Fear of Dynoing the Lotus ...
Discussion
Hey guys ... Ive been folowing these boards quite closely lately and have had the Esprit for about 3 weeks now. I have a few good races lined up: 2001 996 Twin Turbo Porsche, and a Modified Evolution as well as a Corvette Z06. In preparation for these races I am going to get my car dynoed on a dynojet to check A/F ratio. I was wondering a few things.... Should I be at all worried about breaking anything if I do a 4th gear windout ??? What RPM's should I rev too ??? Do I have a rev-limiter ?? and lastly Im very paranoid about breaking something such as the timing belt slipping or breaking ... should I be worried ??? oh and whats the optimum A/F ratio for our cars ??? Thxs for all the help in advance!
P.S- I have a 97 Twin Turbo V8, Gutted Cats and straight pipes and only 10,545 Miles. I dont know about the last time the timing belt was checked and I hear it should be done regularly and this is what worries me the most.
AL
P.S- I have a 97 Twin Turbo V8, Gutted Cats and straight pipes and only 10,545 Miles. I dont know about the last time the timing belt was checked and I hear it should be done regularly and this is what worries me the most.
AL
Get the timing belt changed or just get it adjusted ??? I read on this site that the newer belts needed changing after 100K miles or 36K to be safe.. Ive got 1/10th that! Should I be worried on my V8 ?? Sorry for all the questions ... I just want to get things right the first time.
Oh and how much will the timing belt change run me if Im going to be doing that ??? Thxs again!
AL
>> Edited by V8TT on Thursday 18th March 07:02
Oh and how much will the timing belt change run me if Im going to be doing that ??? Thxs again!
AL
>> Edited by V8TT on Thursday 18th March 07:02
V8TT said:
Hey guys ... Ive been folowing these boards quite closely lately and have had the Esprit for about 3 weeks now. I have a few good races lined up: 2001 996 Twin Turbo Porsche, and a Modified Evolution as well as a Corvette Z06. In preparation for these races I am going to get my car dynoed on a dynojet to check A/F ratio. I was wondering a few things.... Should I be at all worried about breaking anything if I do a 4th gear windout ??? What RPM's should I rev too ??? Do I have a rev-limiter ?? and lastly Im very paranoid about breaking something such as the timing belt slipping or breaking ... should I be worried ??? oh and whats the optimum A/F ratio for our cars ??? Thxs for all the help in advance!
P.S- I have a 97 Twin Turbo V8, Gutted Cats and straight pipes and only 10,545 Miles. I dont know about the last time the timing belt was checked and I hear it should be done regularly and this is what worries me the most.
AL
AL,
With an ECU controlled engine, a dyno run is kinda a waste of $ since you cannot easily change any parameters as the chip controls it all. If you wanna make a change, you need to re-chip.
But if you wanna pay for a piece of paper stating what your 'butt dyno' already knows, then I guess it's ok.
A/F ratio on an ECU controlled engine is variable and changes dynamically according to the Maps stored in the chip.
A timing belt w/ 10k mi. on it should be ok. But, the 100k change interval is not to be relied upon considering the $$ damage potential. I believe that Lotus changes them under warranty for the first 36k mi., but I may be wrong, it may only be adjustment, which wouldn't be a bad idea if you're going racing for the first time. It is tensioned using a Clavis gauge which measures the accoustic frequency of the belt which is tension dependent.
As far as worrying about breaking something, this is an extreme machine with little reserve built in. I won't blow sunshine up your skirt, if you work it to extreme, you cannot rule out the possibility of a failure, it could happen. Good Luck. Happy Motoring! ...Jim'85TE
Thank you very much Jim ... I think I will run the Dyno just to see what my car has in it. As for the timing belt, Ill be getting it done in the near future. Since I drive the car every other week I think it will be safe. I feel much better being re-assured by more experienced Lotus owners like yourself. Thanks again for your time. And of anyone else has anyother input Id appreciate it.
AL
AL
I've dynoed my SE a couple of times and, given that it only costs $75 for three runs, I feel it is worth it. Yes, like Jim I do feel it is too bad we don't have some of the tuning items available to us as does the Mustang/Camero/Corvette etc. crowd since many of them can get programmable ECU interfaces and make adjustments on the fly.
But, if you are continually fiddling with your car for fun and making changes it is nice to see if the changes have any effect. Fire it up and let us know how it does.
As for races, hopefully road races on an enclosed track? ;-)
But, if you are continually fiddling with your car for fun and making changes it is nice to see if the changes have any effect. Fire it up and let us know how it does.
As for races, hopefully road races on an enclosed track? ;-)
rlearp - personally i'm much happier to let the ecu deal with making constant adjustments for me to keep the engine at its optimum. I would not want to have a programmable ecu in my esprit. A programmable ecu is only of value if you're going to set it up everytime you run the car (like a race team)?
From reading his post i didnt' think that Jim was unhappy that the ecu is not programmable.. ?
From reading his post i didnt' think that Jim was unhappy that the ecu is not programmable.. ?
V8TT:
If you are in the USA, contact Clyde Shepherd at Lotus Cars USA with your VIN number to see if the first belt change has been done by a Lotus dealer. The first belt change on a 1997 Esprit is picked up by Lotus under warranty. Suggested change is 5-years or 25K miles (I think) which ever comes first. Lotus even pays for the tensioner adjustments every 12K-15K for the first 80K miles.
Mark Pfeffer
1999 Esprit
Former 1997 Esprit (Had free belt change)
If you are in the USA, contact Clyde Shepherd at Lotus Cars USA with your VIN number to see if the first belt change has been done by a Lotus dealer. The first belt change on a 1997 Esprit is picked up by Lotus under warranty. Suggested change is 5-years or 25K miles (I think) which ever comes first. Lotus even pays for the tensioner adjustments every 12K-15K for the first 80K miles.
Mark Pfeffer
1999 Esprit
Former 1997 Esprit (Had free belt change)
I'm assuming by race, you mean straight-line 1/4 mile drag races (street or leagal)? If you are worried about the dyno run, be more worried about dragging these cars. Not what they're built for.
If you intend on winning those races, you'll probably destroy your tranny in short time, and other folks have done even worse things doing that.
It's not a drag strip car, it's a road track car. Just warning you, not judging at all, BTW.
Now, if you meant road track racing, then just ignore everything said and go smoke some pork!
If you intend on winning those races, you'll probably destroy your tranny in short time, and other folks have done even worse things doing that.
It's not a drag strip car, it's a road track car. Just warning you, not judging at all, BTW.
Now, if you meant road track racing, then just ignore everything said and go smoke some pork!
Rob E, no I don't think Jim is unhappy and maybe you missed my point.
There are many adaptable and programmable ECUs for many different engine management systems. Some are for race, as I would classify the MoTec system due to cost and features as you mention, but many simply piggyback on existing ECU (I'm very familar with Fords EEC-IV system) and allow you to change parameters, such as base parameters, all the while letting the ECU continue what it is doing - managing that engine. For example, you may find (as I have) that your runs flithy rich (sometimes <10:1) at WOT under full boost. With the EEC-IVs and Extender you can back off the fuel there if you like. Or you might wish to adjust base timing, spark advance, etc.
However, as Jim mentioned, with the Lotus system all you can do is watch it on the dyno as there is precious little you can do since I know of no piggypack chips that allow adjustment. I've used MotoConcepts chips and have modified my own chips to some effect, but it is simply making some changes, dynoing, and seeing what happened. No real-time on the dyno tunability. I wish it were....
Best,
Ron
There are many adaptable and programmable ECUs for many different engine management systems. Some are for race, as I would classify the MoTec system due to cost and features as you mention, but many simply piggyback on existing ECU (I'm very familar with Fords EEC-IV system) and allow you to change parameters, such as base parameters, all the while letting the ECU continue what it is doing - managing that engine. For example, you may find (as I have) that your runs flithy rich (sometimes <10:1) at WOT under full boost. With the EEC-IVs and Extender you can back off the fuel there if you like. Or you might wish to adjust base timing, spark advance, etc.
However, as Jim mentioned, with the Lotus system all you can do is watch it on the dyno as there is precious little you can do since I know of no piggypack chips that allow adjustment. I've used MotoConcepts chips and have modified my own chips to some effect, but it is simply making some changes, dynoing, and seeing what happened. No real-time on the dyno tunability. I wish it were....
Best,
Ron
Hi,
Jim = HAPPY
.
On the subject of whether there should be a programmable ECU in the Esprit, I am really of no opinion one way or the other.
I was merely pointing out to an apparently uninitiated lister the possible futility of doing a Dyno run on an ECU controlled car. Especially since he alluded to checking/adjusting the A/F ratio.
Under these circumstances, I personally believe spending $$ on a Dyno is somewhat pointless. All you're gonna get is a snapshot of what your car is doing on that day under those controlled conditions. Perhaps useful as a baseline, but little else.
In any kind of racing against the cars mentioned, it's gonna be the Driver much more than the Car which will determine the outcome.
Doesn't matter if the car has 1,000HP, if you miss a shift point, come out of the power band, turn in too soon/late, you'll be smellin' pork rather than smoking it! Happy Motoring! ...Jim'85TE
>> Edited by lotusguy on Thursday 18th March 16:15
Jim = HAPPY
. On the subject of whether there should be a programmable ECU in the Esprit, I am really of no opinion one way or the other.
I was merely pointing out to an apparently uninitiated lister the possible futility of doing a Dyno run on an ECU controlled car. Especially since he alluded to checking/adjusting the A/F ratio.
Under these circumstances, I personally believe spending $$ on a Dyno is somewhat pointless. All you're gonna get is a snapshot of what your car is doing on that day under those controlled conditions. Perhaps useful as a baseline, but little else.
In any kind of racing against the cars mentioned, it's gonna be the Driver much more than the Car which will determine the outcome.
Doesn't matter if the car has 1,000HP, if you miss a shift point, come out of the power band, turn in too soon/late, you'll be smellin' pork rather than smoking it! Happy Motoring! ...Jim'85TE
>> Edited by lotusguy on Thursday 18th March 16:15
WOW ... awesome guys! I didnt think I was going to get this many responses! Ill be sure to post what the dyno run nets me. Ill also be calling Lotus USA tonight and lastly, these races are enclosed road coarse races ... and yes Im fully aware of the tranny being brittle. Thanks again guys!
P.S- One question wasnt answered which is kind of important, do we have a rev-limiter ???
AL
P.S- One question wasnt answered which is kind of important, do we have a rev-limiter ???
AL
feffman said:
V8TT:
If you are in the USA, contact Clyde Shepherd at Lotus Cars USA with your VIN number to see if the first belt change has been done by a Lotus dealer. The first belt change on a 1997 Esprit is picked up by Lotus under warranty. Suggested change is 5-years or 25K miles (I think) which ever comes first. Lotus even pays for the tensioner adjustments every 12K-15K for the first 80K miles.
Mark Pfeffer
1999 Esprit
Former 1997 Esprit (Had free belt change)
Could you please give me a number where I can reach him .. I looked at the Lotus USA web-site but I was unable to find a number.
Thanks again!
AL
Dr.Hess said:
V8TT, my 4 cylinder has a rev limiter, which I can confirm as I have bounced off it. I would venture to say your V8 does as well.
Kick some butt.
Dr.Hess
Im glad to hear this ... Ill just rev to redline them let off during the dyno run.
P.S- I have found the Lotus USA number. Thxs again!
AL
AL -
...even more important - WHERE IN FLORIDA?
You may want to check this event out:
www.tscevents.com/foec/index.htm
Should be fun - they are honoring ALL British Marques this year...
ErnestM
...even more important - WHERE IN FLORIDA?
You may want to check this event out:
www.tscevents.com/foec/index.htm
Should be fun - they are honoring ALL British Marques this year...
ErnestM
ErnestM said:
AL -
...even more important - WHERE IN FLORIDA?
You may want to check this event out:
www.tscevents.com/foec/index.htm
Should be fun - they are honoring ALL British Marques this year...
ErnestM
WOW, thats only a few hours away .. I live in Coral Springs by Ft.Lauderdale. I think I will be attending this event, will you be there ??. Thanks!
P.S- I saw your website and saw the Carbon Fiber plinth on one of your friends Esprits, I was wondering where I might be able to purchase one ?? Thanks again!
AL
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