At Last!. I have started on my car ;-) PART 2

T9 man said:
The engine is finally going in - I thought this day would never come :amazed:
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Me too!
Hopefully, tomorrow. Bellhousing was bolted to gearbox this afternoon and I can't think of anything else I need to do before fitting it.
 
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I used to own a 1970 Mk1 1558 cc Lotus Escort that had twin 45mm side draft carbs, factory L1 cams and factory extractors and used big valve head off the Super Seven.
It was no where near wild and produced 175 bhp so 190 from the Elan doesnt seem far fetched.
Go Lotus a car well before its time
 
Hi OG,
you seem to know a bit about building race cars so will fire a question to you.

I have thought about removing the alternator all together as a weight/horse power gain and running off the battery for shorter races ie. supersprints and charging battery up between races and jump starting to conserve battery power.

Any ideas on this??

By the way great articule on the Elan
 

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loz1961 said:
Hi OG,
you seem to know a bit about building race cars so will fire a question to you.

I have thought about removing the alternator all together as a weight/horse power gain and running off the battery for shorter races ie. supersprints and charging battery up between races and jump starting to conserve battery power.

Any ideas on this??

By the way great articule on the Elan
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You will get a better answer from the more experienced racers on this site, but here goes anyway:

Removing the alternator will reduce weight and power drain, slightly. However, you will either have to fit a stretchy fan belt (unless running an electric water pump) if such a thing exists or fit some kind of belt tensioner, if there isn't one already fitted. You may have to increase your battery size to compensate which would negate most, if not all, of the weight saved.

One trick that is used is to fit a switch in the charging circuit so you can turn the alternator off when racing as there is more resistance when the alternator is producing power. A free running alternator takes very little power to turn.

I have fitted the smallest alternator I could find that will produce enough power for my porposes while still allowing a small battery to be used. See photos earlier in this thread.
 
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Re: At Last!. I have started on my car ;)

loz1961 said:
Thats impressive you should have a really competitive car, what other cars will you be competing with?
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Don't know yet. Just want to get the car running first and have a play at Test and Tune days at the drag strip. If I sprint it , it will go in the Sports Libra class.
 
I started discussing this in the Style Forum, but thought I would move it to here (keep everything in one place)

This is my indulgance, flight of fancy, folly, call it what you will. I would like to get all of the controls on to the steering wheel so that my hands stay on the wheel at all times.

To that end I have been playing around for some time and have finally come up with this. Still only proof of concept but it is beginning to come together:

http://www.torquecars.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1394&stc=1&d=1327451452

Plenty more switches to be sourced and fitted and plate will be black. What do you think? Am I being childish wanting an F1 style wheel? Will/does lit look silly?
 

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old-git said:
If you exclude dampers (I will fit bars to hold it up for now) it should be rolling by weekend after next.
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hmmm im down in essex for a few days in a couple of weeks.







Do you think you could have it running by then
emotion-5.gif
 
yeah down in basildon on the 8th and 9th, catching some comedian - HI booked it, on the 8th then just a day wandering london as no been down in a couple of years. coming back up on the 10th for her birthday
 
T9 man said:
I think it looks fine OG, the finished article in black should look rather professional! Take it easy on the indicator lights though as they will be a distraction ;)
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Thanks T9. The only indicator lights, apart from illuminiated switches, are the ones built into the Dash2 in order to make it road legal.
 
Never sure on these wheels, if executed correctly and the rest of the car fits with the concept (which no doubt it will) then yes. Will the centre section be static?
 
loz1961 said:
Hi OG,
you seem to know a bit about building race cars so will fire a question to you.

I have thought about removing the alternator all together as a weight/horse power gain and running off the battery for shorter races ie. supersprints and charging battery up between races and jump starting to conserve battery power.

Any ideas on this??

By the way great articule on the Elan
Click to expand...

My 2cents worth, I used to run without an alternator but you need to be aware of the drain on a battery during a race and more so if a wet race with wipers and blowers on. When I was racing ovals it wasn't an issue as the screen was mesh with a makrolon screen with 2" holes as per rallycross so no need for additional electrics. Is it worth the hassle as OG said a replacement battery with capacity could negate this. Add up the drain you may have at worst case scenario and see how long this would last on a perfect battery over the distance.
 

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stamford said:
Never sure on these wheels, if executed correctly and the rest of the car fits with the concept (which no doubt it will) then yes. Will the centre section be static?
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Until it is finished I won' t be sure either :) No, it is attached the the steering wheel boss. That way the buttons are always in the same place relative to your fingers. This is especially important with regard to the gear change buttons or paddles. Having the dash static would be useful, but as the car will be mainly used for drag racing this isn't an issue.
 
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Okay, understand the need for control buttons to follow movements, but was thinking of any display information needed to be static, but as you say will be for drag racing then no need to worry. I'm sure all will come clear when it gets closer.
 
That will be great. let me know nearer the time so we can confirm date and time and I can give you directions. Hopefully T9 can make it as well (I think we have enough cups).

It is an aluminium honeycomb sandwiched between CF sheets.
 
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Marvellous OG :) If you can give me 24 hours + notice then it should not be a problem for me. Just PM me the date, time and your address, also if you would like me to bring my own Saab mug and a selection of chocolate biscuits :bigsmile:
 
^^ Great stuff PG, the hotels down here usually kick you out about 11am unless of course you need a lie in! ;) then they can give you another couple of hours snooze time if requested early enough.
 
aye we hoping it would be around 10ish then grab some breakfast before heading back up.
would only be fore a couple of hours as its her birthday and shes wanting to go for a meal with the family when we get back
 
T9 man said:
Marvellous OG :) If you can give me 24 hours + notice then it should not be a problem for me. Just PM me the date, time and your address, also if you would like me to bring my own Saab mug and a selection of chocolate biscuits :bigsmile:
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OK, will do. If you bring the Saab, I will forgive you if you forget the biscuits :)
 
pgarner said:
aye we hoping it would be around 10ish then grab some breakfast before heading back up.
would only be fore a couple of hours as its her birthday and shes wanting to go for a meal with the family when we get back
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There is not a lot to see so 5 minutes should be ample :)
 
Well, The engine is in!!!!!

Actually I fitted it twice. I had a feeling that the clutch was fouling the clutch pipes, so took it out and so it proved. Resited the pipes (not quite so neat now but, hey, they can't be seen) and put the lump back in, hopefully for the last time.

http://www.torquecars.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1411&stc=1&d=1327881705

http://www.torquecars.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1412&stc=1&d=1327881705

http://www.torquecars.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1413&stc=1&d=1327881705
 

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