135 cams on a K... would anyone be up for helping?

[Virgiltracy]

Hi Guys,

 

Recently purchased a set of 135 cams to go in my standard 1.8k (2001 S2). I'm no mechanic but i've done most things on this car but never anything inside the engine (changed the belt and waterpump but that's outside!)

Part of me thinks that I'd try and carefully muddle through, but I wondered if anyone who has done it before would be kind enough to assist / oversee? I'm really set on doing it myself rather than giving the car to a garage as I'm always trying to learn and improve my skills but as this is the first time delving into the engine I'd love a bit of a safety net!

 

I'm happy to exchange some of my skills for the help, for example I am a bicycle mechanic so can do a full service and I also have shotblasting, powdercoating and some small welding fabrication access so I'd be happy to do some parts for you FOC.

 

I'm in Stratford upon Avon but also happy to travel if you have room for me!

[ethbk]

Hi. I can be of no help what so ever i an afraid, but just sharing experience.

Gav at Unit 4 Burton did this job for me last week on my 1999 S1 Elise.

I bought the cams a while back but had to purchase a part to mate them too my car 

https://www.eliseparts.com/shop/cylinder-head/camshafts-pulleys/distributor-rotor-drive/

might be worth checking if you need this for yours before starting the job.

The result by the way is good. I can only describe the increase as making the delivery feel "stronger" all the way through the rev range and it doesn't peak out at 5500, now closer to 62/300. I have fitted an hurricane and a 52 mm throttle body recently too. The overall effect is a decent if not hugely noticeable improvement, really seems to help with mid speed overtakes to give you a bit more grunt and not feel like you are running out of push as you "brush" the NSL.

Good luck with the job, I would assume the timing set up is key, and proberbly worth checking / replacing all cam seals and gaskets whist you are doing the job....

richbk

[Virgiltracy]

On 22/07/2024 at 21:27, ethbk said:

Hi. I can be of no help what so ever i an afraid, but just sharing experience.

Gav at Unit 4 Burton did this job for me last week on my 1999 S1 Elise.

I bought the cams a while back but had to purchase a part to mate them too my car 

https://www.eliseparts.com/shop/cylinder-head/camshafts-pulleys/distributor-rotor-drive/

might be worth checking if you need this for yours before starting the job.

The result by the way is good. I can only describe the increase as making the delivery feel "stronger" all the way through the rev range and it doesn't peak out at 5500, now closer to 62/300. I have fitted an hurricane and a 52 mm throttle body recently too. The overall effect is a decent if not hugely noticeable improvement, really seems to help with mid speed overtakes to give you a bit more grunt and not feel like you are running out of push as you "brush" the NSL.

Good luck with the job, I would assume the timing set up is key, and proberbly worth checking / replacing all cam seals and gaskets whist you are doing the job....

richbk

Hey Rich, Did Gav fit verniers or reuse the standard pulleys? 

 

I'm replacing all the cam seals and cover gasket.

 

Got a 52mm TB on the way too, I've already got a hurricane and a Janspeed exhaust. Luckily no need for a dizzy drive as my S2 has coilpacks.

 

I've decided i'm just going to crack on and doing this myself on a Saturday and learn along the way!

[DeanB]

Good luck with it Virgiltracy.

Gav did this modification for me on my old engine. It makes a big difference - quite a bit more poke at the top end and revs past 6 without feeling breathless as Ethan says.  You do lose a bit of low down torque but it's worth it. It is a sports car after all.

Gav re-used the standard pulleys on mine by the way.

[ethbk]

Hi. sorry missed that you were an S2 k series, no need for the extra parts

Good luck with the project, I am sure it is achievable with some knowhow and u tube (helped me no end to take apart and rebuild most of mine during lock down (no engine work, just suspension, hoses, rads, lights, interior, etc etc ) 

I am interested to see how my goes next to deans now, as i think he has had a little more work done , but the S1 is a little lighter, so ....... but with the caveat that Dean is a WAY better driver than me, so maybe be can just test it on the straights !!

[LotusDave]

Just out of interest, what ECU will you be using for the uprated cams?

I was considering doing this upgrade also.

[Virgiltracy]

1 hour ago, LotusDave said:

Just out of interest, what ECU will you be using for the uprated cams?

I was considering doing this upgrade also.

Standard! apparently the ECU is fine with the uprated cams and doesn't need changing as the cams are fairly mild. The lotus ECU is good up to 165hp. After that Kmaps in Kineton would be the place to visit

Edited July 30, 2024 by Virgiltracy

[DeanB]

On 27/07/2024 at 16:57, ethbk said:

Hi. sorry missed that you were an S2 k series, no need for the extra parts

Good luck with the project, I am sure it is achievable with some knowhow and u tube (helped me no end to take apart and rebuild most of mine during lock down (no engine work, just suspension, hoses, rads, lights, interior, etc etc ) 

I am interested to see how my goes next to deans now, as i think he has had a little more work done , but the S1 is a little lighter, so ....... but with the caveat that Dean is a WAY better driver than me, so maybe be can just test it on the straights !!

You're right Ethan - I bought and Gav fitted a Sport 135 engine that has a ported head, different ECU map, ally plenum matched to the head and I think it has a slightly bigger throttle body. That lot is supposed to give 135 bhp on standard cams although word is they usually gave a bit more. Mine however has Piper 633 cams and vernier pulleys so I guess it is giving about 150 bhp or a teeny bit more if I'm lucky. It goes well on cam but isn't great low down.

My car has also been lightened a bit and weighs 740 kilos with no fuel and the roof off so not much different to a later s1 with steel brakes and uprights. There might be more difference in weight between the drivers!

Maybe we should organise an MLOC track day for some comparisons 😊

[Virgiltracy]

Just wanted to update this, I made a start Friday evening and finished off on Saturday morning.

all went very smoothly, although cleaning the head and camshaft carrier of old sealant is a tedious job!

I fitted a 52mm throttle body at the same time and timed up using the standard pulleys and timing marks.

I’m incredibly impressed with the results, it feels like I’ve removed a restrictor that was set at 5k revs, as now it pulls all the way to 6k and slightly above! I’d say the low down torque loss isn’t that noticeable and is outweighed by the top end increase anyway. For £105 for the parts I’m very happy with the power output now, it’s just about perfect for my Elise as an early (lighter) S2.

 

For prosperity of anyone reading this and wanting to do the same, I did three things which helped immensely.

1. I printed out the carrier diagram from the manual and stuck it to cardboard, then punched holes in it to create a bolt map.

2. I made a simple tool out of scrap steel and M8 bolts in order to hold the pulleys in place whilst I loosened and torqued the pulley bolts

3. I bought a refurbished set of hydraulic lifters to save time, upon removal mine were locked closed with old oil and gunk. I could have cleaned them out and re-used but this would have added hours to the job that I didn’t have. (I’ll refurbish mine over the winter and offer them to the next person)

(the gold sticks in the plug holes are brass brazing rods, these are used to show the pistons are still at 90°BTDC and are soft enough to not scratch anything)

[MrWill]

Top job. Well done 👍

[Phil Hutchins]

Good write-up, thx! Interesting about the cam followers sticking…my S1 is getting a bit ‘tappety’ so perhaps I have similar. A job for another day!

Edited August 12, 2024 by Phil Hutchins

[Virgiltracy]

5 hours ago, Phil Hutchins said:

Good write-up, thx! Interesting about the cam followers sticking…my S1 is getting a bit ‘tappety’ so perhaps I have similar. A job for another day!

I’ll be refurbishing my followers, so if you want a set to simply drop in and save some time let me know!

[DeanB]

Glad you are happy with the results. Once you've done it it seems crazy that they didn't have those cams in from new.

[Martin R]

I have 2 or 3 sets of clean out tappets in my garage if anyone wants a set? The VVC ones which are apparently lighter. IIRC youtube has a video on how to do them.

[peter2704]

how much roughly for someone to fit 135 cams to an s1,have the cams and dizzy spigot/cams seals etc?

Edited January 5 by peter2704