dodge1979

Dear all..as Ive read through a lot of threads about upgrading the rad fans from the original ford ones...I havent yet found anything thats says what size fans anyone has used....As Ive already got a 3core rad and a stainless frame to go in the car, I can understand the plastic shroud would aid the build up of crud overtime, so was hoping to chuck that. Now, at an odd size of 11.5 inch per fan (the originals), what size has anyone fitted? Also, have you gone with the standard way of attach them directly to the core..which Ive always been dubious of, or have you managed to attach them to the frame itself...ie the four 'struts' that run top to bottom on the rear side of the rad that the original shroud was attached to..if you get me! Ideas chaps????? cheers Darren

Is it warm coolant or cold? Cold cold would indicate chargecooler, as mine was when it had a similar mid engine area leak as you describe. I got it down to one of the pipes that run through the chassis where they protrude into the engine bay end and join a coolant hose. As my car was going to be completely stripped anyhow for its rebuild, I wasnt worried....although my stainless steel pipes have turned up today so I can replace all four chassis pipes....When the rest is back together

I personally would like to not have a third cooling system on my esprit..I think the engine and chargecooler systems are enough! But if its quicker warm up time etc, surely an oil thermostat would be an easier solution? No extra plumping or re-routing of hoses and wires. Thats what Im considering for my engine out month in march. Darren

My S4 has Setrab oil coolers on it, they were the original ones from new. SJ sell them, or a repro of it for about 150 plus vat, merlin motorsport sell them at 170plus vat but not sure if they are genuine or repro.

Interesting, perhaps then different years used different ones as there was definately a difference when I compared them. Can you remember the year the elise one was from and model? Thanks

Hello! Just my two peneth worth. You dont need to remove the coolers at all. I took my rad assembly and shroud off without undoing the hoses or top unions. Undo the mounting bolt from inside the front bay, then you can pivot them out of the way. Im currently rebuilding totally my S4 which has stood for yrs in scotland...so you can imagine rust and corrosion is rife especially on these sorts of things. I had no trouble in removing the assembly this way. Since though I have removed the coolers as I noticed one was weeping so Ive bought new ones ready to fit. Yes, the bottom connection sheared, the top one was fine as it doesnt corrode inside the front bay. 28mm spanner or a very good adjustable is needed. Where abouts are you? If you do decide to replace the pipes let me know as Ive got a new set for myself but Im sure I could get another set made up for you at a saving over the listed price. Regards Darren

Yes, I did think of that already, the only problem is the caliper is quite a bit different in its width space where the disc and pad goes. I bough one from a chap in warwick and took mine along with me to compare. There was a significant difference. Enough to make me think the rear discs on the elise/vx are solid not vented? or if thats not the case then the pads must be waffer thin! I didnt fancy shaving down my pads to suit to be honest. Ive already bought all new discs and pads front and rear. Cheers for your input though!

Im looking for a pair of new or recon rear Brembo calipers or my Esprit. Anyone hiding them? Cash waiting, will quite possibly collect too! UK only thanks. email me on darren_galloway@hotmail.com

Just a quick one...the antiroll bar on my 1995 S4...as someone said on here before, the ends of these are different diameters between pre and post 93 cars according to the change of design of the bush they used..but does anyone know about the 'grooves' on the ends..or is this not supposed to be there? Basically, near the area the lower arm bush sits around the antiroll bar I have two groves on one side, and one groove on the opposite arm side. Unless this is some sort of factory idiot proof way of ensuring its put on the car the right way up first time...I would think that this is not good!

Possibly an odd question..but does anyone know if the ARB on the S4 is the same diameter as the ARB on the pre 1993 stevens cars..ie SE. Also, am I safe in assuming that the only difference between the main lower 'wishbone' suspension arm between the pre 1993 and post 1993 models is the ARB bush design... If so, does anyone know of a cheaper alternative to the £33 plus cost of the pre 93 ARB bush? thanks Darren

Go onto www.lotusespritworld.com the go onto the mains/mods/tech page and a gyude on where to jack the car up is under the Technical section....lots of usefull stuff there for you to look at!

Just done so cheers..

Hey there folks! Well, Im not very good with putting pictures on here...well...I havent been able to so far...so I figured why not go with the rest of the youth and do a facebook page! Ive pout so much work into the rebuild of my S4 so far..and had no one to bore with pictures..so I put a few up on a page Ive made... http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/Darrens-Lotus-Esprit-Restoration/158187830894475 should be the link..if note just search out Darren Lotus Esprit Restoration! cant miss it.. To some up..Ive spent a few months nut and bolt dismantling the running gear, cooling systems etc and sandblasting, Zinc coating and Powder Coat finishing everything myself...a long old job! I bought the car the naughty way..over the phone having never seen it in person...although I had spent months looking at just about every car available and totting up how much they would cost to get up to scratch..it amazed me at the 13 to 15K price range how much work needed doing really! But this one I got at a good price...I paid 9700 for a 1995 S4 in my childhood dream colour, 3 owners, seller nearly 10 years..laid up for a yr n a half as he worked for 6to 9 months a year at sea..54k miles with a full history of course! It arrived on transport and that was the first time I saw it in the flesh! I had got lots of pics, and videos to suit all my questions about is and I was satisfied it was the best I had seen so far..for a lot less money! I was not dissapointed..although obviously there are more things to do on the car than originally planned...but as it came well below my budget I could afford to do a thorough rebuild and upgrade to suit! To cut a few months story short...Ive been sand blasting and zinc coating and powder coating all myself in the evenings...even in this cold freeze! Its slowly getting there...although I have a huge pile of parts and no more room! Ive had a few custom items made for me by local people here in Coventry...Ive scoured bargain alternatives to parts.although not many to be found of course...but most importantly is the knowledge Ive gained so quickly from talking on here...I absorb it like a randy sponge! My project aims are; complete refurb to powder coated standard of every suspension and running gear component, to include all brackets associated with engine and exhaust too polybush upgrade - ongoing all new bearings, joints and shocks cooling rad upgrade to 3 core rad - locally made again, new frame to be built combined aircon and chargecooler rad to be binned - Ive cut off the aircon, had it repaired locally and ready for re-use; chargecooler rad had been custom built locally too to surpase just about any realistic chargecooler upgrades sports exhaust including sports cat power steering rack and all pipes overhauled/replaced - again I had pipes made locally at a seriously small fraction of those from specialist suppliers All new clips, bolts, nuts, washers..whatever is needed or not will be changed engine out service with all oil seals and gaskets being replaced - in the new year/feb fuel tanks removed, inspected cleaned repaired, new fuel hoses throughout - again new yr/feb wheel refurb in a snazzy finish..they look awesome! and any other repairs as needed as I go along...like the fibreglass radiator frome/duct thingy....Ive repaired that using stainless steel sheet and proper fibreglassing repairs.. As we all know..it doesnt look like a lot on paper...but in reality its many months hard graft..wish I could put up pics here..Ive only put a small amount on my facebook page..so much more detail to be seen! If anyone is working in similar areas on their car and is interested, Im sure I can let them know what Ive done in more detail..or even learn more off them...or if pics help I can email them....its hard to detail all work here or this would be a massive job updating this in itself..let alone the car.. I respect those resto posts Ive been reading with some excelent photographic detail..reallly good insights....anyhow..must get back to the Speckled Hen now....Im sure more progress will find its way here! THanks for reading to the end! Darren

Ralph, Whilst my S4 isnt ready yet from its renovations...I was aiming to take the engine out for service and general overhaul of gaskets etc and the tanks in a couple of months..I dont know whether that would be opportune for you? As with all projects...they get delayed so could set anything in stone just yet regards Darren

No not yet, Im gonna wait till I take the engine out in the new year and look at those...I dont see a problem with this chap being able to, as the short pipe he made for me was a metal end crimped onto a flexi hose, so obviously he can do them! I was debating taking those flexis and my oil cooler flexis off and taking them up to him this side of christmass, but doubt Ill get time...

Ok chaps....picked up my new pipes....all made from a zinc coated metal....and just as per originals I took off the car! I had both underody ones made, feed and return, and I had the small return from rack to underbody pipe made too...but modified,,basically I wanted to reroute it along the rack instead of up and over the coolant hoses...so a short metal pipe with a long flexi hose was made...Im sure itll make future rack removal better without the need to cut through this one! The best part? 50 quid the lot. What say ye to that

well it would appear that the mystery power steering pipes can be resurected then without having to pay the laughable cost from Deroure!

Excellent, thanks for that. Next question...anyone know of any companies in the midlands that could coat/paint them...the silverish colour never last and looks odd against the front ones!

I see...so if they had a different pad it might be due to the disc being a difference thickness? But is it safe to assume then that the caliper itself will be otherwise identical. I think the ones on ebay at the min are series 2 and also suitable for the vx220.

Rich, just spoke to the chap today...pipes not ready yet but next few days..Im in no rush..he said that the flared end is called a 'Saginall' flare. Im sure that is not how its spelt, but it is pronounced like that. Apparantly its named after the company that makes those ends..hope this might help! Darren

Looking into replacing my rear brembo calipers on my 1995 S4 as part of the rebuild of the car, with standard straight replacements. Ive read in various threads that they are the same as various renaults and the elise. can anyone tell me if all elises used the same caliper with vented discs at the rear or just certain years/models? there are several recon items available on ebay at the min for the elises which are cheaper than buying from the specialists! If they are the right ones...Ill have them! thanks chaps darren

will do indeedy... I did mention to him that Im not the only person to need these pipes..so hopefully he would be able to keep a memory of what is needed for other people....and at an initial estimate of 50 to 60 quid for all three pipes....you can imagine how happy I was....but when I get a phone call to say they are ready I shall update you all!

Well as an update I went to see the chap in Balsall Common yesterday who didnt bat an eyelid when I showed him the pipes I wanted! So hopefully Ill have a shiney new set next week sometime...Ill advise of the cost and what theyre like...hopefully a far cheaper source than the specialists!

Well, the rack is fine... Im trying to source a new high pressure feed metal pipe, the one that runs under the car, and a new return pipe, the short one that goes from the rack, up and over the coolant hoses and onto a flexi hose... darren

Evenin all.... on my quest for power steering pipes.. I was under the impression that the rack was Saab based..however this evening Ive had an email from western power steering stating that the rack is based on a ford sierra....spanner in the works? Any thoughts chaps? darren