Esprit S4s Project

[mike_sekinger]

Hi Folks,

Work has now started on the refresh of the S4s. After 15 years, there is a fair amount of rot to sort out, but on the whole the car is in very nice condition.

Petrol, coolant and oil all removed - messy, smelly job......

The seats need to be sent away to be recovered, as the drivers side is in very poor condition.

Next job is to prepare for the removal of the engine to replace the cracked exhaust manifold and to facilitate the removal of the fuel tanks for refurbishment.

Rear deck off and safely stored

Exhaust removed to find that the cat had previously been gutted...... power did feel good.

Hanging bracket and gear translation stuff removed

Driveshaft pins driven out and shafts removed out of the way

SWLC replacment manifolds Zircotec coated and ready for installation.

Hopefully, I can get the engine out come the weekend and make a start on the job of removing the manifold.

Quick question to those familar - what is the easiest way to free the clutch fork?

Cheers,

Mike S

[DanR]

Not sure I understand the question. Unlike the v8 it's a push not a pull clutch so won't inhibit separating the box and engine. Then it's easy to unclip.

[Jonathan]

Anything in here help ?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonhimself/sets/72157619525054983/

[mike_sekinger]

Thanks Jon - useful stuff.

I´ve looked at the manual finally and realise that I had not ´read´ what I saw properly. It looked like the rod and the adjustment screw were one part and that did not make sense.

Having seen some of the rot, I´m really dreading what I will find when the engine is out. I hope that I can get the studs out and manifold off without too much fuss.

Cheers,

Mike S

[red vtec]

Being a 4 pot owner I'm looking forward to this post, good luck Mike

[cjtpb13]

Mike,

Be great to follow this thread. Be of interest to see your reactions to the differences in the 4 and the 8.

I see you are going to be about 3 weeks ahead of me in my disassembly of my S4. Though I do have to say ( and I run my car in the rain and such ) I was amazed at the fair amount of corrosion seen on the chassis. Also I imagine you will work much quicker than myself due to my travels...lol.

Enjoy and look towards your progress

[Sparky]

Hi Mike

I too am following this with interest - a cursory check of the manifold led me to believe it was no. 3 blowing, and it looked like the gasket. Looking forward to your findings!

[Winter]

You could have had a nice V8. Magnolia seats recovered by Lotus, car due back from the sprayers any day now with total refurbishment and repaint in the original Azure Blue. Unmarked OZ Saturns, PNM Monster 6 calipers and discs, triple-core radiator, full engine rebuild with some superb advice along the way . . .

[Exploded]

my all time favourite Esprit (and color inside and outside).

I'll keep an eye on this threat.

[mike_sekinger]

... update in my Restoration Blog.....

[plumdeplakmuis]

Hi Mike,

What kind of turbo will you be using for this project?

As I'm working for MHI Turbochargers and responsible for special projects and performance market. Maybe you can test one of our units. As I would like to see one of our units on a Esprit. If you can inform what kind of power you are looking for and what the dimensions of the manifold exit are. I maybe have something nice for you.

Cheers

[mike_sekinger]

Hello Garp,

That is a very fine and generous offer.

The standard S4s is fitted with a Garrett T3 60trim (part #461533-4). I had considered moving to a T4 compressor like the S300 set-up.

The turbine housing is a standard T3 inlet with the round three stud outlet. Power wise, the car will only have a very mild incease if anything at all. I would keep the target at 330bhp max.

Let me know if you need any further info or have any ideas?

Many thanks !

Mike S

[plumdeplakmuis]

Hi Mike,

These should be good for your required output, and provide good transient response.

It's originating from a twin turbo system. Depending on how you mount the compressor cover, you can make a LH or RH.

Edited January 19, 2011 by plumdeplakmuis

[lotus4s]

Nice!

[Artie]

Wrong flange I'm afraid Garp. It would need a standard T3 rectangular 4 bolt flange to mate up to the manifold. The Vband outlet is nice though. Currently looking into specs for a new more powerful turbo for my engine! I have been doing some calculations and fiddling with a friends Turbo Grand Prix that we have installed Tunercat on........Very user friendly and very easy to tune!!!!!

Nice write up so far Mike, as usual.....Was that car used as an ROV or something? Holy moly that's a lot of rust! Suprised I didn't see any barnacles on it!

Edited February 1, 2011 by Artie

[plumdeplakmuis]

I know it has the wrong flange, only as these turbo's are the latest in MHI turbocharger technology that have good match to generate up to 330hp, I think it's worth the effort to create something of a adaptor flange.

Then I'm also investigating what we have available for a direct bolt on solution, we have a unit available with the connection dimensions as in the picture below which look rougly the same. Only this is for a up to 450hp application. And would not help transient response for lower than 370hp outputs.

But if you have any engine data I can also assist you in finding a nice solution. Normally this requires:

- Peak kW @ rpm

- Peak Nm @ rpm

And the following data at both peak kW and peak Nm

- Pressure and temperature @ Compressor in, Compressor out, Turbine in, Turbine out.

- Brake specific fuel consumption

- Air and fuel flow.

Edited February 1, 2011 by plumdeplakmuis

[Vulcan Grey]

OMG!!! the RUST Mike the RUST!!!!!

Here's my 89Esprit! I'll give points to anyone who can spot Waldo (I mean rust).

after a good cleanup

[lotus4s]

On the exh. manifold, where's my points.....

[Vulcan Grey]

there's no exhaust manifold in those photos (well a corner near the turbo)...

There is rust on the turbo studs...

Also some non visible rust inside the hot side engine mount... The bushing rusted to the bolt and I could not remove it... had to pull the assembly and cut it, but you'd never tell looking at it.

Here's some manifold rust (mild compared to UK rust)

And here it is coated with Techline ceramic coating.

[mike_sekinger]

Hi Travis,

Yes - you guys in the warmer climates are very lucky. I´m seriously envious of the cleanliness of your chassis

Check out the state of the exhaust manifold on the blog..... urgh !

Mikes Esprit Blog

Cheers,

Mike S

[bosbon_be]

Hi Travis,

Yes - you guys in the warmer climates are very lucky. I´m seriously envious of the cleanliness of your chassis

Cheers,

Mike S

Colder climates give more HP

[Trevsked]

Travis,

Are you using phosphoric acid or something else to clean your engine?. Looks lovely.

Trevor.

[karmavore]

I don't think rust has anything to do weather, per se, I think UK and European owners must drive their Esprits in wet weather far more then we do over here.

Depending on where Travis lives in a Colorado, it can snow and rain plenty.

[Vulcan Grey]

Today it was -14F (-25C).... hardly warm....

Even my Japanese car had trouble starting!!!

Colorado is a very dry climate though, humidity is 51% today.

We also do not use salt on our roads, though we do use magnesium-chloride, which causes a mild corrosion with no visible rotting effects, but it can rust a cadmium plated bolt perfectly to a steel sleve on a otherwise rust free Japanese suspension.

I used brake cleaner and Simple Green to clean parts... Which is what led me to a major dilemma!!!

Simple Green can strip chrome!!!

Including the very thin chrome plating on the pistons!!! Use Simple Green very carefully!

I had to get my pistons ceramic coated

also got the skirts coated with moly-disulfide.

I should start a blog...

[giorgio67]

Hi, I'm interested to have my pistons coated in the same ways, could you please tell me how much did you spend for the two process?

Thanks mate.

Giorgio