The double write off S1 Lotus Elise
Discussion
So to go along with my eclectic mix of daily and fun car, I've added a more usable fun car. Is that even a thing?
Daily 261k mile Alpina D3 https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Fun car - Imported Backdraft Cobra with a 7l stroker Ford V8 in it https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
And now the new addition:
So this is what I spent my 7daysperformance winnings on.
The 96th Elise to roll off the production line. It’s the proper OG lightweight spec with aluminium brake disks. Should be sub 700kg in this spec.
It’s lived a life in its 41k miles though. It’s been written off twice! In 1998 and in 2002. My logic is, since it was last written off 20 years ago, it should be ok (ish).
It’s a right little trooper though and I love it.
It looks good with the Alpina
Things done so far:
Correct size 185/55/15 fronts and 205/50/16' rears ordered from Camskil. Gone for Avon ZV7's as they are quiet and most of the noise in an Elise is road roar.
£250 delivered, which is nice, I'm used to paying that per tyre!
Also ordered a clutch slave bracket strengthening plate from EliseParts for £24, which I hope will sort my clutch issue, can't select gears currently.
I'm umming and aaaaring about taking the Aluminium MMC discs off it (They are worth £300 a piece!) and fitting steels too it. Steels are heavier but can take more hammer and work well in the wet. A set of steel discs with pads is £200.
I'd keep the MMC discs aside to put back on it if I ever sell it.
Daily 261k mile Alpina D3 https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Fun car - Imported Backdraft Cobra with a 7l stroker Ford V8 in it https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
And now the new addition:
So this is what I spent my 7daysperformance winnings on.
The 96th Elise to roll off the production line. It’s the proper OG lightweight spec with aluminium brake disks. Should be sub 700kg in this spec.
It’s lived a life in its 41k miles though. It’s been written off twice! In 1998 and in 2002. My logic is, since it was last written off 20 years ago, it should be ok (ish).
It’s a right little trooper though and I love it.
It looks good with the Alpina
Things done so far:
Correct size 185/55/15 fronts and 205/50/16' rears ordered from Camskil. Gone for Avon ZV7's as they are quiet and most of the noise in an Elise is road roar.
£250 delivered, which is nice, I'm used to paying that per tyre!
Also ordered a clutch slave bracket strengthening plate from EliseParts for £24, which I hope will sort my clutch issue, can't select gears currently.
I'm umming and aaaaring about taking the Aluminium MMC discs off it (They are worth £300 a piece!) and fitting steels too it. Steels are heavier but can take more hammer and work well in the wet. A set of steel discs with pads is £200.
I'd keep the MMC discs aside to put back on it if I ever sell it.
Lovely! Looks great in silver with the red roof. I used to own an S1 in Norfolk Mustard Yellow, did quite a bit to it maintenance wise, thread here if you are interested.
I'm sure you're all over it but the rear toe links are a weak point on these, worth checking for play and replacing if required.
I'm sure you're all over it but the rear toe links are a weak point on these, worth checking for play and replacing if required.
AndrewGP said:
Lovely! Looks great in silver with the red roof. I used to own an S1 in Norfolk Mustard Yellow, did quite a bit to it maintenance wise, thread here if you are interested.
I'm sure you're all over it but the rear toe links are a weak point on these, worth checking for play and replacing if required.
It already had spitfire toe links on it.I'm sure you're all over it but the rear toe links are a weak point on these, worth checking for play and replacing if required.
Still chasing the clutch issue. Had a new master and slave cylinder before I collected it.
By the time I was home, I couldn’t select gears.
Seems fully bled up, and bends the bracket on operation.
I’ve fitted the Elise parts brace for the bracket and it still won’t actuate the clutch.
I’ll pressure bleed it tomorrow, then I’ll be 100% there’s no air in there.
Early cars had a plastic clutch hose that goes soft when the car has warmed up and causes similar issues. Does the clutch work ok when the engine is cold? Later cars had a braided hose from the factory. It's worth having a look to see if you still have the original hose, it's red plastic so easy to tell.
Replacement hose:
https://www.eliseparts.com/shop/gearbox-drivetrain...
Replacement hose:
https://www.eliseparts.com/shop/gearbox-drivetrain...
bangerturner said:
Yes I saw that. He had clutch actuation but full no release.
I don't even get actuation!
Harmitans said:
Early cars had a plastic clutch hose that goes soft when the car has warmed up and causes similar issues. Does the clutch work ok when the engine is cold? Later cars had a braided hose from the factory. It's worth having a look to see if you still have the original hose, it's red plastic so easy to tell.
Replacement hose:
https://www.eliseparts.com/shop/gearbox-drivetrain...
Its had a later braided hose fitted already. I just think it was incorrectly bled from the dealer. Replacement hose:
https://www.eliseparts.com/shop/gearbox-drivetrain...
Waitey said:
Its had a later braided hose fitted already. I just think it was incorrectly bled from the dealer.
That's good, it's not the most pleasant job changing the hose. It's worth holding the clutch slave in the fully retracted position with a cable tie whilst bleeding as this can help with getting the last bit of air out.bangerturner said:
Well…..Who’d have thought it, after a mega bleeding session, I have clutch actuation now, all 13mm of it but no clutch.
Seems my original clutch has failed the same way as Number27’s!
Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd
It needs an alternator too.
Had to get the Mrs, with her tiny quarter Chinese hands to help me get the original one out, which cost me a dinner out last night. Stupid car.
Loads of chinesium crap alternators for sale and with the huge t**t of a job it was to get it out, I don't want to be doing it again in a few thousand miles. Managed to dig out a refurbed one from Lucas, for a not too painful amount of dolla.
Costs so far:
Slave cylinder bracket - £30
Shifter bushing kit - £40
Dark grey leather dye - £10
Clutch Kit - £150
Clutch arm - £25
Litre of DOT 4 - £10
4 x Avon ZV7's - £280 fitted
Lucas Alternator - £160
Dinner out for the Mrs - £63
Lack of skin on my hands and general emotional damage - Who really knows?
Total miles driven, 38.
It needs an alternator too.
Had to get the Mrs, with her tiny quarter Chinese hands to help me get the original one out, which cost me a dinner out last night. Stupid car.
Loads of chinesium crap alternators for sale and with the huge t**t of a job it was to get it out, I don't want to be doing it again in a few thousand miles. Managed to dig out a refurbed one from Lucas, for a not too painful amount of dolla.
Costs so far:
Slave cylinder bracket - £30
Shifter bushing kit - £40
Dark grey leather dye - £10
Clutch Kit - £150
Clutch arm - £25
Litre of DOT 4 - £10
4 x Avon ZV7's - £280 fitted
Lucas Alternator - £160
Dinner out for the Mrs - £63
Lack of skin on my hands and general emotional damage - Who really knows?
Total miles driven, 38.
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