Upgrades & Servicing

General General Lotus Talk
21

quote:Originally posted by Phil Davies:Its a standard fitment on non air-con cars, if you have air-con you dont get the pipeSo our alternators fry!?!! [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/blush.gif[/image]Anybody know if Geary’s heat shield for the alternator fit both A/c and non cars?[This message has been edited by IDG (edited 01 August 2002).]

22

The theory behind it is that Air-Con cars have the alternator mounted a lot higher, i.e. level with the cylinder head, and get enough air flow through them to keep cool.Thats the theory anyway !Has anyone had one go with air-con fitted ??I think Geary’s shield is for non air con cars only looking at the fixings…air-con cars have a shield wrapped round the exhaust manifold anyway, from what i remember this kept a lot of the heat away from the alternator.

23

My car has air con - the alternator is mounted 5" higher than a non air con car - makes no difference - the heat produced from the engine and exhaust manifold is incredible.

24

quote:Originally posted by miketurn:I can send you some pics of the work and you can pop them up on the sight.MikeMike - holidays prevent getting to either of those days therefore some pics would be of interest - it seems alternator failure is just a matter of time if nothing is done to reduce engine heat.If your car has air con have you just used the pipe originally installed for non a/c cars and if so does it need any modification?You are right about the noise restriction @ Silverstone - they are more fussy for evening sessions - that said I did the same evening two weeks ago without any botherDavid

25

DavidI’ll take some pics tonight and email them to you so you can put them up on the site.If you look at the o/s engine vent, you can just make out a little catch where the hose slots on to. Pat Thomas did a great job putting on the hose - its basically flexible silver tubing that you bend so the cold air flows onto the alternator - you just fix it with some cable ties - he used the original kit and it should only take you half an hour.Mike

26

Sorry to disappoint but I have air con and my Alternator went at 3000 milesreplaced now have 9500 miles so far so goodJohnC

27

hey ho, i thought it was just non air-con cars that had the trouble !! - looks like i was wrong !!

28

quote:Originally posted by JohnC:Sorry to disappoint but I have air con and my Alternator went at 3000 milesDid you do any trackdays in that time?

29

Miniman,Right at the start of this topic you state that you change the gear shift, was this an easy job ? how long did it take you ? can you give me Elise parts contacts , how much ?many thaks Rupzo

30

quote:Originally posted by rupzo:can you give me Elise parts contacts , how much ? http://www.eliseparts.com/ There’s currently a link on the front page, just above the Elise with the funny lights.

31

IDG,]Thanks, exellent when they show you how !!!

32

I’ve taken some very pants pictures to try and give y’all an idea on how I’m trying to keep the engine cooler. http://www.bookatrack.com/isapi/bat.dll?2&gall&258&miketurn&19472&0&2430&315#j

33

quote:Originally posted by miketurn:I’ve taken some very pants pictures to try and give y’all an idea on how I’m trying to keep the engine cooler.The link doesn’t appear to work so well, but I did find the pics in the gallery.What is going on around your A/c pipes?!! I assume that’s the alternator cooling?! Does the other end of the pipe go to the air intake? Who supplied the pipe, Lotus? Does the fact you’ve used that air intake not heat up other parts of the engine bay (just a thought)? [Questions, questions]Ian [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]

34

RupzoThe Eliseparts upgrade was easy to fit.Stick took 20 mins and the new link etc for the cables took about an hour - you just have to be methodical - mines a bit stiff and reluctant to self centre but I’m gonna let it free up a bit first.

35

quote:Originally posted by Miniman:Rupzo - mines a bit stiff and reluctant to self centre but I’m gonna let it free up a bit first.Glad you had a good weekend [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]

36

IDG http://www.bookatrack.com/isapi/bat.dll?2&gall&a&b&c&0&2430&315#j should now work.The air con on my car has broken so many times, I’ve taped it up with duck tape.The silver hose is cooling the alternator and is Lotus supplied, but is available any where, the hose only fits over 1/2 the air vent, so the engine still gets loads of cool air.Works very well, so far!