Well I have spent most of today with Chris Franklin (Center Gravity) in Atherstone. My primary reason for going was that I always felt a little unsettled with the backend of the car, whilst you could feel the grip it just didn't 'feel' right.

Chris started by asking what I wanted to achieve. Then measured up to set the trailer. All the kit was put on including the proper Porsche car protectors and hub mounts and the Beissbarth (sp?) geometry kit.

The setup is superb and Chris is the consummate professional also an utter perfectionist. He had major problems getting the kit to work due to the 'black car' effect, something to do with the IR being absorbed by the car. So we covered it and off we went.

Chris could pretty much tell what was wrong purely by looking at the tyres and the kit showed him to be correct.

It was really interesting having it all explained to me in english and I now feel that I at least understand castor, camber and toe for the first time ever.

Chris then reset the geometry on the front and rear.

Then the test drive wow. 36mph on the roundabout with no squeal and only the traffic slowing us down.

The car feels better than it ever has. I took the really long way home, in fact it took me nearly two and a half hours but OMG what fun.

Understeer which was pretty bad has been toned right down and I can now force oversteer easier How much fun is this car. It's like a different animal completely.

Whilst I was considering an Exige S now there is no chance.
I'm know thinking of upgrading the suspension...... and will be changing the tyres for Michelin Pilot Sports.

Thanks guys for introducing me to Chris, he is a top guy and I would happily recommend him to anyone.

Now for the pics......

 

Oh and I met Man. Hope you enjoyed the ride.
Good to put a face to a name. Pleasure to meet you. Love the CRX.
Also hello to Peter (IIRC) nice Starlet.

 

I felt exactly the same when I left Chris.

Theres not many places you can get that level of service and an all day tutorial too

Andy

 

Great stuff Lee

Chris is "da man"

 

I loved the ride, many thanks! That exhaust is just awesome

 

Chris will have enjoyed working on the Porsche too.

 

Excellent.

Will I be able to keep up now?

How much?

You can take us for a blast on Tues.

 

[QUOTE=Fieldl,Apr 13 2007, 08:29 PM]

 

Did he say the geo will change with new tyres?

 

Nope the geo is done on the Porsche using Porsche hub adapters so the wheel is irrelevant. There are alternative adapters or workarounds for other makes. It's actually quite important to him to see a worn set of tyres on the car as he can see and tell what is happening.

He also recommended I switch to the Michelin Pilot Sports.

Total cost was