CategoryProjects

February 27, 2013

Lotus Elise Engine Oil and Filter Change

By admin
6 Min read
27February

Changing the oil in the Lotus Elise is a relatively simple proceedure but first you will have to remove the rear undertray. Also, you can skip to the bottom for my recommendations on oil type and change intervals. Tools and Supplies 4 quarts oil (I use Mobil 1 15w-50) Oil filter (K&N HP1003 or HP2009) Filter wrench or 25mm socket for K&N 12mm wrench Oil drain pan Funnel Rags for cleanup...

February 14, 2013

Lotus Elise Rear Undertray / Rear Splitter Removal

By admin
5 Min read
14February

The Lotus Elise is one of the few production cars that comes with a full body undertray. So when you look under the Elise, instead of seeing exposed lines and pipes (fuel/coolant/brake/exhaust) what you are met with is a flat sheet that runs the length of the car. This design feature is a blessing for aerodymics as it smooths and speeds the flow of air underneath the car. However, parts of the...

February 11, 2013

Introducing Project Lotus Elise

By admin
4 Min read
11February

This is perhaps the most difficult project introduction I have ever written. There is so much emotion wrapped up in this car that no matter what I write it just seems wrong. I want to tell the story of how I came face to face with a pristine Type 72D Lotus Elise that had sat on the dealers lot since 2008. Or that my wife literally made me test drive it because I was being “too responsible...

January 3, 2013

The Obituary of Project 240sx

By admin
2 Min read
03January

Now that I’ve shed my lackadaisical ways of the last two years its time I address the elephant in the room. Project 240sx is officially and completely dead and let’s just say I have mixed emotions about the whole sordid turn of events. Project 240sx didn’t go out in the blaze of glory I had always wished. Oh no, in fact my forth iteration of the phoenix rising lanquished in my...

October 1, 2010

MR2 Spyder Speed Source Solid Shift Cable Bushings

By admin
3 Min read
01October
The new solid bushings installed.

Introduction After installing the Speed Source shifter bushings it is time to tackle the other end of the shifter mechanism. Namely, the rubber bushings at the end of the shifter cables. By replacing the rubber cable ends with solid bushings, the shift mechanism is made that much more precise. Also, unlike the rubber bushings, these solid bushing will not wear out and deteriorate overtime. Tools...

September 28, 2010

MR2 Spyder Speed Source Solid Shifter Bushing Install

By admin
3 Min read
28September

Introduction What Speed Source offers with their solid aluminum shifter bushings is nothing short of amazing when you realize just how profoundly these bushings alter the feel of the Spyder. By replacing the factory rubber bushings with solid aluminum units, the Speed Source bushings banish the spongy, lacking feel of the factory shifter. The shifter now exhibits the urgent, mechanical feel it...

September 15, 2010

MR2 Spyder Transmission Fluid Change

By admin
4 Min read
15September

Introduction Let’s start with semantics. With the mid-engined, transversely mounted Spyder, you basically have a fwd Corolla engine sitting behind the passenger compartment driving the rear wheels. This means the transmission and differential are part of the same unit and sit in the same housing together. So changing the transmission fluid in the Spyder is the same as changing the...

December 10, 2008

Project 240sx Final Build (Part 1 – Chassis)

By admin
3 Min read
10December

Welcome to the chassis build of project 240sx. The following photos document the complete gutting and restoration of project 240sx to include roll cage installatio0n as well as painting of the inside, outside and underside of the chassis. Simply scroll down to view the images or jump straight to the Gallery. Prep The bare s13 chassis sitting on the garage floor. In order to separate the sheet...

October 29, 2008

MR2 Spyder Power Steering Removal (Part 4: Summary and Final Install)

By admin
6 Min read
29October

Related Links MR2 Spyder Power Steering Removal (Part 1: Try Before You Buy) MR2 Spyder Power Steering Removal (Part 2: The Vented Surge Box) MR2 Spyder Power Steering Removal (Part 3: Disabling the P/S Warning Light) MR2 Spyder Power Steering Removal (Part 4: Summary and Final Install) MR2 Spyder Power Steering Removal (Appendix: Alternate Install) Part 1: Summary Introduction This is the final...

October 22, 2008

CA18DET Inline Oil Cooler (Part 2: Filling in the Blanks)

By admin
2 Min read
22October

Related Links CA18DET Inline Oil Cooler (UK Factory Oil Cooler) This is a follow up post to the original (CA18DET Inline Oil Cooler (UK Factory Oil Cooler)) guide which describes how to install a US market (UK style) oil cooler onto the CA18DET. Filling in the Blanks As promised, I traveled back to the salvage yard to get the VIN number from the car and as luck would have it, it was gone...

October 10, 2008

MR2 Spyder- Permanently Mounting the ScanGaugeII

By admin
1 Min read
10October

The ScanGaugeII is a small automotive computer that interfaces with the OBDII port of the MR2 Spyder.  It contains a small LCD screen that can be used to display the motor’s factory sensors in realtime.  Although the ScanGaugeII is a multipurpose device that can display a wide variety of values ranging from MPG to cost per mile most enthusiasts will use this gauge to measure up to four...

October 7, 2008

Project MR2 Spyder Part 4: Electronics

By admin
3 Min read
07October

I must admit that this is a first for me. I have never installed a head unit in any car that I’ve owned because frankly, I am not an audophile. I always figure that if I am going to spend money on a car, that money will be spent on performance. However, in adding aftermarket gauges to the MR2 Spyder, a unique set of issues presented themselves that ultimately led to modification of the...

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