serious engine problems!

[robin]

You don't need a loom or ECU, I assume, as you have one already (unless moving to VVC, which I would suggest isn't worth the cost/effort).

Assuming you use all your engine ancillaries (alternator, manifolds, sensors, etc.) that only leaves the question of the distributor vs. wasted spark setup.

You do not need a cam phase sensor for wasted spark ignition. The ECU fires the 1+4 coil at (just before) TDC and fires the 2+3 coil at (just before) BDC.

You do need an ECU that knows to do this, though, which the MEMS1.9 fitted to EU2 non-VVC elises does not.

The cam phase sensor is there for sequential injection (and would be there for fully sequential ignition, which is what I thought mike was talking about).

So if you're going to keep your ECU you must use a distributor, period.

As Dan says you can push a spigot in, or transplant the cams (which is probably what I would do for the cost of the four oil seals and the cam ladder gunk).

Unless you know the new engine has had the belts changed (and you trust this information) I would also change the tensioner and belt.

Cheers,
Robin

[KevD]

I was thinking the VVC option would give you 143/160bhp without any huge increase in cost ( £600+ fitting rather than £350?) whereas dropping back to 118 might be noticable after a 135bhp engine. With this it needs a loom + ECU.

Worth pointing out I'm not a mechanical engineer and I've never driven a VVC engine so listen to others, I was just looking for a bargain and a excuse for upgraditis

(edited as I forgot I am an engineer but electronic not mechanical so know jack about this stuff! - whoops)

[Shug]

Rarely, I'd disagree with Robin and say that the cost vs replacing with a standard engine might well be worth the effort. Going to a standard K series will feel strangled at the top end compared to a 135, there's no doubt. I think your cheapest way to similar feel would be a VVC transplant, unless you can pull your head and re-use it on a new block.

[robin]

If the 135 was achieved by cams rather than head work then he can transplant the cams regardless of old head state and gets the distributor drive spigot chucked in as a bonus. Minimal cost (cam ladder gunk + cam oil seals).

If the 135 was achieved by headwork AND the old head is gubbed then maybe it's worth investigating the VVC route, but you'll only get 143 as fitting the EU3 K4 VVC ECU to an S1 is a complicated job.

Cheers,
Robin

[Shug]

If the 135 was achieved by cams rather than head work then he can transplant the cams regardless of old head state and gets the distributor drive spigot chucked in as a bonus. Minimal cost (cam ladder gunk + cam oil seals).

If the 135 was achieved by headwork AND the old head is gubbed then maybe it's worth investigating the VVC route, but you'll only get 143 as fitting the EU3 K4 VVC ECU to an S1 is a complicated job.

Cheers,
Robin

Can't argue your logic there

[roadboy]

Yes, indeed you are correct Robin. Cam phase is only required for sequential injection.

I should have remembered that as I am running my race engine on wasted spark without a cam sensor. Doh!

Like you say though, a standard S1 ECU will not run wasted spark but obviously Mike was running his on an Emerald.

143 VVC swap is very simple but not cheap to get everything you need to do the swap.

Dan

[Mikie711]

You do need an ECU that knows to do this, though, which the MEMS1.9 fitted to EU2 non-VVC elises does not.

Didn't realise that the 2nd ignition driver wasn't present in the MEMS ecu. Pin 5 is the second driver pin number but without the driver installed then I guess you can't do it. You are right I was using an Emerald and it was a very simple and neat solution.