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[Mat Jackson]

Lockdown paused the project a bit!!! But now restrictions have lifted I’m hoping to get her off for mapping pretty soon. There is still about 20l of old petrol in the tank, so this afternoon was spent drawing that out


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[Mat Jackson]

Taking its time drawing out...


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[Mat Jackson]

Right - been a while, so time to bring it up to speed!!
August 2020, car went off to Ray West Tuning for mapping transported down by MTS Birmingham - Highly recommend them if you need a car transported.




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[Mat Jackson]

Car fully mapped with around 200bhp, Ray got it running pretty quickly in the SCS ecu - was just the base map being slightly off!!

Car then back home and running perfectly!!


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[Mat Jackson]

So - after a few drives, brakes hadn’t been feeling as great as I think they should be. Pads were mintex 1144, and I could see discs were pitted.
Stripped down and cleaned callipers, but no real difference. Initial bite was good, but then the pedal went wooden - thought about new pads, but also investigated the second circuit too.

Came across this split in the vacuum hose in the ITBs..


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[Mat Jackson]

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[Mat Jackson]

So, new vacuum hose manifold made up from silicone hose (lined so petrol rated). Back on the road, and still wooden brakes after initial bite.

Bought a vacuum tester to check engine vacuum and found the problem. Vacuum running way low due to overlap of stage 2 cams. Hey good vacuum on over run, but way too low on tick over so explains why I get good initial bite and then wooden pedal as vacuum drops.



Only getting 13psi on tickover, should be over 20


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[Mat Jackson]

So, plan to fit a vacuum pump to boost servo vacuum. Went for a hella up32 vacuum pump, which is a standard for many modern diesels. Looked at the up28, but vacuum was stronger on the up32 and only slightly more.

Kit available on eBay, with pressure switch and mounting bracket.


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[Mat Jackson]

Kit all wired up, and mini loom made to keep it looking tidy and OEM.

Takes a main 12v supply from the alternator (same point for ITB loom 12v supply), an earth from the engine block and a 12v switched ignition from the itb engine loom relays. Switched live goes to pressure switch and then micro relay, with main 12v through relay to the pump.

Vac hose then plumbed in to aid engine vacuum with a nrv in line.

Bracket was then mounted on the rear bulk head. Nice install - looks OEM and pulls 24 inHG vacuum




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[Mat Jackson]

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[Mat Jackson]

Brakes now completely transformed!! Amazing initial bite, and no wooden pedal.

Vac pump comes on when ignition is on and takes about 2 seconds to reach full vacuum. Can’t hear it when outside, and brakes are now superb. Best mod ever!!


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[Mat Jackson]

Here was the eBay kit



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[Mat Jackson]

With a break in lockdown, got a god run out with the local lotus club in the Autumn - vac pump all fitted and sorted in time!! Great fun!!


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[Mat Jackson]

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[Mat Jackson]

So - onto the winter projects... My map pockets were bought second hand, and are looking a bit old so decided to buy some leather on line and make some new ones!!

Quite impressed with how they turned out!!

Old ones:



New ones made up




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[Mat Jackson]

Also fitted a new set of light switches from Type116 motorsport, great bit of kit:

Old switches



Job in progress:



New switches in:




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[Mat Jackson]

Then over Christmas, noticed a slight leak from the rad and as it is still on the original one with plastic end caps decided it time to change!!

As it meant taking the front clam off, there are a few other items to do at the same time. New T7 heater to go in, so the old one doesn’t look great, and a new row post to fit.


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[Mat Jackson]

So, car back up in the air and ready for work again!!!



The joys of old bolts!!!



Had to drill this one out, and also hacksaw through the one below the lights that goes into the rad surround. Luckily, all the m8 stainless ones came out ok!!


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[Mat Jackson]

Front clam off, first time since I’ve owned her!!



And a bare front end:


You can see here the oil of coolant, and the not so great tow post!!


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[Mat Jackson]

Rusty connectors spotted on HIDs too, will replace these when it all goes back together...



And another close up of the titanic tow post and coolant leak!!




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