Track Elan

[Doug]

oh, my! I guess the stall in engine build has given you time for side projects.

I'm sure every bit helps on the track, but how much flow will you get thru that little inlet ? ? [insert funky physics equations]

Dude, 35psi! Just the thought of that pressure sounds painful!

better pipe in the aquamist or NOS just to cool the charge

guess you won't be out West this year either . . .

[Dave M]

guess you won't be out West this year either . . .

Oh, I am almost for sure going to be coming west this year! My goal is to have the car totally done in Sept. We have a two-day track event 20 minutes from me at Grattan with our Detroit club the first part of Oct, so that will be the shakedown of the car. Then it should be ready to go for a serious track event in CA, along with lots of mountain driving!

Missing last year was one thing. Not having the car for LOG this year is another. I'm searching for a trailer right now and have already done some planning. As we get closer to the fall, I'll try and see when most folks will be around and plan accordingly. I'd like to meet as many people as possible. If SCC does their "track attack" again this fall, I'll try to plan around that. If not, I'll plan on a GGLC track day (Buttonwillow on 10/17?) or one at Sears Point or even Thuderhill near you. Probably wouldn't take much arm twisting to get you out to share some seat time in the Elan, eh?

[Doug]

I'm game--keep me posted.

[ESM]

Good to see this thread back, too much good stuff to lose.

Nice idea putting the brake ducting behind the indicator lenses

[Matt RI]

Every time I re-read this, I get more from it- thanks, Dave!

How are things going with the short shift kit?

[Dave M]

Every time I re-read this, I get more from it- thanks, Dave!

How are things going with the short shift kit?

Glad it is of help! That's why I wanted to get it back up - let everyone learn from my mistakes...

As for the short shift kit, it is in process. I made extensions for the levers, but found that straight extensions will not fit into the hole in the chassis. I need to make "L" shaped pieces and try again. The other part of the "kit" I wanted to put together is the hard shift mounts. I am going to a shop this evening to have the prototypes made, then fit them to my car and make sure they work.

[Matt RI]

Really seems like it is coming along, Dave... I know that you have been working on this one for a while. I'll keep watching your thread- keep up the good work!

[Costas]

Dave I desperatelly expect your feedback on the shortshift

[Dave M]

Dave I desperatelly expect your feedback on the shortshift

I'll hopefully have a thread going in the Products section soon. I'll try to get the bits this weekend and try again on the lever extensions. The hardened shifter mounts are now in process...

[Dave M]

Today was a good "Lotus day". The fam has been out of town, so I haven't felt too bad spending the evening in the garage! Right after work I dropped off the sketches for the hardened shifter mounts, my new turbo and stock manifold to have an adapter/spacer made, and the turbine flange to have some special work done so it will accept new pipes for the exhaust and external wastegate.

After that it was back to the garage to finish modifying the fiberglass body piece that holds the stock IC (or in other terms, chopping it up with my Dremel!) I've adapted it to fit the new IC (see pics on page 2 of this thread). I also have mounted the new radiator to make sure all spacing is OK. Everything looks good at first glance. The inlet of the radiator is quite close to the left side of the IC (they overlap by ~6"), but I should be able to sneak some hose in there. I need to make some brackets for the IC now and start on ducting, but the pics below show the basic layout. All 3 "radiators" (oil cooler, coolant radiator, and IC) with have separate ducting with their own air paths.

[Fubar1764]

Looks beautiful Dave. Can't wait to see her at LOG 25!

[Dave M]

Looks beautiful Dave. Can't wait to see her at LOG 25!

I'll do what I can... You'll at least see lots of pictures!

[Dave M]

Dropped off the powder-coated valve cover and the new timing belt to the shop on Sat. Final assembly was due to begin on the engine after two more small tweaks over the past week:

1) The block was found to be slightly off as far as the mating surface for the head (~.001") so it was skimmed.

2) All parts were weighed and balanced. One of the rods was found to be "quite a bit heavier" than the others, so it was lightened. How much "heavier", I'm not sure. As the shop is very detail-oriented, it may have just been a fraction of a gram or something. But I was assured the engine will really rev now. It's possible we could raise the rev limiter if it is beneficial.

[Costas]

One of the rods was found to be "quite a bit heavier" than the others, so it was lightened. How much "heavier", I'm not sure. As the shop is very detail-oriented, it may have just been a fraction of a gram or something. But I was assured the engine will really rev now. It's possible we could raise the rev limiter if it is beneficial.

Dave in my case, one of the rods was almost 5 grams heavier than the rest and we finally treated all rods to the weight of the lighter one (and something less ).

You wont get any benefit by increasing revs unless you install much harder valve springs. We tried that and now I have allready built a new engine block cover (gusget?) with harder valve springs for that purpose, to go over 8000rpm. Should install it by Christmas time.

Check your Power curve on your diagrams and if it keeps climbing even after 6500rpm then thats the only case of increasing revs without problem.

Good luck Dave, seems a pro work there!

[Dave M]

Interesting that you had the same issue with the rods, Costas. Thanks for the info on the valve springs. That will be one more thing to check in the tuning process!

[desmondsee]

Costas,
you seem to be able to get all those un-gettable parts! valve springs, titanium or otherwise? what brand? i am slowly saving up parts for the engine...: )

[Dave M]

Sounds like Costas' shop is similar to mine. They have a lot of good contacts for these sorts of things. If there is anything you're having trouble getting, let me know. If my engine isn't buttoned up yet (though I hope it is!), I'll have the shop take measurements or whatever they need to do to source parts for you.

[desmondsee]

Dave,
Did you manage to renew all the engine bearings?
What about the valve springs and stems , u using harder springs andtitanium stems or somethings?

So far, only Costas got custom gaskets, but it is meant for an overbore of 1mm. are u using thicker custom metal gasket too?
Cheers!

[Dave M]

Dave,
Did you manage to renew all the engine bearings?
What about the valve springs and stems , u using harder springs andtitanium stems or somethings?

So far, only Costas got custom gaskets, but it is meant for an overbore of 1mm. are u using thicker custom metal gasket too?
Cheers!

I believe all the bearings were fine (thank you, Mobil 1), but they were replaced where necessary. Valves and springs were kept stock and only one valve was suspect of the bunch when inspected. Good question on the head gasket...I've asked about metal but never got a final answer from the shop. I shall e-mail right now and find out. I need to check on the ARP head studs anyway. They were due in today. I'll have part numbers for the studs/washers/nuts as soon as I verify the bits I called ARP about are the ones the actually came in. That way if anyone wants to order upgrades you can put together a kit. ARP doesn't make a prepackaged kit, but you can order the parts separately and make your own "kit".

[Dave M]

The ARP bits came in and appear as if they will work. I've posted details at the follwing, FYI:

http://lotuselancentral.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5183

The engine is promised to be assembled this weekend, so hopefully I'll have pics for LOG. Wish I'd have the car rather than pictures...

As for the head gasket, the guy from the shop said the stock gasket is fine, especially considering both surfaces have been machined. Actually his comment was the piece is very good quality and we'd have a tough time getting a custom-built piece that we were assured was as good (including metal). Thanks, Isuzu!