NothernDan

Love the Rotiform custom stuff too but their website doesn’t give enough detail on what the 20million various config options are!

I had black team dynamics pro race 1.2 on my R32 and anthracite sets on both a 325 and 328 that I used to own, trouble is they only came in 18s, 20s or smaller and I’m 99% sure they don’t come in Lexus PCD and offset. Due to their growing popularity team dynamics started making the pro race 1.3, the same wheel but in a 19. Same issue with PCD and offset though I think. These wheels make any car look like it’s just come off the nearest British Touring Cars circuit. Very light and very strong too. Nearest i I found that that would fit our cars, are light, strong and still look good are these. OZ Racing Rally in 19. Tough to locate in the right widths and fitment though. Some hate em, I love em; Either those or these but these are a lot more spendy (can be £600-£800 each) and they have been done to death on our cars. Volk TE37 SL in black;

I’d hope so given Pete’s heavy direct involvement with them. The man himself will be there on Saturday so we can all see in the flesh. Wayne, I’m really looking forward to seeing yours and how it sounds and feels. Doubt I’ll ever get mine supercharged like Pete’s so yours is about as close to final performance mod spec as I’m aiming with mine.

Let's hope skies like this stick around for the weekend!

That make sense. @Peter P18 has lots of experience with RR and has most of their kit on his car. Pete, when they provide the custom maps do they cater for UK fuel specs?

Cool, my thoughts were to retain exhaust mounted cats, high flow variety, and lose the cat in the headers with either PPE or a.n.other set of headers. Novel and Sikky seem to do them too but they are all stateside and ridiculously priced. From what I can see, the PPE units lose the cats in the headers, straighten out a few nasty angles and come with a bung/plug for the sensors and a new set of sensors to correct for the lack of cats etc Keen to see what a home grown set could deliver, especially if at a good price.

Interesting stuff Rich, you are the right man for the job clearly!! The only people I know who have done at work with remapping and recalibration are the guys at RR racing in the states. My plan was to create the ultimate box and intake system then use RR racing’s OBD mapping device to recalibrate to 83mm ID tubing which is the same as they use in their system, they will actually send you a custom map for the mods you have on your car. I reckon my design will deliver more colder air but their map should recal the MAF to take the extra flow...... I hope! Lexus ECUs are renowned for being hard to crack so there are very few tuners and tunes out there for them.

Hi Rich, I'd be interested in these. One thing though, would you not need an engine map is some sort to optimise performance or would these work on a plug-and-play basis? Not sure of how this all works. I know the PPE ones from RR in the states come with a map.

@Twellsie it would be good to get your views on the above! 😉

Hi Rich, I’m currently in the process of designing and building my own custom intake for the ISF having tried two of the most popular ones and looked very closely at the rest that are on the market. In my uneducated opinion there are none on the market that are as good as they could be. All are either heat soaking like mad or restrictive in one way or another. Yes, lots of them look and sound great but I’m looking for the best possible seal against under bonnet heat and a greatly increased availability of cooler air. Paired with a larger surface area filter medium and increased diameter intake tubing I’m hoping for greater gains in terms of both HP and decibels! Given your credentials I’d be very keen to discuss my thinking with you, particularly around how the volume of the sealed off area affects things. Will a larger or smaller sealed enclosure to house the cone filter inside work better given a greater availability of cool/ambient external temperature air? I’m not sure if a larger volume is better here given a specific cone size? (what is best, just big enough to house the filter or as big a volume enclosure as it can possibly be). The guys at RR racing stateside have arguably one of the better intake systems but as above it’s not fully sealed. It also (apparently) requires a remap to allow the MAF sensor to cope with the increased airflow through 83mm ID intake tubing. That’s the same diameter I’m working my system around ( that’s the ID of the actual inlet into the engine) so I’d be keen to get your views on that too. I’ll drop you a PM so we can have a proper chat. You're coming on Saturday right? Dan

Likewise!!

Better start revising Wayne, you'll fail the entry exam! 😂

Mods/Admins - Can we sticky this till after the weekend please? Thanks!

Now then F-Fans! Only 4 more sleeps!!! 😀 Here’s a final update from me before the weekend with the final, confirmed route plan and itinerary for the weekend. This has been changed since my last post so please use this one from now (Mods, can you sticky this till after Saturday please?) Following recce number two last weekend with Mrs NothernDan and the dogs I’ve made a few subtle changes and clarified and corrected a few of the directions. You’ll find an updated itinerary with slightly adjusted timings and directions below so please take a few moments to read through this and get a general idea of the plan before the weekend. Whilst I’m sure we’ll make every effort to be “in-convoy” a basic knowledge of the route and general plan would no doubt be useful for those “which way next” or “I’m lost” moments. One very important thing to remember on the day is PLEASE BRING PLENTY OF COINS FOR PARKING AS BUXTON ITSELF IS COIN ONLY PARKING IN MOST PLACES, THERE IS NO CARD OR PAY BY PHONE AVAILABLE. With this in mind it might also be an idea to dress in black and white as they don’t have colour TV’s up there yet so anything too bright will freak the locals out and you may end up being sacrificed in some strange ritual to appease the gods. As before, I’ve listed all the main locations in the route planner below. The main change is, given that we are getting breakfast laid on at Lexus Derby, it seemed a bit pointless stopping at Matlock after less than an hour of travel (for more bacon rolls) so I’ve combined the first two legs of the trip and we’ll now head direct to Buxton (via the outskirts of Matlock) and use the time we’ll gain for a bit more of a chilled-out stop in Buxton for lunch. It will also make the morning route a bit simpler and give us more time on some decent roads. If anybody really wants to stop at Matlock they can obviously feel free, even if it’s just a short comfort break at the conveniently placed Maccy-D’s. The itinerary is now broken down in 3 legs (not 4 as before). Just as before a “(T)” means Through and a “(P)” means Past. The route still starts at Lexus Derby on Saturday the 29th September (for both day trippers and overnighters) and will continue on Sunday the 30th September (for overnighters only) with the second day being an open agenda. We start here - Lexus Derby – Orient Way, Pride Park, Derby, DE24 8BY – 01332 426 185 This is on the North side of Derby but easily accessible via the M1 - A52. It’s almost right on the A6 and as Big Rat pointed out is right opposite Derby FC grounds. We’ll meet there any time from 09:00 onwards on Saturday the 29th with a view to leaving as close as possible to 10:00. I’d say 10:30 at the latest. AS BEFORE – MAKE SURE YOUR FUEL TANK, WASHER FLUID ETC IS FULL WHEN YOU ARRIVE! – THIS WILL SAVE US A HUGE AMOUNT OF TIME AND PREVENT UNECESSARY STOPS Leg-1 – Lexus Derby to Buxton – roughly 50 miles taking about 1hr 45 mins. ETA at Buxton is about 12:15 assuming a 10:30 departure from Lexus Derby Lexus Derby - Start Duffield (T) Milford (T) Belper (T) Ambergate (T) Whatstandwell (T) Cromford (T) Matlock Bath (T) Matlock – (P) Darley Dale (T) Rowsley (T) Bakewell (T) Ashford in the Water (P) Brushfield (P) Taddington (P) Blackwell (P) King Sterndale (P) Buxton - Stop The early part of this route is very picturesque, we’ll pass the cable cars (Heights of Abraham) at Matlock Bath as well as the outskirts of Matlock itself with a great view of the main street (on your right) spread out up the valley side. The route after Matlock past Ashford in the Water has a good stretch of pretty open dual carriageway so you can stretch the legs on your beloved vehicles. We follow the A6 all the way from Matlock to Buxton so I doubt anyone will get lost on this stretch (famous last words). We should arrive in Buxton at about 12:15. Important – When you get into Buxton please follow signs for Parking near the Opera House and Pavillion Gardens. This will be straight on over a few roundabouts (two I think) then up a short hill past the train station (on your right) before heading down a short decline with the Opera House in front of you. Please park up near the Opera House. We now have a bit more time for lunch and to stretch your legs (about two hours if required). The Pavilion gardens are very pretty so the various wives (and dogs) will appreciate these. There are quite a few places to eat overlooking the gardens and many more in the town so we will be spoilt for choice. We can all leisurely take photos, compare exhausts, wheels, carbon bits etc etc. We can also decide between us what time to set off for the next leg of the journey. I’d suggest about 14:30 at the latest. For Leg-2 (previously Leg-3) from Buxton we’ll leave via the A6 again taking the route outlined below. This takes in some amazing scenery all the way along the route and some good fast winding A-Roads (and spectacular countryside) between Hathersage and Ringinglow. No speed cameras along here either!! It looks like a lot of locations below but rest assured it’s all pretty good roads so happens fast! Leg-2 – Buxton to the Ladybower Inn – roughly 30 miles taking about 60 minutes – ETA about 15:30 assuming a 14:30 departure from Buxton Buxton – Start Fairfield (T) Dove Holes (T) Then following the A6 towards Chapel-En-Le-Frith and Castleton before taking a right at the roundabout (the first one after we’ve gone through Dove Holes) and onto the A623 towards Castleton. IMPORTANT - Along the A623 take a sharp left at “The Wanted” Pub towards Speedwell Cavern and Blue John Cavern and IGNORE the green sign at the junction saying that Castleton is to the right, that’s directing heavy goods vehicles away from Winnet’s Pass…. You’ll see why soon! This next bit is a great stretch of fast A-road and we’ll go past ….. Peak Cavern (P) Right at the junction for Castleton, NOT left towards Blue John Cavern Winnats Pass (T) – We’ll drive down this, great scenery but watch out for sheep and Tour De France wannabes! Castelton (T) Hope (T) Bamford (T) Hathersage (T) Awesome views over your right shoulder all along here Millstone Country Inn on your right (P) Then round a long sweeping walled left hand bend and take the next sharp left up a slight incline towards Ringinglow IMPORTANT – LOOK OUT FOR TWO THINGS ALONG HERE; Sheep on the road who are unafraid of cars/horns/flashing lights. About a minute or so up this road take a look over your left shoulder for more amazing views. There are always a lot of camera geeks with expensive lenses along here stood waiting for perfect light conditions! We’ll take in renowned beauty spot Striding Edge along this fast section of winding A/B Road which again is very photogenic. There’s a very busy car park on a sharp right bend about half way towards Ringinglow so watch out for dog walkers and the red sock brigade (walkers). Feel free to stop and click shutters should you so desire. You’ll know you’re approaching Ringinglow as you’ll see views of Sheffield in the distance on the left, as soon as you see houses and the 30 signs that’s Ringinglow although there are no actual “Ringinglow” signs. IMPORTANT - we are taking a sharp left 10 yards after the 30 signs at the entrance to Ringinglow (mentioned above) onto Fulwood Lane. This left is before the Norfolk Arms pub/hotel with the white exterior wall. If you pass the Norfolk Arms Hotel (big car park on the left) you’ve missed the road, so turn around and head back. Apologies for the detail overload here but if you get lost on this leg you may never be seen again! After the left before the Norfolk Arms (P) we’ll go past Mayfield Alpacas (P) on your right along Fullwood Lane, there is a very sharp right hand bend up ahead after a long straight so watch your speed approaching this. IMPORTANT - The next 2 miles or so includes some pretty narrow B-Roads, winding downhill off camber corners and more sheep in the road so please take care. So, continuing along Fullwood Lane After the sharp right turn mentioned above take the second right onto Andwell Lane - you can’t see the sign for Andwell Ln it until you are on it but it’s immediately after Greenhouse Lane The next turn you take will be a Left onto Blackbrook Road - You will have come along Douse Croft Lane, Gore Lane & Harrison Lane to get here but you can’t really see any of the signs for these so just look out for the left onto Blackbrook Road (small triangular junction) CAUTION – Winding downhill off camber stuff from here onwards with the occasional sheep! You’ll come through a built up area and across the crossroads with Redmires Road onto Lodge Lane Follow Lodge Lane down more steep stuff to the T-Junction onto Manchester Road (This is the A57 Snake Pass) at Rivelin Head West (left turn) onto the A57 (Snake Pass) towards Manchester A good few miles along fast flowing A57 through Hollow Meadows (T) to the Ladybower Inn where we’ll stop Ladybower Inn - Stop It'll take us about an hour to do the route above from Buxton so we'll arrive at Ladybower Inn, overlooking Ladybower Reservoir, at about 15:30. We should all be in convoy but if you hit the traffic lights at the corner of the reservoir you’ve gone slightly too far!The Inn is about 100 metres back up the road you’ve just come down. You’ll easily spot The Inn on the right as the car park (on the left) will be full of F-Cars! We’ll stop here for refreshments and toilet break before the last leg of the journey. Let’s take 45 minutes to an hour here before we head off. For Leg-3, the final Leg before the overnight, we’ll be following the route below along the A57 (Snake Pass). Leg-3 – Ladybower Inn to Buxton (via the Snake Pass and Glossop) – roughly 40 miles taking about 60 minutes – ETA at Buxton about 17:30 assuming a 16:30 departure from Ladybower Inn Ladybower Inn – Start All the way along the A57 towards Glossop Glossop (T - Outskirts) Left Turn at the Train station junction (Lloyds bank on the left , The Howard Arms slightly further back on the right and The Norfolk Arms diagonally opposite Lloyds the right. Then follow the road via; Howard Town Shopping centre (P) Little Hayfield (T) – Great views around here Hayfield (T) - Two Speed Cameras opposite each other! Chinley (T) Left at the T-Junction under the railway bridge at Chinley Left at the next roundabout Right at second roundabout towards Buxton Follow A6 back to Buxton via Dove Holes (we’ve driven the opposite way down this bit of road just after lunch) Buxton – Stop So, we’ll end up right back in the heart of Buxton where we had lunch. I’ll bring printed copies of this for everyone on the day so you can find yourself (not in a voyage of personal discovery way) if you get lost.

That's a really nice looking 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 series!

19's or 20's?

Come on, we all know you never move your car!

Got any T-Cut?

Just back home after recon mission number two with the heavily pregnant Mrs NothernDan as co-pilot, critiquing my previous directions. Expect an updated and improved route plan and directions in the next 48 hours! Same route, just better directions and a better recce of Buxton for lunch and the overnighters. I'm sure it'll be a lot more fun in the ISF next weekend than it was today in the wifes heavily laden Renault Kadjar!! The dogs (and wife) definitely did not permit any spirited driving, especially in the "wallow-mobile", it's definitely no Megane RS!

Running ECP Pagid discs and pads on the front. These ones definitely aren't Brembo packaged up as Pagid as per some other reports have said. The 'top hats' are a totally different shape and drill pattern is different. A meagre £10 cheaper than ECP Brembo OEMs but thought I'd give them a go. I'm well impressed! 50% less dust at least and a loads less grabby and far more controllable feel. A lot more confidence inspiring and much a more linear modulation throughout the range of motion of the pedal. I'm only ever on the road and don't thrash it 24seven but I'd buy them again without a second thought.

@Warrington guy get your string of abuse at the ready! "It's just gonna break down etc etc etc"!😨

Spec the Blitz NUR spec out of the factory for added rarity!

Totally happy for someone else to take the helm on this decision. It would seem like a nice idea if we can all get somewhere together, human and canine alike!

This was buried midway through one of the recently moved posts so just keeping it prominent as the event approaches. Subject to slight change now we are getting breakfast laid on courtesy of Lexus Derby. F-up The Peaks & Dales Finalised route plan Here is the near enough finalised route that takes in the best of the area and avoids too much civilization and/or roadworks. I’ll do a condensed printout of this for everyone on the day so we’ve all got something to follow if anybody ends up getting separated. I’ve listed all the main locations and route planner below, broken down into the 4 ‘Legs’ of the journey. For reference a “(T)” means we go Through the place and a “(P)” means we go Past the place (genius!). As before, the route will definitely start at Lexus Derby on Saturday the 29th September (for both day trippers and overnighters) and will continue on Sunday the 30th September (for overnighters only) with the second day being an open agenda. On day two we can take in the best of the previous day, a load of new locations, go sightseeing, do any combination of the above or do as you wish! The starting point address is as follows; Lexus Derby – Orient Way, Pride Park, Derby, DE24 8BY – 01332 426 185 - This is on the North side of Derby but easily accessible via the M1 - A52 – it’s almost right on the A6, easy access for the first leg of the journey. We’ll meet there any time from 09:00 onwards on Saturday the 29th with a view to leaving as close as possible to 10:00 or 10:30 at the latest. MAKE SURE YOUR TANK IS FULL WHEN YOU ARRIVE! – THIS WILL SAVE US A HUGE AMOUT OF TIME Leg-1 – Lexus Derby to Matlock – roughly 25 miles taking about 45-60 minutes – ETA about 11:30 assuming a 10:30 departure from Lexus Derby Lexus Derby - Start Duffield (T) Milford (T) Belper (T) Ambergate (T) Whatstandwell (T) Cromford (T) Matlock Bath (T) Matlock – Stop As previously advised, when you get into Matlock it feels like you are driving past everything and heading out of the village but it's a big one way system and the main access point to the village is on the North Side. Although quite early into the day I reckon we could easily stop at Matlock for half an hour for Bacon rolls and coffees and/or a toilet break or just blast on through to Buxton. We'll assess what people want to do on the day and take it from there. For Leg-2, from Matlock, we’ll head on up the A6 towards Bakewell and onto Buxton as outlined below; Leg-2 – Matlock to Buxton – roughly 25 miles taking about 45-60 minutes – ETA about 13:00 assuming a 12:00 departure from Matlock Matlock – Start Darley Dale (T) Rowsley (T) Bakewell (T) Ashford in the Water (P) Brushfield (P) Taddington (P) Blackwell (P) King Sterndale (P) Buxton - Stop The route past Ashford in the Water has a good stretch of pretty open dual carriageway so you can stretch the legs on your beloved vehicles. We follow the A6 all the way from Matlock to Buxton so I doubt anyone will get lost on this stretch (famous last words). We should arrive in Buxton at about 13:00. We’ll take a stop here for lunch so please do your bit here and take a look at Tripadvisor etc for any places you’d like to try (this research will also come in handy later on as you’ll see). At a very quick glance the Green Pavillion café and the Royal Oak Tavern both get good reviews. Again we can decide on the day where we go but let’s assume an hour and a half to stop here to fill up and buy Bakewell Tarts etc. For Leg-3 from Buxton we’ll leave via the A6 again taking the route outlined below. This takes in some amazing scenery in the early part up to Hathersage then some good fast winding A-Roads, again through some pretty spectacular countryside between Hathersage and Ringinglow. No speed cameras along here either!! It looks like a lot of locations below but rest assured it’s roughly the same length as the first two legs. Leg-3 – Buxton to the Ladybower Inn – roughly 30 miles taking about 60 minutes – ETA about 15:30 assuming a 14:30 departure from Buxton Buxton – Start Fairfield (T) Dove Holes (T) Then following the A6 towards Chapel-En-Le-Frith (P) before taking the A623 towards…. Sparrow Pit (T) Then heading Towards Castleton past Speedwell Cavern (P) Peak Cavern (P) Winnats Pass – We’ll drive down this, great scenery! Castelton (T) Hope (T) Hathersage (T) Hathersage Booths (T) Ringinglow (T) Left at the Norfolk Arms (P) past Mayfield Alpacas (no joke) along Fullwood Ln, Andwell Ln, Douse Croft Ln, Gore Ln, Harrison Ln, Blackburn Rd and Lodge Ln to….. Rivelin (T) then West (left turn) onto the A57 (Snake Pass) towards Manchester Ladybower Inn - Stop It'll take us about an hour to do the route above from Buxton so we'll arrive at Ladybower Inn, overlooking Ladybower Reservoir, at about 15:30. We should all be in convoy but if you hit the traffic lights at the corner of the reservoir you’ve gone slightly too far!The Inn is about 100 metres back up the road you’ve just come down. You’ll easily spot The Inn on the right as the car park (on the left) will be full of F-Cars! Asbo Dave™ and I stopped here for lunch and it’s a perfect place for refreshments and toilet break before the last leg of the journey. Let’s take 45 minutes to an hour here before we head off. For Leg-4, the final Leg before the overnight, we’ll be following the route below along the A57 (Snake Pass). After the recon mission yesterday I can confirm that whilst there are a few rougher sections on here, they all look recently filled and nothing to worry about. 90% of it is a good 8-9 out of 10 with even the roughest bits being a solid 7. Fear not Sean! Leg-4 – Ladybower Inn to Buxton (via the Snake Pass and Glossop) – roughly 40 miles taking about 60 minutes – ETA at Buxton about 17:30 assuming a 16:30 departure from Ladybower Inn Ladybower Inn – Start All the way along the A57 towards Glossop Glossop (T) Left Turn at the Train station junction towards…. Charlestown (T) Chunal (T) Little Hayfield (T) Hayfield (T) Chinley Head (T) New Smithy (T) Chapel Milton (T) Chapel-En-Le-Frith (P) before taking the A624 onto the A6 towards…. Doveholes (T) Fairfield (T) Buxton – Stop So, we’ll end up right back in the heart of rural Derbyshire where we had lunch.

Now there's a car!