Honda Conversion

[mckeann]

If possible, i would have a go of the different conversions. The gearchanges can be vastly different, as can the vibration back through the engine mounts.

Obviously everyone who has one of these cars is going to claim there's is best

[Dipper]

mines a link-up and youre welcome to a shot of it. cant claim its the best as i've never driven another honda conversion but it is good

[Sandy]

Small update to Post 1.

[KingK_series]

I also intend to fit steel rear uprights, which I already have as spares for my Exige. I think that this is fairly straight forward, the only part I think I need is the speed sensor bracket, which looks different to the alloy version. Has anyone else done this?

Why swap in the cheap iron hubs? they are heavy and more importantly not as stiff as the original ally ones? unless you have cracked them?

You cannot put the toe link into double shear on the later brackets and the toe link arm bends = exactly what you do not want especially with a lot more weight in the car.


Are the Ally hubs beyond use?

[edited by robin to trim the quote to the relevant part - makes it easier for others to read the thread, thanks]

[Sandy]

the alloy uprights have covered 90k and need new bearings, I do not know how often they have had to be replaced in the past. The Steel hubs I have are almost new and have new bearings fitted, hopefully they will cope with the power of the Honda for longer and if not they will be easier to replace without damaging the uprights.

[tut]

Sandy, the ali uprights should not need replacing unless they are damaged. N1 and N3 were both on their originals after over 300K miles between them, just the bearings were changed.

However can understand if you have steel ones ready to go on, just that I like ali if it does the job, and also the Lotus Ethos of don't add weight.

tut

[Sandy]

Tut, if I am completely honest I was fitting the steel uprights because I have them and they are ready to go. I am basically lazy and it seems like less work than fitting new bearings to the ally hubs. Also I still need to get one of the ally hubs removed from the driveshaft, the hub nut refuses to budge. Not a big job for a garage with an airgun I know.
I am off back to work tomorrow, I have plenty of time to change my mind several times as usual.

[KingK_series]

Tut, if I am completely honest I was fitting the steel uprights because I have them and they are ready to go. I am basically lazy and it seems like less work than fitting new bearings to the ally hubs. Also I still need to get one of the ally hubs removed from the driveshaft, the hub nut refuses to budge. Not a big job for a garage with an airgun I know.
I am off back to work tomorrow, I have plenty of time to change my mind several times as usual.

some WD40 and a nylon mallet will do it.

[KingK_series]

You also have a 'what might have been' thread to compare yours with

I really hope you compare back to back, the threads and the cars. -

[foz01]

I have a sinclaires/Essex linakge and gear mech available if you want, would need new cables made up from a specialist though..

[Sandy]

It has been a while since I have given any update on my progress with my conversion so post 1 has been updated.

[KingK_series]

Saturday 27/7/13

It has been a while since I have given any update on my progress with my conversion so here goes. I decided to buy the complete stark kit and have fitted steel uprights in place of the old ally ones, I have also bought the eliseparts uprated toe link kit to go with the new suspension bushes bolts and balljoints.


The shocks fitted are my spare LSS from my Exige, this is due to the previous S2 bilstein shocks being completely shot. I have not decided on the way ahead for replacements yet.


The cooling pipes are trial fitted at the moment, I am not sure of the final routing yet. I still have to fit the fuel system and the gear linkage and cables, I am waiting for a couple of parts that were missing from the kit.
James from Stark has been very helpful in answering all of my questions up till now, hopefully I will not have to ask too many more.
My only disaster so far has been the nearside driveshaft inboard boot being damaged by my over zealous use of a blunt object to fit the shaft. I am waiting for a replacement from Stark.
I will continue to make progress this week I hope, then I have another 1 month enforced break due to work.

Would be really interesting to get even just a vague idea of what DIY Honda costs are -?

I'm taking it that the base Stark kit is £4000 plus 1 or 2k? for an engine plus Hondata? plus proper downpipe and proper backbox to unleash the engine to it's potential....

how much will it be ballpark? 6K? 7K? 8K?

and what do you expect from the engine?

base 197bhp?

or 220bhp with Hondata and full exhaust system?

I take it you are not going the full cam, Tillet exhaust etc etc for 240bhp?

be really helpful to a lot of people to have even just a rough idea of the DIY costs from you -

[mikeyb13]

Nice to see your making good progress Sandy. Just been too busy to get up for a look.

[Sandy]

It's been a while since I got anything done on the car, finally made some more progress this week. I have updated Post 1

[Dominic]

Some decent progress!