Croc

ok....now its time for a dumb newbie question - what is a USA7s datasheet?

Here is the link if anyone is interested - asking $11900 http://www.fredbakeraudibedford.com/used-inventory/vehicle-details.htm?vehicleId=7e10cac77f000001005f209c543bb782&useHistory=true

I drove one last year in the UK at Dunsfold when I was dreaming of which mid-life crisis I wanted to buy. I loved the engine and handling but reluctantly put it aside in favor of a LSIS because of NJ registration fears plus concerns over how usable it would be on the road. As a track weapon it is stunning with the Honda S2000 engine installed (does that little thing rev!). They are beautifully made and I love the open frame construction where you can happily drool for hours over all the engineering work that has gone into them. Its expensive in the US though mike

Is it the initial registration in Canada that is most difficult - once you are through that then it is an easy renewal process? I guess it is not as easy as buying a cheap US car and sending it over the border to some poor LSIS deprived soul....and I thought NJ was bad.

That nudge bar looks an interesting solution for those few states that requires bumpers in order to get registration. But a starting bid of $30k seems like he wants a pretty high sale price.....

Dan Sorry to hear about your NJ titling troubles and the hoops they are making you jump through. Unfortunately there is no simple way around this in NJ short of moving to a nice car-friendly state. If I was going through this again with a new car I would probably title in another state first and then transfer across. Its expensive due to the extra state sales tax you pay but it seems to be more certain that you can get it registered. I just do not understand why some states are anti-kit cars? Have they not got something better to do? mike

Count me and my Seven in for attending. Mike

Vin - Thanks for the write up link. It was an interesting read on how they made it work.

Interesting - curious to see it is supercharged. Was this standard from the factory or a later owner addition? I assume he has it sorted and it is reliable? mike

The yellow clams is the one that was on the for sale pages of this site from FL. While I had looked at it last year and passed on it, Jack ended buying it recently when the owner decided to negotiate price. So the side picture Bruce put up is the same car. My car has the cycle wings and green nose Cheers mike

Nice dent - it was lucky no major harm was done. Jack (jlbtrans1) and myself also got out this weekend for a blat. Jack just got his car through registration this week so was keen to hit the road. We just went touring around the backroads of north west NJ and over the border into NY ending up at Warwick for lunch. Jack's daughter came along for the ride and loved it! Naturally the cars got a lot of attention helped by Jack deciding to park outside the main street Girl Guide Cookie stand! Just doing our bit for the community! As we parted I, Jack's daughter was eyeing her chances to get behind the wheel and drive the Seven herself - what spirit!

Interesting idea but would a Subie engine fit? I always assummed it was too wide for the chassis?

You could also try Dick Brink at Birkin America for what he calls his "Birkini" top.

I am not sure if it is an option but my OBD plug was accidentally "lost" by me behind the dash to prevent that type of scenario. That fled the MVC to running their checks manually e.g. emissions tailpipe sensor, tank cap sealing, etc. As chance would have it, before I lost the plug I did run the checks myself to see what was missing. I never did sort out every error code which was why I went for the plan B option. Mike

Just so I understand, what if you temporarily swapped the fuel tank cap for a non-venting one and installed a one way valve to prevent the vacuum? I guess your inspection test that identified this was the cap pressure test for venting... Are there alternative venting options other than the cap?

And dont forget the beer is cold and tasty in NZ!!!! As an aside I had my car out for a drive this afternoon and less than a block out from home a guy in a really beat up Suzuki Swift pulls up at the red light and yells across "Nice Lotus Seven". Turns out it was Bruce from Dunedin NZ visiting NYC while driving across the USA. What a small world! mike

Dan From tracking the fuel system around the car today I can confirm I still have the fuel tank venting into the manifold. i have a metal canister (carbon filter?) mounted in the engine bay and it links to valving which goes into the manifold - so this is the purge valve you describe. Whats your plan of attack from here? Can you restore the original plumbing without much hassle? mike

Hi Kiwi, This brings back great memories of my time in NZ. The scenery has not changed in 15 years. Your post made me dig out a photo of me next to my rental car (Holden Commodore) on what looks to be a very similar vantage point overlooking Christchurch and the ocean to where you have photographed your Birkin. Slightly different angle but same elevation and outlook. I don't recall the road name but I do recall it was deserted, winding and narrow with stunning views. I spent 6 weeks that trip roaming the south island exploring places and tramping at every opportunity and could have done another 6 weeks. Much nicer down there than the north island - probably because of the smaller population. Are the Keas still the lovable little pests I remember? The little devils took out my windscreen wipers that trip. Cheers mike

Have you seen the website for this place? So many tasty cars there. Oh I need to win powerball.... http://www.digitmotorsport.com/index.php

Ford Anglia - with the funny reverse slanted rear window? http://www.ridelust.com/wp-content/uploads/ford_anglia_1966.jpg Sounds like this Seven had an interesting "birth"..... Mike

Dan, I am away from home (and the car) right now but from reading the assembly manual (which is with me for light reading LOL) and working from memory I believe the tank vents to a some type of carbon filter which then vents into the inlet manifold to be burned. I know when I was working through the OBD readouts with the service manual prior to the inspection that there was an ECU command to dump the vapor into the manifold at some trigger point. I also remember from the inspection that my fuel tank cap was pressure tested that it was sealing and not venting - and I passed that. Not sure what engine you are running - s2000? I guess the fittings are still there to vent via piping direct to the manifold (assuming this is still stock). The piece I think would be the most difficult (since I am clueless with electrics) is reconnecting it to the ECU with some controlled release valve. Is your ECU stock? I will check my car on Sat when I am back home and see if I can let you know anymore. Cheers mike

Thanks Mazda - I figured it was "one of those things" on the conversion. No need to worry since I had the post and the attachments on the pc so no loss. Thanks for your efforts! Cheers mike

I like the new look but I have one question - A very long post of mine with 2 doc attachments on registering Sevens in NJ looks to have been truncated on conversion and dropped the nj regs file. I got an email from a user asking about it. Does the new bulletin board limit length and attachments now? I have the post in a word doc anyway so no harm....

While I dont have a referral in NJ or PA, ,a buddy of mine with an s2000 that has been tweaked a little (ok well maybe a lot!) uses these guys: http://rpmnyc.com/newsite/index2.htm I know them as primarily engine builders but their website claims to assist with a lot of servcies. They may be able to help you sort the EEC problem - worth a try if you do not find something closer (which I am sure there is). mike

Hi Kyle I am happy to have you check out my newly registered one. I am in downtown Jersey City on the Hudson/Liberty Harbor. Send me a PM on how to get in touch with you. Cheers mike