TBD

Tuesday at 08:31

Meanwhile, back to the bigger things. I still haven't gotton to the subject of the charge cooler. This was originally to be done by Komotec as part of their work, but obviously fell apart when we had to move to Ramspott/Brandt.

I don't want to sacrifice the luggage space and was really hoping the Pro-Alloy group buy would go through. So, I've been looking through the web for inspiration and aside from the custom intercoolers that Tom Hartje built this solution on LT is so far the best I could find : https://www.lotustalk.com/threads/v8-air-water-intercooler.129177/#post-1900409 . It needs some work to improve the looks and I would use thinner, more appropriate hoses. I was able to source the intercoolers themselves.

I don't like the myriad of ducts and adapters he used, so I've been playing around with 3D modelling, finally coming up with this conceptional design. The actual ducts can be 3d printed in aluminium and then welded to the intercoolers. Note that I've already included the fittings for the idle air tube and intake temperature sensor, as well as the blow-off valves. Painting the intercoolers in red is just an idea right now.

Now to wait for the next winter to get to the project (enjoying the car right now).

May 14

Misha has put the Komotec Emira through the wet on the Nürburgring

Starting to like the car now that it has proper power.

May 14

Another small project. Completing my collection of folding Lotus keys.

April 23

BTW, Hugues, who is organizing this would really like to get 50 Esprit together for the 50th anniversary of the Esprit next year.

So we will need a much larger participation from accross the channel and this year may be a great chance to test the waters.

We also won't be far from the Bordeaux region and trunk space in the Esprit is big enough for a couple of bottles.

April 9

Some inspiration from my playlist:

March 14

18 hours ago, Chillidoggy said:

I strongly suspect that some dashboard dismantling will be required to access it.

I did some deep diving under the dashboard yesterday, but could not trace the wires (all I got was a back ache). I did see the ground strap, but couldn't figure out how to gain access without dismantling everything. Obviously our older cars have had a life and every owner has probably made some modifications or repairs, so I did see a couple of strange wired and a "flying" fuse holder that shouldn't be down there.

I finally decided to chicken out and install a new ground wire to the scuttle beam. I'm assuming the original ground wire was inadvertently cut sometime, and went for the easier repair since everything else seems to be OK.

March 12

So I found this

Yes bad earth can give you issues such as that. because you are not getting a full circuit and can lead to reduced spark in the cylinder. Very similar to running a car on when the alternator has died. I have the manual for the 93 and up and I doubt that they changed them much. I can later in the evening here place that page up for you if no one else has if that helps you any.

But how to access those earthing points?

March 12

So I have a apparent ground issue (why wouldn't a Lotus have ground issues?).

It seems the ground signal wire for the instruments is open, which leads to wrong readings for water temperature and boost (the low impedance sensors). I'm reading ~50 ohms between the ground wire and chassis (which would be expected if the wire is grounding through all the instruments).

I have the service notes, but I can't find the front ground point. All the service notes say is "on the left front scuttle beam". But I can't find it and don't know how to access that area.

Any tips? Anyone have some photos?

March 6

17 hours ago, Thartje said:

How long is it taking to start?

Its a return style fuel system so if the pump is running the fuel should be at the injectors unless there is a leak. Which could be inside the fuel tank - the rubber lines in there fail over time.

Could test this buy letting it sit for a while - the length of time it would usually take to start poorly - then before trying to turn it over just switch the ignition to prime the fuel pump several times. If it starts with less of an issue it could be worth checking out the fuel tank hoses... the might have a pinhole.

Checked that already. The pump primes for 3-4 seconds, so fuel pressure is there.

On 05/03/2024 at 01:41, Steve V8 said:

There has been much debate regarding earthing issues battery condition etc causing poor starting issues.

But one thing we often forget, is the time it takes for the ECM to read the new information coming from the various sensors, and allow it time to adjust the associated pumps and valves accordingly for optimum starting.

That has been my thought also, implying that its a feature, not a bug.

March 4

One of the remaining niggles on my Esprit V8 is that the engine is slow to start. It takes a considerable number of crank cycles before the engine comes on, particularly when she has been sitting for a while. After she starts everything is running as it should.

Ramspott & Brandt noted it when I picked up the car, but blamed it as potentially being related to the injectors from RC Injection. Others have said its a feature, not a bug saying Lotus does this intentionally to ensure proper oil flow before start, I have met other V8 owners with the same issue.

The fuel pump does prime properly as it should. But, it seems to me that no fuel is being injected until several crank cycles are completed.

So, is it a (annoying) Lotus feature or where should I start to look?

March 2

Can't imagine why I forgot @Steve V8, thanks to whom I was able to replace the floor mats and trunk carpets.

Again many thanks!

March 1

So we are 6 months and about 5.000 Kms in from when I picked up the car last year. It's been quite a busy period.

When I picked the Esprit up at Ramspott & Brandt the last things he told me were that he had noticed a gasoline smell when he opened the window while driving. He suggested to replace the vinyl venting hoses.

So we drove the car with windows closed on vacation and while bringing the car home to the Provence. Back home I started looking at those hoses. I found one that was cut in the middle, so I replaced it. That resolved the rough idle, but not the smell of gasoline. Then the hose on the fuel filter fell off, so after tightening that I thought I was done. Wrong, it took me a few more weeks before I finally found a wet spot under the l/h fuel reservoir. The reservoir was rusted through, slowly leaking fuel onto that miserable foam, from where it was evaporating. Fortunately I have a good garage not too far and after 3 weeks both tanks were replaced (of course the first ones sent ere the wrong ones). Finally, problem solved.

During vacation the clutch pedal stopped working one morning. We were able to refill the reservoir and that was resolved. But there was still a small leak, I needed to refill the reservoir every couple of weeks. Following popular advice we replaced the slave cylinder, only to then realise the master cylinder was leaking. Replaced that and I now have a completely new clutch pedal.

The dreaded EML came on 4 weeks ago. The codes said O2-Sensor failure, but I could see the sensors working when the engine was hot. Also, the engine was stalling when cold. It seemed logical that there was a problem with the O2 sensor heating circuit. We started troubleshooting, but remembered that Ramspott &Brandt had noted the same issue, so I called them. Turned out that my replacement engine has a newer engine harness than the car, with a change in the O2 sensor heater wiring. So, Ramspott & Brandt had installed an additional wire and flying fuse. Replaced the fuse and that was resolved. The idle issue was coming from a vacuum leak under the plenum, which had been removed when replacing the fuel reservoirs.

Made a note to myself to document all changes or mods made to any circuits.

I found the headrests on the Esprit very uncomfortable when driving. Turning them around resolved that but left an ugly gap. A carbon covered 3d printed insert resolved that. I had thought about redoing at least parts of the leather interior, but some intense leather care and restoration have made that unnecessary.

What else: replaced the water temperature guage and sender (Ramspott &Brandt had bent the water temperature guage as it was off) and the oil pressure sender (also not working) and converted the front fog lights to LED Daylight Running Lights. Finally I installed a Keyless Entry Module to please SWMBO.

And I replaced the rear wing tips that I had custom designed. They didn't match the body lines as the wing was originally planned to be a bit wider. Redesigned them, giving them a better angle.

Meanwhile it took 4 months to complete registration here in France. Who was to know that Lotus Cars didn't issue a European COC before 1997, where it should have been mandatory from 1996. Thanks to Andy Graham at Lotus for resolving that.

Only thing I haven't gotten to is the intercooler. I have been looking at various solutions and seem to have found a workable solution, but it won't be before next winter that I find the time.

Right now I hope to enjoy the Esprit over the season. We have some nice trips planned.

February 11

On 10/02/2024 at 13:16, pete said:

I know he is banned on here but see Ronins crashed Elise has been rebuilt and is now for sale

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/ant/cto/d/lancaster-lotus-11-worlds-fastest-lotus/7714537552.html

https://www.speedhunters.com/2024/02/throwback-thursday-whatever-happened-to-the-ronin-rs211-lotus/

So glad it was rebuilt. I'm sure it remains one of the most spectacular on-offs of an Elise that we will ever see. Though I expect that it would be a real challenge to handle on any real race track, probably rendering it slower than one would think.

January 4

I have the EX460 on my Exige 350 based model. Over 50.000 kms and not a single engine issue (I did break the differential once, but that is another story).

The EX475/EX495 are just the adaptation for the later, larger supercharger. They are basically the same kits. Daniel has been very reluctant to go above 500 HP because of the gearbox, which is the weakest link (see my differential). Above 500 you'll generally need either a sequential gearbox, or the dual clutch from Komotec or JUBU.

December 21, 2023

2 hours ago, pete said:

wished i hadnt looked up unguents🤒

I think that is a fitting association and shows that the Egyptians already knew how healing a Lotus can be.

November 14, 2023

I was just thinking the other day that Geely has actually already delivered on Danny's promise of 5 new cars. As per now we got:

The Evija supercar
The Emira
The Eletre
The Emeya
and the Type 66

And at least 2 more are already promissed.

Who would have thought...

November 8, 2023

On 05/10/2023 at 22:44, Around_The_World said:

Very happy with these carbon seats now fitted to GT3!

Retrim and fitting done at Allon White Sports Cars who were excellent to deal with and did a great job. Love the results.

I’ve just listed the old v8 seats for sale on lotusforsale, I don’t really know what they are worth but if anyone is interested please get in touch want them to find a good home.

These look great. Which seats are these (and where did you get them)? I haven't seen them before.

October 6, 2023

This is how Stelvio should be driven!

September 28, 2023

On 25/09/2023 at 18:32, mike_sekinger said:

Get it on a dyno 🙂

Need the get the charge cooler first!

It's a bit of a challenge as Daniel doesn't have time and I haven't yet found anyone else to hepl me.

September 25, 2023

The initial shakedown became quit a wonderfull trip. After picking the car up at Ramspott Brandt on Agust 21, in the following wo weeks I completed the round as noted above. Note that along the way we created the new

Thom Player Special Team Lotus

From there I headed sowuth-west to the Champagne, my wife joining me there. 5 days sipping Champagne, 3 days Chablis and one day in Beaune later we joined the Club Lotus France Esprit d'Aventure, collecting 25 different Esprit for 3 days of driving and talking. The Esprit 450 TPS was the star of the meet.

All in all we completed 3.500 km by the time we got home a week ago. Aside of a small clutch leack (which left us stranded one morning) the car performed excellently. Nonetheless there is still a long list of niggles to fix in the next weeks.

August 31, 2023

I found this "gem" in the Service manual:

Fuel Filler Flaps
Note that on V8 models prior to VIN T 5105, pressing either end of the fuel filler flap switch (located in the tunnel top tray) will open both filler flaps. After this changepoint, each flap will be released only when that side
of the switch is pressed.

Seems a useless inconvenience and mine is obviously before thatVIN. Does anyone know what was changed afterwards? I can't find anything in the wiring or parts diagrams.

August 29, 2023

We've made it!

still some small niggles to sort, but right now nothing to keep us from celebrating the project completion.

August 24, 2023

She is on the road (at last).

Picked her up on Monday at Ramspott & Brandt for her first drive. They did a great job fixing the basics and an even better job with the gearbox and turbos. Thanks to the ECU race chip and all she is now making around 450 HP.

A bit of fiddling by Komotec with the ride height and some geo setting yesterday and the new wheels are no longer scraping.

Interior was detailed today, looking as god as new. Incredible how much dirt can hide in leather and carpets. Adding lightness by cleaning.

Next up is rejoining the wing club, i.e. fitting the custom high wing. Thne up to the foiler for the design and PPF.

July 24, 2023

On 12/07/2023 at 19:18, Chillidoggy said:

So do I.

But, given their track record (no pun intended), I can’t help thinking that they would be better to concentrate on what they do best, the Seven. Remember the 21? They only sold a few, and dropped it. And at a whopping £80K, there’s some stiff competition out there.

Have we read anywhere that Caterham has recently received any major inestments or been bought by somebody with the money to fund such a car? I'm sure it will take a few hundred million pounds to develop and build the assembly line, considering they won't be able to build this in the same shed as the Seven.

July 10, 2023

I know this was posted somewhere ese, but maybe it warrants its own thread.

The renowned museum of Lotus and Jim Clark miniatures Lotus Museum (Little) in the South of France is up for sale. My good friend and nearby neighbour, Marc is selling the complete inventory as he is downscaling his life in retirement.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/845127388984842/permalink/2526525144178383/

It's a unique collection of cars and memorabilia that should not go lost.

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