Elite restoration begins!

Restoration threads may be posted here. I can move them from any other topic if you wish.

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Pete Boole
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Re: Elite restoration begins!

Post by Pete Boole »

Hopefully LITP 2022 won't be cancelled due to variant 56zv3!! :roll:

Pete

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shaunw
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Model: Esprit GT3
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Re: Elite restoration begins!

Post by shaunw »

😂😂lets hope not!.........

Pete Boole
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Re: Elite restoration begins!

Post by Pete Boole »

Just in case anyone else wants to fit a ZF auto box in an Elite/Eclat these photos show the bits that stop you doing it (without moving the engine forward ~ 2", or chopping the chassis):

Image

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And this is what I've done to allow the gearbox to move backwards into the chassis:

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Part way through machining:

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Pete

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Excel SA
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Re: Elite restoration begins!

Post by Excel SA »

Nice to have a large lathe to help you get through your projects! I'd have had to be at it with a hacksaw and angle grinder....Glad no extra holes have appeared :D

Neil.

Pete Boole
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Re: Elite restoration begins!

Post by Pete Boole »

Bit more progress :D. Finished building and installed the electric power steering column over the weekend:

Image

Far more involved than I thought at the outset! As usual!

Pete

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shaunw
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Re: Elite restoration begins!

Post by shaunw »

What's the silver sheeting Pete, soundproofing?

Shaun

Pete Boole
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Re: Elite restoration begins!

Post by Pete Boole »

It is. It's the first stage - it's a foil-covered self adhesive viscoelastic membrane to damp panel resonance. Next will be a layer of open-cell acoustic foam with a further layer of the viscoelastic membrane to act as a "suspended" barrier layer. It gets complicated and heavy!

Pete

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shaunw
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Re: Elite restoration begins!

Post by shaunw »

Completely subjective opinion Pete but I found that adding 'Dynamat' type soundproofing to my car was only effective on the door panels to stop audio escaping through the door skin. In terms of reducing road noise and drumming etc it didnt really do anything, even on large panels like inside the rear wing and boot, (I assume because fibreglass doesnt have the same acoustic resonance properties as steel?) I've now stripped the majority of it out of the inner wings and boot as, like you say, the weight adds up. Never tried adding to the bulkhead though so it may well help with engine noise. Just something ( else 😉) for you to consider.

Shaun

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Excel SA
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Re: Elite restoration begins!

Post by Excel SA »

Looking good Pete - that electric motor probably weighs about the same as the electric window motors in my Excel!

Neil.

PS. still waiting for the intake photos.....

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DavidOliver
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Re: Elite restoration begins!

Post by DavidOliver »

Hi Pete. What about Excel headlamp electric motors, the pneumatic Elite system often failed, but quite lighter than electric.

Dave the cog.

Pete Boole
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Re: Elite restoration begins!

Post by Pete Boole »

These cars will never be quiet but I'm hoping to minimise some engine/transmission NVH in the soundproofing process - hence the bulkhead stuff.

The electric motor probably weighs about the same as a mechanical power steering pump and oil reservoir, so no weight saving, but it is nearer the centre of the car - better balance! :lol:

Pete

Pete Boole
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Re: Elite restoration begins!

Post by Pete Boole »

DavidOliver wrote:
Wed Apr 21, 2021 10:22
Hi Pete. What about Excel headlamp electric motors, the pneumatic Elite system often failed, but quite lighter than electric.

Dave the cog.
Yep - I'm changing to MX5 electric motors. Easier than the Excel version as the relays are contained within the motor housing. They are nearly finished. I'll have to weigh the old vacuum pods/solenoids/reservoirs to see how much difference there is - I'd not thought of that!

Pete

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shaunw
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Re: Elite restoration begins!

Post by shaunw »

Cant wait to see it when it's done Pete, it's going to be a very cool machine.
PS having swapped out my hydraulic steering pump goodness knows how many times I can say with confidence that's its bloody heavy. Must sap a notable amount of power too!

Shaun

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Tanz
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Re: Elite restoration begins!

Post by Tanz »

Looks a very neat professional set up (as usual) Pete - Nice one 8)
Cheers, Phil
Never take life seriously, nobody gets out alive anyway!

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Lotus-e-Clan
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Re: Elite restoration begins!

Post by Lotus-e-Clan »

Having previously driven my 89SE on manual steering for over ten years before reverting back to the original PAS I can testify to power/weoght savings. I too thought about the potential benefits of electric PAS but (apart from the engineering hassle) every electric PAS modern I've driven has had pretty awful steering feel ..and a notchy centering characteristic. I hope your electric PAS feels better than I've driven although I haven't driven many to be fair (Alpha Romero, Sususki, Nissan, Toyota)..the Alpha was the worst for centering notchiness.
Peter K

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