Project 'Sh4rk'

[Costas]

THX a million to Timmay for his time to do the paintshop job and show me how Sh4rk's rear would be with crystal panels on the lights.<br><br><br><br>I do enjoy the result but for a long time (years actually) I had in my mind the idea of trying to apply the Esprit V8 rear panel to the Elan. That idea became even stronger when I took the following picture, its actually an obssesion to me.<br><br><br><br>The difference is obvious.... <br><br>I strongly believe that if Elan was kept in production for the same time period as Esprit did, then its rear lights would be upgraded the same way as  the Esprit's were to round ones.<br><br>I know that the result will not be welcomed by all, but I am doing it anyways. I know some tried to custom-hand made do it but I am using the actual Esprit's rear panel with all the minor mods needed to fit. Hopefully by Wednsday it will be ready. <br><br>Meanwhile engine is being built up with all the guts upgrades that I shall mention in the following week acompanied by pictures.

[rob]

I like the round lights on the Esprit but after seeing that photochop of the Elan with smoked/clear lenses I would go for the smoked ones, they really do look the dogs.

[Costas]

The actual Esprit's rear panel did fit in dimensions but it was vertical and not with the desired sloap that the Elan has. I didnt like at all the vertical look of it, it destroyed the Elan Concept and that is something I dont want to do, therefore we decided to build from scratch a custom one, Esprit like, but with the Elan sloap. Here are the pictures while the guys at DSP tried it on for me before the final treatment so as to let me decide if I liked it or not (panel is still wet). My answer? It was a definately GO! Should be ready on Saturday.<br>Only concern is that we are way back in schedule....

[rob]

looking good Costas, hope it works out ok. How thick is the GRP and is the number plate going to fit flat on the back or will it be recesed???

[nitroman]

Ya know Costas, of all the people who have dicked about with their Elans (including me) in my 4-years 8-months of ownership, I have never been as impressed with what has been accomplished.  When the small amount of time you have accomplished this transformation is factored in it nearly boggles the mind.  My hat is off to both you, and, I must mention, the shop doing the work... both for their skill & their dedication to your car in lieu of other things they could be doing.  Either they have OCD or you are lavishing a bank-job of money on them.  <br><br>Speaking of which I agree with Rob about the clear lenses.  If a made-man (mobster) ever owned an Elan that is exactly what it would look like.  Damn cool.  Of course I wait with anticipation to see the results of what you are currently doing in that area.<br><br>On behalf of many of us I wish to thank you for all the entertainment & motivational force that we can channel towards our own cars.<br><br>Thanks Costas.

[Sy V]

[quote author=Costas link=board=project;num=1102128446;start=210#224 date=03/02/05 at 13:42:35][/quote]<br><br>Didn't realise you'd done all this work to a Clemo Costas!<br><br> ;D

[Doug]

[quote author=Costas link=board=project;num=1102128446;start=210#224 date=03/02/05 at 13:42:35][/quote]<br>nice new paint job  :o<br><br>

[Costas]

[quote author=Rob link=board=project;num=1102128446;start=225#225 date=03/02/05 at 14:06:07]How thick is the GRP and is the number plate going to fit flat on the back or will it be recesed???[/quote]<br>Rob, it will look exactly as the one on the Esprit picture that I posted in previous page. It fits perfectly!  :)<br><br>NITROMAN<br>You know buddy, Vice-Versa, comments like yours keep both me and DSP going! Thx a lot, I appreciate!<br><br>DSP ppl as I mentioned before are my friends, they are dedicated to the Sh4rk Project, treat it like their own car and ask for as less as possible for their own work, but also all that parts installed need a lotta money which I have to put in, so the truth is somewhere in the middle. <br>I aint got money poping outta my pockets, trust me....<br> <br>If it wasnt that Forum, I dont know if I ever would upgrade that much Sh4rk. The data I got out of all of you was mine motivation. Hell, I am almost done and all I think for is installing Dave's Intercoolerm Marie's rollbar, paint SY's yellow stripe, Brian's custom Oil filter etc.  ::)<br><br>SY<br>Forgive me for being an ignorant Greek, but whats a "Clemo"?<br><br>Doug, give me a 2-3 days more and you'll see the results!  ;)

[Costas]

[quote author=chris.t link=board=project;num=1102128446;start=225#230 date=03/03/05 at 03:35:00]Your 'SE' badge is missing and Clemo is a member who has upheld the standing of the N/A on this forum. Sy's quick wit again I'm afraid <br>[/quote]<br>Ohhhh now I get it! the Clemo thing messed me up!  :o<br><br>In fact its not the SE badge missing but the S2, yet its there, but covered in dust! (I hope so) ;) you can hardly see the shark next to Lotus sign either.

[Doug]

[quote author=Costas link=board=project;num=1102128446;start=225#229 date=03/02/05 at 23:58:25]I am almost done and all I think for is . . . paint SY's yellow stripe . . . [/quote]<br><br>yellow stripe -- yeah baby !!!!   ;D<br><br> [smiley=banana_tekno.gif]<br><br>why not go for twin stripes . . .   <br><br><br>

[M6TT F]

Looks great - betcha you wish you'd done this panel BEFORE the lovely new paint job!!! :-X

[mark29]

[quote author=chris.t link=board=project;num=1102128446;start=225#234 date=03/03/05 at 14:36:08]errr Doug why didn't you continue the stripes over the front bumper [/quote]<br><br>no i think leaving the stripes off the front bumper gives the whole front end a meaner, more together look.<br><br>those stripes look the business doug...<br><br><br><br>costas, i think the shark project is the boll@cks and well done, can't wait to see her at donny.<br><br>i think Konig e-racer wheels, in black, would look fantastic on the shark...<br><br>http://www.maxximwheels.com/source/prodpick.cfm?big_pic=e-racerB&lineno=6<br><br>i think they only come with a 45mm offset though.<br><br>keep up the good work...

[Costas]

TY all for your encouraging comments.  [smiley=cool_shades.gif]<br><br>I ll give you a promise.... <br>Next week is gonna be simply SPECTACULAR! [smiley=banana_tekno.gif]<br><br>All I am worried [smiley=nervous.gif] about mostly is "dates" since we are way behind in schedule and Dony is around the corner... but with a little use of the whip [smiley=Bondage.gif] miracles can happen! <br><br>PS. Doug, trust me, if the paint job aint over, I am doing 2 yellow stripes tommorow, else i cant afford to lose a day for that. Your BRG Elan looks awesome!!!

[Doug]

[quote author=Costas link=board=project;num=1102128446;start=225#236 date=03/03/05 at 15:27:50]PS. Doug, trust me, if the paint job aint over, I am doing 2 yellow stripes tommorow, else i cant afford to lose a day for that. Your BRG Elan looks awesome!!![/quote]<br>THANKS !!  Looks better with the top down too!<br><br>I forgot to mention Sy has contact details on a guy who can make vinyl letters for you--you could use these on the rear maybe in charcoal/grey instead of the factory "LOTUS" and "ELAN" and maybe put "SH4RK" on the sides too!!  <br>Here's a pic of the ones I put on my door bottoms like Sy's:<br><br><br><br>Come to think of it maybe dark smoke/charcoal stripes would look better for your car !! [smiley=yes.gif]

[Doug]

find a local place that does vinyl graphics like this one and you can put some sharks on yer car . . .<br>http://www.edecals.com/cartoon/cartoons_fish.html<br><br><br>http://azautographics.com/Shark%20Design.htm<br><br><br><br>Tried to find a picture of a "Reverse Eleanor" GT500 mustang for the black with smoke stripes look/effect, but no luck.

[Costas]

Unfortunatelly paint job was allready done, so stripes will have to wait, now I am focused on the engine upgraded assembly, photos to follow...<br><br>PS. Following dialogue gives the picture<br>Costas - Hiya guys, is the paintjob allready done, or shall I come over there and kick your a$$?<br>Shop - Yeap! looks perfect! We had to work all night to deliver it today as you asked for, you bitch!<br>Costas - Ok now, I want 2 yellow stripes painted front to rear.<br>Shop - toot toot toot toot toot (phone hung up)<br><br>Took me half hour to quit laughing  ;D  

[Costas]

Now that the body rear is all done, we focus on the upgraded engine build up.<br><br>I posted pictures of the JE pistons, now its turn of the custom made competition flywheel which is almost half kg (1 pound) less in weight than the stock one. <br><br>The stock flywheel is made of cast iron while the custom competition flywheel is made of steel after thorough tests at phasmatographer, therefore the less weight which was our target afterall.<br><br>Front and rear view<br><br> <br><br> <br><br><br>And a comparison with the stock one<br><br>

[Costas]

After short discussion, I decided that a roll-bar wont help me at all, especially as shown in the picture when I am driving Sh4rk with my friend Sado at passenger seat who is 2.06m (I am 1.95m)  ;D ;D ;D<br><br>

[Doug]

[quote author=Costas link=board=project;num=1102128446;start=240#241 date=03/07/05 at 14:38:14]After short discussion, I decided that a roll-bar wont help me at all, especially as shown in the picture when I am driving Sh4rk with my friend Sado at passenger seat who is 2.06m (I am 1.95m)  ;D ;D ;D[/quote]<br> [smiley=lol.gif]<br>looks a bit strange there<br><br>was that car put in the oven and shrunk??  looks real odd  :P

[Costas]

Ok, back to serious now...  :-[<br><br>The long awaited Fuel Injectors are here at last, imported from the USA. They are TOMCO Rotary Disk 500cc, and I quote "These injectors incorporate a disk design rather than a pintle design. This gives the injector better spraying capability and resists clogging over the other design. A pintle injector will lose up to 47% of its flow capability while the disk design will lose only up to 2%."Sh4rk's Santa brought this box today!


And a comparison between the Rotary Disk Fuel Injector (on the left) and the stock one (on the right)

Engine build up starts tommorow and hopefully it will be done before Monday, allowing me to do my dream trip to Dony... My whip is going to work a lot!