Beej Posted May 7, 2003 Share Posted May 7, 2003 Can anyone tell me, is it possible to improve on the standard injection and intake system without cutting a hole in the bonnet? I know from the books that junking the standard plenum etc and replacing it with a pair of 48s liberates an extra 25bhp but you have to cut a hole for the air cleaner. I would rather keep injection, so will throttle bodies fit within the bonnet line? I cannot really put a hole in the bonnet because it would spoil the car. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Flatters Posted May 7, 2003 Share Posted May 7, 2003 In which case rather a lot of us have ruined ours I have a VX with Jenvey Tapered 48 TB's which does require a hole in the bonnet but personally I think it enhances the look of the car. I don't know of any TB VX's without holes but someone might know different. As for your existing system, it is the fuel injection plenum which restricts the intake here rather than the air filter system. *arrowright*Harry Flatters *arrowright* AKA Steve Mell of Su77on Se7ens and Joint AO - Surrey Edited by - Harry Flatters on 7 May 2003 16:48:59 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beej Posted May 7, 2003 Author Share Posted May 7, 2003 Sorry - didn't mean to imply that putting a hole in the bonnet ruins caterhams (my last one had a nice pair of K&N's sticking out of the side) - it would spoil this particular car because the appearance of the car is quite well documented and the factory have asked me to retain the appearance of the car for posterity. Not being overly versed in how injection systems work I don't really understand why they have a plenum.. surely its just an empty box? Take it off and you get an even bigger empty box, don't you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EFA Posted May 7, 2003 Share Posted May 7, 2003 "and the factory have asked me to retain the appearance of the car for posterity" Do you have the only VX Prisoner car they ever built?? Last time I saw that one it had been left outside with no weather gear and was full of water and leaves. It was also very rusted. I cannot think of any other VX the factory might have interest in which would have been on OEM injection (Unless the the Nelson Cup car was) Anyway, why do you not just buy a second bonnet? Fat Arn Visit the K2 RUM website See the Lotus Seven Club 4 Counties Area Website here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevefoster Posted May 7, 2003 Share Posted May 7, 2003 Lol ran twin 45's an airbox and an air hose to get air from the nose. It seemed to work fine breathing wise.... My racing pics, 7 DIY, race prep. Updated often here Photo's of the year here Hants (North) and Berkshire Area club site here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted May 9, 2003 Share Posted May 9, 2003 carbs and air box look like the cosmetic solution here albeit that quiet a bit of fabrication may be required, but I am with Harry, need to replace induction system to liberate power. If you are looking for further enhancements in the future perhaps Arnie's suggestion has meruit carbs would need new mapped ignition of course as would TB's. All of which is expensive and the extra over cost for DTHTB's and mapped ignition esp if you can find them second hand ( MEF had some for sale recently ) Anthony No engine, but 4 wheels, gearbox, diff and now Nitrons... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beej Posted May 9, 2003 Author Share Posted May 9, 2003 Congrats for guessing right.. the Nelson Ledges car was/is basically a Vx racer but with the standard injection system retained. This means it has a bonnet without a hole in it but plenty of decals and stuff. I guess, at the end of the day, it isn't such a disaster to cut a hole - or get a second bonnet. It sounds like TB's are the way to go so I will have to keep an eye out for a second hand set. Which is the best ECU/software to go with? I need to do this anyway because the standard Bosch/Motronic ECU has a 6500 rev limit (I understand even the standard engine is good for 7500) and it has no shift light that I am aware of. I also suspect that some horses could be liberated just with some remapping - but I don't know anything about engine management systems. SUs, Strombergs, Webers, Holleys, no worries but little black boxes of electronics scare the bejeebies out of me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I reply to every thread Posted May 9, 2003 Share Posted May 9, 2003 If keeping it original is the point & you're thinking about Carbs or TB's then surely the hole in the bonnet is a minor issue? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beej Posted May 9, 2003 Author Share Posted May 9, 2003 good point.. I'll get my coat. 😳 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Barbie Posted May 9, 2003 Share Posted May 9, 2003 rip out the VX dinosaur, put in a K - that way you can have TBs without the hole in the bonnet. You'll save weight as well. 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Flatters Posted May 9, 2003 Share Posted May 9, 2003 Oh don't start Robert *arrowright*Harry Flatters *arrowright* AKA Steve Mell of Su77on Se7ens and Joint AO - Surrey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beej Posted May 9, 2003 Author Share Posted May 9, 2003 No he's right.. and that way I could spend a shed load more money, keep replacing the head gasket and have no torque. 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I reply to every thread Posted May 9, 2003 Share Posted May 9, 2003 & spend ages F**king about bleeding your water system, measuring the specific gravity of your anti-freeze, annd fitting lots of pots & pans & stuff all round your engine in a desperate attempt to keep your Metro engines oil cool & de-aerated..............Then the head-gasket will blow anyway 😬 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EFA Posted May 9, 2003 Share Posted May 9, 2003 I think the K series is a great engine. for keeping you busy in the garage..... Fat Arn Visit the K2 RUM website See the Lotus Seven Club 4 Counties Area Website here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevefoster Posted May 9, 2003 Share Posted May 9, 2003 😬 to the last 3 posts My racing pics, 7 DIY, race prep. Updated often here Photo's of the year here Hants (North) and Berkshire Area club site here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Barbie Posted May 9, 2003 Share Posted May 9, 2003 The usual bunch of arse from the VX heavyweights. I'd like to do a review of whose engine/car has needed the most effort in the last 12 months, mine, AVES or the Lardmonster himself - the K would win in terms of reliability for sure. The only K series work done of late has been upgrades, not fix and repair. Only yesterday, FA asked me to bring my engine crane over to his place on Sat AM as he needed a SECOND crane just to lift K2RUM up so we could have a look at another broken bit 😬 AVES is so stuck in the distant past he hasn't even worked out the car goes better without a bloody great windbreak stuck right in your line of vision. shrewdcookie - my site Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EFA Posted May 9, 2003 Share Posted May 9, 2003 Ahem, Count, Why is it you have about 4 K engines in bits i your garage then??? Fat Arn Visit the K2 RUM website See the Lotus Seven Club 4 Counties Area Website here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beej Posted May 12, 2003 Author Share Posted May 12, 2003 Actually, Count has got a point. The engine developed a misfire within 50 miles of leaving caterham 3 weeks ago.. they took it back, fixed it (after 3 weeks) and I collected it again on saturday. This time I managed about 30 miles before it stopped firing on 4. Oh and the speedo packed up, the temp guage tells big lies, the indicators flash the brake lights etc etc *mad* I don't care how famous the car is/was. I have had it with the car - I want my money back (picture lots of toys being thrown out of pram). And no I am not being unreasonably intolerant of minor niggles.. I drive a TVR everyday for goodness sake. A TVR being more reliable than a caterham.. thats a first! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I reply to every thread Posted May 12, 2003 Share Posted May 12, 2003 My VX is perfectly reliable - I've only had the engine out to fix the gearbox. I was glad of my windbreak in that torrential downpour on Saturday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beej Posted May 12, 2003 Author Share Posted May 12, 2003 Problem solved. Thank you all for your valued contributions. Caterham are giving me my money back. So, anyone got a road legal Vx racer for sale? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonP Posted May 12, 2003 Share Posted May 12, 2003 Beej, You could try keithjbarnett@aol.com, his car C7BAD (reg not included!) is still for sale, thats ex Graham Munroe VX race car, road legal, 240BHP on throttle bodies etc etc. Regards JonP JonP Eliseless and almost not Sevenless....! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonP Posted May 12, 2003 Share Posted May 12, 2003 Beej, You could try keithjbarnett@aol.com, his car C7BAD (reg not included!) is still for sale, thats ex Graham Munroe VX race car, road legal, 240BHP on throttle bodies etc etc. Regards JonP JonP Eliseless and almost not Sevenless....! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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