Lotus Elan Central

by **Paul.P** » Tue 11.03.2008, 23:32

surferphil wrote:Last months acquisition!

Supercharger :lol:

by **Monty** » Wed 12.03.2008, 00:10

surferphil wrote:Last months acquisition!

Didn`t think you was fitting AC phil :-D

by **nitroman** » Wed 12.03.2008, 05:13

GeoffSmith wrote:What's the scale Phil? Not as big as this one surely!

Looks like an Eaton M45 off a BMW Mini Cooper. See http://vmaxscart.co.uk/

by **surfboardfiller** » Wed 12.03.2008, 11:33

Monty wrote:
surferphil wrote:Last months acquisition!

Didn't think you was fitting AC phil

Technically it's AC for the engine :-D

The windscreen has been totally removed and it's frame is coming off as soon as the CF front end is complete.

Next is to build the CF front end, for this I need to use an autoclave for 24 hours to bake the Epoxy resin (SR 8500) to give it heat resistance (up to 100'c Ambient temperature). It being over the engine and all.

Fuel tank needs to come out before the cage is welded. Safety first!

It is indeed an Eaton M45, the same as Lotus use in the Elise :wink:

I bought it from an engine tuner (not too far from here), who fits off the shelf kits for peoples Mini Cooper S. He also knows the M100 Engine and will probably do the gas flow work on the Cat.

by **nitroman** » Wed 12.03.2008, 22:16

Here are the various Eaton superchargers & their flow maps:
http://www.eaton.com/EatonCom/ProductsS ... /index.htm

M45
45 means displacement of 45 CUBIC INCHES (around 737.42cc)
http://www.eaton.com/EatonCom/ProductsS ... /index.htm

by **F1 LOTUS** » Thu 13.03.2008, 07:01

surferphil wrote:Next is to build the CF front end, for this I need to use an autoclave for 24 hours to bake the Epoxy resin (SR 8500) to give it heat resistance (up to 100'c Ambient temperature). It being over the engine and all.

Surfers - have you considered using Advanced Composites 'Body Panel System BPS240? You wouldn't need an autoclave. Sure it's not the ultimate in weight-saving but it should still represent a sizable saving over the stock item?

by **surfboardfiller** » Thu 13.03.2008, 12:25

I can't hold pre preg, if I could, it would be a lot easier for me to fabricate panels but I have no freezer or vacuum system.

Because this is a 1 off, I'm not making a mould. The Autoclave offers me a way around the problems with pre preg and vacuum systems, it manipulates the molecules with heat rather than air pressure. I know people with autoclaves too. I will probably get there with vacuum systems eventually, then I can do both heat and vacuum, making some really strong composites. :wink:

by **Nige** » Thu 13.03.2008, 23:30

Interested in how the supercharger works out. I was looking at the Rotrex centrifugal superchargers which seem to be a reasonable option but i'd be interested to compare those with the Eaton.

By the way Phil, if your new front end looks good (as I'm sure it will) don't bank on it being a one off :-D

.

by **ailwyn** » Fri 14.03.2008, 12:24

Nige wrote:By the way Phil, if your new front end looks good (as I'm sure it will) don't bank on it being a one off .

Yup, there'll probably be a huge production line.... like the rear light panel :evil:

by **surfboardfiller** » Fri 14.03.2008, 20:09

ailwyn wrote:
Nige wrote:By the way Phil, if your new front end looks good (as I'm sure it will) don't bank on it being a one off .

Yup, there'll probably be a huge production line.... like the rear light panel

In one swift move Ailwyn slips to the bottom of surferphil's secret list :-D

by **GeoffSmith** » Fri 14.03.2008, 20:13

surferphil wrote:
ailwyn wrote:
Nige wrote:By the way Phil, if your new front end looks good (as I'm sure it will) don't bank on it being a one off .

Yup, there'll probably be a huge production line.... like the rear light panel

In one swift move Ailwyn slips to the bottom of surferphil's secret list

Moderator subtlety personified. :-D

JUST GET ON WITH IT PHIL! :twisted:

by **surfboardfiller** » Fri 14.03.2008, 22:06

In one swift move GS slips to the bottom of surferphil's secret list :lol:

by **GeoffSmith** » Fri 14.03.2008, 22:13

What f***ing list? [Edit: swear filter missed that one!]

by **dapinky** » Sat 15.03.2008, 15:05

Phil,

I know you have a lot on your plate, mate.

Just ignore the whingers & do it at your own pace - it'll be worth waiting for

by **GeoffSmith** » Sat 15.03.2008, 15:42

Angling for top of the list by any chance? :-D

by **dapinky** » Sat 15.03.2008, 17:17

GeoffSmith wrote:Angling for top of the list by any chance?

Even if such a 'list' DID exist, which is in some doubt, then I'm sure as the first person to express an interest in the panel, Phil (being an honourable gentleman) would aknowledge that fact by supplying a part in an appropriate order :-D

(but a bit of grovelling never goes amiss)

by **Sy V** » Fri 04.04.2008, 05:45

How was the trailer the other night, Phil?

by **surfboardfiller** » Fri 04.04.2008, 11:44

Sy V wrote:How was the trailer the other night, Phil?

The trailer was well behaved, although the roads in High Wycombe are only a few inches wider than the wheel base. :shock:

No problems though I think I'll go the long way in future.

All I need is somewhere around here to store it. I'm worried It will get stolen.
I took the wheels off bar 1 and put the wheel clamp on that (Axl stands underneath). I parked a red Elan I have hanging around, on it with the tow hitch against the wall and a couple more cars in front of it. It was still there this morning and the Elan should be going to the roll cage builder this afternoon.

Incidentally; my phone went off and when I switched it back on I got a flurry of text messages from you saying; are you all right? and the guy who lent me his van saying; sorry I'm going to be late! :roll:

Bloody mobile phones!

Thanks for you help Sy, much appreciated!

Phil

by **GeoffSmith** » Fri 04.04.2008, 12:59

surferphil wrote:I'm worried It will get stolen.

Try something like this.

by **Sy V** » Sat 05.04.2008, 09:19

Anything like that which would make its theft that little bit more difficult has got to help.

It really is a superb trailer and I can imagine your paranoia about it being stolen. That's why I always kept it in a locked compound with another trailer on top of it - both with wheel clamps on.

Hang on! I delivered the Fast Cat to you on that trailer, the roads are positively wide around your gaff!

:wink:

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