Author: jp

The shift fork in all gearboxes is designed to take a lot of abuse. It has to cradle a gear spinning at high RPM whilst forcing it into the next position.

As the gears have to be made of very hard steel, the shift fork must be soft enough not to damage the gear and yet take the abuse.

Traditionally the forks were made of brass to ensure the gear was not damaged but this meant that the fork could be ruined in a hurry. Now Mini Spares has chosen to use a special brass alloy which still assures protection for the gears but stands up to wear and damage better than brass alone.

The new fork replaces the previous all-brass version and uses the same part number: TSP100390. Retail price: £99.00 inc VAT.

The new fork is now held in place by a roll pin – part number 22G2595 (£1.44 inc. VAT)

Tip: Resting your hand on the gear lever when the car is running in any gear will greatly increase fork wear. You should always take your hand off the lever in between gear changes.

For more details contact Mini Spares on
+44 1707 607700 or visit their website: www.minispares.com

Mini Spares has noticed that most of the standard rubber coolant hoses that are available seem to have a much shorter life expectancy than you would want. If you’ve ever tried it you’ll know you don’t want to fit radiator hoses to a classic Mini that often!
The solution was for Mini Spares to develop its own brand and reinforce it with Kevlar – the same material that is used in armys’ ballistic vests and helmets. You can see the Kevlar for yourself – it’s the white strands visible at the ends of the hoses.

This has extended the life of the coolant hoses and, as a result, Mini Spares has doubled the length of the warranty on the GRH240KEVLAR bottom hose.

The GRH240KEVLAR bottom hose will fit any classic Mini up to the 1275cc in 1990 and 998 Mini to 1992 including Clubmans. It can also be fitted to Austin, Morris and MG1100/1300 derivatives. In addition, it can, with modification, be used on the 998cc and Cooper S with tappet chest breather canisters. Mini Spares can supply instructions on how to shorten the water-pump/radiator end of the hose to match the original hose.

Mini Spares also offer a Kevlar reinforced top hose for the Cooper S as part number GRH247KEVLAR. Not only does this hose fit the original Cooper S models, it can be used when fitting 1275cc engines in conjunction with the standard Mini thermostat housing into a round front Mini.

GRH240KEVLAR – Kevlar Reinforced Lower Hose retails at £9.54 inc vat
GRH247KEVLAR – Cooper S Kevlar Reinforced Top Hose retails at £4.79 inc vat

For more details contact Mini Spares on
+44 1707 607700 or visit their website: www.minispares.com

The New Year always brings with it some exciting new catalogues and 2019 is no exception. The 2019 Kent Cams catalogue was recently launched at Autosport International.
It contains comprehensive listings of all the camshaft applications and profiles from the current range plus some new ones that will be introduced during 2019.

There are also details for all the Kent accessory ranges including: valve springs and collars, cam followers, vernier pulleys and other valve gear products.

The 2019 catalogue is available on the kentcams.com website and can be downloaded or viewed on screen. Printed copies are available on request by telephoning 01303 248666.

For more details contact Kent Cams on
+44 1303 248666 or visit their website: www.kentcams.com

GAZ has a long history of making performance suspension for British sportscars like MG… but what about the latest MG models coming out of the now-Chinese owned company?

Yes, GAZ has that covered to. GAZ can offer GAZ Gold Suspension kits for the MG-3 to provide adjustable coilovers to lower the centre of gravity and adjust the bump/rebound of the damping.

The kit includes adjustable coilovers for both front and rear on which the ride height can be adjusted through 60mm. The coilovers have a coarse acme form thread for ease of height adjustment and to ensure that they remain in good order even after considerable service.

Damping rates are variable by means of an adjuster knob on the damper bodies. The GAZ Gold range is designed primarily for out-and-out racing so each comes with a reservoir filled with a high viscosity index multi grade oil to reduce fade and a gas cell to prevent cavitation under harsh racing and trackday conditions. Springs can be supplied to the customer’s specifications according to the vehicle’s intended use.

All the units are individually tested before leaving the factory. Although this kit converts the car to coilovers all round it is a direct replacement with no modifications necessary.

The GAZ Gold coilover kit for the MG-3 can be ordered as part number GGA514 at £1013.58 plus VAT.

For further details visit the GAZ website: www.gazshocks.com

Hillman Imps (and their Sunbeam and Singer siblings) look great when they are lowered. Now Gaz can offer specially designed shortened height adjustable coilover dampers to complement lowering springs.

GAZ GP dampers are suitable for both road and occasional track day use. The damper settings can be adjusted whilst on the vehicle by means of easily accessible knobs to provide the optimum settings for conditions, use and driver preference.

Ride height is adjustable all round by means of adjustable spring seats. Each damper unit is bright plated to resist corrosion.

GAZ GP lowered front dampers for the Hillman Imp, Singer Chamois and Sunbeam Stilleto can be ordered as part number GP6-2252 and retail at £88.52 each plus VAT.

All units are individually tested and provided with a test print out before leaving the factory and
come with the peace of mind of a two year manufacturer’s warranty.

For further details visit the GAZ website: www.gazshocks.com

Through their involvement in racing the team members at GAZ Shocks have become quite the experts in designing performance suspension for various BMW models.

Now they have turned their attention to the classic BMW E30 M3 and come up with a monotube design suspension.

GAZ gas-charged Monotube Coilovers are far lighter than other types of coilover damper and make more use of lightweight billet aluminium parts that reduces unsprung weight. This makes them ideal for serious trackday or competition use. They also react quicker and can be used in an inverted position.

GAZ Monotube Coilovers come with silicone chrome springs and the required mounting hardwear. The spring platforms are adjustable to allow the ride height to be altered as required and the bump and rebound settings can be adjusted by means of a knurled collar at the top (or bottom if used inverted).

Like all GAZ coilovers the monotubes carry a 2 year warranty for non race use.

Bespoke valving and the customer’s preferred spring rates are also available.

GAZ Monotube Coilovers for the BMW E30 M3 retail at £233.73 each + VAT.

For further details visit the GAZ website: www.gazshocks.com

It’s well known that Fidanza offers lightweight performance flywheels for the Subaru STi, WRX and BRZ, but what about the other Subaru models?
Well, Fidanza can also provide a flywheel that is suitable for the Subaru EJ Series Forester (2006-2008 SG and 2008 SH) plus the Legacy (2003-2004 BE/BH/BT and 2009-2010 BM/BR).

No chromemoly flywheel can compete with the awesome serviceability, strength and superior design of Fidanza’s aluminum flywheels. They are made from the highest quality 6061 T6 aluminum for superb tensile strength, incredible heat dissipation and (of course) a reduction in weight that delivers faster acceleration, quicker throttle response, better vehicle braking and increased clutch efficiency, as well as long lasting durability.

A Fidanza flywheel can mate with many types of clutch material, including: organic kevlar, ceramic, metallic and sintered iron. Most companies design their flywheels so that they can be refaced. However, Fidanza makes the whole friction surface replaceable so your flywheel will never require resurfacing or total replacement. When the friction surface wears, just that alone needs to be replaced, thus saving both time and money. The pattern for the fasteners is a computer design that keeps the friction surface from warping under extreme use. Fidanza doesn’t just use more fasteners because they can, Fidanza uses them because they are needed.

Order as part number 110251 directly from Fidanza.com at $348.36 plus tax and shipping.

DISCOUNT WHEN ORDERING DIRECTLY ONLINE: It is now possible to buy directly from Fidanza online and readers can obtain a 20% discount if they enter the promo code of “Fidanza” when ordering directly from Fidanza online.

For more information on Fidanza’s premium aluminium flywheels and other great products or to find a dealer in your area visit www.fidanza.com

In the UK and Europe Fidanza products can be ordered from Demon Tweeks.

If you’ve ever been uncertain about how to set up your car’s suspension geometry, we might just have the solution for you… Suspension Secrets is a leading website focused upon delivering motorsport suspension knowledge to professional and amateur racers alike; including suspension components, tyres, geometry, with practical guides on how to make adjustments or take measurements.

The website is completely free to use, no subscription needed and hosts a wealth of information that will ensure you go faster on track, gain valuable knowledge of what your car is doing and how to make the appropriate adjustments. 

Some of the features currently available on the website include:

• Set up alterations for changing weather conditions.
• How to remove oversteer and understeer
• How to calculate centre of gravity positions
• How to calculate installation ratio, and
• Calculating ideal spring and roll bar rates

Each one of these valuable lessons will knock split seconds off your lap times and make your car safer and more predictable to drive. Check out Suspension Secrets at http://suspensionsecrets.co.uk

DEI has some great news for owners of classic American cars from the 60s and 70s. Its new Hoodliner Insulation Kits will control engine heat and noise that is often a problem with modified vehicles packed with high performance components. These pre-cut under bonnet insulation kits are the perfect replacement for worn out, dirty liners and they will also protect the paint from engine heat and chemicals. Each kit is custom CNC cut-to-shape and has an agressive adhesive backing for an easy installation without the need for tools.

Available for:

050124 ‘70 – ‘72 Chevelle (non-functional cowl)
050125 ‘68 – ‘69 Chevelle
050126 ‘67 Chevelle
050127 ‘66 Chevelle
050128 ‘64 -’65 Chevelle
050097 ‘70 -’72 Chevelle – Base
050096 ‘69 -’74 Nova
050096 ‘71 -’74 Ventura – Base, GTO
050096 ‘73 -’74 Omega
050096 ‘73 -’74 Apollo
050093 ‘66 -’67 Nova

Prices start at $54.40 for Nova ’69-74, Ventura/GTO 71-74, Omega & Apolle 73-74 – Black and rise to $79.96 for Chevrolet Nova 1966-67 – Black. Prices shown are plus tax and shipping.
In the UK & Europe DEI products may be ordered from www.Demon-Tweaks.com.

To keep up with the very latest DEI product introductions and company news connect with DEI on Facebook or Twitter or subscribe to DEI’s You Tube channel.

On most cars the rear camber angle is fixed as standard and cannot be modified.

However, Burton now offers a camber plate kit for the Ford Fiesta Mk 7. Simply placing these plates between the wheel hub and rear beams the camber alters with minimal change to the wheel track.

This kit will increase the camber by an extra 1.5° per side at the rear thereby providing the optimal wheel contact to the ground.

This then improves the handling, steering response and suspension precision.

The plates are suitable for the Ford Fiesta Mk7 2008-2017 and Ford Fiesta Mk7 ST180 1.6 EcoBoost 2013-2017.

Retail price £92.50 per pair including VAT.

for further details contact Burton Power on 0208 554 2281
www.burtonpower.com