Turbo Elise

[hiscot]

Found this on an old TT site

Supercharged VHPD engine. Strengthened lightweight pistons and forged connecting rods designed by Turbo Technics. Low compression ratio. Strengthened crankcase and cylinder liners. Cast aluminium ladder frame to increase engine rigidity. High tensile through bolts. Revised lubrication system. Uprated cylinder head. Uprated camshaft drive. Engine carefully inspected and rebuilt to very exacting tolerances. Supercharger oil supply and return from engine oil gallery. Uprated crankshaft pulley, alternator pulley and drive belt idler pulley. Automatic supercharger belt tensioner system with sealed for life roller bearings. Reinforced poly-vee supercharger drive belt. Cast aluminium supercharger mounting support.

So yes it looks like they outsource all the parts bar the supercharger, possibly even a scholar block "Strengthened crankcase and cylinder liners". Surprised its a cast aluminum ladder frame and not a steel one.

Interested in selling your tt260 engine?

the block is not a scholar they did all the work in house , steel ladders have been used but not by tt i expect they used alloy as it would expand at the same rate as the rest of the engine
there is also a scholar blocked 1.9 supercharged engine around but tt did not use a scholar
they had a shed load of problems with the 260 to begin with but they changed the pistons ,fitted a emerald instead of piggy back got decent mapping and now they are ok if cooling is improved .the main problem ones where a 340r that never got sorted they even fitted water injection and an exige that always had high oil temps yet some are trouble free from the outset
the 230 is possably the best (same as is for sale on this site) , they can make more than 230 with a few tweaks and many have done big miles trouble free

[Mikie711]

Ah ha, now I remember. Was a bit preoccupied so I apologies about not being able to talk much. Brother went to a local scrappies and got a set from some old banger it was number 4 lead that was goosed as well as the rotor arm bolt backing itself out. Only on by one thread, dread to think what would have happened if it had dropped out altogether .

[Shug]

Not a problem mate - been in the situation plenty of times, so didn't expect an extended chat Glad it was minor, could have used an outboard in the morning sessions methinks. Run a bead of silicone down the edge of the spark plug cover and it'll keep the worst out for next time

[Mikie711]

No what you mean, thought I was going to have to row round rather than drive. Cheers for the tip

[two4oneuk]

http://www.zcars.org.uk/lotus/index.htm

You could always do above......

[Mikie711]

Ok, research complete and the final outcome is ............................it's a goer . This is actually alot easier than it would first appear. As I have everything to do this in place, more or less, all I need to source is a turbo and some exhaust fittings.
Will post up the build over winter and we will see how it works out.
FYI 230-250bhp seems the sensible limit where it all stays reasonably reliable, beyond this it all gets a bit unpredictable.

Mike

[VXJON]

Ok, research complete and the final outcome is ............................it's a goer . This is actually alot easier than it would first appear. As I have everything to do this in place, more or less, all I need to source is a turbo and some exhaust fittings.
Will post up the build over winter and we will see how it works out.
FYI 230-250bhp seems the sensible limit where it all stays reasonably reliable, beyond this it all gets a bit unpredictable.

Mike

Mikie you are a lunatic


Cant wait to read the build thread

[hiscot]

your a brave man mike but i have to ask why ?
that power is easy for a 1.9 nasp with the right head / valve combo and it would suit your box 1.9 is the way forward imo
1.9 is tried an tested the turbo is tried and failed did i mention 1.9
but if your set on the turbo have a chat to drew from roverdose

[Mikie711]

For a kick off, you are all assuming that we are talking 1.8K here, which may or may not be the case. As long as the engine isn't pushed beyond practical limits then it should all end in smiles rather than tears. It's as much about the extra torque as it is about the power gains. And lastly because it's different rather than the norm.
Anybody can go and get a head ported, throw in some hot cams, big exhaust etc,etc. There's loads of people out there to relieve you of your hard earned and do it all for you if you don't fancy a go yourself, sometimes they work quite well and sometimes, despite all the care in the world they still go bang.
As I said before it has been done, quite successfully and even if it does go bang then I will still have the major components to re-build the engine in a more conventional form. Assuming it doesn't go bang in a turning itself inside out sort of way.

Lets face it there's no real shortage of rover engines out there so why not? It'll be fun

[hiscot]

mike i am looking forward to your build and write up. good luck
it will make an intresting conversion

[mac]

Best of luck Mike.

I'm just glad that my class run's before yours - that concrete dust isn't much fun in an aero screened 7

[BiggestNizzy]

For a kick off, you are all assuming that we are talking 1.8K here, which may or may not be the case.
Lets face it there's no real shortage of rover engines out there so why not? It'll be fun

Can't wait to read this and for doing it, 1.4/1.6 seems more sensible as it will be marginally stronger. (if my memory is correct the 1.6 is just a stroked 1.4)

[Mikie711]

It's as much to do with liner strength as block strength. The blocks pretty stable up to about 250-270 bhp after that it all starts moving about. The 1.4 is much better equiped to withstand higher boost and is capable of 300bhp before expiring in a cloud of smoke. Going to take a look at the 1.6 as there are more options for engine internals and the like so it might prove to be a good comprimise.

More to follow in the next few weeks.

[Victor Meldrew]

1.4 engines... much cheepness on fleebay... like your thinking...

Wonder if you could get to the point of keeping the internals standard and just bolting on a new cheepo engine every few months if they go bang... or is that just a abit over simplified...

[Mikie711]

As long as the pistons and rods survive, as these will be different from standard. Head benefits from a bit of porting also but by all accounts it's quite bit stronger than the 1.8 engine as the blocks are the same size but everything else is smaller diameter etc.
Going ahead with the my original engine build, ported head on a half steel bottom end, forged pistons and either 285 or ARK1444. These cams are at opposite ends of the scale but if the 285 don't give me what I am looking for then it will be 1227 or 1444's. Will still have the 160 engine as standby and the 1.4 in progress.

Going to need a bigger garage me thinks...........

Not sure if anyone will be able to answer this but i'll ask anyway. The 1.4 K came with top supported liners at one time, looks a lot like the block has a closed deck. Was wondering when these were made i.e. engine numbers from/to or production dates even the car they were used in. Any info would be handy.

Mike