Project V6 Elise

[OlberJ]

.....................(looks for video)..........................(still looking)..........................(under here?)..............

[Woodsport]

It was my decision to opt for the paddle clutch Ross, because it is going to be tracked, and the turbo/NA combo won't hold up to that i don't think.

Hugely frustrating that the alternator decided to die, not a lot i can do about random failures like that, but we're happy that it's first major test of 350 miles has gone well. The next time we see the car i will be revising the gearshift assembly to be more like our Mr2 setups, we don't think the Elise cables like being routed anything other than in a straight line, which is making the gearchange a little stiffer than normal, Mr2 cables and a modified Mr2 shifter assembly will cure this.

Kev is going to spend as much time debugging and testing the car as much as possible so when it does come back we can improve everything that needs doing, such is the nature of a test mule.

[Rosssco]

Ah, thought so much Paul..

Kev, if you need any assistance in debugging / testing the car while up here, I'll happily drive it all weekend and report back I do afer all have a car with this same gearbox, so can provide an accurate assessment

[r055]

Any updates, videos?

[Kev]

Not much to update to be honest. It took forever to sort the alternator, due to being sent a damaged one and having to wait for a replacement. That's all sorted now, but, I now have a lambda problem, so I'll need to look at that.

I've improved the gear selection slightly by greasing the ends of the cables, by the look of it I think I need a custom set of cables made which will need to be slightly longer.

I hoping to be able to make it to the SIDC day on the 17th of march but can't commit just yet.

[roadboy]

I'm hoping to be able to make it to the SIDC day on the 17th of march but can't commit just yet.

Would be great if you made it out. If I can help with anything just give me a shout Kev.

Cheers

Dan

[Kev]

Cheers Dan

[campbell]

Is Paul no longer involved in the project? Sounds like you are DIY'ing now Kev.

[r055]

Is Paul no longer involved in the project? Sounds like you are DIY'ing now Kev.

Logistically, it's probably not the easiest to support a car in abz from Durham

[Woodsport]

No, far from it, Kev has and always will have my full support and backup on this car, it may have been a test mule but i will always be there for him no matter what this car needs.

So far the only glitches we have had are a random alternator failure and more recently a lambda sensor has a faulty heater circuit, not a lot you can do about component failures like that.

[Kev]

Is Paul no longer involved in the project? Sounds like you are DIY'ing now Kev.

Paul is still involved, it's just easier for me to sort out some of the teething problems, rather than having a 550 mile round trip. It was the risk I took when I approached Paul at the start, if there is anything major I would take it down to Paul's.

[Kev]

Bet me to it Paul.

[campbell]

Good stuff.

So Paul, how are you feeling about offering this as a package conversion going forward? Is your R&D going to pay off, do you think, or is it in the "too hard box"?

No shame in the latter, btw - just curious how you might move forward. It's been quite an epic tale!


Campbell

[Woodsport]

Hi Campbell, for me i've proved it could be done despite the huge negativity towards it (not here by the way) which has been a big deal for me, a few said it could not be done at all, or gave me an extremely hard time about it, then when it was done they said nothing, i can't say that's been an enjoyable experience but i enjoyed overcoming the issues on the build a lot. The upshot is though that the expected 6-8 week build took nearer 16 weeks and despite having bookings from 5 or 6 owners within a month of starting the conversion i have decided not to offer this as one of our regular conversions. It is a very difficult conversion, but i found it too much of a drain on a small business like mine, financially and mentally it's not viable for me. I could install 4 cylinder conversions into them in my sleep and cheaply too but they don't light my fire at all (too easy) and for me the job satisfaction is everything.

Kev has been a joy to work for, he gave me free reign on everything and understood when the timescales shifted and my need to keep a busy workshop going alongside his conversion which will always remain under my care, such is the nature of a test mule build. Wether it proves to be successful long term remains to be seen, that too is the reason for a test car, but was obviously very much reflected in the build cost, but i must publicly thank Kev for having the balls to have a go at this.

For the future i'll never say never, but for now i have such a heavy Toyota based workload i need to concentrate on that.

I'd also like to thank the people that did support the build and were open minded enough to give us a chance.

[SAJ]

Hi Campbell, for me i've proved it could be done despite the huge negativity towards it (not here by the way) which has been a big deal for me, a few said it could not be done at all, or gave me an extremely hard time about it, then when it was done they said nothing, i can't say that's been an enjoyable experience but i enjoyed overcoming the issues on the build a lot. The upshot is though that the expected 6-8 week build took nearer 16 weeks and despite having bookings from 5 or 6 owners within a month of starting the conversion i have decided not to offer this as one of our regular conversions. It is a very difficult conversion, but i found it too much of a drain on a small business like mine, financially and mentally it's not viable for me. I could install 4 cylinder conversions into them in my sleep and cheaply too but they don't light my fire at all (too easy) and for me the job satisfaction is everything.

Kev has been a joy to work for, he gave me free reign on everything and understood when the timescales shifted and my need to keep a busy workshop going alongside his conversion which will always remain under my care, such is the nature of a test mule build. Wether it proves to be successful long term remains to be seen, that too is the reason for a test car, but was obviously very much reflected in the build cost, but i must publicly thank Kev for having the balls to have a go at this.

For the future i'll never say never, but for now i have such a heavy Toyota based workload i need to concentrate on that.

I'd also like to thank the people that did support the build and were open minded enough to give us a chance.

Well done with the conversion

Shame you can't offer it to more but totally understand with your reasoning.