1991 'Galileo' (Lotus Carlton) - 2006 to 2019

And to think you nearly traded it for an old camper van a few years back... (or was that a secret? )

Good thread Sir, look forward to catching up at the weekend, and of course to see the car again. Still chuffed that I managed to blag a go many years ago... Any chance of a shot gun up the hill on Sunday?

So another bucket list item ticked off for the LC - get it to a gathering.....

It did a lot of miles (over 600 in 4 days) and I never had chance to wash it before Sunday



doesn't look dirty when wrapped in smoke (it's not my turbos responsible for the smoke)


1991 Vauxhall Lotus Carlton H746VVF - photo by Retro-Motoring

Got chance to run it up the hill twice



About 4 or 5 more on the "list" but they are for another day

So just a quick catch up with what I was sorting out before RRG14

It had been down on boost and it was a combination of a whole load of minor stuff all combining to make the wastegate open way to early - worst one being a kinked vac pipe behind the engine firewall insulation - I mean seriously who the chuff runs pipes behind the foam!!! Anyway 0.5 bar of boost and way way to much lag made for a pretty boring drive

So I've been data logging on a PDA hooked up to the ECU



Number along the bottom are 1/10 ths of a second right hand side is speed and left hand side is boost (2.0 is top = 1 atmosphere plus 1 bar of boost) GPS engaged and clutch released to roll it off the line and then foot down

What's it all mean - it's back and as good as ever was

Just trying to track down some knocks from the rear end - everything is tight so I suspect the shocks so next job will be to replace them

A certain chap on the ABS forum pointed me in the right direction but before I replace the shocks I've got a local ex club member with a set of noise sensors to strap on with a pair of headphones to make sure it is the shocks - I have a feeling in might be the rear shock top rubbers which would be a fairly cheap and easy replace, however it's rare that the cheap and easy ever solves my LC issues

Thanks for the positive comments - frankly it's taken me way too long to get it back up and running and there aren't really too many excuses left.

lol brilliant! Will pop in when next over and make sure it is actually running and not just photoshoped!
Was sitting here trying to think the last time i saw it run,don't think you had it at trax or combe?not sure if it was Marham? or whether it was at one of the rolling road sessions,which seems to be the favurtie so far?
Well done Ian,certainly a labour of love,I actually remember you buying it with a sealed bid! lol

Last time it was on the road was Jan 2008 when I borrowed Will's Garage and Pit for a couple of weeks to fix the clutch it was there quite a long while....

So 6 years doing not a lot, several stalled attempts to get my enthusiasm back for it too many self imposed deadlines and targets missed by country miles

And it's not finished now!!

I thought I'd update the work carried out rather than go and update the post on page 1

(Done) = completed
(Purchased) = Parts already got

Brakes

New SS pistons, hoses, discs and pads Overhauled All calipers with new seals(Done 2014)
New fluid and bleed system(Done 2014)

Engine

Exhaust manifold gaskets plus tidy up engine bay (Done 2014)
New heat shields (Done 2014)
Oil cooler leak :roll: (Turned out to be the link pipe)(Done 2014)
Idle control valve replacement. (Purchased)
Full service Kit (Done 2014)
Replace header tank level sensor (Done 21/10/06)
Replace header tank (old one is yellow) (Done 2014)
Oil and Filter change (Purchased)(Done 2006, 2008, 2012 and 2014 and the car did zero miles!!!!
Some other stuff long overdue like stopping the smoke from the turbos (Done 2014)

Transmission

Full gearbox and diff fluid change (Done 2014)

Clutch

New friction plate (Done Summer 2009*)
Plus strip and rebuild and lubricate mechanism inc modified "Pin" Not used Original was a better fit
Modified Bell Housing (New Version) replaced (Done Summer 2009*)
Replace Clutch fluid pipe. Not used - Original good so left as a new spare

Exhaust

Cat Flaps Removed (seized from lack of use) (Done Summer 2009*)
De-cat downpipes (Done Summer 2009*)
Couple of rubber mounts need replacing (Done Summer 2009*)
Peter Harrison under side Heat Shields (Done Summer 2009*)

Chassis

Treat any rust/grot (Done 2014)
If it's removable it got powdwercoated both front and rear subframes and new bearings and poly bushes at the rear (Done 2014)


Interior

Replace gearshift surround (Done 2014)
Replace all speakers with Kenwood(Done 2014)
Replace Clarion unit for Grundig multi changer CD/Rad/Cas (Carefully removed from my old Senator with working FM) (Done 2014)
Replace parcel shelf (Purchased) (Done 2010)
Same time as above carrier for Grundig Changer fitted (Done 2014)
Sort out window issues (see told ya it was on the list) Still not right 2014
AC overhaul, pressure test seal replacement, oil change and re-gas - spring 2015?
Fit RB Boost guage in place of clock (Done 2014)
Replace AC Recirc Soleniod and Blower resistor Pack (Done 2014)
Fit Amp and Sub in the boot and hard wire to Battery (Done 2014)
Future proof the ICE (remote lead and RCA connector for Line out also run Front to rear) (Done 2014)
Get Malcolms ADLSpy working on my PDA (Done 2014)


Body

Replace D/S Rear Quarterlight (Done Winter 2009*)
Sort out gel coat cracks and body scratches and stone chips (probably never)
Replace front air dam rubber lip and fit with SS bolts & washers (Done 2014)
Replace broken door mirror cowling
Re-fix all the rubber trims on bumpers and door trims (Done 2014)
Replace front indicators (Done 19/10/06)
Replace main front vent grill - its got slightly larger holes than std bloody exocets - pheasants!!!(Purchased)
Fit missing trim tape (this car didn't have a full set)
Replace rusty old bonnet rod with SS one (Done 19/10/06)

Wheels and tyres

Refurb Wheels and replace tyres (Done -2004)
Fit Lotus Badges to wheel centres (Done -2006 - now removed 2014)
Purchase new plain centres from JE (Purchased -2007 - Done 2014))
Fit wheels and tyres and get it off the space savers (Done 21/10/06)

So hidden in that list are a few jobs yet to do

Replace Clutch fluid pipe. - Engine out job
Sort out window issues Still not right 2014
AC overhaul, pressure test seal replacement, oil change and re-gas - spring 2015?
Replace main front vent grill - its got slightly larger holes than std bloody exocets - pheasants!!!(Purchased)
Fit missing trim tape (this car didn't have a full set)
Couple of other jobs to do that I keep forgetting about

It seems you have been a busy bee with this car Ian! It was absolutely glorious to see this at the Gathering it has to be said. Furthermore much kudos to you keeping this car on the road . With all of the mods you have performed on this as well it should make an already superb formula even better .

Ever since i first saw one of these on Queens Road, Norwich in 1990 ,i've always wanted one and somehow, one day i will realise my dream. These are my all time favourite car.
The reason is that it doesn't shout about it's talents, a 5 seater that can do 185+ mph.
I've read this thread from the start and the work ploughed into this is incredible, brilliant work BC.

It's so nearly finished too - I know you never actually finish a car but I'm getting close



Yeah I can understand that - one small point - it's only a 4 seater (don't think me nit picky)




They were a parts bin special with some Lotus creativity - I pointed out that they are only 4 seater above so what happened to the centre lap belt - answer is funny - Lotus tucked it under the seat base out of the way......