What's your old transmission oil like?

[gdr]

Changed the transmission oil at the weekend, and oil that came out was not at all pleasant, kind of black and thin looking. No obvious large pieces of 3rd gear syncro in it, but of course any loose internals might already have been ground to a fine paste...............
Possible this is the original oil - car only 3 years old, quite a low mileage (although mostly track miles). Not sure if it got an oil change at MMC before I bought it - probably should have given previous track history. I intend to change the transmission oil every year at least. It now has Motul Gear 300 75/90 in it so will see how that looks after a few TDs.

Any experience with nasty looking gearbox oil?

The box is actually working OK, so not as if there was really a major problem there - 4th to 3rd sometimes a bit bolshy on track if you don't get the h&t perfect but otherwise shifts OK. Probably doing better than average for a 2-Eleven. Hoping the new oil might improve things.

[Shug]

Not sure on the Yota box, but the Rover PG1 was supposedly filled for life. Massive improvements in noise and smoothness with regular oil changes though.

[Mikie711]

George, I had mine back due to it sticking in 1st and second gear. After consulting with Lotus they recommended changing the gearbox oil and that, remarkably cured the problem. They said that the oil came out looking a bit burned, discoloured being darker than it should be. They noted that the oil should be changed ever 500miles or 4 hours of track use. Now this is quite short duration but given the 2-11's propensity for eating gearboxes that is what I am doing now. Have changed to Motul 300v 75w/90 100% synthetic gear oil and 300v 15w/50 for the engine as recommended by most of the guys over on the Lotus forum that race in cup Europe and from Simon at piranha motorsport.
Changing mine today after the winter break and for KH on Saturday.

[gdr]

Thanks Mike, that is reassuring. I'll probably do another change after a couple of TDs to see what it is like.
I've put 300v 5-40 in the engine.

[Scotty C]

I love the smell of gearbox oil me

[Mikie711]

That engine was the one I was going to use but was told the 15w/50 was better for hard use if you let it warm up a bit first. Probably makes little or no difference in the end. I have a bunch of filters if your stuck.
You coming out to play on Saturday, looks like it's going to be dry.

[gdr]

You coming out to play on Saturday, looks like it's going to be dry.

Afraid not, car undergoing a leisurely winter service and still needs to be put back together, won't have time ahead of weekend. Needed 11 front clam and side panel captive nuts replacing with home made stainless one sikaflexed back in after originals had to be Dremelled out.....
Next time will be 30 min job to remove clam and panels though..

[Scotty C]

do you have the front undertray and spliter off ?

i need to make a template

[gdr]

do you have the front undertray and spliter off ?

i need to make a template

Certainly do Scotty. If you are making up a spare front u/t and a long splitter I might be interested in getting spares at the same. My u/t has got a slight rip in one of the bolt holes (I guess you have done better than that!), and I fancy the track pack aero. Rear wing is the expensive bit of course but I can save up. Could drop off or you could collect at a suitable location in the NE, let me know.

[tut]

Anybody know if the Honda g/b oil should be changed or is it also for life? No manual with the conversion.

tut

[jj]

Anybody know if the Honda g/b oil should be changed or is it also for life? No manual with the conversion.

tut

It made a huge difference to the gearchange on my car, but that had a crunchy change (cant remember which, think it was 3rd to 4th). Dan changed it and it solved the issue and the box just felt better. DJ will maybe remember the whys and whatfors.

[Scotty C]

do you have the front undertray and spliter off ?

i need to make a template

Certainly do Scotty. If you are making up a spare front u/t and a long splitter I might be interested in getting spares at the same. My u/t has got a slight rip in one of the bolt holes (I guess you have done better than that!), and I fancy the track pack aero. Rear wing is the expensive bit of course but I can save up. Could drop off or you could collect at a suitable location in the NE, let me know.

you dont want the big front splitter. I got one made out of c/f (im going to cut it down). It causes drag and bangs off the ground on bumpy surfaces especially under braking. Lotus havnt used it on there cars for years

my undertray has been bent to many times to use as a template.

I might be able to get you a rear wing made

my car looks like this just now



im in ABZ, but can come out your way to make a template. Does anyone know what material the undertray's are made of?

[Mikie711]

Tell you in a minute, away to take mine off at the back. IIRC it's just 2-3mm aluminium but probably anodised to protect from the elements.

[BiggestNizzy]

the S1 untertrays are 1.6mm sheet, I got my local water jet cutter to make me rear diffusers for much cheapness, all he needed was a DXF file.

[Mikie711]

Scotty, if you measure it carefully and get the holes in the right place water jetting will be the way to go. That way it's just a bolt on part and no faffing about . Good call Nizzy, who did you use coz up here it's all offshore rates, much £££££££££££.