Jump to content

litp.jpg

Lotus in the Peak
28th - 30th June 2024

Blogs

Project Elise Type R

Geal Linkage Installation

As part of the kit, you get two new gear linkage cables and gear selection assembly that is bolted onto the gearbox. Although I managed to get this work done by myself, ideally two people should do this to ease the pain.   I had a cap imposed on me this weekend by the 'trouble and strife', so could only really get this done before I had to down tools for the remainder of the day.   Gear Linkage Assembly   The assembly sent, simply bolts on to the gearbox, with a couple of spacers. Its
mambosasa

mambosasa

0
Project Elise Type R

Geal Linkage Installation Cont...

After removal of the old cables, it was then a matter of fishing through the new cables into the cabin and bolting them in place.   It should be noted that the new linkage come with extremely large sets of bolts that hold the cable into position (the original ones used a clip that you push from the top). I found this to be extremely tight and painful to tighten. I will get further information from Stark as to how best to completely get the bolts secured. As it stands, they are all hand tigh
mambosasa

mambosasa

0
Project Elise Type R

Fuel Lines Installation Part 2

Following on from my last entry, I wasn't too happy with the layout of the fuel hoses. Due to the locations of the fuel filter, in relation to the pressure regulator, it meant that some of the fuel lines ended up crossing each other and although functional, it just looked messy.   So after some rethink, this is what I came up with.   BTW, I ended up adding a little garnish by way of gold clip covers that I bought from deemontweaks.   I hope you like the new layout...   Note that I manag
mambosasa

mambosasa

0
Project Elise Type R

Fuel Lines Installation

I have been looking forward to a simpler task all project long and as far as I am concerned, this is it.   So, before we get into it, the question is - were there any Santa's little helpers today? YES!   I was glad to see a good friend of mine that I have know from when he as a little kid ( and now towers over me like a giant! ) who happens to have a pretty nice black CTR.   This is he...     Down to work.   The kit comes with fuel hoses, a fuel filter, a pressure regulator and t
mambosasa

mambosasa

2
Project Elise Type R

Coolant System

Now that the engine is in place, the next job on the list is to get the coolant system piped up.   The kit comes with all the appropriate hoses (you get a choice of Black, Blue and Red) and the associated clips, bends and joiners.   You will note that I have gone for RED! I had a long think about this before I chose and I concluded that its really a matter of taste and preference. I don't really think that there a right or wrong choice here. Alan (The chap who converted his S1 on Seloc wit
mambosasa

mambosasa

0
Martin G's Blog

Normal Service Resumed

Took the Elise to BT Tyres in Rugby on Monday morning. They had a look at the nail and concluded it was worth trying to repair the tyre, as the only other option was a new replacement, which they said was dealer only.   So, out came the pliers and..... it turned out to be a half inch screw which had gone sideways into the tread block. End result, no air leaking and no puncture and I'm on my way . Three days on and all is well.   Quite impressed with BT Tyres, the blokes there were very help
Martin G

Martin G

0
Martin G's Blog

Nail In My Tyre

Today, Sunday, it was a really warm sunny morning. My son was having his mates round for band practice (3 guitars, drums, noise etc), so we decided to go out in the Elise, roof off and visit some friends.......   So, I thought I'd wash the car first. Good job I did, because I found a nail in one of the rear tyres   Playtime over before it even started.   I think its probably not repairable but I will try and get it sorted tomorrow.
Martin G

Martin G

0
Project Elise Type R

Engine Installation Part 2

Before lifting the engine up into position, the bottom engine mount bracket has to be drilled and bolted.   This is a little awkward as you have to place the bracket into position, mark and then get under the chassis to drill through. As lining up the holes was pretty tricky, I decided to drill a pilot hole then enlarge it to suit, with the bracket in-situ.     25 minutes later - all done.     I bolted the bracket into place and we are good to go for the installation.     Mar
mambosasa

mambosasa

0
Project Elise Type R

Engine Installation Part 1

I have been looking forward to this for some time. The moment when I start heading the other way and install bits back on the car.   As customary, I first like to thank they guys who gave up their time and helped me today..   So, thanks go out to Martin R - Dependable and as reliable as...well a Japanese engine And Jason, my little Nephew (with world's fastest car - 1.6 Nova )   The installation   On Friday, I was relieved to see the delivery van pull up at the house, bearing a box of
mambosasa

mambosasa

0
Project Elise Type R

Sub Frame Painting

I had a long think about what I do with the sub-frame. Looking at it, yeah its dirty, but in pretty good shape all round.   So the options are:-   1. Leave as is - Since I intend to keep the car for some time and the clam is off, it seems a shame not to do something to it.   2. Get it powder coated - Nice idea, durable and good finish. The problem I had with this is that you would have to remove the sub-frame, send it away, wait, wait and wait then get it back and install! Sounded a b
mambosasa

mambosasa

0
Project Elise Type R

Baffled Sump Installation

It seems a long time since the engine removal. I was rather hoping that I would receive all the engine mounts, fuel lines etc during the week, to enable the engine installation to commence. Alas, due to some delays by the supplier, the only things I received this week were some bits for the engine and the baffled sump.   Today I had visits from Martin R and his lovely Wife and Daniel ( the originator of all that I am going through - as he was the first to take me out on a Honda powered Elise
mambosasa

mambosasa

0
Project Elise Type R

Clam And Engine Removal Cont...

This weekend has been a big one. The aim was to get the rear clam and the engine removed all in a day! That is a lot of work to undertake in a single day, but given that the Saturday is the Feb 14th (Something to do with Roses and the like for the Wife), it was evident that I will not be able to spend the whole weekend in the garage.   At this point, I would like to extend my thanks to Phil S - of the famous T-Series conversion. A couple of weeks early, he had offered to come a long and lend h
mambosasa

mambosasa

0
Project Elise Type R

Clam And Engine Removal Cont 2

Engine Removal   With the engine removal, its all about ensuring that all the pipes and cables are detached.   - We had to un-do the water pipes and drain the system into buckets.   - Clip the fuel line and unplug   - Un-clip the gear linkage   - Removed all the wiring   - Undo all the engine mounts bolts   Tip: Phil suggested that we remove the manifold before lifting to ease the removal     Disconnections...     She is ready to go!     Here she comes...     M
mambosasa

mambosasa

0
Project Elise Type R

Engine And Clam Removal

In preparation for the big job of removing the rear clam and the engine, I started work on the complete suspension removal. Apart from the drive shaft removal, the rest of the suspension assembly can actually stay bolted to the sub-frame and it is not necessary to remove for the installation.   After seeing the state of my wishbone, I decided that this is a good time to remove all rusted out components and get them treated and bushes replaced. Yet more expenses   At this point, I would li
mambosasa

mambosasa

2
Project Elise Type R

Wishbone Removal

The next job on my list is to remove the rear far side lower wishbone that need to be sent out to Stark for modification.   Its worth mentioning that because this installation is likely to take me 3 months or so, I decided to officially take the car off the road with DVLA and the insurance company. Every penny counts!!   I reversed the car into the garage, placing it in such a way that I have good clearance all round, jacked up the one side and placed an axle stand on the chassis.    
mambosasa

mambosasa

0
Project Elise Type R

Final Engine Tidy Up

Almost there with the engine prep work before I start bolting on new bits. All these bits are no longer required and can go in the dispose box...         The gearbox bellhousing needs trimming to get it to clear part of the subframe. I used an angle grinder and a metal file to get it shaped to my liking. It took about 20 minutes - job done.     I then hoisted the engine up and drain all the oil out of it. The oil seemed to have a nice brown tint to it that indicating that the
mambosasa

mambosasa

0
Project Elise Type R

K20A Engine Prep

Before I started doing anything major on the car, I decided to give it a decent clean. This is only to remove grease and oils that tend to go everywhere.       After 30 minutes or so, job done!       Before doing anything else, there are a number of bits that need removing and either re-used at a later time or discarded. I have already removed the air conditioning pump (off to ebay with that one) and now all these bits, such as hoses, mounts, wiring loom supports have to be removed
mambosasa

mambosasa

0
Project Elise Type R

The Start...

So, a couple of years ago I decided that plan for a Honda conversion on my S1 1999 Lotus Elise. Interestingly, up to that point, it was not something that I really desired until one fateful afternoon when Daniel gave me a pax ride in his car!   What blew me away was the shear difference in pace, noise, acceleration etc. The list went on. I was officially hooked.   Initially I thought about going for a full turn-key solution, however with time, it became apparent that with me the Lotus own
mambosasa

mambosasa

4
Martin G's Blog

Pipercross Vis

Anyway, the first service was last Wednesday and I picked up my Elise R (Ardent Red, 58 plate, 1,250 miles) on Thursday afternoon - all sorted, valeted and with a Pipercross VIS292 fitted.   Wow!! . I now have a completely different car.   At normal driving in 30 and 40mph speed limits, you would not know any difference - other than the throttle seeming slightly smoother.   Then under acceleration, particularly in 3rd gear the induction roar is just fantastic - we cannot get enough of it
Martin G

Martin G

0
Martin G's Blog

The New Avenger?

First service this week for my Elise R, at Stratstone in Leicester - more of which later.   Anyway, they had arranged a courtesy car for me and on the basis that the Lotus dealer is part of Evans Halshaw, I envisaged a Focus or a Fiesta or even a new Ka.........But no.   Seems Stratstone used to be a Chrysler dealer until last year and what they had for me was.....a Dodge Avenger!!!! I had never heard of the Avenger (other than the Hillman variety). My guess is that they never actually sold
Martin G

Martin G

0
Martin G's Blog

First Service This Week

1,100 miles done now and my Elise R is going very nicely and returning 32 mpg on 95 RON fuel as well.   Anyway, the first service is booked at Stratstone in Leicester on Wednesday. At the same time I'm having a Pipercross VIS induction kit put on, which will be interesting....   Direct Line didn't agree, relieving me of another £80 on the insurance for the next 7 months.....and upping my excess as well.   We are loving the Elise. It may not be practical, but every journey is fun and we act
Martin G

Martin G

0
Martin G's Blog

Camtastic

We've done 850 miles now and have been able to bring the Elise on cam this week. It's a great party trick, but I've only seen the change up lights twice, so some might say I'm not trying hard enough!   Next up is the first service which will need doing soon after 1,000 miles. I'm going to put a Pipercross VIS induction kit on it at the same time, which will make it a bit louder (even louder I should say) and sharpen up the cam change.   If anyone was any thoughts on induction kits I would be
Martin G

Martin G

0
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. Terms of Use

 Accept Cookies  Reject Cookies