JPS Project

[Djs44]

23 minutes ago, Fridge said:

Great timing. Something to work on during the autumn and winter months.

I wish I’d had it sooner … race car gone and been at a bit of a loose end . 

[Djs44]

Chassis back home . Just need the rest of the bits and I can start bolting things on . This needs to happen soon as I've started looking at new hill climb cars ....

 

Must say , the chassis is looking very nice 

[Djs44]

Went to see @changes on Saturday - a couple of pics of where he's got to . I really admire both his attention to detail and also his complete dedication to doing the best job possible. Quality takes time. 

 

I also collected all the front suspension components - unfortunately I forgot to get a few bolts plated so I can't start the build yet - also took the front hubs to get them cleaned up. 

The gearbox has been stripped down and the casings vapour blasted - this revealed a slight problem with the top - see pics , which is cracked. 

Gearbox was generally very good but needs a new input shaft and output bearings. 

Should have the engine and gearbox back in 3 weeks so I can start to rebuild the rear end. 

 

 

[LOTUSMAN33]

Looking good, it should be easy enough to get that ground out and tig welded. 👍🏻

 

[Djs44]

1 hour ago, LOTUSMAN33 said:

Looking good, it should be easy enough to get that ground out and tig welded. 👍🏻

 

Mike has some spares , so we will swap it I think . 

[Djs44]

Advice please .

Is there a certain sequence to assembling the front suspension ? It looks like if I just have the dampers and lower wishbones in place ( i.e. no upright/top wishbone etc ) the lower wishbone will be in contact with the chassis . The springs ( 2.5inch) are a bugger to compress .

 

Also what is this part ?

Thanks in advance. 

[drdoom]

The springs must be held securely in a compressed state for assembly. Are the dampers' lower ends bolted through the lower of the 2 sets of holes in the TCA's? Often they are assembled in error with bolt through the uppers.

Cheers

[Djs44]

Thanks Dr Doom . I am using the lower holes.

I need some more washers etc before I can proceed.

Got some new spring compressors coming for the smaller springs . 

 

[drdoom]

In a rush earlier, I should have added that the S1/S2 front suspension droop is remarkable in that the A-R bar and steering tie rod come into contact ( or utterly near ) at full extension of the damper. Does not seem to be of consequence in use, however.

Cheers

[Djs44]

Quick visit to @changes for a body update. Looking lovely . 

[Djs44]

Body really coming on .

Can't finish the front suspension until I sort out the dished washers ( which are unobtainable) for the top wishbones . Engine still not been on the dyno but gearbox and rear suspension bits are all ready. IMG_2966.heic

IMG_2967.heic IMG_2967.heic

[Djs44]

Don’t know why those pics didn’t upload properly 

[Freemason]

I have the same problem with my new iPhone that has HEIC instead of Jpeg as the default format. Superior format apparently but not compatible with a lot of websites.

[ChrisJ]

I've converted the image to JPG:

[ChrisJ]

Can I donate the thumbs up to @Djs44 ?

[Djs44]

Body is getting serious - paint straight out of the gun before further work 

[Djs44]

Little progress from me on the Esprit . Lull before the storm I hope . 

I need to get the chassis rolling by the end of the month ( engine etc all in ) so that @changes can have it and fit the body . 

The engine is still waiting to go on the dyno , everything else is pending that happening ... 

In the meantime , I've swapped my silver Elise for this beauty 

 

Same colour as the one I bought new from the factory in 1999 ( this has a 135 dealer fitted head ) 

And this is now waiting an engine . Mmmm lots of waiting ...

 

[Djs44]

Front suspension mainly all bolted and torqued up ( as far as you can go without the body on etc ). Washers for top wishbones came from ATZ ( thanks for the link ) 

[Djs44]

😍Engine  on the dyno 

[drdoom]

. . . . with just the sort of exhaust we're all after!

[Djs44]

Not sure that will fit !!

[Djs44]

Lovely day for a 100 mile trip to Lotusbits to see the engine on the dyno . The Elise has the factory 135 upgrade ( fitted at dealers post production ) and I must say those extra 17 bhp over standard transform the car . First drive , love it . 

[Djs44]

Mike showed me the engine running and the dramatic effects of the mapped ignition ( still running the carbs ) . The ability to dial in the advance you want at any throttle opening and revs made a very big difference to the torque figures when compared to the standard dizzy . Bit more running in then some power/torque runs soon . 

I've now got the front suspension etc buttoned up and have fitted the wheels . I had ideas about picking the rear of the chassis up and running the car round the block making engine noises ... I didn't  (yet ) 

 

Also now have 2 off alloy tanks 

Brakes looking good 

[Djs44]

It would appear that Dr Who must have picked up Michelangelo  just after he'd painted the Sistine Chapel and transported him in the Tardis to Wolverhampton, 2022 , where he now puts his skills to good use painting Esprits....

 

Blown away ..... 

 

 

Now Dr Who needs to take the Tardis back to the end of February  and collect the engine - that's when it was promised - as I still don't have it ....

[LOTUSMAN33]

Wow, that is stunning work and will look epic when finished. 😍