bit of work needed - advice please (multiple questions!)

[tuscan_thunder]

My S1 needs a bit of a spruce up.

The clutch isn't long for this world - what is the best replacement, what exactly do I need and how much should it cost? I spotted a Helix replacement thingy in Demon Thieves and also an AP. I'd buy the part and get my local garage to fit it.

What's total cost likely to be?

What has to be done to get the clutch out? Engine/gearbox configuration how does it come apart?

The throttle body (plastic) occasionally sticks when it's hot - is an eliseparts metal one the solution?

The springs could stand being a bit stiffer and lower. What rate are standard S1 springs and what rate are standard S2 springs? The dampers are Avo with fixed rate adjustment so they can cope with a stiffer spring.

My driving lights are cracked (shock). Where's the best place to get replacements?

Lastly (and i'll stick this in classifieds too) has anyone got an S1 soft roof they'd like to sell me?

Thanks in advance
t_t

[Andy G]

in regards to the s1 roof, you can actually send these back to Lotus to get re-furbed

[Sanjøy]

My S1 needs a bit of a spruce up.

The throttle body (plastic) occasionally sticks when it's hot - is an eliseparts metal one the solution?
Stick an Add on Piston heads and you will get one

The springs could stand being a bit stiffer and lower. What rate are standard S1 springs and what rate are standard S2 springs? The dampers are Avo with fixed rate adjustment so they can cope with a stiffer spring.
Stick an Add on Piston heads and you will get a set of S2, remember I have spare springs

My driving lights are cracked (shock). Where's the best place to get replacements?
There is one on Ebay right now

Lastly (and i'll stick this in classifieds too) has anyone got an S1 soft roof they'd like to sell me?
Search the archives for my post about sendin your current one back to Lotus for a refurb, £40 inc P&P


t_t

[/b]

[tuscan_thunder]

holy moly you SE lads are quick at replying!

[Uldis]

For the clutch, and specially if it's an S1 you should be Ok with a standard clutch again.
You need a kit which consists on:
-clutch plate
-release bearing

The AP one is slightly better (copes with power up to 180 BHP well) but can't keep up with more than that.
Well, yes it can (I'm using one) but if you spin the clutch it will overheat and keep on spinning.

Helix? is it a cheap one? or the very high end paddle MS cermetallic thing? (stay aways from those as they have an on/off action)

[Sanjøy]

Check out the below as I think all S2 Ks came with the alu TB.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/88342.htm

[Rich H]

Clutch is a pig, you are looking at 5 hours+ labour probably. Driveshafts out, gearbox off. Mine would have cost over £500 but was covered by AA warranty. I have a standard clutch here spare you can have for beer if you are on a buget. The spring and friction plate look fine (I'll measure it again just to be sure) but it will need a release bearing (Lizparts). The Lotus clutch is £190 the AP one is £170 or so new. I have the AP now.

Sticky throttle could be helped by a bit of carb cleaner, or if you have an induction kit check that the jubilee clip isn't deforming the TB.

Rich

[Victor Meldrew]

Clutch is a pig, you are looking at 5 hours+ labour probably. Driveshafts out, gearbox off. Mine would have cost over £500 but was covered by AA warranty. I have a standard clutch here spare you can have for beer if you are on a buget. The spring and friction plate look fine (I'll measure it again just to be sure) but it will need a release bearing (Lizparts). The Lotus clutch is £190 the AP one is £170 or so new. I have the AP now.

Sticky throttle could be helped by a bit of carb cleaner, or if you have an induction kit check that the jubilee clip isn't deforming the TB.

Rich

For the sticky throttle body, there was a web page showing an alloy opel/vauxhall part being used. Will try to find it again and post the link. Much bigger bore than standard, about 58mm. If you could find one at the local scrapy?

[simon]

Check out the below as I think all S2 Ks came with the alu TB.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/88342.htm

Nah, just the VVCs.

[Victor Meldrew]

Clutch is a pig, you are looking at 5 hours+ labour probably. Driveshafts out, gearbox off. Mine would have cost over £500 but was covered by AA warranty. I have a standard clutch here spare you can have for beer if you are on a buget. The spring and friction plate look fine (I'll measure it again just to be sure) but it will need a release bearing (Lizparts). The Lotus clutch is £190 the AP one is £170 or so new. I have the AP now.

Sticky throttle could be helped by a bit of carb cleaner, or if you have an induction kit check that the jubilee clip isn't deforming the TB.

Rich

For the sticky throttle body, there was a web page showing an alloy opel/vauxhall part being used. Will try to find it again and post the link. Much bigger bore than standard, about 58mm. If you could find one at the local scrapy?

Cant find the original lotus owners site, but have a look at this web site, it shows the type of throttle body that was pictured on the owners site.

http://www.tomstickland.co.uk/astra/mod ... #throttle1

If we could get someone who could make up a mounting plate for the bigger 3.0 litre, that would be sweet.

[tuscan_thunder]

Clutch is a pig, you are looking at 5 hours+ labour probably. Driveshafts out, gearbox off. Mine would have cost over £500 but was covered by AA warranty. I have a standard clutch here spare you can have for beer if you are on a buget. The spring and friction plate look fine (I'll measure it again just to be sure) but it will need a release bearing (Lizparts). The Lotus clutch is £190 the AP one is £170 or so new. I have the AP now.

Sticky throttle could be helped by a bit of carb cleaner, or if you have an induction kit check that the jubilee clip isn't deforming the TB.

Rich

Does the gearbox split from the engine reasonably easily?

How much is a release bearing?

Why did you upgrade to the AP?

If I could get your standard one from you that'd be very much appreciated!

[Rich H]

Shug's split ok, but that was out of the car, problem I would imagine would be access. The driveshafts have to come out 2x Seals form rover £10 each, gearbox oil £11/litre, then clutch itself £170, lots of other stuff while you are in there on an old S1, ball joints, bushes, shocks, etc too.

What makes you think your clutch is knackered anyway? The Liz is so light they last for ages. I would be suprised if it is worn out. More likely the linkage (Either the pedal bush or the hydraulics) would be buggered. My clutch was the original one ad is 8 years old, no real sign of wear (Will dig it out in a bit) The only reason I went for the AP was it was cheaper. It is alot lighter to operate which makes pulling away smoothly a challenge to begin with.

If you want my old one your welcome to it.

Release bearing £25:
http://www.eliseparts.com/shop/index.ph ... cts_id=527

[tuscan_thunder]

cool.

It's done 49k and is 7 years old - in traffic it judders when you engage it if it's hot and the weather is hot.

Doesn't seem to slip but the juddering makes me think its on its way out.

Don't know if it's still on red clutch hose but there are no problems with gear selection even in the recent heat and when its sitting in traffic.

If I was to change it, as you say, be worthwhile doing bushes (dampers were done less than a year ago) and toe-links.

Any thoughts on the juddering?

Is the MGF as inaccessible as the Elise for things like clutch changing?

Uldis: the heliz one is in Demon Thieves and I believe its a standard type as per the AP one. You going to Alford on Sunday?

[Rich H]

My old clutch is 7.1-6.9 mm acording to my verniers. New size is 6.9-7.4 service limit is 5.6. Rivets are 1mm deep service limit is 0.2 so perfectly servicable. I got a release bearing and cover plate too but I would definatly get a new release bearing.

Test the clutch by pulling away carefully in 2nd gear see if it slips. Juddering could be CV joints (Driveshafts) or clutch I would think. Red hose supposedly causes selection problems, but I still have one with no ill effects yet.

[Rich H]

Bushes prolly not worth it unless there is alot of play (Big job) ball joints deffo worth looking at as the hubs will be in bits anyway.

Forgot to add you will need 4 axle stands as a minimum, or better a 4 point lift, or ask Lawrence nicely about the next spanners and sponges session.........