Web Analytics Made Easy - Statcounter
mike_sekinger's Content - The Lotus Forums - Official Lotus Community Partner Jump to content
Lotus Merchandise & Parts Sale ×


mike_sekinger

Basic Account
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    3,116

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    30

 Content Type 

Blog Comments posted by mike_sekinger

  1. mike_sekinger

    Posted

    Update: I´ve been travelling daily between Holland and Düsseldorf, which in practice means two 25Km slices of 150mph+ fun each day. The commute is only 80Kms each way, but with a good section of unrestricted Autobahn in the middle of the run.

    The car is behaving very well although it really gets through the fuel in a hurry at those speeds. I´m having to fill-up every three days !

    In an attempt to address the excessive noise, I fitted 200cpi cats, but removed them very soon afterwards as the power loss was noticeable and certainly unwelcome. I´m now running minus cats but with the Lotus federal centre-exit muffler. Seems a good compromise for now and on light throttle the car is reasonable quiet - still a howling banshee at WOT !

    Engine has done just over 8000miles, so 2nd oil change planned for the weekend.

    Cheers,
    Mike S

  2. mike_sekinger

    Posted

    Hi Pete,

    I stopped at 6500rpm - but clearly the engine had more to give. It was just a quick test, not a full-bore attempt at a top speed.

    It felt unsafe due to the sheer noise and vibration (the cf rear deck moves more than the stock one...). I was totally unprepared for the deafening sound of the engine/turbos at WOTand that combined with the road and wind noise was rather unnerving. The car didn´t feel floaty or as if it was going to take-off ;-)))

    I´ll be getting to drive that section of road routinely in the next weeks/months, so I´ll see if I can capture some images.

    Cheers,
    Mike S

  8. mike_sekinger

    Posted

    At last I got around to installing this gauge.

    Like most SPA gauges, it is highly configurable. I´ve got an alarm for the intercooler out temperature, if it goes over 75*C.
    Will be very interesting to see the performance of the coolers now.

    [img]http://img40.imagefra.me/i53k/sekinger/grq4_0e9_u6qlh.jpg[/img]
    [img]http://img37.imagefra.me/i53k/sekinger/grq4_deb_u6qlh.jpg[/img]

    With wideband AFR, EGT, boost, oil temp/pressure and finally the inlet temp that will be all for gauges......

    Cheers,
    Mike S

  10. mike_sekinger

    Posted

    Great stuff - the V8 is back up and running.

    Excellent to hear it running again for the first time since December.
    Exhaust installed
    [img]http://img40.imagefra.me/i53d/sekinger/grq4_6b5_u6qlh.jpg[/img]

    Boot floor and chargecooler gear
    [img]http://img37.imagefra.me/i53d/sekinger/grq4_20d_u6qlh.jpg[/img]

    Start-up !
    [img]http://img37.imagefra.me/i53d/sekinger/grq4_5f6_u6qlh.jpg[/img]
    [img]http://img37.imagefra.me/i53d/sekinger/grq4_126_u6qlh.jpg[/img]

    In some ways the very best news is that the clutch release load is not too bad on the revised clutch. It is certainly still feeling lighter than the S4s - so that really is a result. Hats off to the folks at AP ! :sorcerer:

    Cheers,
    Mike S

  11. mike_sekinger

    Posted

    Hi Christopher,

    The 4-cyl is pretty nice to work on, but the jobs weren´t too challenging. Wish I had known about the Torx bolts in the cam boxes [i]before[/i] starting the removal work :getmecoat:

    I have a huge respect for the likes of Sparky/Wookie who perform maintenance tasks with the engine in situ, by the side of the road. I´m not sure that I would have been having so much fun under those circumstance :unworthy:

    This weekend coming is going to be pretty exciting in the sense that both the S4s and the V8 are scheduled for their respective start-up and road tests. Hoping for a positive result there.

    How are you with your plans to pull and rebuild your engine?

    Cheers,
    Mike S

    PS: I´ve been watching the Twinkie/Butterfinger thread with some level of envy - loved bulk-buying those things from the 7-11 when in Orlando..... found them addictive :thumbup:

  12. mike_sekinger

    Posted

    The modified AP clutch arrived this morning :animier:
    [img]http://img40.imagefra.me/i538/sekinger/grq4_5d1_u6qlh.jpg[/img]

    Fresh flywheel degreased and ready for install
    [img]http://img37.imagefra.me/i538/sekinger/grq4_1a3_u6qlh.jpg[/img]

    Clutch pack installed
    [img]http://img40.imagefra.me/i538/sekinger/grq4_49f_u6qlh.jpg[/img]
    If you compare the position of the spring to the earlier installation, you can see how the Helix friction discs had taken the spring out to practically flat. :thumbdown:
    will report back on the release load/feel next week.

    Gearbox installed
    [img]http://img40.imagefra.me/i538/sekinger/grq4_b87_u6qlh.jpg[/img]

    I did manage to get the driveshafts installed and secured, but ran out of time for gear linkage etc.

    This coming weekend should see the re-animation of both the V8 and the S4s :thumbup:

    Cheers,
    Mike S

  13. mike_sekinger

    Posted

    What a day....... it was like Christmas this morning. I got my AP clutch back for the V8 and the main coolant pipe for the S4s.

    As I was flying back to Dusseldorf in the afternoon, I had a rushed morning on the cars.

    Out with the pipe with the damaged degas stub
    [img]http://img40.imagefra.me/i538/sekinger/grq4_0a9_u6qlh.jpg[/img]

    In with the new.....
    [img]http://img40.imagefra.me/i538/sekinger/grq4_123_u6qlh.jpg[/img]

    Compression union fitted due to seized PAS pipe fitting
    [img]http://img37.imagefra.me/i538/sekinger/grq4_053_u6qlh.jpg[/img]

    Everything is looking good for a start-up at the weekend :thumbsup:

    Cheers,
    Mike S

  15. mike_sekinger

    Posted

    I finally turned my attention back to the S300 project today and continued with the preparation for engine removal.

    Rear deck and rear wing removed to ease access
    [img]http://img40.imagefra.me/i536/sekinger/grq4_52e_u6qlh.jpg[/img]

    Exhaust system and hanger frame removed
    [img]http://img40.imagefra.me/i536/sekinger/grq4_18b_u6qlh.jpg[/img]

    All fluids drained.... fun jobs...
    [img]http://img40.imagefra.me/i536/sekinger/grq4_023_u6qlh.jpg[/img]
    Only 2L of gearoil.... the driveshaft seals have been leaking for a long time
    [img]http://img40.imagefra.me/i536/sekinger/grq4_63c_u6qlh.jpg[/img]

    Driveshafts released
    [img]http://img37.imagefra.me/i536/sekinger/grq4_3a0_u6qlh.jpg[/img]

    Final disconnections and engine lift hopefully next weekend.
    [img]http://img37.imagefra.me/i536/sekinger/grq4_857_u6qlh.jpg[/img]

    Cheers,
    Mike s

  16. mike_sekinger

    Posted

    My revised AP clutch is finally on it´s way back from AP.

    They were not happy with he resultant clamp load from the CRV spring alone, so have moved to a different pressure plate as well.

    Still yet to realise what real-world different in the release load, but after plotting the clutch looks capable of coping with 500+ lb/ft or torque.

    If it arrives by Monday, then I´ll have the V8 up and running again for the first time since late December :thumbsup:

    Cheers,
    Mike S

  17. mike_sekinger

    Posted

    Thanks Travis.

    I got some help from Sparky and connected up to that port at the weekend.

    Can´t start the car yet, as the main coolant pipe is leaking from a split in the de-gas port. It was repaired with ´chemical metal´, but it is not holding water. New pipe on the way.......

    @Freek: The chassis tube is protected by a simple wrap of high quality heat shield material. It is held in place by jubilee clips. It is very easy to remove and inspect the tube beneath.

    Cheers,
    Mike S

  18. mike_sekinger

    Posted

    Hi Dave,

    They have ordered a number (10-off I think) of the chrome vanadium cover springs from AP and can supply them. You can also get them directly from AP.

    AP can also supply the correct thickness driven plates in the Ford 1" spline.

    One thing to note (which is of some concern right now), is that the release load increases from 1400N to 2000N with the CRV spring. The slave cylinder actuator rod is actually made of plastic and I´m not sure if the additional stress will lead to fatigue of this part.

    Will keep you posted on findings !

    Cheers,
    Mike S

  19. mike_sekinger

    Posted

    Thank you Holger - a worthy comment.

    Engine plumbed in and ready for fluids
    [img]http://img37.imagefra.me/i52k/sekinger/grq4_8ea_u6qlh.jpg[/img]
    [img]http://img37.imagefra.me/i52k/sekinger/grq4_c04_u6qlh.jpg[/img]
    [img]http://img37.imagefra.me/i52k/sekinger/grq4_52d_u6qlh.jpg[/img]

    Gear change mechanism and exhaust hanger
    [img]http://img40.imagefra.me/i52k/sekinger/grq4_550_u6qlh.jpg[/img]
    [img]http://img37.imagefra.me/i52k/sekinger/grq4_299_u6qlh.jpg[/img]

    Now a question for the 4-cylinder gurus.
    The vaccuum pump has two ports - one smaller than the other. I only have one connection for the vaccuum pump - a small diameter flexible rubber one. The small diameter plastic hard-pipe for the heater is already tee´d off earlier in the hose run.
    What connects to the smaller diameter port on the vaccuum pump?
    [img]http://img40.imagefra.me/i52k/sekinger/grq4_c8a_u6qlh.jpg[/img]

    Fluids tomorrow !

    Cheers,
    Mike S

  20. mike_sekinger

    Posted

    Progress made on the S4s this last weekend.

    While the engine was out we tackled the usual suspects in addition to the exhaust manifold:

    Water pump was replaced with a fresh pump
    [img]http://img37.imagefra.me/i52e/sekinger/grq4_96a_u6qlh.jpg[/img]
    [img]http://img40.imagefra.me/i52e/sekinger/grq4_093_u6qlh.jpg[/img]

    Cam boxes resealed and cam oil seals replaced
    [img]http://img40.imagefra.me/i52e/sekinger/grq4_ebc_u6qlh.jpg[/img]
    [img]http://img37.imagefra.me/i52e/sekinger/grq4_458_u6qlh.jpg[/img]
    [img]http://img40.imagefra.me/i52e/sekinger/grq4_508_u6qlh.jpg[/img]
    [img]http://img40.imagefra.me/i52e/sekinger/grq4_ded_u6qlh.jpg[/img]
    [img]http://img37.imagefra.me/i52e/sekinger/grq4_377_u6qlh.jpg[/img]

    Moved to 104deg inlet timing for improved response
    [img]http://img37.imagefra.me/i52e/sekinger/grq4_d16_u6qlh.jpg[/img]
    [img]http://img37.imagefra.me/i52e/sekinger/grq4_870_u6qlh.jpg[/img]

    Rebuilt T3-60 trim turbo installed. Utilising a new bearing housing with metric threads for water - so deployed banjo fixings
    [img]http://img40.imagefra.me/i52e/sekinger/grq4_56b_u6qlh.jpg[/img]

    Engine was finally now ready for re-installation
    [img]http://img40.imagefra.me/i52e/sekinger/grq4_6a7_u6qlh.jpg[/img]
    [img]http://img40.imagefra.me/i52e/sekinger/grq4_80b_u6qlh.jpg[/img]

    Gearbox oil seals refreshed and driveshafts installed
    [img]http://img40.imagefra.me/i52e/sekinger/grq4_2d0_u6qlh.jpg[/img]
    [img]http://img37.imagefra.me/i52e/sekinger/grq4_4b0_u6qlh.jpg[/img]

    Chassis tube protected with heat wrap
    [img]http://img37.imagefra.me/i52e/sekinger/grq4_1bc_u6qlh.jpg[/img]

    Need at least another full day to complete the reconnection of the engine in the car...... but a good weekends work ! :thumbsup:

    Cheers,
    Mike S

  22. mike_sekinger

    Posted

    A day of frustration and annoyance.... the intention had been to install the turbo and prepare the engine for re-installed in the car.

    The turbo was unpacked but when giving a cursory inspection and check on the shaft play, I found that there was way too much - almost 0.50mm play. There is an audible clonk as the impellor makes contact with the compressor housing...... not impressed. The turbo has gone back again to be rebuilt properly. :wallbash:

    [img]http://img40.imagefra.me/i524/sekinger/grq4_3d8_u6qlh.jpg[/img]
    [img]http://img40.imagefra.me/i524/sekinger/grq4_911_u6qlh.jpg[/img]

    In the absense of being able to install the turbo, I overhauled the chargecooler pump.

    Undo from the oil pump housing and withdraw
    [img]http://img37.imagefra.me/i524/sekinger/grq4_7ad_u6qlh.jpg[/img]
    [img]http://img37.imagefra.me/i524/sekinger/grq4_053_u6qlh.jpg[/img]

    Remove the pump cover and found a couple of the impellor fins missing
    [img]http://img40.imagefra.me/i524/sekinger/grq4_659_u6qlh.jpg[/img]
    [img]http://img37.imagefra.me/i524/sekinger/grq4_f01_u6qlh.jpg[/img]

    Rebuilt and installed
    [img]http://img40.imagefra.me/i524/sekinger/grq4_696_u6qlh.jpg[/img]
    [img]http://img37.imagefra.me/i524/sekinger/grq4_318_u6qlh.jpg[/img]

    Hopefully, there will be more progress next weekend.

    Cheers,
    Mike S

  25. mike_sekinger

    Posted

    Final update for this week.... it was very cold in the workshop so not as much progress as I would have liked..... :wallbash:

    Exhaust manifold nuts and locking plates
    [img]http://img40.imagefra.me/i51u/sekinger/grq4_11b_u6qlh.jpg[/img]

    New gearbox mounts
    [img]http://img37.imagefra.me/i51u/sekinger/grq4_057_u6qlh.jpg[/img]

    New engine mounts - blue dot on RH side, pink on LH side
    [img]http://img40.imagefra.me/i51u/sekinger/grq4_1ba_u6qlh.jpg[/img]

    Fresh LH fuel tank installed and plumbed
    [img]http://img37.imagefra.me/i51u/sekinger/grq4_cc0_u6qlh.jpg[/img]
    [img]http://img37.imagefra.me/i51u/sekinger/grq4_995_u6qlh.jpg[/img]
    [img]http://img40.imagefra.me/i51u/sekinger/grq4_815_u6qlh.jpg[/img]

    Hopefully, the turbo will be back for next weekend, so I can finally get the engine ready for re-installation.

    Cheers,
    Mike S

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, serve personalized ads or content, and analyze our traffic. By clicking " I Accept ", you consent to our use of cookies. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.