Esprit V8 project

[Rob]

looking good mike!

runs pretty low at the front? i'm guessing that's fifth gear dicking around with the suspension to get it more aero efficient..?

[Simon350S]

Looking ace mate, well done

[WEllison]

Nicely done Mike!

Wayne

[mike_sekinger]

Thanks for all the kind words of encouragement.

The car is lowered and I´m currently thinking about what best to do with the front and the back. Maybe a small splitter and rear undertray?... we´ll see what clearance there is on the road.

Today was number plate and rear deck day. Took a while to fit the rear deck, as the brackets had been fitted the wrong way round

In the end it is looking pretty good

I still have quite a few jobs to do before the car is truly road worthy. The front end air capture stuff all needs fitting up and the oil cooler ducting....... but we are definately getting closer

Cheers,

Mike S

[matk]

I am so looking forward to seeing her in the flesh. Looks brill!

You might even take me for a passenger ride? (Assuming I can get my arse into the roll cage!!)

[mike_sekinger]

Hey Mat,

The doors are always open for you !

When you get yourself out this way, she (and we) will be here.

I need to put some miles on the engine before the next stage of development, so maybe I come see you for a change?

Cheers,

Mike S

[matk]

You're more than welcome, any time. If you fancy it drop me a PM for address details and I'll send across. You could even have a go on some drums!

[red vtec]

Mike, Great work

When shall I send mine over so you can sort it all out? You need to get your hands on a 4 pot.

Out of interest Do you have to have an MOT in France?

Chris

[matk]

Chris I can answer that one.

Yes, it is called a Control Technique, but it lasts two years not one. Also if you fail you can carry on driving for up to two months before having to retest. At the retest they only check the things you failed on first time, i.e. not a full retest.

[red vtec]

I need to move to France!

[mike_sekinger]

Hi Mat,

I´ll keep you posted on any planned visits !

Okay - last images for a while.

Decided against anything else at the front - just fitted the fog grilles and front floors

Secured the rear deck - it really needs an undertray, but that can wait

I´ll give some more info after the first really long drive.

The next personal project car will arrive soon, in the form of a nice Azure blue S4s. Really looking forward to getting my mitts on a late 4-cylinder.

Cheers,

Mike S

[Quicker]

Great project Mike - thnak you for sharing all the pics.

On the latches - I have used those same ones, but now use these - Aerocatch - http://www.aerocatch.com/

much 'cleaner' IMHO....

Edited August 27, 2010 by Quikr

[bzguy]

as in the movies : "It's alive, it is ALIVE"

Great job Mike !

[silverfrost]

Mike,

The end result looks brilliant mate, glad to see another one of your projects have come out again in top form, really like the look of the car lowered with the mags, Cant wait to see what you do with the next four pot project chap, Excellent work and its been a great plesure reading your well documented and photographed project thread, As always top job

Regards danny

[mike_sekinger]

Thanks Danny - appreciate your comment.

There is more to come once the engine is run-in and we can start with the real engine tuning. I´m going to be looking for upwards of 500bhp on the dyno, so it should make for an interesting update.

The S4s will be much more of a standard project. The car needs some tlc, but it is a nice example, and I would like to make it shine again.

Cheers,

Mike S

[Iconic Ride]

An amazing tour de force, Mike. Thank you for once more sharing your efforts with your vicarious followers. Looking forward to the finished product, which appears to be well underway.

Cheers!

John

[Exploded]

Great job you have done so far Mike! It's a fantastic looking car!

If you want to do some run-in mileage on your car, don’t forget you are also always welcome at our place in Belgium. Walter has most of the tools available, should you need to make adjustments. There are also some Esprit owners around, who‘d like to meet you and your car as well. So if you are tired of drinking bad beers and you want some genuine good Belgian Beer, just remember, you’re always welcome!

[mike_sekinger]

Thanks Gert.

The next long trip will be to use the V8 to get me to work in Düsseldorf. This will take me in your direction, so maybe on my return I could drop by.

I´ll let you and Walter know the dates with the hope that you can make it.

Cheers,

Mike S

[Exploded]

I don't want to be pessimistic, but you are e real dare devil... Driving an Esprit V8 with a new engine... covering such a big distance... I hope that You can make it

Anyway we are expecting you! Would be great to see you again.

Edited August 31, 2010 by Exploded

[mike_sekinger]

Haahahahhahahaaa..

I´ll be taking a number of shorter trips before-hand, but a nice long trip is an ideal way to get rings bedded in and everything running smoothly.

Depending on the timing, I may install the chargecooling stuff before-hand. I´m just waiting on a few bits of welding and will be in good shape.

It would be nice to be able to prove that set-up as well and gather some data on the performance of the system prior to tuning.

Let´s see how it works out.

Cheers,

Mike S

[bosbon_be]

Let us know when you're at Gert's place; It's a short trip for us to meet you there.

Bosbon_be & BZGUY

[bzguy]

yup indeed

[mike_sekinger]

A short update on the project.

Fitted an oil catch tank

Fitted the slotted rear valance

In the foreground, is my latest aquisition - a gorgeous low-mileage S4s that needs to tlc and a few jobs. Drove it down from Surrey yesterday after Watford Exotics performed a much needed belt-service and checkover (many thanks to Sparky)

I´ve been continuing to put more miles on the engine, but it hasn´t been to Germany yet.

Cheers,

Mike S

[Iconic Ride]

Very striking, Mike. "Keeper" or for later resale?

Oh, and I think I've figured out where the catch tank is, but a little more elaboration wouldn't hurt. Thanks.

[mike_sekinger]

Hi John,

The catch tank is simply a vessel in which to vent off the crankcase fumes. The standard car recirculates the oil vapour into the intake, which is not great for performance. More of a concern a very high engine speeds where the the crankcase will have higher volumes of oil in the air.

The S4s is a keeper - I´ve always hankered after a late 4-cylinder car and when it is boosting, it is a very swift motor.

I´ve got a few minor enhancements, but plan to keep the car pretty much stock.

I can´t get flights for early Monday, so the V8 is definately heading to Düsseldorf tomorrow. Went out for a spirited drive this afternoon and it is boosting nicely......... only downpoint, is that one of the rear dampers is starting to leak. That is pretty crappy for a damper that has done less than 2000 miles since new; Not a great advertisment for Gaz.....

An investment in some new Lotus springs and dampers is on the cards for November.

Cheers,

Mike S