I have got a Honda engine /gearbox complete with looms ECU connectors, thanks to craig. This will probably be the slowest engine conversion in history as I do not have a lot of spare time due to working away for a month at a time. I will update progress as it happens, which most likely will not be often.
I hope the Honda gurus are ready to answer lots of stupid questions!
Monday 01/4/13
Started to dismantle the rear suspension. Drivers side hub nut loosened very easily, passenger side is determined not to move, bent a ½” drive breaker bar trying to break the torque. Passenger side wishbone bolts and shock mounting bolts loosened easily, everything soaking in WD40, will try to remove wishbones tomorrow, passenger’s side may have to come off in one piece and be dismantled later if the hub nut continues to be stubborn.
Tuesday 02/4/13
Removed the suspension and driveshaft from the driver's side. I am totally shocked at how corroded everything is compared to my previous Elise top and bottom balljoints are completely shot. Wishbones have been removed from the hub but the lower shock absorber mount is stuck firmly to the shock. I have cut off the nut and the bolt head and tried to drift it out with no success. i may be about to scrapa shock to get it off unless anyone has a top tip.
i think my quick suspension refresh may take longer than expected.
Wednesday 03/4/13
some small progress today. Passenger side suspension and driveshaft removed from car. Hub nut is still stuck, I will have to take it to a professional to seperate the driveahaft from the hub.
Also disconnected rear engine steady, removed exhaust manifold and drained coolant. with luck I will get the engine out tomorrow.
Thursday 4/4/13
The Engine is oot! I can now spend a couple of days tidying up and cleaning before I have to go back to work. I am on a course in Aberdeen all of next week, living in the marriot Dyce, then back to sunny climes for a month.
I have some time to decide the way ahead, next progress will be late May.
Tuesday 16/4/13
Got a small reprieve from going to work due to visa problems. I have managed to get the wishbones stripped down ready for shotblasting and painting, the inboard lower wishbone will need to be modified first to suit the new driveshaft. When I removed the balljoints, the uppers still had some grease in them. The lowers however were both dry and rusted solid.
I was planning to replace the bushes with OEM parts. Can anybody recommend alternatives, and what are the advantages/disadvantages?
I also intend to fit steel rear uprights, which I already have as spares for my Exige. I think that this is fairly straight forward, the only part I think I need is the speed sensor bracket, which looks different to the alloy version. Has anyone else done this?
Saturday 27/7/13
It has been a while since I have given any update on my progress with my conversion so here goes. I decided to buy the complete stark kit and have fitted steel uprights in place of the old ally ones, I have also bought the eliseparts uprated toe link kit to go with the new suspension bushes bolts and balljoints.
The shocks fitted are my spare LSS from my Exige, this is due to the previous S2 bilstein shocks being completely shot. I have not decided on the way ahead for replacements yet.
The cooling pipes are trial fitted at the moment, I am not sure of the final routing yet. I still have to fit the fuel system and the gear linkage and cables, I am waiting for a couple of parts that were missing from the kit.
James from Stark has been very helpful in answering all of my questions up till now, hopefully I will not have to ask too many more.
My only disaster so far has been the nearside driveshaft inboard boot being damaged by my over zealous use of a blunt object to fit the shaft. I am waiting for a replacement from Stark.
I will continue to make progress this week I hope, then I have another 1 month enforced break due to work.
30/7/13
Gear linkage parts arrived and fitted. I now have a complete gear linkage, 6 forward gears and reverse. I still need to fit the springs for self centering of the gearstick.
Clutch pipework fitted and bled, clutch fluid was a lovely shade of black. clutch seems to be operating well now.
20/9/13
Finally got the rear suspension back together, now have 2 driveshafts fitted as well. Fitted a pair of Eliseparts ally belled discs and new pads at the same time as the old discs were well worn.
Fitted the fuel system components, all pretty straight forward to do. modified the old airbox bracket to fit the filter and regulator. The connections at the pump were a real pain, I have the skinned knuckles to prove it.
The main thing left to do to complete the conversion is the wiring. I think I need help!
Moved my attention to the front end of the car, I was expecting the front suspension to be in an even sorrier state than the rear. I was surprised to find that it is actually in good condition, one of the previous owners on here has refurbished the suspension and painted the wishbones blue. I am not keen on blue, but it will do for now.
I was planning to replace the radiator with an all alloy one, I better check that has not been done already. Clam has to come off anyway.
23.11.13
It has taken a while to get to this point, but IT'S ALIVE!
Got some major help from Alan Gourlay today, for which I am very grateful. Alan came down and made up the harness for me as I was terrified to do it myself, we fitted it to the car and it started and ran with no major issues.
I was absolutely terrified turning the key for the first time but need not have worried, it started straight away.
