mike_sekinger

My first Esprit test drive was in a silk red V8..... I`d love this.

For reference and comparison, I`ve had two cf rear decks: - one based on the later S4s/V8 design with twin oval vents (weighted approx. 7Kg - ex-GT1 version (weighs just over 3Kg) As Jaques experienced already, there is a big trade of between overall weight and rigidity. It will be very interesting to see how it works out in the end.

Personally, I jack under the rear chassis hoop and install axle stands quite well forward on the chassis tubes. Then I jack each side at the front and put axle stands on the chassis adjacent to the lower wishbone pivot points. There is a guide on LEW. Esprit Jacking Points (lotusespritworld.com)

The CNC uprights designed by Aira Technology were based on the V8 part but also have provision for the earlier VSS, making them 100% compatible with the SE. The later OEM V8 uprights have that mounting position blocked.

It sounds as though your are best to combine your job lists and take off the top end. It is safer to arrest the cams for sure. Regarding the belt frequency, there was a great android phone app (Tune!It) that can be used together with a decent external low freq. microphone. I did a back-to-back comparison with a Clavis and the app was within 1db. Tune!It – Apps on Google Play

So it was engine oil not PAS fluid. A real pain the backside to have to disturb the timing belts. The seals are pushed into place with the cams and caps installed. Reference pictures are from an engine build, but you do not need to remove the cam covers as the timing pins are installed using the front cam cover bolt holes.

You`re going to have a lot of fun with that one 🙂

The batch of 5 pairs for JAE are finished and being sent off for anodising. Next month, Aira will commence with the individual customer pairs.

Just a short update: Andrä eventually decided to order double the minimum quantity of these rod bolts, so there will be a further 6 engine sets available if others are interested.

Finally warm enough to get out in the workshop and crack-on. Driveshafts outer cv and rear brakes installed. Handbrake held the rear brakes for torquing the nut to 270Nm. The inner cv`s will wait until the clutch throwout is set-up, as it easier to feel the clutch releasing without the drag of the new brakes.

The first batch of 5 pairs are still in progress, but as you can see Aira are well over halfway to competing these ready for anodising. Hoping that there are no further outages of downtimes next week.

Sounds like a plausible explanation. Both pumps should operate on cranking after which the secondary shuts off until triggered by the ECU for higher engine loads. The primary should be running continuously while the engine is turning. The lower pump is the primary

I do not understand your argument. The material was purchased middle of last year. The manufacturing is a multi-stage process which is being performed in batches. You cannot just add another pair into the process at this stage. I had heard about the concerns of several specialist regarding the re-manufactured items. Just throwing it out there as an option. Let`s hope that you can get your upright welded/repaired. That would of course be cheapest and most immediate option. Good luck

Patrick, That was a preliminary quote and very early in the project. This was prior to the discovery that the design needed to be re-worked for strength enhancement and dimensional corrections. We also moved to a stronger alloy. Aira Technology stepped-up to perform that work.

Aira have not finished producing and delivering the first batch of 10 pairs, hence the uncertainty around dates. My pair were supplied in order to confirm form and fit. 5 pairs were for JAE and the remaining sets were all taken. He`s pointing you at JAE simply as they will have a potential stock, although I do not know if Joe has already allocated those pairs. You should reach out to PNM to see if they have any stock of the cast re-manufactured uprights from Alan Voigts or Alan directly. Custom Gearbox Conversions (alanvoigtsgearboxes.co.uk)

But as a pair.... not a single upright.

The old ones are sold.

Extremely happy. These were 1125€ each. I do not have a current price as it depends a lot on the price of 6082-T6 billet. These are produced by Aira Technology in the UK. Please reach out to Alex for more information: alex.adamou@airatechnology.com

Yes. There was a project to create stronger CNC rear uprights. I have installed those.

Thanks Chris. We are already there 🙂 100pcs is 6 engine sets. Andrä wanted 2 and the other 4 are covered.

Hi Chris, If these were offered by the Lotus specialist, then the price would not be low. These are being offered pretty much at cost in order to meet the min. order quantities demanded by the supplier. It is not a commercial activity. Cheers, Mike S

They are about half the price of the OEM replacement bolts - 35€ per piece, so 560€ for the engine set.

All engine sets of the 42CrMo4 rod bolts are covered from the 100pcs order. If there is sufficient interest, further batches could be organised.

You can check the guage with a calibrated pressure input (e.g medical hand-pump). If the gauge responds, then you can assume the sender.

Testing the water - High quality replacement rod bolts for the 918 V8 engine. In answer to the frustration of not being able to order sensibly-priced replacement rod bolts, Andrä has been working with a German company to source replacement bolts with the correct thread in 42CrMo4 tempered steel. These bolts will be stronger than the stock bolts and approx. half the price of the stock items. Min. order quatity is 100 pcs. Is there any interest out there?