Project Build - Elise GT: Honda Swap / Widebody Conversion

[pete]

Dear Mr MacLotus,

I have enjoyed reading your thread on your comprehensive upgrade of your motorcar and you have inspired me to undertake a similar project on my own car. Unfortunately I am too lazy and incompetent so I have instead made arrangements to have you brought to the UK to carry out the work in person.

My representatives will be with you shortly. That ringing you hear at the door may be them now in fact. The hood and leg shackles are purely for your own safety, and that of my operatives. I urge you not to struggle, they mean well but can be a tad enthusiastic.

You will be looked after, you will be fed and you will be released when my car looks like yours.

Looking forward to seeing you soon.

[MacLotus]

How much Guinness is involved here? Any way to get Tut's avatar to do the handcuffing?? I promise not to fight.

[tut]

I am sure that I could arrange it Ken..........

tut

[MacLotus]

I am sure that I could arrange it Ken..........

tut

What the... Geez Louise! She's changed. Maybe one to many muffins this week.

But OK... I guess I could do that. I still get the beer... right? (preferably beforehand)

[tut]

Beer? At least a bottle of Laphroaig and two brown paper bags required.

tut

[MacLotus]

Final preparations for the track tomorrow. I did a quick test of my Traqmate GPS data logger and the custom digital dashboard with telemetry (again through the neighborhood - my neighbors just love me!).

You really have to view in 720p expanded (not full screen) to see the detail. I'll upload track video in FULL HD, but this was just a test.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRz_M0z7H4k

Stay tuned... Mac out!

[MacLotus]

Well I finally had a chance to get the car out to Road America this week and stretch it's legs. Took it easy as I adjust to the new available power, so not the fastest out there (second time at the track and still breaking in engine too).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nilH_dD9y0M

As for the larger tires and rubbing... the jury is still out. It seems they were fine at BIR for two track days (mild spirited driving), but then I began to notice a little rubbing on the fiberglass on the left-rear (aft at about 9:00 o'clock position looking at wheel). Actually... the LR suspension felt spongy when compared to the RR, so I had to take it easy on RH turns.

I switched back to my A048's and the LR still felt spongy, and I could swear I heard rubbing... but no evidence of it. If you listen closely in 12 & 14 (and 1), you can hear it. This video is with the A048's on.

It feels like my Eibach 750lb spring has gone weak? Is that possible? (Randy Nitrons). Anyhow, I need to do some more testing at BIR next week. Road America does have a ton of off-camber and vertical elevation challenges that really work a suspension, while BIR is FLAT... so we'll see if it is just the track.

Lastly, look for my new trackside 'Digital Dash Designs' business this next spring. Your video... your logger.... my software/dashboard package ($249). Easy to use... Import your video... import your logger data... sync with slider bar... output in the format of your choice! Easy!! There will be many custom dashboards to choose from (including NightVision)!

Cheers!

[mckeann]

I reckon its more likely to be a bust damper than a bust spring. I used to service my nitrons every year or so, and if i left it too long over the year, i would definitely get erratic handling, as a damper went 'off' and lost the control. You could always try swapping the dampers over left to right and see if the problem moves with the damper, or just try and move the spring over and see if it moves.


Let us know how you get on

[MacLotus]

I reckon its more likely to be a bust damper than a bust spring. I used to service my nitrons every year or so, and if i left it too long over the year, i would definitely get erratic handling, as a damper went 'off' and lost the control. You could always try swapping the dampers over left to right and see if the problem moves with the damper, or just try and move the spring over and see if it moves.


Let us know how you get on

That's exactly what I planned to do. Your explanation sounds exactly like it feels. What is involved in servicing Nitrons? a kit? oil change? Where does one get more info on this/parts/process?

Thanks!

[mckeann]

I've always sent my nitrons back to nitron for servicing. This link explains what they do:

http://www.nitron.co.uk/services_servicing.htm

I'm sure any respectable damper manufacturer/servicer could strip and rebuild nitrons, so maybe worth enquiring on your side of the pond before you go sending them back. Nitron are very approachable, either give them a call or an email and explain your 5000 miles away, they might be able to recommend someone.


As for the handling, in the meantime you could try to stiffen the adjuster on the offending damper, but its only a short term fix, you need to get them rebuilt. On my car, it definitely felt like the back of the car on one side would sit or squat down, and then the back end would break loose as the tyre over loaded. I would also get increased tyre wear when the dampers were in that state. I never changed the spirngs at a service, and the problem always went away, hence why i reckon its the damper rather than the spring

[mckeann]

Just a warning though, on occasion, i had to have the damper piston rods replaced as they were bent. I dont know if this occurred sometime during the life of the damper when it worked ok (like if i hit a kerb or pothole) or wether it happened when the damper had 'gone off' and saggy, and this put more stress on the piston rod. Just a heads up

[MacLotus]

Well the issue just appeared (only a track car)... and as though a switch went off... exactly as you describe... "felt like the back of the car on one side would sit or squat down, and then the back end would break loose as the tyre over loaded". I didn't have a ton of confidence in the handling as is felt as though the LR was bottoming out and unpredictable.

[MacLotus]

Just an update for those following. The car has been running great! When I last ran Road America in June, I was concerned about some tire rubbing, but after swapping the dampers side-to-side, and adjusting them up a bit... rubbing is slight if any. At least not enough to worry about.

I still have yet to push the car to the limits I did with the VHPD, as I have had to learn how to drive the car again. That coupled with little issues (related to the conversion) has made driving beyond 80% a bit distracting. (i.e. overheating - due to air bubbles trapped in all the extensive plumbing... the over-sized slicks rubbing... and most recently, I broke the welds in my headers).







Currently the car is back in the shop for a little redesign on the exhaust system to better allow the headers and exhaust system to flex better. We've got it figured out and will have it back together this week with multiple flex joints.

Hankook slicks have been working great and will definitely consider using them again. I may try some Kumho's too in the same size to see what I like better.

I've really been focused on my new trailer. Bought it new recently and started to customize it for track-side comfort. Came with bare wood walls, but I installed some carpet throughout. This was right after I got it, but currently it's got AC, generator, stereo and 30" flatscreen monitor. I'm actually setting this trailer up for track-side marketing of Digital Dash Designs demos.





Here's a shot of my paddock area at the local PCA Club Race. I got the local Lotus/Jaguar/Land Rover dealer to sponsor me at all the signature club races. In a nutshell, they pay my entry fees and I park brand new Lotus cars smack dab in the middle of their event. You should have seen some of the looks I got from the event organizers (sponsored by Porsche dealer). It was like parking an Evora right in the middle of the Porsche showroom. :p



Here's a video of me mixing it up with the Porsche's. First lap is a warm-up... no passing allowed (boy they have lot's of rules)... but fun none the less.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57KEKZcFsb0

I also had the chance to attend the Rolex Grand Am road race at Road America courtesy of Target/Ganassi Racing. Since the wife works for Target corporate, she arranged for some VIP passes.



Got to hang with Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas for the afternoon.



Photo with Tim Keane, Ganassi TelMex/Target Team Manager.



Had to get Hurley Haywood's autograph.



Then the Continental Tire girl asked to take a photo with me. I must really be quite attractive to the young girls, as she called me a 'Perv'... which I'm not sure, but I'm told means 'Hot' in French (according to my 24 year old daughter).



So I got that going for me.

[campbell]

Great update. That lady mechanic really needs to find some better overalls

The car sounds great. Is it a bit too capable for that track...felt like you were having to back off a lot.

[MacLotus]

Great update. That lady mechanic really needs to find some better overalls

Yeah... and she kept moving my hand up. Not sure why?

The car sounds great. Is it a bit too capable for that track...felt like you were having to back off a lot.

I'm a super conservative driver (i.e. chicken sh*t) and don't push it until I'm comfortable. I'd never make it as a race car driver... but I do have fun. I'm still a bit of a newb. I do think about no roll cage and an open top at 135mph.

I also don't have access to spare Elise parts over here if I break it.