DJ Wilmas 111S S2 T series 400bhp Elise

[djwilma]

Ok, so i have done some silly things in my life. Jumped out of a plane naked, woke up on a dance floor dressed in a sumo suit whilst the cleaner was cleaning around me etc etc

However i have never been so embarressed as when i just got the call about my engine, seems a distinct lack of oil was the reason for the failure. It had a mere 1lt of oil in the sump, which would explain the "knocking noise" from the engine.

Worst still is that the Turbo is pretty much seized solid and as its a roller bearing turbo and looks to be junk !

So a very expensive mistake, simply not checking the oil after an oil leak (return pipe from turbo) and a faulty oil pressure sensor and oil switch (Light on stack doesnt work and ecu display was set to the wrong oil pressure)...... [Censored] st [Censored] [Censored]

Anyway the good news is the new engine should be fitted in the next day or so then a replacement turbo needs to be sourced and fitted.

I have bought

A new clutch, helix rated to 425lbft, its a 6 paddle so i hope its more than digital
A custom Inlet with bigger inlet tracks, 660cc injectors still though (may or may not fit)
Placed an order for a 60litre pro alloy fuel tank
New pressure switch for oil

Then we can wind the bloody thing up and break the 450bhp barrier, i can sleep a happy man as long as the wife doesnt find the receipts

I have thoughts of a bigger turbo, EFR Twin scroll but the injectors will need replacing and quite frankly 320bhp was more than the roads needed.........must resist

[djwilma]

Well the engine is now apart, the pistons and the head are undamaged

The turbo is stiff, with no play, so its been shipped to Turbo Dynamics to see if they can repair and upgrade to ceramic bearings

Rods have taken the brunt of the lack of oil, NO 2 has spun so the rods are basically junk

[GTRene]

so all in all a lot work again, did it also run rich? looking at the top of the pistons.

[djwilma]

GTRene said:

so all in all a lot work again, did it also run rich? looking at the top of the pistons.

A lot of work for the sake of checking a dipstick

Also oil pressure light didnt activate so will look at this

Possible on run rich, but never seen this on the logs or afr gauge

[djwilma]

Clutch is in its a Helix 2.5 from Grant at GBE, hoping it will cope with the 450lbft torque and wont be too digital



Results on the Turbo are in, and its all good in the hood. Basically needed new bearings and a slight fettle and definite lack of oil issue.

Lovely Service from Turbo Dynamics, they even installed their motorsport spec when they re-furbed it. I have no idea why i said yes but the word "motorsport" sounded good. Its basically ceramic bearings which needed replacing anyway. They collected the turbo stripped inspected and had it back within the week and less than half price of a new turbo.

Engines back in and partly plumbed in

Just going to add a smallish intercooler in the side pod to assist the charge cooler, looking at the data log its highest ever temp was 48C but its never been on track so thought we'd pop one in with a little more ducting as well for cold air.

Hopefully be back in action next week.......finally

[MGJohn]

I admire your tenacity DJ ... Keep up the good work.

[djwilma]

Well I finally got time to collect the car, bit of an epic trip Bournemouth to Carlisle and back in a day about 760miles in total

Good news was it gave me time to run the new 2.1 engine in. Was very tight when i pick it up and with wet roads it felt, well horrible. Looks good too. Need to add some heat shield to some pipework but will get this done.



Good news was that the car loosened up on the journey back, it now has a 60litre Pro Alloy tank fitted (although it only took 52 litres, petrol poured out the filler so knew it was full) and it nearly made it back on the one tank !

Engine now revs to 7760rpm according to the log so i need to re-set the limiter to 7500rpm

Clutch now holds and although a low pedal it grips well, gear linkage needs some adjustment though

Engine now feels lovely, had a little play with a V10 R8 on his way back from the EVO triangle, on low boost, and it was neck and neck, managed to pull up along side in a traffic jam and the driver was a little shocked....as was i..... His comment was this is silly quick and you caught me up. Did mention i had another 120bhp and he just shook his head;)

Curves arent great to be honest, car has too much wheel spin when turning the boost up. And fueling boost etc werent finalised so these are not adjusted

1.34 Bar boost was 386 @ 6200 rpm



1.45 Bar was 412bhp but wheels were a spinning



So will when i get a chance i will get some in car footage and drive by's

[GTRene]

that is a lot power coming from such engine I guess...hope it will hold it, nice to play with I think ;-)

[djwilma]

The engine was built for 700bhp plus

Its just half that t series is an epic engine when tuned correctly shame its such an unsung hero

[MGJohn]

djwilma said:

The engine was built for 700bhp plus

Its just half that t series is an epic engine when tuned correctly shame its such an unsung hero

Unsung Hero indeed.

Even in bog standard form the T-Series be it normally aspirated or turbocharged, is an impressive lump from all aspects. Yes, when modified has been known to produce in excess of 700bhp.

Bog standard it gives power, reliable performance and longevity.

That reminds me, my son Martin has just returned from a 3,000 mile trip touring Europe in his P-Reg Rover 620ti. The car now showing 210,000 miles. He visited both Monaco ( bought his Dad a colourful Mug with a plan of the circuit and other F1 stuff as souvenir .... Good lad ) also lapped "The Ring". However, with four big geeezers on board and all their heavy clobber in the boot, he did not set a new lap record...

Here's the car ... and its T-Series did not miss a beat the whole trip. Despite age of design, they are that good. Well, ours are.

[djwilma]

Couldnt agree more

Was noticed that i put up two identical curves

so here is the 412bhp curve and it looks like it just dies at 6200 rpm but notice the boost also drops off. This is due to wheel spin

Engine is happy to pull to 7500rpm, actually hit 7750rpm on my log

Edited by djwilma on Thursday 23 October 09:16

[djwilma]

Having a busy time at work so the failed alternator bracket / belt has taken for ever

However i quickly realised the bracket wasnt man enough and the belt had been hitting the cam cover, so we have fabricated a new bracket





Still work in progress, but fitted the alternator yesterday fired it up and it hit a heady 11.9 volts. Best bit was the alternator has no numbers and is an unknown origin. One i purchased for the 620 Ti isnt right so i hope second time around to have the right one

Also took the chance to make a few holes to let heat out, as the turbo sits close the bulkhead and high up it has nowhere to exhaust and when stationary i have a fan to circulate air but it just fires it out the drivers side vent, where the air filter is. So this will help

I am thinking about some additional vents on the body but i'd like to keep it vent free and std ish looking

Edited by djwilma on Thursday 8th January 17:43

[djwilma]

Couldnt agree more

Was noticed that i put up two identical curves

so here is the 412bhp curve and it looks like it just dies at 6200 rpm but notice the boost also drops off. This is due to wheel spin

Engine is happy to pull to 7500rpm, actually hit 7750rpm on my log

Edited by djwilma on Thursday 8th January 17:45

[AyBee]

My standard 111R is quick enough, can't imagine what this is like with more than double the power

[djwilma]

You just smile alot

Then shake your head

Then giggle

[djwilma]

Been asked for a drive by video

15 second of your life you will never get back

http://youtu.be/aH0Pzyb-HB8

[GTRene]

sounds good and you can hear it pulling.

[djwilma]

Been away for a few weeks so took the car for a spin today in the rain so good time to play about with the traction control. DTA has a a wet / dry setting. Dry is limited to 10% slip, but i can adjust this from the car and this allows the car to slide about to about 10 degrees by cutting up to 75% ignition. Wet is Zero slip etc

Wound the boost up to 1.7 bar, 3rd gear and 60mph and put my foot down. Car accelerated hit the maxboost and the ECU cut all the power to the engine

Same at 0.7 bar and she just accelerated, albeit slightly slower than in the dry

Then i noticed the oil temp, its fitted to the cold side of the water and as i have the EWP it doesnt have a thermostat and was showing 12C



So got home and turned the engine off waited 5 mins, car has a turbo timer that circulates water and turns an engine bay fan on, and the gauge shows this



I think the oil temp sensor is on the cold return so will relocate it to the sump, and if its is running cold will add a thermostat.

Put the hard top on and took the worst photo ever

[Gooby]

Seems we have a mutual friend. We will have to arrange to meet!

[djwilma]

Gooby said:

Seems we have a mutual friend. We will have to arrange to meet!

Ooh cryptic and always up for a meet
End of year at work is manic so had no real time, even managed to turn 40 but still look 28 so all is good ;-)

Got to the bottom of the alternator belt the lower bracket failed

Have re- welded it and will take it to a friends garage in the new year for a proper go as the rear of the alternator isn't braced so will add a bracket in as it flexes



Also got some quali session used ZZRs from Andy at Maidstone Sports Cars was too good a deal to say no and have a spare set of wheels so will try and get a track day organised