markgenesis Posted October 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 The adapter looks very professional to be fair. I am impressed. Now where are the MX5's when I want one for the seats and headlamp lifters at a cheap price? Cheers Adrian, very nice of you to say so, been messing around with cars since i was 17 (43 now) so picked up a few things along the way. One thing i would mention is that plate is 2mm thick steel, the mounting rails on the Lotus are 19 inches apart, the MX5 13 inches, that mounting method is ok for a shorter slightly built person (i'm 5'7" and 74kg), the MX5 seats mounted in this way sit a bit higher than the Lotus seats, someone taller and heavier would maybe want to mount the seat lower (maybe using L shaped brackets ?) and/or strengthen the plate with some 1" box section welded to it. Having said that gave the car to a 6' mate for a shot and he never complained about the driving position and the mounting plate hasn't bent in any way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieCroker Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 Those stacks? I have stacks on my elite but they fit without any cutting, yours look good though, great job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soldave Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 Here's some pics for reference guys. As you can see in the centre i had to trim the back and front plates of the filters so that they would overlap, just trimmed the return lip. Stacks inside the filters showing how they had to be trimmed. Stacks measure 60mm, filters are 115mm deep. The filters could of course be used on their own, i just fitted the stacks inside as i already had them, and after paying £50 i was damn well using them, power gain is probably negligible/not even noticeable but at the same time nice to know they are there. Filter back plates and stacks. Celebrated my new found roadworthyness by fitting the period GB sticker i bought a while ago Thanks for those pics - much appreciated and makes it a lot clearer. My only concern would be the filters as they are not having a good source of cooler air. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don.Hasi Posted November 14, 2014 Report Share Posted November 14, 2014 Having read even more about the filters... I doubt that in our layout the temperature is mug different than stock. Sure there is a difference on later MY89 Excels with CAI. But they have also systems for icing and hot starts. So no gain without a downside. Obviously Mark couldn't notice a drop in the powerband... So without a dyno we won't know it for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM skiing Posted November 14, 2014 Gold FFM Report Share Posted November 14, 2014 I think the main risk is fuel spitting back from the carbs onto the filters and the dripping onto the electricals below - the stock airbox prevents this (as with the Esprit) - so I would keep an eye on your filters and check they are not too wet with fuel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markgenesis Posted November 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2014 I think the main risk is fuel spitting back from the carbs onto the filters and the dripping onto the electricals below - the stock airbox prevents this (as with the Esprit) - so I would keep an eye on your filters and check they are not too wet with fuel? Must admit the car does stink of fuel inside sometimes (enough to alarm a passenger the other night), no leaks at all anywhere so a put it down to the filters (has all new hose and clips etc), fuel smell is only occasional though, stuck my nose up to them when the engine was running, they do stink of fuel a bit but probably no more than the inlet pipe on the standard air box. I keep an eye on them anyway (also run my hand under the carbs to check for leaks from the diaphragms every now and then) Using the car every other day and still loving it, still have the rear wheel bearings to replace, drivers door hinge to replace/rebuild and new tyres to get so will keep this thread updated. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dixi4uk Posted November 21, 2014 Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 Just bought a set of tyres from My tyres.co.uk. £42.50 each. Delivered from Germany. Good price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markgenesis Posted November 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2014 Just bought a set of tyres from My tyres.co.uk. £42.50 each. Delivered from Germany. Good price. That's a great price, what make are those ? My Elite is off the road for now, been using it quite a bit the last few weeks but have noticed the steering getting heavy and not self centering when turning right. Greased the Trunnions about a month ago and my car has had the power steering removed so nothing to do with that, steering is heavy when parking obviously but usually ok on the move, noticed a big difference in feel lately so investigation is needed, have a tiny bit of play in the column U/J's so will look at them first. Noticed a nice red D reg Excel in my home town , noticed it parked at the side of the road one night driving home from work, passed it driving around today, sadly i wasn't driving the Elite (would have gave him a wave) but was in my Land Rover taking stuff to the dump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dixi4uk Posted November 23, 2014 Report Share Posted November 23, 2014 That's a great price, what make are those ? My Elite is off the road for now, been using it quite a bit the last few weeks but have noticed the steering getting heavy and not self centering when turning right. Greased the Trunnions about a month ago and my car has had the power steering removed so nothing to do with that, steering is heavy when parking obviously but usually ok on the move, noticed a big difference in feel lately so investigation is needed, have a tiny bit of play in the column U/J's so will look at them first. Noticed a nice red D reg Excel in my home town , noticed it parked at the side of the road one night driving home from work, passed it driving around today, sadly i wasn't driving the Elite (would have gave him a wave) but was in my Land Rover taking stuff to the dump. The make is Nankang a mid range budget brand. They have good ratings on the label now attached to all tyres. (grip, noise etc.) A local cut price supplier wanted £67 cash and carry for exactly the same tyre. Luckily I have access to a tyre machine and balancer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markgenesis Posted November 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2014 Pulled my steering rack out thismorning to diagnose the horrible tight/slack feeling, actually found it was a siezed lower column U/J, top one is fine, the play i thought i had in the U/J's is actually movement in the lower steering column bush (felt when gripping the intermediate shaft in the engine bay and giving it a shake), hoping the column bush will be fine once greased and chapped back in. Good news is the trunnions, ball joints, rack, rod ends etc are all fine (removing the rack gave me a chance to check all these properly). While the rack is out i'll clean it up, give it a coat of paint and fill it with gear oil, may also replace the standard rack mounting bushes with polly ones. First bolt i went to remove snapped, others came out fine, luckily this one is accessable so will drill out ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dixi4uk Posted November 23, 2014 Report Share Posted November 23, 2014 Whoa, Fill with oil, no way. I seem to remember that the Capri rack only had a minimal amount of oil added. I don't remember the exact quantity but is was small. Check it out first. Too much oil and the bellows will pop off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markgenesis Posted November 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2014 Ah, cheers Adrian, will check that out and not fill it too much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunc Posted November 24, 2014 Report Share Posted November 24, 2014 Is it a power steering rack? Your car originally had air-con, so I would guess that it is power steering...but I can't see the small pipes? Just for anyone searching the archives on racks and lubrication: Power Steering: said to be a modified ford unit (capri/granada?) Manual Steering: Triumph unit (Herald/dolomite) Loads of info on the net on DIY rebuilding triumph steering racks, less on the ford sourced ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dixi4uk Posted November 24, 2014 Report Share Posted November 24, 2014 Somewhere in the recesses of my brain I recall that it is half a pint of oil for a standard non power rack. Engine oil (20/50) or EP80. Many recon racks seem to only have grease and no oil. There are different opinions on grease or oil same as trunnions. Your choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markgenesis Posted November 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2014 Is it a power steering rack? Your car originally had air-con, so I would guess that it is power steering...but I can't see the small pipes? Just for anyone searching the archives on racks and lubrication: Power Steering: said to be a modified ford unit (capri/granada?) Manual Steering: Triumph unit (Herald/dolomite) Loads of info on the net on DIY rebuilding triumph steering racks, less on the ford sourced ones. Manual steering, as you say my car originally had air-con, now removed, originally had power steering now manual and has been changed from auto gearbox to manual gearbox so quite a bit gone missing over the years, dont mind this so much as it's less to go wrong, though the car will never be an original spec 504. Helpfull info Dunc, i now know i probably have a Triumph rack (i assumed it was Ford), incedentally i noticed SJSportscars sell the Power steering U/J's on exchange basis but non power ones can be bought outright. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunc Posted November 24, 2014 Report Share Posted November 24, 2014 Losing the power steering is no loss IMHO.. My excel has the power assisted rack and my S2 Eclat is converted to manual steering. I have the PAS rack and Uj's and considered a saxo electric pump hidden up in the nose, to refit PAS, but having driven the excel I decided I prefer the manual steering. Might just be what I have grown used to, as the excel is the only Lotus I have had with PAS, but I'm not a fan.The PAS is nice for low speed manoeuvring but once your on the move I dont like it. It's also heavier and as you say- more components to go wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markgenesis Posted December 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 Got my steering back together yesterday, if the weather improves i may take it for a drive later. Cleaned up rack, new mounting rubbers, new U/J fitted to intermediate shaft. Back in place, had to remove the bonnet to get to the mountings, found them impossible to line up from underneath or leaning over the wing. Pointless garage shot. Bought this new hinge pin and bush set for the sagging drivers door (which does my head in), i predict loads of fun fitting this, from what i can see the whole door will need to come off and the steel beam unbolted and withdrawn from the door (upon which i'll probably find it's rotten). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esprit s2 Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 If you do manage to replace the door hinge pin take lots of photos as I need to do mine! Steering rack looks lovely. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dixi4uk Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 If you do manage to replace the door hinge pin take lots of photos as I need to do mine! Steering rack looks lovely. I second that. I have the hinge kit and the manual but it sort of looks complicated to replace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markgenesis Posted December 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 Will do guys, will probably tackle it over Christmas. Delighted when my shenanigans and mincing about is even slightly usefull to others Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieCroker Posted December 7, 2014 Report Share Posted December 7, 2014 Looking good, lots of colours going on there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markgenesis Posted December 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2014 I second that. I have the hinge kit and the manual but it sort of looks complicated to replace. Right guys, i've started a thread detailing this job in the relevant section of the forum as it may be useful to others (couldn't find a detailed report of the job on the net myself) I have the door and beam stripped off the car but it's not a pretty sight, not a job for the feint hearted (but hopefully worth it in the end) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeeech Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Good on you mark that will come in very handy when I have to tackle this job. Were your doors dropping seriously? I've heard about this and mine seem fine although I'm a little surprised by this! I guess the stainless pins fix it for good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markgenesis Posted December 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2014 The door was dropping about 1/2 at the catch, of course this is the result of only a few Millimeters of wear at the pin. Problem i've found is that the pin had siezed and was turning in the brackets so the wear and movement is in the brackets and not the bushes. I have a plan to solve this though. Once the stainless pin is installed with the new bushes and the beam fitted with a grease nipple it should last for years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alastair_james_cox Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 Hi Mark, Looks like you're on top of this :-) I've just updated the thread on my engine swaps. Do you have any advice on how to tidy up the heater / ventilation unit once the air conditioning is out? Do you just close off the pipes where the air conditioning fittings terminate and how did you actually do this ... at the moment it looks like it could be one of those jobs that looks like half a days work but could take all weekend. Best, Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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