Popular Post Nickp1 Posted October 25, 2020 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted October 25, 2020 Wasn't happy with the downpipes I'd made from the manifolds, too skinny at 1.75". General concensus is 2 - 2.25" is ideal, so I've redone it all in 2" and I'm much happier with them. Also took a bit of time to port out the std manifolds, taking out the sharp edges. Might not make much difference but every little helps 😉 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Nickp1 Posted October 26, 2020 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted October 26, 2020 Got the Y-pipe made to join the manifolds to the 2.5" system 😎 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Nickp1 Posted November 16, 2020 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted November 16, 2020 Bit of fake wood to match the rest of the interior, I reckon it's kinda cool 🤔😎 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Nickp1 Posted November 16, 2020 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted November 16, 2020 And with the power on..... 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Nickp1 Posted January 13, 2021 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted January 13, 2021 There's been a fair amount of progress over the last couple of months as there's been little elese to do tbh 🙄 The heater box has been removed and refurbed. Fans were freed off and I fitted a Mk1 Granada heater matrix. This wasn't a straight swap, but it went in with a bit of 'wittling' and cost £40 instead of £200.😀 It now has gears too via a shortened / modified BMW E36 linkage. The manifolds are now fully welded and reinstalled too. I'm plodding along with the electrics and have installed an additional fuse box in the engine bay for the pop up headlights, electric seat, radiator fan and feeds to the new headlight relays. All this has led up to a major milestone in the project, it now RUNS!! 😃 Fired up first turn of the key and sounds amazing!! 😎 Cooling system is now fimished but still need to make the rest of the exhaust system and configure the engine sensors before I can run it up to temperature. 20210102_160700.mp4 10 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black eclat Posted January 17, 2021 Report Share Posted January 17, 2021 Fantastic!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USAndretti42 Posted January 17, 2021 Report Share Posted January 17, 2021 Major milestone achieved there. You must be pleased. 1 Quote S4 Elan, Elan +2S, Federal-spec, World Championship Edition S2 Esprit #42, S1 Elise, Excel SE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Nickp1 Posted January 31, 2021 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted January 31, 2021 Back on it's wheels now and moved under it's own steam for the first time in a very long time. Only a few inches back and forth just to test the clutch engagement 😃 11 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soldave Posted February 13, 2021 Report Share Posted February 13, 2021 Awesome. Love reading builds like this and seeing the rewards coming from all the blood, sweat, tears, and pounds. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EXCEL V8 Posted February 14, 2021 Report Share Posted February 14, 2021 Me too! 😀 Pete 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickp1 Posted February 14, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2021 Dash refitted and new steering wheel tried for size........... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Nickp1 Posted January 20, 2022 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted January 20, 2022 Just realised I haven't updated this thread for nearly a year now 😳 The car is MOT'd and in regular(ish) use. It even survived a track day at Blyton last year 😎 It's been dyno'd too and made just over 330bhp 😳 So yes, it is QUICK!! Once I've got everything else spot on I'll get it painted, Lemon Yellow is favourite at the moment 😉 Dyno2.mp4 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmottram Posted January 22, 2022 Report Share Posted January 22, 2022 It looks fantastic as it is. It must be a hoot to drive, well done I say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black eclat Posted January 27, 2022 Report Share Posted January 27, 2022 330bhp. That is a nice upgrade alright. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc711 Posted March 11, 2022 Report Share Posted March 11, 2022 Hey Nick, congratulations on your build. I have been toying with the idea of a v8 conversion in my Excel, in part because Australia isn't exactly the easiest place to get parts for the excel and secondly I just want to!! Now that you are able to drive it, are you happy with your decision to go the Lexus route or with the benefit of hindsight would you have chosen a different v8? I'd love to get your opinion.....Kemal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickp1 Posted March 12, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2022 9 hours ago, Doc711 said: Hey Nick, congratulations on your build. I have been toying with the idea of a v8 conversion in my Excel, in part because Australia isn't exactly the easiest place to get parts for the excel and secondly I just want to!! Now that you are able to drive it, are you happy with your decision to go the Lexus route or with the benefit of hindsight would you have chosen a different v8? I'd love to get your opinion.....Kemal Hi Kemal, The Lexus was the only V8 I considered due to its popularity for conversions which meant it has great parts availability. I did consider a V6 Jag but went the whole hog and plumped for a V8. The later/larger 4.3 3UZ is a no brainer over the earlier 4.0 1UZ and should be easily sourced in Oz. You'll want a rear sump setup, Soarer exhaust manifolds and a 5spd (Getrag 260) forom a BMW E30 with its overdive 5th gear. The front crossmember will likely need modifying to get the engine low enough and it position will be dictated by the steering rack and the propshaft hole in the chassis. If I were to do this again I'd definitely start with an Excel rather than an Eclat as I reckon it'd be much easier with its Toyota links. Cheers, Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc711 Posted March 12, 2022 Report Share Posted March 12, 2022 2 hours ago, Nickp1 said: Hi Kemal, The Lexus was the only V8 I considered due to its popularity for conversions which meant it has great parts availability. I did consider a V6 Jag but went the whole hog and plumped for a V8. The later/larger 4.3 3UZ is a no brainer over the earlier 4.0 1UZ and should be easily sourced in Oz. You'll want a rear sump setup, Soarer exhaust manifolds and a 5spd (Getrag 260) forom a BMW E30 with its overdive 5th gear. The front crossmember will likely need modifying to get the engine low enough and it position will be dictated by the steering rack and the propshaft hole in the chassis. If I were to do this again I'd definitely start with an Excel rather than an Eclat as I reckon it'd be much easier with its Toyota links. Cheers, Nick Thanks for he reply Nick. I'll let you know which way I go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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