I agree Mark.
My perspective was I wanted to understand how a roll bar would affect things, so it seems like a good idea to start with a strong standard variation (Escos) which would be low cost and easy to fit; get a feel for how it affected handling and go from there. Otherwise I'm just spending £700+ per end on gp A stuff without any insight as to what SWG bars to go for etc etc. Everyone has a budget and I don't have circa £1.5k for ARB's right now.. Donations welcome though..
That said I've given the car a damn good seeing to when conditions have permitted this week (90miles today alone) and it's bloody fantastic, especially seeing as I haven't had geo done yet. Ironically I can't currently see the need for an ARB at either end at the moment, but things might change by the time I've tackled Oulton Park at full tilt. Turn in, (lack of) roll, steering feedback all seem pretty sweet so far. For sure the higher braking and cornering forces on track can definitely change that so I'll see how it pans out.
I have to say power delivery on this thing is totally epic, and yet it's still a pussy cat pootling about in traffic. It's overtaking ability in practically any gear even from very low revs is staggering, and it just keeps going.
As ever, the jobs list doesn't end, but that's what these few weeks was for... Most pressing is sorting the pesky clutch slave which is cracking me a bit and making gear changes a bit of a lottery. Just as well the power delivery is so flexible. Speaking with Ashley today we've got some ideas lined up, so hopefully we'll crack it next time it's on the ramp.
I got some helper springs today to help take up the droop on the rear coil overs when it's up on the jack, so will look to fit them this week. And I've also ordered an ATL fuel gauge to match the sender, as my current one (VDO) works in completely the opposite direction to what it should when paired with an ATL sender.
The other thing I need to do is budget more time into my journey or destinations for speaking with folks that come up for a chat! Even waiting at traffic lights can turn into a conversation. I even had to turn down an offer from someone wanting to buy it today. Everyone wants to see it given some beans too, so well, it's hard to say no isn't it?
Cheers
Iain