Finally he speaks (and it's questions.....)

[jjr197]

Hey'all, hope everyone's enjoying the weather!

After a few months of ownership having purchased a Sonic that was already built, I have questions, questions, questions! Hopefully you guys can help, or at least be sympathetic towards my lack of knowledge whilst secretly laughing behind my back! ;-)

1. Inertia switch: The builder didn't fit one. I have one now, but was wondering where people fitted it? My thoughts are as close as possible to between the middle point (front to back) as possible to reduce the risk of a pothole setting it off. What have you guys done?

2. My fuel gauge only ever shows 2 pips (unless you go down to 1 pip). I'm going to replace the whole dash anyway, but in the mean time is there an easy way of checking whether there is a problem with the sensor?

3. My GOD it gets hot in that car! So one of the nice things about this Sonic is that it has a pretty much full size windscreen. No lid needed when driving around (though I still do on motorways!), and it looks unique! However this reduces the airflow "at" the engine bay. as a result you gate a lot of heat soaking over your shoulder, and when the fan kicks in, you effectively have the heater on full blast at your feet! In the winter this will be fantastic, but at the moment it i a sweat box! Is this purely down to the big windscreen, or do you all get it? I'm thinking that there must be a better way to divert the hot air off the radiator out of the car rather than into the cockpit. I was also thinking about whether a couple of PC fans built into the engine over could take the air "in" at the front rather then "out" over my shoulder.

4. Since I haven't said this already, I love this car. Driving it is awesome, the reactions from people (whether they are "car people" or not, is amazing. Even bikers seem to like it!!!

5. The dash: This is, in my personal opinion, the only part of the car that lets it down. Now to be fair, that is a bit like me saying that the CGI Peter Cushing and Carrie Fisher "let down" Rogue One. It's not a complaint, but it is going to be one of my winter projects! What have you guys done? I was thinking about a dash that comes down to meet the console over the gearstick, all of the buttons/switches on the joining piece, and a bigger digital dash in the centre (Mini style). Part of me wants to cover it all in (fake) alcantara to give it that posh look, but it won't be waterproof! What have you guys done? Inspire me! lol

6. Last one for now. I keep getting the acceleration dying on me. Looking around on here it seems that this is to do with the mesh in the fuel tank that acts as a filter into the pump. I have a fuel filter fitted further down the line, so I was just planning on cutting it out (probably while checking the sensor). Will I regret that?

That's me out for now. Epic car, proper head turner, immense fun to drive, and what a noise! :-D

Jimi

[nigel]

Hi jjr197

1. Inertia Switch – I fitted direct to the chassis in the engine bay, low down, by the nearside rear suspension (link). No problems so far.

2. Looking at the pictures you have posted I see you have the MEV panel. I fitted this originally but have since fitted the Focus clocks/gauges - personal preference (link). My best guess is that the original fuel float arm was not extended, simple mod (link).

3. Do you have interior cockpit side panels fitted, to duct the hot air front to back, this helps. I use simple house (builders) manual air vent in the forward bulkhead to keep myself warm in cooler weather (link) - example.

4. Agree.

5. My recommendation is to fit the original Focus Clocks, cover for can be acquired from equilibrium .

6. Before cutting it out, suggest you remove the fuel pump assembly and check all is well, modify if required. Should look like this IMO (link).

Pic is always worth a 1,000 words 

nigel

[jjr197]

Thanks Nigel! I'll absorb all of that and post pics of any work that I do!