S2!

[Lotusfab]

On 06/09/2024 at 22:33, JonSE said:

New meaty dash mask arrived fresh from the 3D printer, Impossible Creations LTD. Looks great quality and a vast improvement over the thin dash mask (mine was long gone sadly….)

Looking forward to getting the binnacle sorted.

Might try them for some of the side capping trims and also the plug socket for the Lucas switches down the line….

What did they charge to scan and recreate the part? I need the wing mirror trims. Thanks.

[JonSE]

Dropped you a line @Lotusfab 

I actually sourced it via a thread on here as it stuck in my mind a few years ago.

They had the plan ready to go so order to delivery was just under 2 weeks, drop them a line and see what they say.

I might get a mirror housing from them and some of the side trims etc. based on what I need.

[JonSE]

Had a visit to a fellow forum members lovely garage to view a car close up and get some hints and tips.

Very grateful to be able to pick up some parts from him that were no longer required by him but very useful to myself, so much appreciated!!

This included the side mask below (not my image but identical)…

Dropped by LotusBits to get a few more bits and pieces and again was lucky to be given a missing door mount after Mike rummaged around in the warehouse where I believe he also keeps the lost ark of the covenant (ie - the warehouse is BIG!)

Lots of miscellany in there that I’m sure will come in useful down the line….

[JonSE]

I’ve chatted with a few folks on here around the options on the exhaust manifold.

Mine was the cast iron one but was shot to bits and badly repaired. 

From memory, my chassis had been cut around the engine mount 😮 to allow what I expect was replacement in the dim and distant past.

That has now been fixed.

As far as I can tell, my options are replace with iron (not preferred) or go via SJ or LotusBits for full stainless.

There are huge differences in price, what is the consensus on the best bang per buck for stainless?

If the manifold is more free flowing to allow greater BHP is there any issue of then having insufficient back pressure to allow the engine to run properly etc (this was a warning I once had from a specialist on another car a good few years ago).

Any experience on what to go for / avoid?

While the car is apart I can’t go to a custom place so I’m dependent on a pattern part really, and ideally one that’s proven so I don’t have to start to manipulate the completed chassis when it’s back…

At around £1K I want to think this one over and get as much advice as possible!

 

[peteyg]

I too am thinking about manifolds. I've had the SJ tubular system for nearly 20 years. At the time the originals were no longer available. It sounds good, no problem with back pressure and only a minor modification to the removable chassis brace to make it fit (they sell the ready modified part too). Mine is worn out a leaky now so not sure whether to go back to original or stick with the same setup.

[Fridge]

Though not in any way in @peteygleague of miles or years, I've done about 5,000+ miles on the SJ Sportscars stainless steel exhaust. The car was tuned and it runs and accelerates great, without the midrange hesitation that plagues some Esprits.

Insufficient back pressure etc is overthinking IMO.

I would consider fitting a cast manifold a retrograde step, unless absolute adherence to originality is preferred. I have had similar upgrades to my Audi daily and I've not looked back. Though custom made, that has provided very noticeable umpf in the low down range.

At £1,300 including VAT I would say SJ Sportcars complete system is worth the outlay.

[skiing]

I have the Lotusbits one - is is complex and very hard to get on and off but it does sound good and free up extra power - I have done about 20k miles with it now. I have re-packed the silencer once. 

[Sparky]

Yeah, but train for 18 months with a Rubik's Cube first.  That fit is the stuff of nightmares.

[skiing]

I remain eternally grateful..... I still owe you gin.

[JonSE]

Thanks for the above, hoping to fit it while the body is well and truly off the car so hopefully that will help.

I’ve drawn a bit of a blank sourcing the air filter box / enclosure. I see SJ have the back part that surrounds the carbs, anyone used this part?

I’d like to stick to S2 type ideally as I may in the future re-open the O/S vent that’s been sealed over to ram air into the carb intakes. Anyone happen to have an old air box for sale? 

[JonSE]

Also looking for this mask as I can’t pin the part number. Mine has been hacked so I could get it repaired (switch apertures were butchered to allow larger switches to be let in) but it might be cheaper to just replace if I can find one.

One I have is non-air con.

Is the font on there known to anyone?

If mine is repaired, I’d like to reapply the graphics. The sliders also mount to protrusions on the rear, not sure how easy this would be to replicate. Recall the sliders that drive the Bowden cables felt really stiff….

Think I’m just going to refurb the original air mixing box / heater to save having to engineer a cradle for a replacement. Won’t fully strip it, just open up one side to extract the rad for refurb / replace all the foam etc. 

[Fridge]

Font is Eurostile

[drdoom]

9 hours ago, JonSE said:

Thanks for the above, hoping to fit it while the body is well and truly off the car so hopefully that will help.

I’ve drawn a bit of a blank sourcing the air filter box / enclosure. I see SJ have the back part that surrounds the carbs, anyone used this part?

I’d like to stick to S2 type ideally as I may in the future re-open the O/S vent that’s been sealed over to ram air into the carb intakes. Anyone happen to have an old air box for sale? 

Have an airbox back plate on order with SJ, months of lead time required for production apparently.