Esprit V8 project

[mike_sekinger]

Hi Gert,

Yes - you know this one well

Walters engine has a very nice spec. with the potential for a much higher power output. At the end of the day, the power level is based around operating boost and the ability to control the inlet temperature. We´re hoping that the water/methanol injection will be efficient in doing this and that Walter can run elevated boost and enjoy a dependable higher power - something around 420-450bhp should be achievable.

My only reservation in recommending the 3.44:1 cwp is that it is messing with the spacing of the gear ratios. The opportunities for max. speed runs are extremely limited and I wouldn´t want to compromise Walters normal driving. He should definately discuss the options with GTO and take their advice based on the intended use of the car.

I´m hoping that Walter will update his engine thread once the motor is back in and running - sometime in the next 3-4 weeks.

Cheers,

Mike S

Edited January 26, 2010 by mike_sekinger

[Rob]

Lovely! That spent a year in my dining room and I'd had had it myself if I knew it was available!

.. was at least 6 months in my garage before that too!

Good to see its gone to a good home. Awesome project btw mike.

cheers

Rob

[mike_sekinger]

Hi Rob,

Yes - full circle, as it were.

I still have very fond memories of our trip up the M5 back in 2003 - 3xS350 and your V8-GT - tasty !

GT1 replica Sept 2003 test drive

Cheers,

Mike S

[bzguy]

Hi Rob,

Yes - full circle, as it were.

I still have very fond memories of our trip up the M5 back in 2003 - 3xS350 and your V8-GT - tasty !

GT1 replica Sept 2003 test drive

Cheers,

Mike S

What a car !!

Do you have any video footage of this GT1 replica ?

Edited January 27, 2010 by bzguy

[Bibs]

http://www.thelotusforums.com/shop/122-dvd-esprit-addiction-for-life.html

^ It's on the 'Esprit, Addiction for Life' DVD

[bzguy]

aha, thanx Bibs, will order asap

[mike_sekinger]

Hi Hans,

I have some files of the car on the move - I

[bzguy]

great Mike, thanx !

Indeed, world moves on ...

[Rob]

I miss that car - but the World moves on......

ditto.

note to self: need to earn more & reproduce less ;-)

[neill1607]

It's on the 'Esprit, Addiction for Life' DVD

Are you sure Bibs? I thought the GT1 was on the "documentary" that I've only ever seen on Men & Motors.

[mike_sekinger]

Ah - yes, it is this one:

Madrill Video Documentary

Mike S

[mike_sekinger]

Well it has been almost a whole month since my last update.

There hadn´t really been anything to update on as I´ve just been too busy with work.

This afternoon I had an opportunity so made a start with fuel tank removal. The car is a 1999, so the tanks are over 10 years old and not in good shape.

Drained the tanks using the left hand balance pipe connection.

Stripped all of the fuel evap. and fuel filler stuff off, before removing the tank cover.

Remove the retaining plate and out she comes.

Started on the other side, but ran out of time.

Maybe´I´ll get a chance to finish tomorrow....

Cheers,

Mike S

[mike_sekinger]

Just to finish-off this episode, the RH tank came out this morning.

Decided to remove the fuel pumps, in order to have something to hold onto...

As the pump recess is still full of fuel, plug the balance pipe from inside to save spilling fuel everywhere.

Loosen-off the rear deck release cable to give more clearance and out it comes.

Remove the balance pipe and ´we´re clear ready for the replacements.

Cleaned of the sludge from the primary (low) fuel pump strainer ready for re-installation.

Plan it to install some of the Esprit Engineering aluminium tanks, but I am yet to order them.

Cheers,

Mike S

[jonwat]

All that rust is because Lotus can't be 4r5ed to degrease the tanks before they paint them.

Obviously decided it's more profitable selling replacement tanks than building a reputation for reliability.

Great thread Mike, keep up the good work.

[mike_sekinger]

Hi Jon,

The paint definately has not adhered well to the tank surface. That said, from memory Ferrari F40 tanks also need to be replaced every 10 years and that is a 12-15K job - ouch !

I had considered trying to reclaim the tanks and coat the with something a bit more resilient. We´ll see...

Cheers,

Mike S

[Bibs]

Fuel Tank Sealant

??

[mike_sekinger]

Another brief weekend, but a chance for some more prep.

Current thinking is to build the next two engines in parallel - one upgrade power standard crank and a standard power x-plane version. Preparation of two times everything.....

Starter motor jackets

Tidy-up the TV dampers

Zircotec coated manifolds - red plenum pair and blue plenum pair...

Clearing of the sumps was nasty - both were from grenaded engines...

More updates on the real build work is pending some parts and completion of a customer engine - probably April-time.

Cheers,

Mike S

[mike_sekinger]

More preparation this weekend as the core plugs and blanking plugs for the block will arrive towards the end of the month

Removed the old driveshafts and the knackered rear brakes discs. The rear calipers look okay, so just new discs and pads to sort out

The wheel bearings are fine, so that´s one job that doesn´t need doing.

The GTO gearbox god a bit of a tidy up

Rebuilt the cluch pack with alternative Helix friction discs for the Ford 1" spline. GTO lent me an input shaft to use for alignment when installing

My new OZ Mags arrived courtesy of Bibs

... just have to finish paying for them now

Cheers,

Mike S

[Simon350S]

Mags

I miss my mags

Mags are lovely

Mags are a pain to live with though

I'm so looking forward to the trip to Mats, I'm hoping we can pop over to see your garage at the same time

[mike_sekinger]

Hi Simon,

Would be great to see some TLF folks over here.

The work on the car should be much further forward as well. Hell, it might even be mobile

Cheers,

Mike S

[lotus4s]

Mike,

How and what are you using to clean the cast aluminum like the gearbox? That looks really good.

thanks,

Jim

[mike_sekinger]

Hi Jim,

The gearbox was cleaned with petrol and a toothbrush. Once all of the oily stuff was removed, I let it dry and then used a wire wheel and rotating brush to clear up the casing. I think that I was lucky, as the gearbox hasn´t done that many miles in the car.

Today I attacked stage one of the tank refurb. Having elected to tackle it myself, I´ve decided to go the POR 15 route. First job is to remove the majority of the surface rust and remaining paint.

Once the POR 15 Metal Ready stuff arrives, I´ll prepare the tanks and ready them for painting. Hopefully, that will keep the rust at bay for some years.

I also made some progress with the new air filter arrangment. A pair of huge foam filters with 100mm inlet truppet and 70mm hose. The filters will sit in an airbox fed from the normal place behind the side windows.

Cheers,

Mike S

Edited March 19, 2010 by mike_sekinger

[Advantage]

Looking good Mike. I bet you can't wait to have us saddos messing your place up in a couple of months!

[neal]

I also made some progress with the new air filter arrangment. A pair of huge foam filters with 100mm inlet truppet and 70mm hose. The filters will sit in an airbox fed from the normal place behind the side windows.

So are you going to enclose each cone filter in its own airbox? If so will the airboxes be bespoke? I wasn't aware that you could get get an 'inline cone filter airbox' off the shelf.

I am considering a similar arrangement, but without an airbox, supplying air to the filters will be tricky. You'd have to close off the intakes in the quarter panels otherwise water will get in if it's wet outside which would not be good for the ECM on the RHS or the fuel tanks! The loss of the ram effect on a turbo car isn't going to have a significant difference on a turbo car, but the only alternate is to source the air through the engine bay which would be pretty warm, and that's not someone you want...

[mike_sekinger]

Hi Neal,

You´re absolutly right. Each filter will have it´s own bespoke box. I´m not fitting the quarter panels, so I have space to use the whole areas above the fuel tanks on either side.

The only potential downside which other might not appreciate is the noise. The turbo whistle is going to be significant and right behind my ears.

Cheers,

Mike S