Cost Effective Torn Mount Repair

As the 111 platform ages, there are several OEM parts that begin to fail due to both age and excessive wear. One part that can degrade over time is the rear torque mount (transmission mount). Recently while inspecting a customer’s car, we found that the OEM transmission mount had begun to start tearing.

One way to prolong the life of a transmission mount that has begun tearing is to add our sportINSERTS. Our sportINSERTS will stiffen the drivetrain which will effectively increase the life of torn mount as well as other rubber isolators by reducing powertrain movement. This transmission mount itself will eventually need to be replaced; however, in the meantime, this will serve as a cost-effective way to prolong the mount’s life. 

                                       

Lotus Elise Radio Delete Compartment

The Lotus Elise/Exige platform has held true to the Lotus motto, “Simplify, then add lightness”.  The Elise/Exige are very minimalistic and contain very few features that aren’t necessities for driving. Despite this, many Lotus owners are still constantly searching for ways to simplify their cars further and add more lightness.

One option for Lotus Elise/Exige owners who would like to pull a few pounds out of their car is to delete their radio. Deleting your stereo isn’t too difficult; however, once your radio has been deleted, you’re left with an ugly hole in your dash that looks incomplete… Fear not, there is a solution.

A few Lotus owners have discovered that a small storage compartment from the 996 generation Porsches works perfectly for covering the ugly hole after deleting your radio. These Porsche storage compartments can be found by searching for the part number: 996-552-253-01-01C. The storage compartment slides right into the old radio slot and turns it into a storage compartment with a more refined look. We’ve already installed one in our InoKinetic Lotus Outlaw car and are very happy with the results.

Find yours HERE

Supercharger Maintenance - MP62

 The Exige S and KATANA kits use a Magnuson M62 or MP62 supercharger. Like any moving part on a car, occasional service is usually needed. Here are the manufacturer's recommendations.

The recommended service interval from the manufacture is 80K miles. The recommended oil is GM supercharger oil An oil change is about 5oz. Manufacture recommends 140mL.

Ensure a Good Seal on Your Oil Pan!

Sometimes the most obvious solutions are not so obvious. Spreading the RTV on the flange before installing your oil pan is a great way to get an even and consistent layer of RTV. Your rubber glove (you use them, right?) makes the clean-up even easier.

Beware of Used Wheels!

Buying a set of used wheels is a good way to save some money but you need to be careful. If you are counting on these wheels to hold up to performance driving on the street or track, then you need to be especially careful. We have seen used wheels that appear to be good but are compromised. Keep reading to learn how we have repaired a forged wheel to cosmetic excellence but we would not dare to use it aggressively in the canyons or track.

We were able to repair (with a local specialist) a forged factory LSS wheel to an excellent cosmetic standard but would not trust it for serious use.

We bought a crashed S240 Exige and salvaged the wheels off of the car. The rears were in excellent shape but the fronts, where the car was crashed, were in unacceptable shape. I asked our trusted wheel refinisher if he could repair these wheels and he was confident that he could. I asked him to go ahead and fix them as we could use some wheels to use in the shop to roll around cars that are in various states of repair.

Here is the crashed car and wheel:

First, the wheel was straightened and then welded to fill in the missing metal.

Our supplier was then able to machine the edge acceptably and refinish the wheel. I asked him to paint the wheels bright orange so that we would not accidentally sell them.

Why is this a concern? Welding onto the wheel will elevate the metal in this area to temps above the anneal temp range of 600-700deg F. When the aluminum gets annealed, it begins to soften. Aluminum melts at 1200 deg F and is approached in the welding process. Since these are forged wheels, this welded area will get annealed thus making it softer than the rest of the wheel. This could ultimately cause a failure. We believe it is not worth taking the risk on a car that is run aggressively.

It is critical that you know how a used wheel was repaired. If it was repaired, it would be worth knowing if any welding was involved. Wheels are considered a consumable on a track car (or any really) but it is also a critical safety component that is holding you to the ground. Are you sure you want to take the chance on those cheap used wheels with unknown history?

Balanced Approach to Tuning

I’ve been tuning the 111 platform since 2004 and have learned many things - good and bad. We love helping clients understand what has worked for us and save them the headaches that come from trial and error. Many years ago, we put together a chart to reflect our philosophy when it comes to tuning the Elise/Exige - especially for track use. Safety (driver & car) became our primary emphasis with performance secondary. We summarized it in the chart you see below.

Tire Sizes - Elise/Exige

I had previously written about tire selection in a Blog found: HERE. This Blog entry lists the many sizes of tires that are possibilities - especially if you have different wheels or want to try other tire brands. Stock sizes for a Sport package Elise or an Exige are: 195/50R16 front & 225/45R17 rear. A key dimension to use in selection is the Overall Diameter - shown below as ‘Circumference’. Ideally, you will choose a tire size that is as close to the stock dimension as possible.

SIZE SIDEWALL RADIUS DIAMETER CIRCUMFERENCE RIM WIDTH

205/50R15 4" 11.5" 23.10    

195/50ZR16 3.8" 11.8" 23.70 74.4" 6-7-7.5"

205/45R16 3.6" 11.6" 23.3 73.1" 6.5-7-7.5"

225/45ZR16 4" 12" 24 74.4" 7-7.5-8.5"

225/50R16 4.4" 12.4" 24.9 78.1" 6-7-8"

245/45R16 4.3" 12.3" 24.7 77.5" 7.5-8-9"

225/45R17 4.4" 12.4" 25 78.1" 7-7.5-8.5"

235/40R17 3.7" 12.2" 24.4 76.7" 8-8.5-9.5"

235/45ZR17 4.2" 12.7" 25.3 79.6" 7.5-8.9"

245/40R17 3.9" 12.4" 24.7 77.6" 8-8.5-9.5"

255/40R17 4" 12.5" 25.1 78.6" 8.5-9-10"

If you want to try different sizes, it is always a good policy to change the front and rear in the same amount or ratio. DImensions provided by manufacturers can vary from company to company. We don’t recommend mixing tire models or brands from front to rear.

Our favorite sizes are stock or 205/50R15 front and 245/45R16 rear.

stock tire sizes here with slightly wider wheels: 16x7” and 17x8”

Winterizing Tips from WT Roadsters

 

Winter is coming up quick. Bill Thomas was kind enough to put together a list of items he does with his Elise, Triumph, and supercool motorbikes:

• Wash and if possible wax/detail vehicle. Make sure the vehicle is completely dry before permanent parking. If it is not possible to wash and/or detail the car then at a minimum it should be wiped down. Remove all items such as paper, food, etc. from the interior. The less clutter the better as this will help prevent rodents from wanting to move in.

• If the vehicle is to be stored throughout the winter without any chance of being driven, inflate all tires to 5 psi above maximum inflation pressure stated on the tire sidewall. This will help reduce flat-spotting of tires during extended immobilized storage. You can go one step further in preventing flat spots by parking vehicles on dense rubber pads large enough to cover the contact patch of tire. A 12''x12'' square one to two inches thick at each wheel is sufficient.

• Change oil and filter if possible. Clean oil sitting in the cooler(s), filter, and sump for upwards of six months is better than dirty oil!!!

• The fuel tank should be completely full. This will prevent condensation from forming on the inside of the tank walls should there be a rapid change in temperature and humidity.

• Check all fluid levels (coolant, brake, clutch, wiper reservoir) and adjust levels as required. Be sure to verify freeze protection of coolant/antifreeze solution in both the engine and windshield reservoir.

• Remove the battery from the vehicle and store it in a warm, dry climate utilizing a battery tender. Make sure windows are fully closed first. If a warm, dry area is not available such as a basement or garage, place the battery on a wood plank with tender attached. The wood will act as an insulator between the ice-cold floor of an unheated garage and the battery. The current flow created by the battery tender will generate a slight amount of heat in the battery. This is a good thing and will help prevent freezing.

• If the storage area has a tendency to become damp or experience rapid temperature and humidity changes (an uninstalled garage is a good example) you should spray a light mist of WD-40 or silicone in the engine bay completely covering everything. This will prevent corrosion on some of the aluminum and steel engine-related parts (ECU, Air Flow Meter, misc. fittings, and fixtures). Do not overdo it with the spray. Make it shine, not drip!!

• Once you have completed the checklist, your final task will be to cover the car with a soft, quality car cover. It should be able to 'breath', meaning that moisture can pass from the vehicle surface through the cover fibers to the atmosphere. This will help protect paint and trim from staining should the cover get wet or surface condensate.

• Finally, if the vehicle is accessible during the storage period, you may check its well-being as often as you care to. I have stored vehicles for 8-12 month stretches without any problems.

• One final important tip: DO NOT start the car and let it run for a few minutes at a time sporadically throughout the storage period. I know many people out there think this is a good idea but it is not. This practice will rapidly contaminate the engine oil and fill your exhaust with condensation (water!). BAD, VERY BAD!

Thx to Bill Thomas, WT Roadsters, NJ InoKinetic Authorized Dealer & Katana Installer (908) 313-4482 or info@wtroadsters.com

shiftR111 Installation & Adjustment Tips Video

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