Having test fitted all the parts I fabricated to be sure I was happy with them (see here, here and here). The exhaust, exhaust heat shield and alternator heat shield could all be fitted for the last time with new gaskets and fixings. Everything ready to fit. New exhaust manifold gasket in place. Engine mount […]
Engine Modifications
S1 Elise – Making an Alternator Heat Shield
Following on from the previous two posts about making an exhaust heat shield and wrapping the exhaust I wanted to give the alternator some protection too. The exhaust manifold is quite close to the alternator on K-Series engines. This is not a major problem with adequate heat shielding and good airflow to the alternator. The […]
S1 Elise – Making an Exhaust Heat Shield
As I’ve said previously, it got a bit hot in the Elise drivers seat on the hottest summer days and I wanted to do what I could to keep heat from the exhaust at bay. One thing being heat wrapping the exhaust which you can see here and the other being fitting a more effective […]
S1 Elise – Wrapping the Exhaust
With the new exhaust setup finished I wanted to do everything I could to keep engine bay and ‘cockpit’ temperatures down. In the summer it would get very hot in the car at times and that had to be largely down to being sat with the exhaust manifold only a few inches behind me. I […]
S1 Elise – 160 VVC / S2 Exhaust Manifold and MG ZR160 Downpipe
When I first got the Elise I found a number of exhaust leaks so spent some time replacing gaskets to sort them out. More about that here and here. While doing this I noticed the outer braiding of the flex section had started to break and the lambda sensor didn’t look great. Clearly someone had […]
S1 Elise – Fitting Poly Lower Rear Engine Mount Bushes
Having found the exhaust to be leaking at the join between the manifold and downpipe, when I first got the Elise, and noticed the flexi section underneath the sump had occasionally been touching the undertray. I figured the engine mounts might have got a bit tired after 20 years causing a bit more engine movement […]
S1 Elise – Clutch Slave Cylinder Support Bracket
When I was buying all the suspension refresh bits, for some reason I decided to buy one of these. An Elise Parts clutch slave cylinder support bracket. Apparently the original bracket can be a bit weak and bendy. I figured I’d may as well fit it while I had the air filter out the way. […]
S1 Elise – ITG Air Filter and Carbon Fibre Air Box Part 2
The slightly temporary induction setup I made with the ITG carbon fibre air box and filter was doing OK but I wanted to do something a bit better so I came back to it with a fresh pair of eyes and some better access. For the better access I needed to remove the wheel arch […]
S1 Elise – ITG Air Filter and Carbon Fibre Air Box Part 1
To me, one of the most important parts to enjoying a car is the noise it makes, particularly induction noise. Having owned a few Rover K-Series powered cars in my time and run a modified K-Series in my Classic Mini, I know they are capable of making a really nice induction howl. The Elise just […]