Exige S1 over-winter Refresh
Discussion
Esprit said:
Spent some more time on the car in the weekend. Been getting some bits and bobs finished inside and a little more of the extinguisher plumbing done.
Dash bits should be back in the next day or two, and I need to chase Lifeline up for the extinguisher bits I still need.
Got the car all cleaned up again so there's no more oil residue on her, erasing all memory of the little barbecue we had.
Since it was shiny, I took it out for a drive with my friend Richy doing some lenswork
Utterly, utterly brilliant.Dash bits should be back in the next day or two, and I need to chase Lifeline up for the extinguisher bits I still need.
Got the car all cleaned up again so there's no more oil residue on her, erasing all memory of the little barbecue we had.
Since it was shiny, I took it out for a drive with my friend Richy doing some lenswork
One of the best "build" threads I've ever followed, and the result is one of the best builds I've ever seen. Epicly good.
I entirely suggest that you put it to the editor of PH the suggestion of a mini-write up of the story, to show everything you've been through, that the rest of PH can enjoy it too (rather than reading 4million pages of this thread
)
IanUAE said:
Nothing for nearly a month, hope all is well.
All is still well I've not been using or working on the car much lately since it's stored across town and the weather's been rubbish (so much for summer, you could count the number of sunny days this summer on your hands!).I'm still waiting for a replacement part to finish off the extinguisher installation, which is stopping me from using the car in anger or getting it back on the dyno. After the little fire I had that's a major priority.
However, I did manage to do 100 or so miles in the car on Sunday on some FANTASTIC twisty roads and with 8000RPM/215bhp the car absolutely FLIES. You certainly need to use the revs, which probably means it's little faster on the road than a stock one, but it should monster the track! Above 6500RPM in second gear out of corners, bumps will cause the car to squirm about and writhe, and you can feel the LSD shuffling the power about. In short it's BRILLIANT.
Looking forward now to putting the finishing touches on!
Also looking to buy my first house, which should give me the garage space to start my next project... so if anyone knows of an S1 Elise with a knackered engine, let me know, or one that's a bit crash-damaged but with a good chassis, get in touch
Esprit said:
Also looking to buy my first house, which should give me the garage space to start my next project... so if anyone knows of an S1 Elise with a knackered engine, let me know, or one that's a bit crash-damaged but with a good chassis, get in touch
Sod that, I've got an Exige which needs your attention. I'll can offer beer money and appreciation Deal?That sounds like a politically incorrect reality TV show in the making "Lotus fixing for the visually impaired". NZ is a long way to go. I wonder how long it would take to drive there from West Yorkshire.
So chuffed to see the car out and about - looks stunning. An absolute credit to you. Remind me, what spec. is the engine? I'm always interested in squeezing a few more horses out, if possible.
So chuffed to see the car out and about - looks stunning. An absolute credit to you. Remind me, what spec. is the engine? I'm always interested in squeezing a few more horses out, if possible.
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This is my dream car. I've used your thread for lots of tips and advice when I've been sorting out my S1 111s; same color as yours as well; almost like it's baby brother!
Was gutted for you when it went up in smoke! really pleased that it's all back together now. Stunning car.
The photo above; any chance of a hi-res version?
chevronb37 said:
That sounds like a politically incorrect reality TV show in the making "Lotus fixing for the visually impaired". NZ is a long way to go. I wonder how long it would take to drive there from West Yorkshire.
So chuffed to see the car out and about - looks stunning. An absolute credit to you. Remind me, what spec. is the engine? I'm always interested in squeezing a few more horses out, if possible.
Why thank you! So chuffed to see the car out and about - looks stunning. An absolute credit to you. Remind me, what spec. is the engine? I'm always interested in squeezing a few more horses out, if possible.
The engine is basically a full-noise DVAPower 1.8L engine. So it's got a new, HMI-converted crank, fully balanced bottom end, new Omega pistons, larger valves (than stock VHPD), Piper 1444 cam, DVA porting, Arrow Precision rods, Westwood SG iron liners, steel oil pump drive, still running stock VHPD flywheel, piper verniers, colisbro guides.
Engine's running a full MoTeC M800 ECU with a custom loom, and some extra sensors to allow sequential ignition and injection (just helps the car run a bit better at lower throttle and part load more than anything).
Aside from that it's still running the stock VHPD throttles, stock exhaust. The engine is built for 9000RPM, we're gonna run it to 8500. It should be capable of 235-240bhp and is currently making 215bhp at 8000... we expect it'll make 220-225bhp at 8500 with the final tune... the stock manifold and throttles are holding it back a little I think.... but those are bolt-on/bolt-off bits that I can tinker with over time.
In short, it's not cheap (especially when teamed with the Quaife 6-speed box) but it's a really nice quick engine (seems to be about the same pace as a GOOD JDM Honda S1) and it makes a VERY lovely noise.... but I don't think you could go too much further without some more exotic expensive work (or an upgrade to a 1.9 or 2.0k).
This project isn't about the ultimate pace though... it's about how good I could make it within the confines of the original design, and it's come out quite well I think so far.... next project should owe a little less to originality and more to some rather scary power/torque/performance figures.
Edited by Esprit on Sunday 26th February 09:41
JBanx said:
This is my dream car. I've used your thread for lots of tips and advice when I've been sorting out my S1 111s; same color as yours as well; almost like it's baby brother!
Was gutted for you when it went up in smoke! really pleased that it's all back together now. Stunning car.
The photo above; any chance of a hi-res version?
Thanks for the kind words.Was gutted for you when it went up in smoke! really pleased that it's all back together now. Stunning car.
The photo above; any chance of a hi-res version?
This is the original from the photographer and he hasn't uploaded a mega-high res image, but he's a good mate so I'm sure I can get one.
For now though, here's the link to the original, which is 1200 pixels I think
http://www.flickr.com/photos/snoozinrichy/67352100...
I stumbled across this thread for the first time on Sunday and have spent the last couple of days reading all 50 pages. There was a point about two years ago where I wondered what the rest of the pages were filled with. I didn't realise the project would run right up to the present day!
It's a beautiful car and a great story. Well done for being so thorough in your execution and thanks for putting so much information on here for strangers like me to read. I was genuinely upset when I thought it was a pile of ashes - good to hear it survived. As for the new heatshield, it only looks bling in the same way that Apollo hardware looked bling - i.e. with good reason.
Cheers!
ETA: Hope your father is recovering well too.
It's a beautiful car and a great story. Well done for being so thorough in your execution and thanks for putting so much information on here for strangers like me to read. I was genuinely upset when I thought it was a pile of ashes - good to hear it survived. As for the new heatshield, it only looks bling in the same way that Apollo hardware looked bling - i.e. with good reason.
Cheers!
ETA: Hope your father is recovering well too.
Edited by Prawo Jazdy on Tuesday 28th February 18:31
Well it's been a slow few weeks. Having the car buried in the back of a shed halfway across town as well as having other things going on in life has meant little time to spend working on or enjoying the beast.
However, I finally got the replacement extinguisher parts from the UK and this weekend I set about finishing off the mechanical installation of the extinguisher system.
I had originally planned to mount the remote charge cylinder inside the centre footwell divider to keep everything hidden. The routing of the braided hose and access to it for replacement/servicing would be a major issue, so I reverted to plan B.
This involved modifying the extinguisher bracket I'd made up to take the remote charge cylinder as well.
Here you can see the remote charge cylinder mounted alongside the extinguisher cylinder on the bracket:
This remains nice and tidy since it sits underneath the passengers' seat and unlike the centre divider option keeps the braided hose out of harm's way from people climbing in and out of the car.
This assembly is now bolted back in the car, and I've just got to measure up for wiring and get the looms made (which will happen next week). Then I can finish the dash assembly and the extinguisher, and the car's interior will be 100% complete.
Then I've just got to modify the Canton oil filter housing to take a lockwire then it's time to hit the track!
Here's hoping for some nice Autumn weather (after literally the crappiest Auckland summer on record) so I can enjoy the thing!
However, I finally got the replacement extinguisher parts from the UK and this weekend I set about finishing off the mechanical installation of the extinguisher system.
I had originally planned to mount the remote charge cylinder inside the centre footwell divider to keep everything hidden. The routing of the braided hose and access to it for replacement/servicing would be a major issue, so I reverted to plan B.
This involved modifying the extinguisher bracket I'd made up to take the remote charge cylinder as well.
Here you can see the remote charge cylinder mounted alongside the extinguisher cylinder on the bracket:
This remains nice and tidy since it sits underneath the passengers' seat and unlike the centre divider option keeps the braided hose out of harm's way from people climbing in and out of the car.
This assembly is now bolted back in the car, and I've just got to measure up for wiring and get the looms made (which will happen next week). Then I can finish the dash assembly and the extinguisher, and the car's interior will be 100% complete.
Then I've just got to modify the Canton oil filter housing to take a lockwire then it's time to hit the track!
Here's hoping for some nice Autumn weather (after literally the crappiest Auckland summer on record) so I can enjoy the thing!
Prawo Jazdy said:
I stumbled across this thread for the first time on Sunday and have spent the last couple of days reading all 50 pages. There was a point about two years ago where I wondered what the rest of the pages were filled with. I didn't realise the project would run right up to the present day!
It's a beautiful car and a great story. Well done for being so thorough in your execution and thanks for putting so much information on here for strangers like me to read. I was genuinely upset when I thought it was a pile of ashes - good to hear it survived. As for the new heatshield, it only looks bling in the same way that Apollo hardware looked bling - i.e. with good reason.
Cheers!
ETA: Hope your father is recovering well too.
Thanks for the kind words!It's a beautiful car and a great story. Well done for being so thorough in your execution and thanks for putting so much information on here for strangers like me to read. I was genuinely upset when I thought it was a pile of ashes - good to hear it survived. As for the new heatshield, it only looks bling in the same way that Apollo hardware looked bling - i.e. with good reason.
Cheers!
ETA: Hope your father is recovering well too.
Edited by Prawo Jazdy on Tuesday 28th February 18:31
Yeah, it's not been quite the plain sailing I'd hoped for... but hey, it's been an adventure... and one that I'm glad others get a kick out of reading Well tonight I'm going to have a couple of nice single malts, because today, for the first time since Easter 2008, the "to do" list on the Exige is completely blank.
The final two jobs today were to finish off the extinguisher install and dashboard and to reinstall the Canton Racing oil filter and lockwire it on to prevent the possibility of our little barbecue.
The extinguisher went in first and I got the wiring all run for it nice and tidily. It was also my first chance to see the dash all finished and I think it looks great. The additions look like they're meant to be there and don't look out of place.... which is what I was hoping to achieve.
I also got the extinguisher itself back in place and hooked up. I self-tested the firing circuit and it checked out fine so it's ready to deploy if I should ever need it (perish the thought!)
The final job was to swap the oil filter back to the Canton Racing one. I've got no photos of this, but the hex on the end of the filter I've drilled to take a lockwire and there's also a cast-on boss on the side of the sump that I've drilled as well. I've then run a twisted stainless lockwire between the two, which makes it impossible for the oil filter to self-loosen.
I had hoped to take the car for a spin tomorrow, but in typical fashion, now it's ready to use it's forecast rain for the next week.... still, it's ready to go and have some fun in!
Tasks on the horizon for it now involve trackdays and getting it back to the dyno to up the rev limit a bit more and liberate a few more horsepower.
There will be ongoing stuff that needs doing as well and I'll keep posting that in here, so don't worry... this thread won't fall silent.
The final two jobs today were to finish off the extinguisher install and dashboard and to reinstall the Canton Racing oil filter and lockwire it on to prevent the possibility of our little barbecue.
The extinguisher went in first and I got the wiring all run for it nice and tidily. It was also my first chance to see the dash all finished and I think it looks great. The additions look like they're meant to be there and don't look out of place.... which is what I was hoping to achieve.
I also got the extinguisher itself back in place and hooked up. I self-tested the firing circuit and it checked out fine so it's ready to deploy if I should ever need it (perish the thought!)
The final job was to swap the oil filter back to the Canton Racing one. I've got no photos of this, but the hex on the end of the filter I've drilled to take a lockwire and there's also a cast-on boss on the side of the sump that I've drilled as well. I've then run a twisted stainless lockwire between the two, which makes it impossible for the oil filter to self-loosen.
I had hoped to take the car for a spin tomorrow, but in typical fashion, now it's ready to use it's forecast rain for the next week.... still, it's ready to go and have some fun in!
Tasks on the horizon for it now involve trackdays and getting it back to the dyno to up the rev limit a bit more and liberate a few more horsepower.
There will be ongoing stuff that needs doing as well and I'll keep posting that in here, so don't worry... this thread won't fall silent.
Edited by Esprit on Saturday 17th March 07:10
Esprit said:
It was also my first chance to see the dash all finished and I think it looks great. The additions look like they're meant to be there and don't look out of place.... which is what I was hoping to achieve.
Dash looks great although thatg angle grinder looks a lilttle out of place, I would of mounted it a little to the left 
Stunning job on the whole car, massive respect for keeping at it despite the set backs
It was a long time coming, but I managed to get SEXIGE out onto the track and running at some half decent pace this weekend! Credit to Richard "FreshPrints" Opie for capturing the attitude of the car through the turn 2-3 complex at Hampton Downs quite nicely here! A dab of oppo and I was away! 
Sadly I only managed two sessions before the alternator packed in (again!) so it's shown up a weak link that'll need further investigation. Either heat or revs is killing the alternator in very short order. The day ended with the car going home ignobly on the back of a recovery truck, but a minor issue in the grand scheme of things.
The car is a good deal quicker than it ever has been, and even with me being pretty rusty behind the wheel and not having much time to dial the car in, it's lapping Hampton Downs in a 1:16 flat, which isn't hanging around. Some more practice should see me easily in the 15s, and hopefully the 14s ultimately with some fresh rubber. Given that the engine still has a little more to give I'm sure that's possible. Not bad for a completely street car
Here's the only video I got from the day. My apologies for the shocking driving, I'm hellish rusty and this was the first session and I hadn't even got the tyre pressures altered from what I run on the road so it was all ham-fisted and snatched brakes! Still, you get to hear what the car sounds like with a semi-decent head of steam (no HGF pun intended!), and I know a few of you out there have been waiting to hear that!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TufiYrGKXY&hd=...
Now to find a new alternator...
Sadly I only managed two sessions before the alternator packed in (again!) so it's shown up a weak link that'll need further investigation. Either heat or revs is killing the alternator in very short order. The day ended with the car going home ignobly on the back of a recovery truck, but a minor issue in the grand scheme of things.
The car is a good deal quicker than it ever has been, and even with me being pretty rusty behind the wheel and not having much time to dial the car in, it's lapping Hampton Downs in a 1:16 flat, which isn't hanging around. Some more practice should see me easily in the 15s, and hopefully the 14s ultimately with some fresh rubber. Given that the engine still has a little more to give I'm sure that's possible. Not bad for a completely street car
Here's the only video I got from the day. My apologies for the shocking driving, I'm hellish rusty and this was the first session and I hadn't even got the tyre pressures altered from what I run on the road so it was all ham-fisted and snatched brakes! Still, you get to hear what the car sounds like with a semi-decent head of steam (no HGF pun intended!), and I know a few of you out there have been waiting to hear that!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TufiYrGKXY&hd=...
Now to find a new alternator...
This is the ultimate Lotus topic ever. It reads almost like a dramatized Hollywood script.
If there were an Oscar for best Lotus topic, you'd be my winner hands down! To see the beauty now in action with all the work and setbacks, is fantastic!
Thank you for taking the time to update us! Really appreciated and I learned a lot!
If there were an Oscar for best Lotus topic, you'd be my winner hands down! To see the beauty now in action with all the work and setbacks, is fantastic!
Thank you for taking the time to update us! Really appreciated and I learned a lot!
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