Lotus 7 S4 1974: light restoration and modification
Discussion
sounds alright to me, but not too many bangs on liftoff. Power seems good though..There are plenty of pops & bangs it's just they're very well muffled by the Raceco - I get long flames shooting out too which I catch in the reflection off the inside of the windscreen 
Agree, a BDR is way too much money hence I'm very disappointed it was removed for a Zetec... Having said that, I gather the Zetec is a great lump, virtually bulletproof and very easily (and cheaply) tuneable to 200/220hp, which for a BDR would be pop star wages... Still, it would have been in better keeping with the age of the car - I agree with Mick: Oldskool is great!
Agree, a BDR is way too much money hence I'm very disappointed it was removed for a Zetec... Having said that, I gather the Zetec is a great lump, virtually bulletproof and very easily (and cheaply) tuneable to 200/220hp, which for a BDR would be pop star wages... Still, it would have been in better keeping with the age of the car - I agree with Mick: Oldskool is great!
one eyed mick said:
Not to be taken too seriosly but real old school would be 1 1172 sidevalve Ford and 3speed box or2 848 cc "a"series and 4 speed box !!!!!
Arf! That's taking it a bit far!!Actually as mine as a '68 S3, I guess the original engine would have been a crossflow, now that I could live with if well breathed on, there's something really nice about a well tuned cammy 8-valve ;-)
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4117898.htm
But it probably needs a rebuild, and you could get a 250+ hp Cosworth Duratec 2.3 crate engine, brand new for that money.
Or this for a lot less...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4093768.htm
But it probably needs a rebuild, and you could get a 250+ hp Cosworth Duratec 2.3 crate engine, brand new for that money.
Or this for a lot less...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4093768.htm
Edited by mickrick on Saturday 18th August 14:48
Nah... Zorsts are on the wrong side for me 
Because I like to actually use the car & I drive it fairly hard, and because it's not totally original in other respects, unless I come across a twink for chips money, I'm just gonna stick with the zetec... Need to sort out my axle, gear box, then I'll work on engine tuning... Nice little Raceline 220 setup will be fine for me I think
Because I like to actually use the car & I drive it fairly hard, and because it's not totally original in other respects, unless I come across a twink for chips money, I'm just gonna stick with the zetec... Need to sort out my axle, gear box, then I'll work on engine tuning... Nice little Raceline 220 setup will be fine for me I think
Ok, some updates on the car:
My side windows were quite badly worn. You could hardly see through them when it got a bit misty, so I figured out that I would by new ones. But being the cheap b
d that I am I thought I could just buff it out. I relay like Scholl Concept products, an gave it a about 10min with some help from my youngest son.
Here I have done a test with both the Scholl 3Gold, and the Scholl 17. I went for the 17 compound but either works. As you can see the windows were horrible, and you can the effect of the compound. The screens looks almost like new!
Work crew:
After:
Not that easy to see, but they look amazing compared the the before state.
My side windows were quite badly worn. You could hardly see through them when it got a bit misty, so I figured out that I would by new ones. But being the cheap b
d that I am I thought I could just buff it out. I relay like Scholl Concept products, an gave it a about 10min with some help from my youngest son.Here I have done a test with both the Scholl 3Gold, and the Scholl 17. I went for the 17 compound but either works. As you can see the windows were horrible, and you can the effect of the compound. The screens looks almost like new!
Work crew:
After:
Not that easy to see, but they look amazing compared the the before state.
Went to a track day today, just to get a fell for what I need to do over the winter.
First I was stopped in scruiteny for having 102db. After some negotiation I ended up at 99 and was let out on the track.
I had a friend with me, which has never driven on track before so the car was a bit heavy but it works! In the twisty bits it is realy good. Managed to keep up with all the other cars. On the straights it is just too low geared. This was on original tyres, about 15 years old! Original bushings in the front and standard xflow engine.
Based on this experience the winters plan wil be:
Bolted cage
Zetec with 150+bhp
Type 9
Shocks
bushings
Stay tuned
First I was stopped in scruiteny for having 102db. After some negotiation I ended up at 99 and was let out on the track.
I had a friend with me, which has never driven on track before so the car was a bit heavy but it works! In the twisty bits it is realy good. Managed to keep up with all the other cars. On the straights it is just too low geared. This was on original tyres, about 15 years old! Original bushings in the front and standard xflow engine.
Based on this experience the winters plan wil be:
Bolted cage
Zetec with 150+bhp
Type 9
Shocks
bushings
Stay tuned
Kghaas said:
Looks like the plan for the winter might change. Might be going Duratec with ITB's. Stay tuned.
I have read that several people with Series 4 cars have a leak form the petrol filler cap. I also had a leak until I took PL400 all around the top. Works perfect even on track!
I have also read that the windscreen is like a brick at high speeds, So I have made a smaller one from acryl. Total cost £20 and 30 min labour. Might go for a brooklands design at a later stage.
boah...what a bodge!!! and those cycle wings....they look horrible on a S4....anyway, as this car will suffer from further modifiations and "abuse" in the future i think its no worth anymore to regret the transformation from a original unmolested S4 to "something"I have read that several people with Series 4 cars have a leak form the petrol filler cap. I also had a leak until I took PL400 all around the top. Works perfect even on track!
I have also read that the windscreen is like a brick at high speeds, So I have made a smaller one from acryl. Total cost £20 and 30 min labour. Might go for a brooklands design at a later stage.
Comadis said:
boah...what a bodge!!! and those cycle wings....they look horrible on a S4....anyway, as this car will suffer from further modifiations and "abuse" in the future i think its no worth anymore to regret the transformation from a original unmolested S4 to "something"
I don't necessarily disagree with you, but I never planned for this to be a concurs project. I find it more fun to try things and be creative. Sometimes I do quality work, sometimes I emphasis speed. For me to be able to do this car I have to work fast, hence some quick fixes. The main thing for me though, is that it works.As far as the cycle wings, the opinion differ. Some like it, some don't. You apparently don't. If you look at function, clamshells are better at protecting occupants and rear wings from stone chips. Cycle wings on the other hand are way lighter and more fun to watch while driving, since you can see the movement of the wheel/wing.
As for further modifications that is what MY car hobby is all about: I like to try new things and continuously modify and change. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. Some like to polish and detail their cars, others again like to keep it 110% original. I can appreciate that, but it is not what MY car hobby is about.
This winters I will swap the engine. Why? Because I find it fun to do the job, and learn new stuff. This time it will be Megasquirt and TunerStudio which is the "new" thing for me.
And I'll guess I will find a 560kg car with 200bhp more fun than a 580kg car with 100(old)BHP, but that is just speculation.....
Here are a few other modified S4s taken of the net. I guess I am not the only one modifying these cars...
PS: If you own these pics and want me to remove them please PM me
kghaas
Good to see you doing 'your' S4 'your way' keep us informed of your progress
Plenty of others are gonna hate you for it, how do I know coz all the saddo's of L7 club forum blatchat, and HLR forum Never liked my S4, which I modified by fitting a zetec/TBS/5speed etc etc.
Good to see all the S4 photo's you posted up too
Good to see you doing 'your' S4 'your way' keep us informed of your progress
Plenty of others are gonna hate you for it, how do I know coz all the saddo's of L7 club forum blatchat, and HLR forum Never liked my S4, which I modified by fitting a zetec/TBS/5speed etc etc.
Good to see all the S4 photo's you posted up too
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