Joe R

The car is SOLD. A very happy new Seven owner took it home today. Thanks to all for all your comments and support!

Another option to consider, if you need to drop back down to a 2.0L its as simple as changing out the short block. All components change out. The 2.3L Duratec comes from the factory with 2.0L head. The Crower Stage 2 cams & springs will not need or be changed either. A new gasket set, short block assembly & bingo, a 2.0L. You lose the forged crank, but there are always trade offs to be made. Check out for photo gallery of the build.

Check your connections to your rad fan & temp sensor. Check ground to rad fan carefully.

Hey Dan, your o2 sensor (lambda) and your ECU are not in sync. Check with the manufacturer to get the procedure for "free air calibration" of the new sensor first. Next step confirm ECU procedure for getting the o2 synced up with the ECU.

The autoX I recently competed in they classified the car in SSP. Won class on street tires. This was the first time out for this car. Suspension was a touch off, but that's why we took it to the event to sort it out. As far as going the 2.0 route, I'm sure you could do an even trade for a high end build 2.0 or if you wanted to make some money, the UK boys will pay big premiums for 2.3's. lotusman and michaelD I will PM you shortly

OK all you bargain hunting wannabe "Seven" owners and or its time to step back in a "Seven" for those of you who understand these fantastic cars, the door is open. Make me a realistic offer and you just might own yourself one of the best Birkins out there. It now has 1039 miles on the odometer. I've taken it out to an autoX to fine tune the suspension and we have run a 0-60 test on it & got 3.6 on hot tires. It's ready to go!

Check your belt tensioner as well as the alternator & water pump pulleys. Also check the alternator mounting brackets.

Hey Dan, PM me & we can exchange some contact info. I have a fairly decent knowledge of Duratec trouble shooting and it would be a bit easier to discuss verbally. Joe

Through together a few more pictures. Go to: There may be a couple of duplicates.

Dan before you do any replacement of any the parts & pieces take your car to your local tuner. Obviously your getting spark, your getting fuel and your getting air. The car is cold starting fine so everything your saying is pointing towards a tuning issue in my opinion.

What are the specs on the engine, i.e.: compression ratio, Pistons & rods, etc. Also final HP/Torque on your best tune? Thx, JBR

Blaine - This might broaden your view on prospective cars to consider. I am 6'-2" & 192 lbs. I fit comfortably in my Birkin S3 with the pedals set in the middle position and the seat adjusted to the rear. My car is listed on this site in the for sale section of the site: Birkin S3 For Sale - New Build. Please feel free to personal message me. I would be happy to share my contact information and answer any questions you might have regarding my car or Sevens in general. All the best in your search. Joe

Hey Rich, Joe here. Sent you a PM.

Not yet! PM me if you have an interest I would be happy to cuss & discuss.

I have edited my original posting to include some different photos and a new asking price of $ 30k or best offer.

Thanks for the compliment "Hollywood"! Always gratifying when your work is recognized. Spread the word in your neck of the world for me. Best

Well "x", curiosity does bad things to cats…I would not want that fate to happen to any fellow seven enthusiasts. After all, what are they to do with their time if not playing with their toys than to grouse about an oversight! It's all good! I sincerely hope this car goes to a enthusiast of sevens. The 2.3L Duratec is an absolute torque monster. It's so much fun to drive.

My apologies to all. I was trying to describe the build & the specs in as much detail as possible for all. Even after several edits I completely overlooked the minor detail of a price for the car. I am asking $30,000.00 or the best offer for the car.

History: This Birkin was originally purchased in June of 2002. It began its original assembly sometime between June 2002 and mid-2005. At that point the project was abandoned due to the original purchaser’s health issues. It had been garaged and untouched until October 2014. The car was then sold back to the original Birkin dealer in September 2014 from the original owner. The car was represented to the dealer by the original owner as a “zero miles car”. Current: I purchased the car in October 2014 in an “as-is” condition from the dealer as they received it from the original owner. After purchase I immediately began the process of disassembly of the car to confirm that the car was indeed a “virgin”. As a former motor sports competitor in Formula Fords and production classes, I have prepared many cars through the years. My inspections revealed that the majority of the various parts & components provided in the original kit were indeed new condition. Any marginal pieces due to age were replaced. I found the chassis and all its parts to be in excellent condition other than some original assembly bumps & bruises (paint dings) to the chassis. The 2.0L Ford Zetec engine that came with the car was removed and replaced with a new 2.3L Ford Duratec power plant. The car had been repainted from its original factory delivery specifications. All paint was removed from the main body, cycle fenders and rear fenders. The car has been professionally prepared & painted to its current scheme, DuPont “Pepper Grey Metallic” body & nosecone with black accent stripe around the nose & gloss black front &rear fenders. Improvements: The car is powered by a new Ford 2.3L DOHC Duratec. This particular variant of the 2.3L engine comes from the factory with a forged crankshaft (no counterbalancing), 9.7 to 1 compression ratio pistons and factory connecting rods. I have added new Crower Stage 2 cams and springs with titanium retainers. It has a new Dunnell low profile wet sump oil pan, new custom intake manifold coupled to a new 75mm BBK throttle body fed through a Spectrum low restriction air filter. Fuel is being delivered from a new fuel pump through a new pressure regulator through 39 LB/HR Bosche injectors. Exhaust is via new Birkin stainless 4 into 1 header with the extended length collector. Engine cooling is provided via Davies Craig electric water pump in conjunction with standard Birkin radiator and custom aluminum expansion tank. The engine management system is a new Haltech Sport 1000 ECU, with Haltech WBC1 – Single Channel CAN Wideband Controller kit (O2 sensor) and AEM Four Channel Coil Igniter. The MAP installed is set up accommodate the current engine setup. The engine is coupled to a freshly rebuilt Ford T-9/5 speed transmission through a new Clutch Masters FX400 series 6 paddle clutch disc, Power Plus I pressure plate and aluminum flywheel fastened with new ARP bolts, engaged via a new hydraulic release bearing (annular slave cylinder). The bellhousing is from Birkin. Final drive is through the OEM Birkin supplied Toyota liveaxle LSD differential. The suspension is equipped with adjustable Carrera/QA-1 coilover shock assemblies. The front brakes are the Outlaw (Willwood) four piston calipers on 10” vented discs and the rear are single piston Audi calipers. The car is equipped with new Hankook Ventus R-S3 tires (195/50-15 front; 225/45-15 rear); mounted on 7” & 8” new, black, “949 Racing” wheels. The rollover bar has been beefed up with larger diameter rear braces and an added cross bar with shoulder harness connection points. Extra heat shielding has been added to the firewall and foot wells to help mitigate heat gain in the cockpit. The car comes with a new aluminum sump protector. The car does include the Birkin spare tire rack with license plate holder. The interior has the standard issue Birkin seats equipped with four point RJS Safety Equipment harnesses. The car is also equipped with a quick release steering wheel. The gauges are new VDO mounted on a custom dash. The layout has been modified from the original factory configuration for better visibility. The tachometer & speedometer have been moved to the right of the steering with the smaller critical gauges (volt meter, oil pressure & water temp) placed in front of the steering wheel. The car is also equipped with a new Ecliptech “Shift-I” staged shift light. The original dash panel has been retained for reconfiguration if desired. The car came originally equipped with a heater. The blower/motor, heater core & control switches have been removed but all parts have been retained for future owner reinstall if desired. This car does not come with roof or side panels but does include wind deflectors. Most of the original fasteners that came with the car have been replaced with high strength & stainless steel pieces. A spare set of forged aluminum wheels with 205/50-15 Falken Ziex 912 tires also come with the transaction. Last but not least the original Lucas electrical system has been removed and a new system professionally installed. Offering: The vehicle is titled, registered & inspected in the state of Texas represented as a 2015 Assembled Vehicle, Replica: 1967 Lotus. It will continue to be an essentially “minimum miles” vehicle with only the miles necessary for the basic sorting out and showing of the completed car. The car has not been AutoXed or had any track time. It is fully prepared ready to take to the track or simply have fun with and that fun will be the pleasure of its new owner. The asking price for the car is $ 30k or best offer. Additional photos can be viewed at: http://joereynolds.smugmug.com. All inquiries should be directed to Joe Reynolds in Dallas, Texas at either (214)891-0321 or cell: (972)978-2130.