R32OC dyno day @ Awesome / GTI Edition 30 APR Stage 1 dyno plot

bright and sunny day for an R32OC meet at AwesomeGTI in Irlam,Manchester.
tagged along to check out the R32 guys and get another dyno to see how the cars running..

Lots of high HP Mk4 Turbos there running well over 450 bhp!



Golf GTI Edition 30 APR Stage 1 : Shell Optimax fuel : 22k miles
27 deg C 1021 mb 3 runs back to back

275@wheels (298@flywheel) 344 lbs/ft
279@wheels (296@flywheel) 333 lbs/ft
279@wheels (298@flywheel) 337 lbs/ft

slightly down on after the remap but much smoother repeatable curves.

Metroid Prime Trilogy to be released for Wii

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metroid_(series)
http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2009/02/video-wii-port/




I can scarcely believe it, over the last few months I have been enjoying playing Metroid Prime 3 : Corruption (Wii), getting to 86% completed and 'almost' completing the 3 bosses on the final level. A stunning game that had me hooked for hours that I was loathed to put down

It looks like I am know going to get a chance to play the first 2 on the Wii very soon .......woohooooo

Its a great few months for the Wii , Punch Out! , then theres Wii Sports Resort , The Conduit and now MP Trilogy all coming out before Xmas ....


Nintendo today announced the Metroid Prime Trilogy bundle, a compilation of the two GameCube Metroid Prime titles and the Wii's Prime 3, for release on August 24.

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption.
Priced at $49.99, the collection puts all three games on the same disc, with Metroid Prime 1 and 2 updated to utilize the motion-centric Wii controls of Metroid Prime 3. Unlockable rewards, including music and artwork, have also been added.

Nintendo was clear that "each game maintains its original storyline and settings" as most of the changes relate to controls or graphics, with Retro Studios, which developed the entire first-person adventure trilogy, having handled the compilation. The first Prime entry hit GameCube in 2002, with the second in 2004 and MP3 debuting on Wii in 2007.




In Japan, Nintendo has released the Metroid Prime games on Wii as part of the “New Play Control” series of enhanced GameCube titles. In the U.S., the strategy for these first-person shooters is different: They’ll be packaged together with the 2007 Wii sequel on a single disc called Metroid Prime Trilogy.

Although we’ll have to wait longer than Japanese consumers for the game, which will be available on August 24, the price tag of only $50 for all three critically-acclaimed sci-fi adventures is a much better deal.

I played the Japanese version of Metroid Prime when it shipped earlier this year, and played Metroid Prime 2 later at Nintendo’s offices. The games have been fully upgraded with all of the bells and whistles that the Wii brings — full motion control and 16:9 widescreen display being the most obvious enhancements.

But there are also some smaller upgrades. The “ball hop” — the ability to make Samus Aran’s Morph Ball form jump in the air with a quick flick of the Wiimote — has been retrofitted into both of the earlier games.

Nintendo said the games also have shorter loading times, and some mildly updated graphical effects like bloom lighting.

Badges — achievements for completing certain game objectives — have also been added in to the GameCube titles. The badges for all three games are combined in one overarching bonus menu, instead of being split up per title. This means that you can unlock the same set of bonus materials (artwork galleries, etc.) no matter which game you play.

The Metroid Prime 3 control scheme is fully replicated in each of the classic games — you can adjust the sensitivity of the cursor and turn on “Lock-On Free Aim” if you want more control over your aiming.

The only downside that I can see is that the multiplayer mode in Metroid Prime 2 hasn’t been taken online. I played a few rounds with Nintendo employees at a recent visit to their office, and it’s still far from Halo-caliber multiplayer, although it does work a lot better with pointer-style controls versus the GameCube controller.

Punch Out! Wii

new release boxing Wii game arrived , I had pre-ordered it for a while.
Its brilliant :-) Buy it NOW

Punch Out ! Wii @ Amazon

I even added the following review to Amazon :

a old game updated for the Wii, we all know how much of a recipe for disaster this can be, however thats way off the mark in this case.
What an absolute blast, and in my opinion different and better than Wii Sports Boxing.
From the very offset , graphics (for the Wii!) and sound are impressive and work well together. Menu navigation is quick and 'punchy' between screens, with few if any delays.(usually only after a fight ends)
Ok some can be blocky (480p with cable) but thats to be expected and in no way detracts from the game. In game graphics while fighting are top notch and very slick.Each new release shows just how much better developers are at getting the best from the Wii.

Controls work well (nunchuck and wiimote together) as I preferred to be more involved in the game, havent yet tried pad only. Your arms still hurt lol.
Just throwing your arms around isnt going to win you any fights in this game. Tactical assessment of your opponent them whallop them in the weak spots.

A thoroughly enjoyable game that surprised me. Great for all ages.
One to definitely add to your collection

Golf GTI Edition 30 mpg updates x 3 / VCDS tips / home grown chillies!

GTI Edition 30

commuting mileage for the last three tanks
(all Shell Optimax fuel)

29.5 MPG / 350 miles
32.2 MPG / 370 miles
31.0 MPG / 370 miles

Id say thats pretty good going for a 300 bhp car :-)
notice how I skilfully caught the screen transition from tank image to time....

VCDS cable

Also did my first hour of datalogging with TopCats GTI this week using VCDS software and cable. What a superb buy, hooked into the dataport you can learn so much , reset fault codes and change options
Next up its mine for some logging............eek

Got some tips already :

1. use advanced measuring blocks (up to 12 at one time)
2. click the VCDS logo to enable you to save the 'blocks' profile to save you having to select them all again
3. click the turbo button to increase the sampling speed(nice ! )
4. run on 4th (or 3rd if the speed is too high). pref 3rd imho
5. lock out DSG in single gear
6. run from 1500 rpm to redline
7. note the conditions before logging : e.g. temp , pressure (you can read this off the live display before starting)
8. Note the cars fuel type / mileage / mod list

Chillies grown from seeds ..

Last pick is of the status of some home grown chillies started by a work colleague and now in my care, they dont have grow quickly, chillies in a few months I believe.......

Tatton Park 10k run 26th Sept 09 for Cancer Research UK

The more observant of you will notice the new 10k run Sponsorship link.
Spurred on by a neighbour who recently ran the Manchester 10k, a need to get fit and my desire to further support Cancer Research UK, I have entered the 10k run at Tatton Park on 26th Sept 2009.
I have already started training and have bought a GPS tracking watch with HR monitor to spur me on (Garmin Forerunner 305)

Please follow the link and sponsor me, its for a very worthwhile cause.

21k miles mpg / dads car / car slammed

car as it should be on its ar*e .......
shame it was only due to 10 bags of B&Q stones lol

pics of dads lovely convertible

and the obligatory edition 30 mpg for the last tank
30MPG and 360 miles and still some juice left