Merlin's 4G Time Attack Lude

[Merlin]

Vanzep gave me new radius rods and I have just ordered a new drop link, ES radius rod bushings and ES ARB drop link bushes from the USA. Hopefully it will be fixed soon.

[vanzep]

Littlefeller I need to have a full tank at the start of the session or I'd run out of fuel A full tank is only 120 odd miles. Usually in a 4 hour open pit session I aim to be on track for 1.5 - 2 hours which is just about when my fuel runs out. I could get a big gerry can but with a spare set of wheels + tools and other bobs I have no space left. No fuel is for sale at the track.

Looking at my lap times I did a 1.07 with a passenger, road tyres, and practically a whole tank of fuel. In the 5G my fastest lap ever was a 1.07 whilst riding solo, semi slicks, and at the end of a session with low fuel.

I thought your 5th gen chassis was well sorted but ive got to say the 4th gen was epic. Im not surprised your lap time was 1.07 also i dont think you got a completely clear lap when i was in the car so there must be a few seconds still to take off next time Hope you get it fixed soon.

[NafemanNathan]

Yeah, I thought you always argued your 5th was faster around the track than your 4th Merlin

Any joy with those ARBs?

[Merlin]

Nathan that was before the 4G got upgraded. Stock Vs stock the 5G was more than a second quicker a lap which was mainly a combination of the better/newer suspension and better gearbox. That was more than enough to offset the lightness of the 4G.

I'll be checking the ARB's tonight when I take the Mugen bumper off my 5G

Nick - Yeah I do think there is a second or two still in the bag for the 4G, once the semi-slicks are on. Turn in for the corners are so much better with the semi's. In the vids you can see that the 4G is sliding around on its road tyres (squeel) and I'm having to make little adjustments to keep it on line. I would love to manage a 65s, thats Mini Cooper Cup pace. Those guys are kings of the late brakers

My 5G is great on track as well, im using it this weekend (I hope to as I havent had the best luck with cars lately) since the 4G is broken and the semi's are still on my 5G rims

[NafemanNathan]

Ahh I see

Cheers bud

[jezer101]

Hmm scary moment makes you think about just motorway driving let alone trackdays.

[Merlin]

I'd rather have a moment on the track compared to the motorway. The track has run off areas and is normally not full of noob drivers like the road is The Prelude is wasted on the road

[Merlin]

Nothing has been done to fix the damage yet, I dont want to take it to bits untill the new parts have arrived in case I need to move the car. But I did fit my new lips (dirty car):









The black wheels still need to go on and once fixed I'll lower it some more. Then its off to get the wheel alignment reset

The passenger side has taken a small bump at some point You cant see any of that with the side skirts in place. I didnt know that was there







Passenger side rear


You could always see a hole in the drivers side at the bottom of the rear arch where it meets the sill. With the side skirts off you can see the full extent of the hole I'll be getting this patched up soon.

[indigolemon]

Rear arch rot in all the usual places then. Not too bad though - and definitely fixable.

More importantly though - those lips look sweeeeeeeeet!

[NafemanNathan]

She's starting to resemble Phil's bit of stuff You planning to colour match any of it? Or are you going for a black/grey bonnet too?

Only joking dude. She's looking great (As does Phil's lol). What lip is it?