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Showing content with the highest reputation on 04/04/18 in all areas

  1. After three years of sitting in my garage with the occasional engine run, (what a waste) my beautiful and original silver (red leather/black cloth) 1980 esprit 2.2 has been recommissioned and is once again taxed and MOT'd. It started a couple of months ago with an out of the blue phone call and prompt from a rather influential Lotus friend who gave me the nudge to get it back on the road. It made sense really. The chores of life took over these last four years as I started fixing up properties as well as doing my day job and the joys of life fell by the wayside. There is a saying that if a problem cannot be fixed by dosh, then it's not a problem. Hence with time being my issue, I enlisted the help of an old school friend and brilliant engine builder/tuner to get it back into shape. Work was methodical and included changing the Lumenition system and coil (new Bosch ballasted) as the setup was incorrect, rebuilding and setting up the carbs, fitting new NGK silicone leads, plugs, etc, tuning, changing to Millers 20/60 semi synthetic from Mobil 1 10/60 fully synthetic (which is what I had always used), replacing the SU fuel pump which had a hairline crack where I had overtightened the fittings (spanner hands), reffiting the cutout valve, rebuilding the electric window motors and mechanism, rebuilding the interior cooling fans and going over the entire car tightening any loose nuts and bolts that were making noises plus other bits n bobs which needed doing. The car is now running the way it is supposed to just like it did when it left the factory which is an absolute joy. Depending on how you row the gearbox, it can be driven gently like a Ford Mondeo or hard like a true lightweight 70's sports car. It's a real drivers car and I am so happy to be enjoying it once again. Seeing it again after a while out on the road amongst the massed produced jelly mould cars, its look appears to grow more stunning and exotic as time goes by. It's now a case of maintaining it in this condition, which with a bit of luck shouldn't cost the earth. I feel happier 😊 and anyone who says money can't buy happiness is talking nonsense because it's all about management and personal discipline. I think having a good Loti hidden away and not getting it out on the circuit should be a crime but I am very fortunate to have this car and to be able to do this.
    8 points
  2. Update Purchesed a complete 912 engine.( from Mike at lotusbit) have to say he has been fantastic decided to go 2.2 Chassis is now completely bare a waiting blasting Bodyshell is in the paint shop and should be back all painted in its new colour (orange) in a couple of weeks. Seats are at perfect stitch being recovered in leather Steve is making new carpets All being well should be should be on the bit I enjoy most putting it back together
    4 points
  3. Ok, here we go. Still too short because of time.... Lotus + more intense + more feedback + manual gearbox + running cost - geo - chassis compared to GT3 Porsche + "the better car", chassis + unbelievable good grip + motor + pdk (yes this is opposite of the + manual for the Lotus) as FOR ME, the GT3 is sooo good, that to really enjoy this piece of machinery ON TRACK, the PDK gives an extra dimension (where the manual gearbox gives this extra dimension rather on road). - running cost - weight Lap after lap the GT3 is more stable, and will be the faster/better car (this was my first 30 minutes with it on track, so I am pretty sure laptime will be better in future). Driving the GT3 means you drive by gas and brake, not with the steering wheel and you enjoy the machinery under you wich you have to drive with a lot of feel. It is sooooooooo damn good ! But when switching 1 to 1 with the Exige it feels (really) like a big car, a saloon car even. The Lotus gives a smile too...... because it is intense, you have to work, the car is "dancing" in many corners..... you feel the less good front, you feel you have no LSD etc....... but the lightness, is such a better feeling as the Porsche. It feels much more race car. Which one do I prefer? The GT3 has a slight advantage because of the respect for the car, the synergy you have with it and the more stable laptimes you can drive with it. So my honest impression at the moment. Picture of the weekend (car with Dolomite and Scott logo). I drove togehter with Waky another Lotusforum member. Waky took the start and is in front here.
    3 points
  4. Loving this photo with a little puff of smoke on both wheels, shows the LSD is working well!
    3 points
  5. Pretty much everyone that has the space and equipment to lift the engine and gearbox as a unit does it that way. It has to be lifted quite high above the tail of the car and tipped at an angle to manoeuvre the gearbox through the hoop of the chassis and under the rear section of the bodywork. I have very limited head room and use a block and tackle attached to the roof joist of my garage to lift the engine clear. If I tried to do it any other way I couldn’t clear the rear of the car. Also the roof might collapse if the gearbox weight was added to the strain.😂 I also have a pit which allows me to lift the gearbox from below and line it up. Do it as a unit if you can would be the best. IMO. Wayne
    3 points
  6. Hey D101, I have a feeling that the conclusion of your problem is not the seat nor the ergonomics. There may be an underlying pathology that no matter who types of seats or bolsters you try, the complaints will ultimately need to be addressed. If the complaints are noticeable when sitting or standing for prolonged duration (even when not driving). The symptoms may be related to spinal complaints. If the complaints are only noticeable with driving in the Lotus, it's likely you will need a lumbar support pillow. Moreover, you may try to change the ergonomics of your position. I would think protracting your seat closer to the steering wheel, while reclining the seat more, may transfer the correct lumbar lordosis and thoracic kyphosis. Meaning in simpler words, more weight that is evenly distributed withing the spine, the better it feels; or slouching backwards (zero-gravity position is good, Forest Gump sitting is bad) when driving. Needless to say, make sure you have safe margin of distance with steering wheel and brake/pedal. If you would like to discuss the symptoms or complaint any further, you can PM me. Dr. S
    2 points
  7. Coming soon to Spring Mountain Motorsport Ranch....additional track to be built....... making Spring Mountain the longest track in the world ..... 14+ miles. Paradise for a car nut!
    2 points
  8. Uh oh! I have received an English parcel this morning!! (and yesterday too, but today for once it's not an Elan/Esprit part — yet it's still the same green and yellow logo ) Thank you very much @Bibs
    2 points
  9. Monday, 3rd of April 2018, a beautiful day for a nice drive to the 'Bodensee' in the eastern part of Switzerland. First ride after the winter break - 300KM without the slightes problem :-)
    2 points
  10. For a start many thanks for all your sympathetic remarks on my efforts to improve my driving skills and simultaneously have as much fun as possible on the racetrack with my Lotus . Especially since the Porschedriver seriously blamed me for not seeing him coming afterwards in the pits….., your support and your perception of that incident is most welcome (special thanks to Kanada) The tyres I use on track exclusivly are Pirelli Trofeo R, tyre pressure warm 2,05 bar each – highly recommended In October last year Komo-Tec in Mendig assembled a platetype LSD from Drexler (60/50) – since then even with Racemode on now there is an uncomplicated and easy to handle tendency to oversteer exiting tight bends at full throttle, which I nonetheless the fact the oversteer is easy to handle unfortunately still instinctively try to avoid – I’ll work on that…. - but anyway thanks for sharing the observance
    2 points
  11. I got the opportunity yesterday to compare my 350 to an EX460 at Magny Cours. It's purely subjective. Below 4000rpm no real difference but above 4000rpm it's clearly not the same car. On this track, the difference is crazy after Estoril and the 900 meters straight line. When you are above 150- 160km/h the EX460 is much more quick. At the end of the straight line the gain is easily 30km/h. I got the opportunity also to compare the stock suspension against the nitron 3 way. Huge difference. Stock suspension is not enough for track usage. Last point, I see that the EX460 can follow the 3eleven. But I don't know the level of both drivers.
    2 points
  12. So, my first main run in the car for four months as she has been in tucked up in hibernation in the heated garage, under her TLF fleecey cover (probably up for sale soon inthe classifieds) all winter, since early November. Unhook the battery conditioner and she fires in to life first time. What a girl. 6.5 hours later, I have completed a 380 mile journey down to Telford (one tank of fuel and not yet empty, the only fill up needed was me for coffee!), where I'll be based for the next 3 days on a training course - I wish the Trainers all the best in trying to teach this old dog some new tricks. These days i struggle to even cock my leg over for a pee! Get out the of car at the end of the journey and feel great. No aches. No pains. No "ear buzz". Nothing. Averaged 32mpg which is not bad. The car handled everything from torrential rain, high winds, snow and sleet (in Scotland) to sunshine (literally as I drove over the Border at Gretna Green into England the sun came out from behind the clouds and bathed me in warmth! Stayed warm and dry for the rest of the journey. Had a couple of "squiggly moments" with the car and standing water - rear tyres must be getting quite low on tread now. Those Recaro's are just fab. Really comfortable seats. And boy, the Evora just eats up the miles and really is a great GT car. Once you are in and cocooned in the "tub" you do feel really special. Smug even. Friday is approaching and I am having more than a number of thoughts as to whether I have done the right thing. The car just ticked over the 25k miles during the journey. I mean, after almost 8 years, it is barely just run in! OMFG. What have I done....
    2 points
  13. I'm was proud of my freehand drilling, this is what remains of the stud, 10mm bit through 3 inches of the 12mm stud without breaching the sides. In hindsight it would have probably come out easier if drilled on a slight angle into the split bush as I still had to hacksaw a slot in it to free it. Any tips on how to get the inner bearing race off the hub?
    2 points
  14. Gearbox on and piped up✌️Nearly there.
    2 points
  15. The car has recently been advertised on eBay. I bought it from Fraser at Hilton & Moss, he was very straight forward and easy to deal with. It appears to be in great condition and certainly drives very well. Here are some more pics.
    2 points
  16. Mine was fine but understeer massively on the three 180' corners. Was fun balancing it as I wouldn't normally push too much in the wet. Had a little drive of oakmeres 430 too, only on the road though as it's still being run in.
    2 points
  17. What an Easter treat, just picked my Exige up, quick stop at Newlands for first photo and bacon roll, hopefully first of many. Still smiling after drive home!!
    2 points
  18. Time to come clean. The Evora 400 Hethel Edition at central was mine.First of 4 in Essex Blue so we where told ahh but let's just make 6 now. Not that that was a problem for me as I just loved the colour combo. Traded in for this super car McLaren 570GT what Lotus should have made by now. Time just to short to wait. Have been and always will be a Lotus enthusiast still have my first love Esprit V8. I am not going to get into what's not right at Lotus or but !! Andrew most definitely living the dream
    1 point
  19. Nice one Andrew. If ever I have the wherewithal and in the absence of a new Esprit, the 570GT would be on my drive. And this is what enticed me. Enjoy. And the car.
    1 point
  20. Lovely indeed mate - I too am currently guilty of this crime but equally desperate to get it going again. Love it in Silver and I've always loved those S2/S2.2 Speedlines......
    1 point
  21. I know some of you will have seen Stef ABTv's YouTube content, as he has done the odd bit on the Evora 430 and 400. Anyway I saw recently he had a 4C from Alfa Romeo and enjoyed that, so I asked him if he had ever driven an Exige - he said no, so obviously I felt obliged to fix that! Enjoy
    1 point
  22. Thanks Scott. I know Stef is involved with FCA and of course has to be careful what he says when it comes to one of their products, but I think the smile he had on his face when driving says it all!
    1 point
  23. Good to see some content from a none Lotus guy, besides the drone debate which I know nothing about, but now do and found it interesting, thought it was a good video and like they say you learn something every day.
    1 point
  24. I have zero idea about race harnesses however as an addendum to the above... I'm a Chartered engineer and I work in the oil and gas industry in most places on the planet. Sometimes I am required to wear a scaffolding harness when I need to go up a column or such like, when working at heights. I have to agree with above, harnesses need to be tight to do their job, if they are not you may end up with worse injuries than with not wearing one at all. I have seem numerous HSE videos on badly fitted equipment. As for fixing strength etc. I would ask to see the "point load calculations" from the supplier of the equipment fitted for the particular application in which it is installed. If they cannot produce one then who knows if it will hold. Ask yourself a simple question.... "Did an engineer calculate the loads on a bridge you drive on a regular basis"? The answer is 110% yes, safety first, last and always. thanks Mark
    1 point
  25. I would agree with this - I've probably driven more different (Lotus) cars than most, though generally for short distances, and as I always try to explain it to customers, the EX460 just puts back you in the seat rolling on the throttle at any engine speed in any gear. Plus it keeps going at the top end too! We will soon have our own EX460 (plus JRZ, plus Reverie) demo car to be able to show people how it really feels! I should also add that I drove an EX410 a couple of weeks ago, and that reminded me how much go they have, really quick car. And we have an EX390 here (with 46k miles on it, that drives better than some of the garage queens I've driven) which is very very rapid on A and B-roads... so don't dismiss the non-cc upgrades, particularly for a road-biased car, and get some miles on them! Dave
    1 point
  26. For that sort of money you could buy a new GT430 and fly Ms. Campbell over for a spot of dinner.
    1 point
  27. Quite right, and now that Harry has also bought himself a good Esprit, the pro-Lotus stance of our best journalists might continue. We will certainly need them all on-side, once the next crop of Lotus cars is launched. The market is so competitive in just about every sector. Lotus cars with a unique story to tell, 'the first of ...', 'the last of ...', 'owned by an ex-F1 driver...' etc., and limited-number products are always going to hold real interest for collectors. The Porsche 997 series is to young to be called 'classic', or maybe even 'modern classic', but its interesting that 997 prices for good cars and low-production variants have stabilised, whereas the 991 series are continuing to depreciate. Those of us with long memories have seen this all before when the 996 series fell below 993 series levels. It's all about the public's perception of the model.
    1 point
  28. I did my first long journey in the Lotus this bank holiday weekend and tbh it was a enjoyable and the time flew by. Whilst in Leeds on Monday it snowed, fast forward 24 hours back home int Leamington Spa and it's 12 degrees and with a bit of spare time, I decided to remove the hardtop roof.
    1 point
  29. 1 point
  30. Lol, nope, you're suppose to use different types of harnesses for each type of installation. You obvioulsy don't know what you're doing and are just guessing at stuff which is a big mistake to make when it boils down to safety features. Seriously, harnesses and the manner they are installed are only effective if you specify the right type of harness for the installation and install them in the correct manner they are suppose to be used. If you don't follow the correct methods you'd be better off using the std 3point belts as they'll be a lot safer. I see so many people guessing how to install them and don't really know what they're doing and they end up doing it wrong. Just like above, attaching the 5/6 spreader plates directly to the thin Ali floor sheet isn't the correct method for attaching them and isn't safe. And again, youre now guessing 'why' they haven't fitted a 5/6 anchor point to the passengers side, weight has absolutely nothing to do with it btw. And you couldn't be more wrong, the factory fit 5/6th anchor point is much more secure than the home fit one above, it has been through full FIA homologation and is recognised and fit for purpose to use in any race series. It is bolted directly onto the chassis cross beam and not just to the thin floor panel like Alias above (you really should look to change that). If you were to turn up to a race meet with them attached to the floor pans like Alias they'd send you home!! You need to stop guessing and find out the correct info before you do anything!! Honestly, if you don't install (and use) them correctly you may as well not wear a belt at all... Okay, ill try and lay it out clearly for you to understand. I presume you have the 4 point schroth harnesses that were installed from the factory on both the drivers and passenger side. If so, these type of 4 point belts are deigned to be attached to the seat frame by the lap straps and the shoulder straps attach to the harness bar. The factory 4 point harnesses have a 'anti-submarining' device stitched into one of the shoulder straps (the yellow tag on the inboard shoulder strap of each harness). If you're involved in a heavy accident, the yellow section on the shoulder harness is designed to tear away a little forcing your upper body weight to fold over the top of the lap strap and keep you in your seat. If it didn't break away and 'give a little', you could potentially slip out from under the lap belts. You'll notice the yellow tear away tabs are positioned inboard on both the drivers and passenger seats, this is so that the drivers and passengers heads will rotate away from each other if both the yellow tags rip in a big accident. So now you want to use a 5/6 point harness section on a system that was designed to work as a 4 point belt. The 5/6 harness belt is solely there to stop you anti-submarining out of your lap belts. If you're going to use one, then then you should also look to change out the main harness above for one that doesn't have the yellow anti-submarining device stitched into it. You don't need 2 anti-submarining devices, you just want a plain set of 3" shoulder straps that are designed to work with the 5/6 the anchor point system. They only use the yellow rip tabs on 4 point belts, not 5/6. If you were to go racing , then you would not be able to use the anchor points for the laps straps that attach to the seat frame, you'd have to use eye bolts attached directly back to the chassis rail. (If you have the 5/6 floor anchor already installed in your cup car there is a good chance you may also have the 2 eye bolts in the cross beam behind the seat which are for the lap straps). The seat is only held in with 4x 8mm bolts, to this you attach the lap belts. In a forward facing accident, your weight and the seats weight are relying on those 4x 8mm bolts to hold you securely back to the chassis, you weight goes into the lap belts which in turn are attached to the seat which are inturn attached to the chassis by the 4 bolts. Acceptable for road use but to go racing then that isn't allowed. The belts all need to be anchor directly to chassis so that in a forward facing impact your weight gets transfer straight to the chassi mounting points and not through the seat anchor points. Your looking to attach the 5/6 point back to the seat frame also which in a accident just puts more load on the 4 bolts trying to hold everything down. Either do one of two things, leave them exactly as they are with the 4 point harness with integral anti-submarining devices. If you really want a 6 point harness on the drivers seat then look to replace the whole harness for the correct one that uses the floor anchor points and doesn't have a secondary ASM device stitched in. Do it properly or don't do it at all.. My personal thoughts are that unless you are going racing then 5/6 point harnesses are a complete pain in the arse, they are awkward to use, time consuming to get into and can be restrictive in the man area... for road use and occasional trackdays I simply wouldn't bother.
    1 point
  31. Ah, no, now I remember what Steve's talking about!
    1 point
  32. If you mean the rear wheel bearing, they’re fixed with cap head bolts accessible through the flange holes, and come out as one piece.
    1 point
  33. Great work Phill, could this have been something as simple as the levers not being located properly on assembly, lever on gear rather than in slot would certainly have created a heavy metallic knocking and failiure to engage gear. A thought. But great to hear a happy not sad Phill. Well persevered.👍👍👍
    1 point
  34. Those figures are based on official released registration, so there’s should be some form of truth in it. The uk number are down 50% over the first 2 months 24 vs 48 and at the same time we can see on this forum that cars get delivered quite fast (at least the 430 do). https://www.smmt.co.uk/vehicle-data/car-registrations/ For 2017, sales were marginally down in the Uk and Europe’s whereas the factory announced a small increase whichever is possible as car outside the European market may have lagged in peak demand considering they get homologated with a bit of lag. it seems like since the sale to geely, registration have slown down which could be linked to a change of practice with dealers. I would not be surprised if they got big incentives to get stock ahead of the sale (as Lotusy was cash strapped) and that those disappeared since. It could well also be that Lotus is very focused on marketing the 430s (Evora and exige) as there is a lot more money for them in those even if they sell less cars and that at the same time the dealers are offloading inventories already registered for the cheaper cars. I also suspect something is happenings with lotus reporting of numbers as I was the Evora numbers don’t seem to make sense. Only 1 sale in November, one in December and none in January and February. It could be that the 430 has a new reg type and that it is falling between the cracks of this website counting (not being reported as Evora). As I ant find the GT430on this forum in the official stats and I assume membership showing picture really have cars, I am quite convinced there is an issue there!
    1 point
  35. Dash ready for new JVC speakers for the cockpit stereo. It has been moded with an iPhone input, only have the Spy Who Loved Me soundtrack on cassette tape! Can't really play that in the FYEO car! New leather hopefully going back on soon.Only the tailgate to finish and all the nasty jobs are behind me. Steve at S and J saved the day. I lost the lever arm to the tailgate lock. I was wondering how to get over this small problem when Steve managed to find me a used one for a very resonable price! Sometimes you need some luck and a bit of help when building these cars. I've been helped by S and J , PNM and Lotus bits! Ready for the next problem! 😀😀😀
    1 point
  36. thanks for your pics @21gg , I will try to take some pics like you when I pick up my GT430 if my ex GTE are still in the work shop
    1 point
  37. Hello all, I've just picked this up today. Great drive home, (110 miles) no problems apart from the weather. What a fantastic car to drive, I loved every minute of it. Why does it always piss down when I collect a new car? Does anyone on here know this car? I'd love to know more about its history. Cheers, Andy.
    1 point
  38. Watford. My guys do loads of them!
    1 point
  39. I've reeled in a galvanised number from the emerald isle. The Death Warrant is no longer valid.
    1 point
  40. I've had a couple of S1 Elise's and quite a few Evoras and been on track in both. The Elise is like a scalpel on track, if you drive it right it's hugely rewarding if you enjoy driving on rails and getting it to the edge of it's performance envelope. Set up correctly on good tyres they are incredibly sticky and hard to take beyond the grip limit. The Evora is similar but a more fluid car on track, insomuch that it does move about at the edge of the grip limit (an Elise on sticky tyres (I had R888R) is more snappy) but enjoyably so and with good warning, and when it is moving about it's so easy to keep it under control and steer with the throttle. It does sound a little like you'd rather be a hooligan on track than a surgeon though so maybe an Elise isn't the answer, but as Neil says, something like a Caterham which is easier to slide about in would be more suitable for you.
    1 point
  41. It sounds like a Caterham 7 is your perfect track car. A lot more tail happy than an Elise and more progressive.
    1 point
  42. Had a great day at todays Rockingham drift day. Really challenging trying to link everything up, but I improved my skills a lot and got a better feel for the car when sideways. My car stood out quite a lot, odd one out for sure
    1 point
  43. I am not a drifter, but I think I understand what you mean. Drifting is too brutal for my taste. But I like a car that moves around. Best fun with a Peugeot 309 GTI 16 on the Ring. A FWD you can slide. For the same reason I like my standard AD07s, they are quite progreesive in the rain. But I can warn you that too bad tyres (mine were too old) makes the car not sliding but snappy. I never tried more aggressive set-ups, I have normal road shocks and settings and the car moves quite a bit around. And that is what I like. You maybe as well. Read from Mark Hales on Elise: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-blog/mark-hales-on-technique-the-lotus-elise/36626 (or on Formula Fords)
    1 point
  44. A pal just did this outside the test centre... Dumpster!
    1 point
  45. There is nothing wrong with the Alpine W990BT head unit in the 400's. It's a mid-top end double din unit that actually has an impressive specification sheet and some still quite up to date features given it was launched in lat 2014, early 2015. It's navigation features and online, real time TMC features are right up there. I believe the main issues are around the quality of the install and the speakers, in that essentially is is the most basic of installs with cheap speakers and wiring and very little sound deadening etc. So when you ramp up the volume it just sounds like a metal tin of quality street is being shaken about to a rhythm. Upgrade the speakers and wiring, add some sound deadening material, and voila, 100% improvement. It can also be upgraded to take DAB too, although you still need to buy a DAB aerial for that to work. i agree that maybe Lotus should spend more time on getting the installs correct. But then what would you rather have, a great sounding stereo of the best handling sports car on the planet. My preference is the latter so carry on Lotus, you're focussing on the right things for me.
    1 point
  46. The Porsche is a nice, safe, sensible, amenable but slightly dull choice. It's the Head girl from school who doesn't do..... well, children might be reading. It's the sort of car dentists go to their parents in to get that approving smile. It's the sort of car that dull soulless accountants feel smug about owning. It's nice, safe, sensible... it's all fur coat and expensive lingerie that you'll never get to appreciate. The Exige is like Debbie from Dallas. All fur coat an nae knickers. She's gonna grab you by the balls and lead you to places on roads you never knew existed. She's gonna fire neuron receptors you never knew you had. She's going to use you, abuse you, and leave you exhausted whilst simultaneously screaming for more. The Evora is Debbie gentrified. Fur coat AND knickers but still willing to get down and dirty with you over a long sumptuous weekend away in the country... Choose the Porsche if you really want to spend the weekend playing with your own balls on the tee. Otherwise, choose life. Choose exhileration. Choose fook the golf balls. Choose Lotus!
    1 point
  47. I know exactly the bleed nipple you are talking about Danny. It is a right bugger to access.
    1 point
  48. John I should break it as I don't really have the space or time to get stuck in to such a big job, but I'm sentimental and unrealistic so what the hell
    1 point
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