02 Sensor for economy, with BBR kit??

[Stef]

Hello all

More advice required please.

Blipii doesn't seem to be getting very good economy at all I I've been advised an O2 sensor can help.

How do I go about this and will it work with a BBR kit?

Many thanks!

[Fredjohn]

Stef

Can't comment on compatibility with BBR kit, but to fit an O2 sensor to an SE you will need a different ECU: an S2 or fed version.
Read the article on Wikilec entitled "Converting SE to closed loop" which gives some good info and a "clear"(??) explanation.

Probably better to start by looking at more regular things like filters plugs and timing etc before searching for a new ECU.

Good luck!

[Stef]

OK. Head blown

Knowing the careful hands of the previous owner I would be comfortable guessing the plugs etc are all sound and so firstly figured the poor economy was down to the BBR kit before Rip suggested the O2 sensor.

I used to get around 350 miles per tank, now only looking at 250 so a huge difference and one that needs to sort as she is my daily drive.

So, do I need a different ECU or will a chip suffice?
How easy would it be to fit this system? (I'd have to get someone else to do this of course...)

[rip]

Some SEs (like mine) also have some of the wiring missing.
The BBR provides more boost by tricking the ECU to open the wastegate further than it otherwise would. On-boost performance is therefore 'managed' by the plumbing instead of the ECU so it should not matter which ECU is in place.
Off-boost performance should be unaffected by the BBR which will leave the ECU in control.
It would be nice for other BBR owners to comment on this & also their fuel economy.

An S2 ECU would do the trick & so would an Everest or Kilimanjaro memcal with a closed-loop (1499) program, which will fit into your existing SE ECU.

The chip is easy to fit & I guess you have done this before. The sensor can be a bit of a task simply because the bung will be rusted tightly to the exhaust. A fortnight's regular treatment with penetrating fluid allowed my bung to be removed with some effort but no damage.
You'll then need an O2 sensor.
The wiring issue stopped me though. I didn't want to start 'adding the parts which Lotus missed' so I went back to standard.

[Stef]

So first game I guess is to assess if I have the wiring. (You able to help on next spanner day checking this rip?)

Then, if all in place, obtain a sensor and closed loop chip.

And then assess this bung (again perhaps cheking this so I can spray up would be useful while checking the wiring...)

Never easy all this lark!

[rip]

So first game I guess is to assess if I have the wiring. (You able to help on next spanner day checking this rip?)

I'm nore about this bit. It was the point at which I gave up with mine. Clive showed me where 1 end was on Blipi 1 but this was in the mangled mess which is now where the steering column should have been so I am not sure what I'll be looking for.
Soaking the bung with penetrating oil every 2-3 days for a fortnight won't do any harm at all.
I've seen my O2 sensor socket recently so I know I can find it again quickly.

[Stef]

Anyone have a photo and guidance on finding this wiring?

Or happy to show me?

[JIMBO]

Hi Stef,
I was getting around 30mpg during normal driving. Driven quickly it dropped to low 20's.

You may not have noticed that with the BBR kit you are driving more quickly than you did before ( hence why in a previous post you said you could easily spin wheels)

I suggest you contact Gerald at GST in Newmarket. He has fitted several BBR kits including this one, and has experience in this conversion.

I hope that other than this, that BLIPI I is living up to expectations.

Regards
Jim

[Stef]

Hi Stef,
I was getting around 30mpg during normal driving. Driven quickly it dropped to low 20's.

You may not have noticed that with the BBR kit you are driving more quickly than you did before ( hence why in a previous post you said you could easily spin wheels)

I suggest you contact Gerald at GST in Newmarket. He has fitted several BBR kits including this one, and has experience in this conversion.

I hope that other than this, that BLIPI I is living up to expectations.

Regards
Jim

Hi Jim

Loving my new Blipi thanks! Gives me the grin I need

Still need to get some more drives bagged with the trip on to suss it better and have been driving at speeds I would normally so I think it must just be because it's a different Elan. If the O2 sensor gives greater economy then still makes sense for me to consider it. Wouldn't expect the BBR kit to create too much of a difference, especially as I was used to driving with a chip.

Hope you had a great holiday and aren't missing her too much!

[JIMBO]

great trip, and ticked off the most important item on my bucket list!!

I am not missing her at all
I am not missing her at all
I am not missing her at all

If I keep saying it I might believe it.

[ashm]

Anyone have a photo and guidance on finding this wiring?

Or happy to show me?

If I get half a chance this weekend I'll try to take some photos, as my Elan is still up in the air and I wrote part of the wiki page on the topic. I may even have been the first to successfully retrofit the wiring... it was a few years ago.

What I'd really like would be to discover the necessary parts to properly add the links to the existing looms & connectors, and make it all nice and neat. Does anyone know where we might source correctly sized male and female pins/seals/etc for the type of connectors used on the Elan?

Adam

[Stef]

Thanks Adam, look forward to seeign that!