Sam Mcgoo

srobrien has given sound advise on the Rig Electrician front. Transocean seem to own the majority of oil rigs now days, so they might be a good bet to look at also.

I work for Subsea7 as an ROV Technician. They are split into two parts 'Subsea7' who are mainly on boats doing subsea construction work, and 'I-Tech7' that are mainly on drill rigs. I do the latter.

As far I'm aware you can't be a 'rig electrician' with subsea7. There maybe some subsea7 electricians that work for the marine department on the Subsea7 owned vessels but I imagine only a hand full.

As far as being an ROV tech, I would recommend it. Its a great mix of work and play. On the rigs we generally do 3 weeks on 3 weeks off, so 21 x 12 hour shifts then 3 weeks at home. We work in a small team (usually 3) of a supervisor, a technician, and a trainee or pilot/tech.

A typical day (obviously this varies) consists of a couple of hours system maintenance, launch the ROV in the water and take turns 'flying' it around and using the robotic arms to do whatever work needs doing subsea(thats the play bit ). When the works complete, recover the ROV to deck and carry out any maintenance/repairs that may be required. Technically, its very varied. Between the 3 of you, you have to maintain/repair the whole system -the control van is full of Electrical/electronic equipment such as monitors, control panels, video equipment, Fibre optics, HV control cabinets etc...-Then there is the launch equipment consisting of winches and A-frames which are mainly Hydraulics. The Umbilical (heavy duty cable) and junction boxes which carry fibre optics, High and low voltage electricity and video to and from the ROV. Then the ROV it's self, High and low voltage electrics, electronic control pods, video Cameras, sonar,lights, Manipulators (robotic arms), Hydraulics and the mechanical frame.

When initially thinking about rig work, I was considering rig sparky or mechanic. All I can say now, is I wouldn't want to do any other job offshore. If I'm honest, compared to us, everyone else seems to be working so hard all day, everyday and although my job can be very busy at times there is also relaxed periods where you can slip away down the gym or sit and watch a film/browse the net in the comfort of the control van.

As far as working away from home, on a rig or boat, you won't know if it's for you unless you try it. I do miss getting in my own bed and snuggling up to the missus every night but the quality time off and wage helps make up for it.

So we are now group 45 out of 50.

http://www.thatcham.org/abigrouprating/ ... p?page=347

ABI Code Manufacturer Model Series Year CC Fuel Type Gear Box No. of Doors Body Type Group (1-20) Group (1-50) Group Type Security

355 253 01 NISSAN 350Z (276) COUPE 1 2003 - 2006 3499 P M 2 18 45 E T1

355 253 02 NISSAN 350Z GT COUPE 1 2003 - 2007 3499 P M 2 T1

355 256 01 NISSAN FAIRLADY Z (350 Z) 1 2003 On 3499 P M 2 G

355 113 01 NISSAN SILVIA 1998 P M 2 G

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Bedford is a good track to drive, bit flat and uneventful but there's some lovely technical corners there to play with. I've done loads of days there now and the driving standard is always high, although be aware of the low drive-by noise limit: If you're car is loud, then there's a good chance you'll fail and it's bye-bye

 

Airfield days are terrible for stone chips and tyre wear, track days are not. No need to worry on that front.

That's what I wanted to hear, Cheers. I was concerned due to it being a converted airfield.

I wouldn't say my car is loud, so hopefully be ok on that front.

Who do you buy your track time from when you go to Bedford?

You'll find any reasonably powerful rear-wheel drive car with wide tyres will do the same.

If this sort of thing bothers you, then maybe it's not for you. But before making any drastic decisions, you could try buying some winter tyres or try lowering your tyre pressures a little.

You just have to be smooth with steering and throttle inputs on slippery days.

Duno about tracks down you way but buy a car bra if you're that bothered about chipping

I have considered this and looked at a couple, but not sure they will fit with my Kaminari front lip.

I suppose I could just cover the front in tape.

Hi guys/girls,

I'm thinking of a track day in the Zed.

Previously I have done 5 or 6 Airfield track days in my 300zx and then the TT Supra so not a complete novice. These were all done at RAF Marham over the last few years on their Charity track days. These were a fantastic mix of long straights (170 mph in the supra) and both high and low speed corners.

I like the idea of airfield style track days as there is next to nothing to hit if anything goes wrong but the days I did at Marham completely ruined the front of my Supra through stone chipping.

So to those of you that track your car, what would be a good track for a day out not too far from me (east anglia)?

I was thinking about Bedford Autodrome. What's it like there for stones etc? This is my main concern.

Also, I might get the missus to get me a track day voucher for Christmas to use towards it, any recommendations on a company to use? MSV?

Hello and welcome.

Nice zed.

As it is, with the tints.

If you wanna go to the clean look, IMO, you'll have to change the door handles and wheels back to silver.

Thanks for the advise Alex. I'll have a look at whats available pod wise.

If you were to choose one out of Boost and fuel pressure, which would it be? That way I could put the AEM AFR in the pod also.

It would only become another peice of unnecessary gadgetry as you will soon grow tired of checking the numbers once the monopoly wears off.

As you are supercharged then perhaps boost and fuel pressure may be the two that would be the most appropriate for you to monitor.

However AEM have a great kit for Air/Fuel ratio monitoring which IMHO is far more important than the above but perhaps you already have this as you have not mentioned it.

 

Alex.

Yeah its the AEM UEGO Wideband AFR gauge I have fitted.

Boost and fuel pressure is what I was thinking, along with oil temps. - Your right though, I would probably get bored with it. That's why I don't mind spending £30 on it.

Cheers Stew,

So you never had yours working?

I was really looking for something to just check everything is ok every once in a while, rather than a permanent fixture such as the HKS camp system. I really don't want to clutter up the cockpit.

I have an AFR gauge for constant monitoring but at the moment its sitting in the cup holder I'm either gonna get a pillar pod for that or try mounting it in the cubby hole. I would just like to monitor a few things from time to time just for piece of mind.

I contacted the seller and he assures me that this will work on my Zed, so I suppose I'll order one and see.

Unless anyone on here knows any different?

I'm not sure to be honest although I've been informed the selection on this page work with the Zed. http://www.obdkey.com/obd_orders.asp

 

I've already got my iPhone app and will order my odb key next month. It is more expensive but I'd trust my source this works.

Thanks for the input.

Bit more than I wanted to spend really, would be nice to know if the ebay ones work.

As above,

I was wanting to keep an eye on things such as boost, fuel pressure, oil temps/pressure and water temp without filling my car with gauges.

I've seen this;

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ELM-327-1-4a-Blue ... 218wt_1139

and was wondering if it would do the job.

I have also found an Android app that's meant to be pretty good so I can monitor it on my Desire HD when I haven't got my laptop with me. http://www.appbrain.com/app/torque/org.prowl.torque

Does anyone know if this will be suitable?

I think they will probably look on a ginger.

Bad luck, hope you get it sorted without too much hassle.

I don't trust ESP one bit.

I was typing Black straight away, then stared at them for a bit longer and then started thinking white was ok.......mmmm

Toss a coin.

Welcome to the club.

Welcome.

Nice pics

much better to buy a Zed where someone else has taken the financial pain.

Good advise.

That's what I did and it has saved me £k's.

The only thing is you don't get the satifaction of creating it, but then again you don't get the heartache either. So all things considered I decided that was the way to go.

...........don't mind me.........

I thought the benefit of a supercharger over a turbo was not needing to uprate internals? Would items like clutchs etc need uprated to cope with 400hp?

Opinions vary but the stock engine should be safe around the 400 ish mark some are happy higher than that. I would think the comment was aiming at brakes, cooling clutch etc...

At 400bhp (fly) I would think the clutch is capable as long as your not drag starting every 5 mins (although its torque that kills clutches not hp). My car still has the stock clutch. It has done 13k total and around 10k of that is with the SC fitted. However I will change the clutch and fly when it wears out to something aftermarket.

The brembos are good enough for the road but decent pads, braided lines and good fluid would be advised. Again, mine are still standard and I haven't had a problem with them.........yet. I will be doing the above before any track use though.