Rotor Convert

Hey there...went on my first cruise last night....went solo as WD was off playing historic racing cars all night....

Felt quite old really. Cruise was organised by the SA ROTORS club and there were about 20 cars to start out. The drive was through the lovely Adelaide hills which was only marred by the odd slow Toyota Camry and one stubborn SOB in a Honda Accord....determined to make an 80 zone into a 50-60 zone.....a swarm of angry rotors soon made him see sense!

I have to admit though that the 8 is amazing in the hills....I was able to corner like a demon which left some young chaps in old series one and two RX7's wondering.....the only part I hated was that the cruise was at night....never liked night runs unless I can drive with high beam on. So that's just what I did...was in front of a little RX2 whose lights looked similar to candles.. and so we zoomed through the hills...me happy that I could see the road and him happy he could see at all!!

Fuel economy was good really considering...did just over 100kms and used just over 1/4 tank.....finally I think Max is loosening up!

My only thought is? Why does the 8 not sound like an RX7?? brap brap is very homogenised in my car....very quiet.....sounds good inside the car but outside it's soooo quiet....I know I can get another exhaust but have been told that this might void warranty on my catalytic converter?? Anyone else been told this?? Can't even put in a K&N filter unless I take it out b4 each service.... Anyone else had this?? Anyone else run anything barr the stock filter?

So after over 100kms I was firmly of the opinion that this car rocks...and the mostly young and masculine group of drivers now think I am a psycho driver...not me it's the car....


Not sure if I will do another cruise however......as I am turning 35 this year I felt distinctly out of it......obeyed most of the speed limits and took no risks.....just went round corners about 50kph above posted speed......easy peasy!!

I have to say...low down torque is not there but in the hills YOU ROCK MAX!!!



Ps. Computer only cut in really noticably once when my failing eyes didn't see a 25kph switch back corner.....tyres squeeled but all was saved by Japanese computer wizardry!

FishoftheWeek

There are lot more stubborn SOB's in this hills during the day, trust me.

Not too mention Volvo Station Wagons with designs on keeping up with you downhill... that's always scary, I know they're safe, but what about me!

I even got stuck behind a torana cutting blind corners one afternoon. Wasn't about to overtake him in a hurry...

Revolver

That's how I feel when I hook up with the RENEW guys. And they even have some older members. Good bunch of guys though.



I also felt this way so got a catback fitted (Hymee). Probably only liberates a few Kw but the feel good factor for driver and audience alike goes up exponentially. As for warranty issues - I reckon that's crap. Put it this way - my dealer fitted the catback for me and nary a word was said. Hymee might like to comment further.



Plenty of guys run these and I've not heard of anyone getting the evil eye from their service manager. However, I'm not sure if change of air filter is anything more than a placebo. Of course, those who buy them think they're fantastic.



C'mon Julia. I'm 35 and I've still got the odd cruise left in me. Besides, why deny the younger crowd, who no doubt appreciate a mature woman who can drive like a bat outta hell.



My sentiments exactly.



Yep, that DSC thingie comes in handy.

Rotor Convert

I laughed a lot at that response.....mature woman...nnooooo am in denial....had some 25 year old saying to me,....no way you don't look that old!!!


Volvo's are designed to take over from the driver if the Swiss matcho switch is pushed....they like to think of themselves as F1 cars with crash test drivers!! But know what you mean FOTW...just hate driving on roads with no lines and scary corners!!

Any hoo I forgot to mention that we were all going to end up at Macca's....but the clan veered off course suddenly making me have to reset the cruise control and move on with them.

When we pulled up at the last point for the night...it was found that the cops were at Macca's and so all the Mazda's couldn't got there to get their quarter pounder!!!

I nearly had to laugh when I was told that I would be cool cause I have a stock car and am old!!

We cruise with the Alfa club...we are the young ones and we are the ones having fun....makes me feel younger......but yes Revolver I know what you mean there are a lot more cruises left in me and next time I will take a passenger so the drive is more fun....will take a girlfriend who laughs and giggles like a maniac....loves going fast she can't drive for s*%t...she's got a merc station wagon.....nuff said!

Oh by the way...it's a football team on the chimney and think it's Centrals colours again which is red white and blue!!

Revolver

Nothing wrong with a woman who knows what she's doing.

Youth is vastly overrated, mainly by the young.

Hymee

iTrader: (1)

Way to go RC!!

Sounds like you had a top time.

I have numerous Mazda dealers fit my catback to their demo cars and customers cars prior to delivery alike. Nothing to worry about their.

The old wives tale about a catalyctic converter being voided by exhaust work is explained by this: If the exhaust had work done before the cat (i.e. a new set of headers installed) and a acidic based silcone sealer was used on the joints, the fumes of the curing sealer damage the 02 sensor. That is why we used "neutral cure" silicone sealer on Wildcards new exhaust, including cat.

I'm not aware of anything the catback can do to cause problems with the cat and/or O2 sensor. There are so many of them around the world now.

As for the filter - yes, the Mazda tech training document (I have seen them) warn about wet/oil air filters. I myself have a K&N panel filter in my std airbox, and my service tech knows about it.

Now - if for some chance the K&N fails, and the engine ingests bits of FOD, then yes, the damage to the engine is not covered under warranty. Same as if you put a Ryco or any other brand of oil filter in. The thing is, it is unlikely to happen, and if it did, it would be time to engage Revolver in some legal work calling K&N to account.

Cheers,
Hymee.

Rotor Convert

Thanks for that Hymee....will have to look at getting one of your exhausts....as just said to the WD it sounds like all hell is breaking loose in the cabin as the revvs increase...but outside it's relatively quiet....

Have asked the WD if I can put a rotary engine in the Alfa....he walked away with his head in his hands...saying why....why....

Revolver

And you reckon you're the crazy young hipsters of the Alfa Club now!

do something like that and they'll have you declared the Antichrist.

Rotor Convert

Oh Damn and I thought my cover was safe!!

Spose now I have upset not only Mazda fans but Alfa fans as well..... Woops...what happened to walking on the wild side???

No it would be great I reckon......rolling the car off the trailer and starting it...just to see the looks on some of the Alfa guys faces.....

Putting a rotary engine in an old Alfa Romeo......priceless.....there are only some things that insanity can buy.....

Revolver

Well, you CAN buy a Renesis for about $2K you know...

<sits back to see if the seed takes root in the mad woman's mind...>

Rotor Convert

LOL It's Jane and the bean stalk!! Stay tuned....the car is getting stripped anyway...need to go faster.....taking out windows and putting in plastic ones...pensioner moment..can't remember what they are made of...

Engine is coming out anyway....needs new pistons and rings and a freshen up......WD was even telling me about RX7 in the paper this morning....I think the rot is starting to set in!!

Yup am a mad woman so leave it with me....mmmmm could be real good

Revolver

Listen to that evil demon hopping on your shoulder. The angel on the other side never has any fun.

Of course, if it comes off you MUST bring it to Wakefield in October.

Rotor Convert

Mmmmm....hard decision.....pimp my Alfa or get a new kitchen!!

Might not make the Oct meet...might not make it off the drawing board but the devil also has other ideas......

Never fear Psycho Rotor will appear...sometime.........

timbo

Glad to hear you enjoyed the cruise...don't worry about age ...but then I would say that, wouldn't I

Just to whet your appetite about engine swaps, a guy here in Canberra has put a 20B into a BMW 323 cabriolet, with attendent suspension and brake upgrades. Apparently it keeps M3s at bay

mikeyr

Great to hear you enjoyed yerself!!!

35 old, hmmm Timbo you and me betta get a shovel!!

My plan this year is a miata/mx5 into our MGA.......

not quite the same level of insanity as a 20b in a beamer but will be interesting.