Winter Strip Down and Rebuild (Done and Dusted)

[Mikie711]

Robin, your probably right. Never really thought about that TBH. Doubt the changes made would affect the steering though as the adjustments were really small, 1/2-1 turn on the spring platforms. Worth bearing in mind for the future though.
The gauge itself is basically a lever acting on a master cylinder type deal with a gauge which reads the pressure which equals the weight. Not real complicated and a good deal cheaper than computer scales.

[Victor Meldrew]

Mike, I thought you had to do the corner weights before the geo - altering the ride heights to adjust corner weights means that you'll have changed the toe, no?

Good effort though - I hadn't seen the corner weight gauge thingmy before - I take it that's a sort of lever that you use to lift one corner off the ground and measure the amount of force required?

Cheers,
Robin

If you make a change on one corner, you should see a change on all of the other corners, in theory, you change move one down and then move the diagonally opposite up. I did a lot of work with corner weights when I raced RC cars and the theory is identical.

What you are trying to get rid off with messing around with corner weights is chassis tweek, we had special flat boards to do this with a pivoting from beam.

[roadboy]

Mike, I thought you had to do the corner weights before the geo - altering the ride heights to adjust corner weights means that you'll have changed the toe, no?

Although this is correct in theory, the change in ride height when adjusting cornerweights will make a negligible difference (if any) to the toe angles.

And to be honest, if you are a pretty average weight, setting the ride height accurately with the car correctly ballasted will give you cornerweights that are as close as you need to be. Not true for all cars but on the Elise chassis cornerweighting is not really necessary is 99% of case.

Dan

[campbell]

A truly fascinating thread, Mike, and I remain unbelievably humbled by the complete set of tasks you have taken on, and the difficulties which you have very patiently overcome!

Have you been invited by Haynes yet, to write their "Rebuilding and racing your own Elise" manual?!?!

[Mikie711]

Right, quick update time. After taking the car out for a couple of short runs to get the temp up and check everything is OK'ish the coil pack seems to have given up the ghost. This is covered in a separate thread, but I can say that it ran lovely. Temp was a constant 84 deg and oil got up to about 80. Still had decent pressure even when hot.
As I am running out of time before going back to the rig it's going out to Ricky's tomorrow to get the ignition sorting as well as any niggles sorting then run in and mapped. It's all back together and apart from setting up the data logger to work with the various sensors the only job that needs doing is bleed the brakes to get the last of the air out. Once I get it back will post up an end verdict about the whole winter project probably after the Fintray weekend, if I get there.


Under tow to Ricky's, next time I see it it should be ready. Can't wait

Mike

[Will ing]

Mike,

Looks good are the wheels from EliseParts or are they the LOT reg ones. Have been considering some for a while now seeing as you cannot get 160 wheels for normal money.

Will

[Gourlay83]

Just read through your thread.

Good Technical Thread.

Maybe see you about Aberdeen sometime when you have all the Bugs Fixed.

Alan

[Esprit]

I'm impressed by the weight Mike (or lack of it!) 775kg with driver and 1/3 tank. Assuming a 75kg driver that's 700 even with 1/3 tank!

Have you done any weight reduction on the thing at all? My old S1 with a fair bit of lightening (lightweight battery, lightweight seats, ally bootlid, ally uprights, forged magnesium wheels, MMC brakes) tipped the corner scales at about 685kg dry.... so about 695-700 with 1/3 tank.

Either way it makes my Exige look porky, a good 40kg heavier than yours for sure

[Mikie711]

I wouldn't put to much faith in the actual numbers, I could believe the car was that light without the driver but have my doubts as there was 76kg in the drivers seat. The gauge on these corner weight gauges aren't graduated enough to be really accurate also need to do it on more level ground to get it spot on. Will have another go when I have more time and post up what should be proper weights.

Will, their not elise parts wheels as the offset on mine is closer to victory's but the fronts are 1/2" wider. They take a 195 tyre better, less overhang on the edges. Not much caliper clearance which might become an issue further down the line when upgrading the brakes............ if I ever do.

[dlogan]

Brilliant thread Mike, some real interesting stuff.

Spotted the car last thursday night, looking great on those wheels, and i like the seats.

Still not quite ready?

[Mikie711]

Brilliant thread Mike, some real interesting stuff.

Spotted the car last thursday night, looking great on those wheels, and i like the seats.

Still not quite ready?

No still not ready, couple of set backs but getting there. had a look at your car today....... very nice . Rumour has it that your running a 1900!

[dlogan]

Brilliant thread Mike, some real interesting stuff.

Spotted the car last thursday night, looking great on those wheels, and i like the seats.

Still not quite ready?

No still not ready, couple of set backs but getting there. had a look at your car today....... very nice . Rumour has it that your running a 1900!

Cheers, yup its a 1900 scholar, previous owner modified it after the VHPD 1.8k threw a rod through the block, hence the dimpled sideskin

Any chance my car was being worked on, or had been worked on? Not had an update yet, I did submit it with a wee list of jobs to be done

[Mikie711]

Not as far as I know, he'll get to it eventually, one thing I've learned over the years is you can't rush Ricky

[Will ing]

So when is your first outing with it?

[Mikie711]

Haven't updated this for a while so here goes.
Some of you know that because I was trying to get the car ready for the last Fintray I kinda rushed the run in procedure and toasted a big end. As I was due offshore I got Ricky G to build this motor and today I got to drive it for the first time. Although I'm limited to 3500rpm with occasional blips to 4000k (self control was never my strong point) the engine feels very smooth and willing. At these revs it doesn't quite get up on the cam which starts to come in at 3500rpm but there feels like there is plenty of torque there and on the couple of occasions I've gone to 4k it certainly wants to rev.
The map we did before the last engine died seems pretty good and will be knocking the emerald into adaptive mapping mode to trim the injector timing down to the correct AFR which is pretty rich anyway.
Engine idles solid at 1000, and I am going to try lowering it a touch as the engine loosens up a bit. Temp's are spot on 83 deg all the way in up to 87 when stationary so the PRRT is doing the business oil was at 80 also but as it's not getting worked hard that's to be expected. Oil pressure started at 80psi and decayed to 55 when the oil warmed up. Currently 10w40 mineral oil in it so will have to wait and see what it's like with synthetic.
The straight cut box is a huge change, ratio's are much closer with 70mph working out at 4k rpm but boy does it whine. It sounds worse in the Elise mainly due to the lack of sound proofing and the fact it's only inches behind you. Lovely noise though but will take some getting used to.
Handling wise the new spring rates certainly seem better, more compliant for road use but I will have to knock the dampeners back a bit.
So initial feelings are good and if anybody is up for mid week runs then drop me a pm coz I need to get some serious miles on the car before the weekend at KH.
Couple more updates will finish this thread off once it's run in and I get some power runs done and a summary of the finished spec. But as I said earlier car feels good and looks like it will be a lot of fun.