[s-cars] Trials and Tribulations of an Ur-S.

[Abhijit Kondajji]

I begin with a "blah" because it seems things never stop leaking long
enough to where I can actually derive pleasure out of driving the car.
After dealing with a leaky VCG, an irritable X-plug leak and then a
few bits and pieces, I thought I had everything covered only to find
out that there's STILL oil coming out somewhere! Back to the shop for
some dye and black light experiment! I have driven this car so less
that I truly feel it is more or less a shop ornament than my car (It's
too bloody cold to work on it outside my place hence to the shop I go)

On the up and up, I replaced the thermostat on the car this weekend
and finally saw true "warmth" while driving the car. The old
thermostat looked fine but seemed to be sticking closed. While taking
care of that, took my time and put in an S4 IC, an APR snub and
cleaned up the washer squirter leak. Sigh. It was such a pleasure to
get all grimy in 50* weather.

I am planning on replacing the clutch this spring and am undecided
between the SPEC and the Centreforce. I know the list has discussed
this many times and I guess the only easy way of deciding is to
actually drive a car with a SPEC clutch as compared to a car with a CF
clutch but I would still like an opinion based on the pedal pressure
and the "grabbing" aspects of the above clutches. What I don't mind is
a heavier pedal pressure and a gradual grab rather than an on-off
sudden grab. At the same time, I also want to change over to a lighter
flywheel. How are my options and what other insightful opinions can
someone offer?

Regards,
Abhijit