A7 OOH Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 Can anyone tell me if the 1.4 engine upgraded to 128hp, in the early days was ever fitted with a Plastic Plenum System.From what I have read and from pictures studied the good book says as part of the upgrade to 128hp the engine was fitted with a larger bore free flow aluminum plenum system marked up Supersport.Can anyone throw light on the subject? Perhaps those with this model can help. I run a 1.4 128hp Limited Edition version (No 11) and mine is alloy with a 58mm throttle body, what about its predecessorThanksGordon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oilyhands Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 Only the EU1 engines had the ally plenums, later ones had the plastic ones.Oily Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A7 OOH Posted March 27, 2015 Author Share Posted March 27, 2015 Thanks OilyThat seem odd as my car is one of the 1996 Ltd Edition run out versions and I am on alloy plenum with an ECU2? am I missing something. How do you tell the differance between UCU1 and ECU2Gordon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_ASH Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 As far as I know all the 30 1400 LE models were fitted with the alloy plenum and forward facing throttle body, I owned number 2 of the 30 and can't recall seeing any of the others fitted with the plastic plenum and rear facing T/B, I thought that they were all EU1 as Oily States above.Some years earlier I owned another 1400 Supersport which had the plastic plenum, I upgraded the T/B to the alloy one from the plastic item, retaining the plastic plenum, this car always felt sharp and quick compared to the LE I owned later which always gave the feeling of being 5hp short and just didn't quite have the crispness of the first. I believe there is a throttle body mod to check for, with the engine turned off get someone to sit in the drivers seat and depress the throttle pedal fully, with the air filter removed look into the intake throat and make sure that the butterfly is fully open. I can't find it at present but somewhere within the tech talk info from old Blatchat it is documented and so is what to do to fix it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fyldeflier Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 Gordon.I agree with The Ash's comments in that all the LE 1400 ss seem to be fitted with the alloy plenum.my car is no 25 and has this arrangement.the throttle mod mentioned is just a matter of modifying the throttle cable quadrant on the outside of the throttle body by removing the throttle stop .you will need to use a small hacksaw or a dremmel for this.This will enable the throttle butterfly to open a fraction more. Mine is modified but to be honest I can tell no real difference in performance!as for the difference eul to eu2 I am afraid I don't know but am sure oily hands willHope this helpsJohn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A7 OOH Posted March 28, 2015 Author Share Posted March 28, 2015 Oily, Ash and JohnMany thanks for the information it has clarified matters, and yes it is EU 1 (Euro1) emmision standards, I was getting my EU and ECU muddled. It may be fair to assume that the run out Limited Edition Model is also EU 1 given Caterham using up its stock of 1.4 engines in 1996, even though EU2 came into affect in 96.Thanks again guysGordon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fyldeflier Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 Gordon.yes that's it in a nutshell Le are early 1400 k series that caterham used up when further supplies looked unlikely due an industrial action at Rover.that is when they put the Vauxhall engine in the classic ( I think!!)John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_ASH Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 I should have added that if you are coming up to a Cambelt change it is an ideal time to add vernier pulleys, although I never did this to either of mine I understand the 1400 K responds particularly well to having this done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fyldeflier Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 I can vouch for the above.Verniers totally transformed my car.The factory timing was miles out!John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A7 OOH Posted March 29, 2015 Author Share Posted March 29, 2015 Thanks for that Ash and John.I will bear that in mind, sadley my belt was changed only last Oct by James Whiting and I know he went to great pains to get the timing spot on.Gordon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oilyhands Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 Without verniers the timing will never be spot on, the timing marks may align but that does not mean the timing of the cams is correct.Oily Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_ASH Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 I believe the problem is that the camshaft dowels which the standard pulleys locate on are often not in the ideal position so the basic timing will be close enough but not perfect, verniers allow the cam timing to be optimised, a cheaper solution is to use offset dowels.edited to say :- oily beat me to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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