Ekona

About 30 secs for me, as it was considerably slower than my last car! You always get used to the power eventually. I'm finding the Beetle needs more oomph really at times...

Sadly people always chase that last bhp regardless of cost, despite the fact that just losing a kilo or two of bodyweight would actually give them the same benefit. Actually more of a benefit, as you'd increase your power-to-weight ratio as well make for less mass which in turn improves both the handling and the brakes. It's human nature to want big numbers rather than small ones, but I'll always have more respect for someone like djtimo who has ripped the guts out of his than I do for someone who just bolts another large turbo to their car. Each to their own though, I was the same when I was younger!

Fair enough, I didn't actually give an example to demonstrate how big a 1-second gap can feel. Have a look at this video, only really interested in the first race: Check out the timings of the 996TT and the 458: Almost exactly a second apart, but look just how much further ahead the 458 is when it finishes. I don't think I used the term "left for dead" anywhere, but there's certainly a sizeable gap and it's quite an interesting clip given how the OP is on about straight line drags rather than fast road or track work. I'd say the £20K extra on the Cayman S is worth it (with the right spec, my own recent experience of a non-S Cayman proves that!), but then it's all relative to what you can afford really. I don't mean that to sound like the c*nt I know it makes me sound, it's the same no matter how far up the scale you go: 911 tubby worth £20K more than a 911 S? Hell yeah, but not if you can't afford it. Same with the Audi TT/TTRS, or used 350 vs new 370. My point was more that it's verging on pathetic jealousy when you're so incredibly gutted that your car is slower than your brother's, instead of just enjoying the fact that you both own two incredible drivers' cars.

What were the figures like throughout the rev range? The same 4bhp, or more?

I'm not on commission here, but this is the same stuff as I had fitted on mine in Summit disguise, and I have to say that if you take your handling in any way seriously then this is an absolute must-buy. It will transform your car more than a set of springs will, and will give you something you can rely on and have full confidence in. It brings out all the best qualities of the chassis with zero downsides. I cannot state enough just how good this kit is, and I don't recommend any old crap.

Would use of these pads (or anything else that caused the car not to be technically legal, but not dangerous) cause an insurer to invalidate a claim? I understand that there would be nothing against a 3rd party, but could/would an insurer then go after the client for the claim? Speaking from a general perspective, not specifically for Sky so you can take that hat off for a bit if you like Ollie

Change the seats for something more supportive. Zed seats are comfortable but not supportive, you ideally want something that's more hugging and gives you support on your lower back. Fellow S5/L5 disc sufferer here, just waiting for an appointment with a consultant regarding an op on my own back.

Do they have a BS number or the Euro equivalent? That's the key here really. And yes, you should tell your insurer if you've upped the spec of the brake pads. Probably won't care, but don't give them a reason not to pay out.

It's like me and Darren were separated at birth...

Assuming those figures are accurate, the Cayman is a second quicker to 100. That's a lifetime, and given that it's a better handling car too it's going to be substantially quicker on road, track or strip. Who cares anyway? It cost £20K more so you'd expect it to be better, and if you wanted a quicker car then go buy an old Impreza for £5K, spend £5K on go faster bits and you'll be quicker than 99% of the cars out there. The Zed is about the experience, the overall drive, not the pace.

Gen1 Cayman was a fraction lighter than that, IIRC about 30kg. The new DFi engine has a few more pumps and bits than the old M96/97 engines had, plus there was some changes to the suspension as well I believe. It does depend on the options very much though, for example if he's got the adaptive sports seats then he'll be carrying an extra 25kg over someone with the stock seats: Those things are seriously heavy. If his car has PDK, then forget about it. He will absolutely muller you. Manual may be closer due to differences in driver shifting, but assuming like for like the Cayman 'box is a tad more slick than the Zed one (I do prefer the manliness of the Zed shift though, adds personality to the car) so he should make up time there as well.

Declare every single thing that doesn't come with the base car. So yes, I would declare sat nav, up to them if they're interested or not. You should see the list I had to give my insurers last month

A fair bit. Much better chassis, MR layout, bit more power... It's a much better car all round, but you do pay for that privilege. Is it a gen1 or gen2 car?

If you can't tell any difference then you're driving very smoothly, as it doesn't kick in unless you're being incredibly ham-fisted with the controls In normal driving, it doesn't really matter if it's on or off. It can save your bacon if you're being a bit of a tit, but otherwise it doesn't do anything special to the car.

To be fair, any garage that is going to look at that and use it as an excuse to fail it for an MOT isn't one I'd use for MOTs in the first place! It does look a bit agricultural, but as long as it works for you then that's all that really matters.

Isn't there some bit in the MOT test that says how far apart the accelerator and brake pedals have to be, which is why the Nismo one only curves round at the base?

Then they should have no issues with taking it back and getting it sorted

Heel/toeing doesn't mean you have to use those parts of the foot, it's just an easier way of describing the motion rather than using left hand ball of foot to right hand ball of foot. Depending on the vehicle I use both techniques, really does just depend how the pedals are set up. In a Caterham I'd roll the ball across, but in the SV chassis of the same car I'd have to pivot and use the heel/toe due to the different pedal box. But yes, the Nismo pedal is a must-have really on the Zed, I had one in mine and loved it.

If there's no sticker inside the fuel cap, then it's definitely in the manual. Which you've read, of course.

My problem with R1 isn't the DJs as such, it's the daytime playlist: There is simply no decent music that remotely interests me on it any more, and this is why I don't listen to the radio any more full stop.

Pushing the brake pedal would be better In terms of brake wear and keeping temps under control, you will always be better burying the pedal into the floor than you will being softer with it. However, every corner and every condition will dictate a different braking technique, so as has been said there really is no correct answer. I tend to brake earlier and softer with a view to unsettling the car as little as possible which works for me, but even I'm aware that's not technically the right thing to do.

Very handy, need a bit for Jo's STi

Seems like a good idea, assuming he's finished spending money on making the car perform better. If he hasn't, then he's a c*ck.

You mean they arent the best choice of tyre? I thought everyone on here loved them - had them on mine and really didnt rate them at all, you are the first person other than me who has said anything negative I think Don't get me wrong, if I was after cheaper tyres for a Zed then the lowest I'd be prepared to go would be the VUS, however it has to be said that the feel from them is amongst the best tyres I've ever used (second only to S1 Elise Neovas) and that goes a long way towards balancing up what they lack in outright grip. Far, far better than any Falken/Toyo non-motorsport tyre.

Floor-mounted throttles can feel a bit weird to heel/toe on at first, but you do get used to it pretty quickly. 911s have always been like that, and when I had a blast in a mate's 997 T4S manual it took a good couple of changes to adjust. Obviously all the cool kids have auto 'boxes that blip the throttle for you anyway though