Nickp1 Posted May 24, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 1 minute ago, Straker said: What engine is under the stablemates bonnet? I assume the badge on the right is hinting at something from Munich? It's an M52B28 straight 6 from a BMW 328i. Derestricted with an earlier M50 inlet manifold, remapped and raised rev limiter taking it to up around 220-230bhp. It's lively 😉 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straker Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 Great sounding as well! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickp1 Posted June 10, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2020 Picked up some cheap RX8 seats to try for size. They cleaned up nicely and see to fit good too, front bolt holes even lined straight up 😃 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickp1 Posted June 10, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2020 Had a go at recolouring the nasty cream interior. Flatted it down and dyed it to match the RX8 seats, happy with results so far... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickp1 Posted June 29, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2020 (edited) Engine squeezed back in, hopefully for the last time #wishfulthinking 😉 Edited June 29, 2020 by Nickp1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickp1 Posted June 30, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2020 Rear coilover in place, mimicking the original Lotus setup but now fully adjustable for height and damping. 7x15" front and 7.5x16" rear wheels fitted in place of the tyre choice limited 14" originals... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickp1 Posted July 5, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2020 (edited) Turned my attention to the front brakes this week. Was looking at getting the PNM vented disc kit but wanted something even bigger really and cheaper is possible. So I started searching for a disc with a similar height to the original but bigger diameter and vented. Eventually I reckon I've found the ideal solution from a Citroen Xantia V6 of all things!! They're 283x26mm and have a low disc height (28mm) like the Lotus ones. To fit then to the Lotus hubs I needed to remove 0.5mm from the centre bore with a half round file and drill 4 x 10mm holes for the bolts with my pillar drill. Discs cost me £26.50 off ebay (NOS)😀 I've got a pair of Subaru Impreza 4 pot caliper for £35 on their way to try for size. They have 40mm pistons which is a perfect match for the original calipers. The original set up weighed in at 10kg and the new should be 11.5kg, so not too bad really. My other option is RX7 calipers which are much lighter but the pistons are only 36.1mm.🤔 Edited July 5, 2020 by Nickp1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickp1 Posted July 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2020 Looks like the scabby Scooby calipers are going to work 😀 I'll refurb and paint them before they go on 😉 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbharcourt Posted July 7, 2020 Report Share Posted July 7, 2020 Are you making mounting adapter plates up for the callipers? I may be interested in some as well as I like the Subaru calipers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickp1 Posted July 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2020 (edited) Yes I am, looks fairly straightforward, I'll keep you updated. Edited July 7, 2020 by Bibs 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickp1 Posted July 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2020 I've just ordered 1m of 10x30mm steel bar, so I might go into production if it works out well 🤔 Not sure they're going to fit under 14" wheels and I don't have one to try either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickp1 Posted August 16, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2020 Back off my summer hols and back at it. Caliper brackets now made from 8mm flat steel bar. Just need to refurb the calipers and it'll all be sorted 😀 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickp1 Posted August 29, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2020 All done..... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickp1 Posted September 12, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2020 Fitted and tested the clutch hydraulics this week. I had no idea how it would clear and if there would be enough travel on the BMW E30 master cylinder that I'd incorporated into the pedal box. I'm glad to say that once bled the biting point seems to be about half way through the travel and the pedal isn't excessively heavy either 😀 I've also ran in the rest of the brake lines and decided to add an OBP pressure regulator into the rear brake line. If the big Jag rear discs are a bit too keen then I can turn them down anything up to 60% efficiency. You know you're onto a winner when the original Lexus servo hose drops straight onto the Lotus servo as if it was made for the job 😎 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickp1 Posted September 27, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2020 While waiting for some bits for the fuel system thought I'd take a look at the headlights. Got the MX5 motors bolted into the base using part of the MX5 mounting frame. Couple of lengths of M8 threaded bar got it mocked up to try. Ordered a 2x M8 rose joints and M8 ball jints to do the job properly as the MX5 plasic ball joints were too brittle to be of any use. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeeech Posted October 3, 2020 Report Share Posted October 3, 2020 Have you thought of mounting the motors the other way up? With the red manual winding knob pointing down you can drill a hole underneath to allow access to wind up the lamp pod if the motor fails. In the configuration you have them at the moment how would you get to the motor if it fails when down? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickp1 Posted October 4, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2020 I know what you're saying but this was the easiest and most obvious way to mount them. I made the motor mounting bolts captive by welding them to the bracket. This means that by undoing 2 x 13mm nuts from below and the whole assembly can be lifted out with the headlight pod. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Nickp1 Posted October 4, 2020 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted October 4, 2020 Fuel sysyem coming together...... Low pressure lift pump into swirl pot then high pressure pump feeding into BMW pressure regulated fuel filter mounted below plate. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black eclat Posted October 4, 2020 Report Share Posted October 4, 2020 22 hours ago, mikeeech said: Have you thought of mounting the motors the other way up? With the red manual winding knob pointing down you can drill a hole underneath to allow access to wind up the lamp pod if the motor fails. In the configuration you have them at the moment how would you get to the motor if it fails when down? I have the motors mounted with the red know upwards. A well positioned hole on the inner wing allows a 12 point socket and extension bar operate the red knob if required. Never had to yet. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickp1 Posted October 5, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2020 Engine loom and ECU now fitted...... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Nickp1 Posted October 9, 2020 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted October 9, 2020 42yr old Lotus wiring about to meet 21st century Ecu and Race Technology Dash What could possibly go wrong? Pass me the crimps and a fire extinguisher 😉 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickp1 Posted October 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2020 Well, it seems that an uprated Nissan Pulsar radiator can be made to fit an Eclat, just. However I forgot to take into account that the bonnet dips down at the front when you open it Unfortunately that's where the top hose and filler neck come out. So I've had to remove a section of the grill for the bonnet to open properly. I've mocked up a 'flap' to cover this area and hopefully once it's done properly in the same paint as the grill then it shouldn't look too bad, if you squint 🤣 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straker Posted October 11, 2020 Report Share Posted October 11, 2020 If your after an upgraded rad I found that MGTF ones are the same dimensions as stock Lotus rads ( I picked up a used 40mm core aftermarket one plenty for a lotus engine but I’m not sure about your V8 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickp1 Posted October 14, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2020 (edited) Been scratching my head as to where and how to mount the ECU. It has to go under the bonnet as the loom can't be extended and it has to be protected from heat / fluids etc. I was unable to find a protective case of any kind in the right size so I've had to make one and mount it at a jaunty angle. Still got to make the lid and insulate the box but I think it should work OK there 🤔 The battery is getting relocated to the boot and moving the original washer bottle didn't really gain me any space so I left it as is. Edited October 14, 2020 by Nickp1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickp1 Posted October 20, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2020 Thought I'd finished my pedal box but turns out the 'fly by wire' throttle pedal that came with the engine wasn't the one I was supposed to use 🙄 The actual pedal was in the box, that I hadn't opened, with the custom loom. Of course it was different enough that I had completely rethink the pedal box design. I had to chop of the throttle extension support and decided to mount the new pedal seperately. I'm actually much happier with how it's mounted now and gives a much more natural throttle action. Lots of work but worth it to do it right 😀 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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