Winter Coat after Whitby Run

Took the car on a Whitby Run and the roads made the car horrendously dirty. I managed to borrow a double garage for two days so gave the car a full strip, polish, glaze, seal.

Whitby Run Snap

Winter Detail

Swirls in paint - Before

After 

New AD Gear 

Heated Leather Interior and Carbon Parts

The next mod was more of an impulse buy, a member on STOC wanted a set of ST2 seats for his car (to please a buyer) and was willing to let go heated leathers for a very low cost! The swap was done, and I found the heated seat switches on eBay. They were wired in (wiring already there from factory) and all I needed was the seats and the switches.

I then covered the armrest (originally plastic) in matching leather.

The grab handles and sunglasses holder were replaced with carbon dipped ones that I won on eBay. These match the factory fitted carbon fascia and centre console.

Leather Interior

Leather Armrest

Carbon Grab Handles and Sunglasses Holder

Before 

After 

Engine Bay Colour-Coding & A-Line Laser Alignment

The next couple of months saw me searching for spare engine bay plastics. They were sent to Sean @ Hydra for colour-coding.

The car also has 4 wheel laser alignment at A-Line.

Visit to Demon Performance Centre - Service, Plenum, and Recirc Valve

In early 2013 I took a trip to see Pete @ DPC for a service and a couple of further modifications, AutoSpecialists Plenum and the Elevate (TurboSmart) Recirc Valve.

DPC - one of the cleanest garages I have ever been to

Standard plenum off 

New AS plenum fitted 

Recirc Valve 

Old vs New