KiwiBirkin

Well it was my rosterd day off from my late shift so and spent the day at Macgregors tidying up the car and helping Steve the electrician finish of the car wiring and wire in the final bits that needed doing. The start button was wired in to the ignition along with the Shift I lights and the 2 powered 12v sockets and all the wiring was starting to get cleaned up with zip ties, Steve hit a slight snag with some of my exsisting wiring playing up and with the inginition off the ECU was staying powerd up or something along those lines and it took him a while to sort it out but its done now and every thing is playing along fine now. We had great fun starting the car from the big red start button and also playing with the Shift I lights which come on at 1000rpm and then intervals of 1000rpm untill 7000rpm when the red one flashes like mad for the shift change which is its default settings the Shift I lights are fully programable and its going to fun playing with the settings at a later date. This does and some bling factor to the car but its all good fun http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/Birkin_Friday13th4.jpg I then spent some time mounting the new console pockets and then fitting the console in with the help of Mark and then bolting it down with 28 nuts and botls on each side (it was riveted in at the start). http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/Birkin_Friday13th7.jpg http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/Birkin_Friday13th2.jpg

Well we hit a major milestone today we had the engine up and running for the first time today and it started first go after a small wiring hickup. We then started it again later after Steve sorted some wires out and brought it up to temp for the first time, we hit a couple of issues with one being a big airlock in the cooling system and also the new front fan running very slow when it kicks in but this is due to the fan being faulty. So now Steve is happy with the wiring all being right he is setting about tidying it up under the dash. The center console also arrived back from the upholstery guy and as soon as I have put the headphone jacks in place will be going back in the car meanwhile Mark is going to get the cert enginner down to have a look at the car and get the paperwork under way for the engine change over on the VTNZ plate. Well things are progressing along Steve has finished the electrical work in the engine bay and has moved on to getting the wires into the loom behind the dash and should be finished within the next day, I helped him today by sorting some wires up in the engine bay with heat shrink and PVC wrap so this has made the engine bay a lot more tidier than it was. The engine is nearly ready to start which I hope will happen on either Wed or Thu this week. I have also started putting the car back together today with the front wheel guards being mounted and the radiator and overflow bottle being fixed in place I have had to move the radiator forward by 18mm because the fan is now on the rear so turned up some bushes at work to mount it up. That's it really there has been lots of sorting out small lose ends i'm now waiting for parts to come back from getting work done outside of Macgregors so I can carry on putting bits back on the car while Mark & Steve carry on with the important bits. http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/DSCF0123.jpg http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/DSCF0126.jpg

Its been a very busy day today at Macgregors with a lot of work being done on the car and finished off today while also meeting some of my NZ Lotus 7 forum (http://www.lotus7.co.nz) members who turned up today at Macgregors, 7ish dropped his car in for a new bonnet and too great delight in taking Steve (the electrician wiring my car) for a fast trip in his R1 powered clubman, also Russel arrived in his 4AGE 16v turbo powered clubman and also Lachlan was there for his normal lunchtime chat. The wiring is 99% complete as should be finished in the morning the ECU has been moved again to under my dash now and will now be right out of the way of the passengers foot-well. Mark finished running the fuel lines and pump and tested the system with everything working as it should the fuel pump is delivering a lot of fuel to the fuel rail so there will be no problems there with not enough fuel pressure also the headers were put in and bolted up. The cooling system was completed and all that's left now is to hook up my heater unit but that can wait a bit as its all being changed from what was there before we started to a better solution for the fan and its also being moved to make way for the ECU to be mounted under the dash, we will loop the cooling system for now at the rear of the thermostat housing for now so we can get water flowing through the system. http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/DSCF0122.jpg http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/DSCF0116.jpg http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/DSCF0124.jpg The drive shaft was bolted up and the final drive shaft hoop was welded in and its all been painted up and the remote shift system has been finished off too. I have put all the rear light clusters back on the guards as they are now not being painted for at least a month while i wait for my mate to finish his spray booth and will bolt up the new S/S stone guards tomorrow and then fit the rear guards back on the car. So the car is now getting put back together which is great too see with some luck tomorrow will see the engine get cranked over and started and then in the next couple of days it will be onto bolting back in the center console while Mark get cracking on the brake & clutch cylinders set up which is being fully re done with new parts. Also orderd a Shift I lights for my car from the NZ stockist, I have watched a couple of videos off these units in action and think it will be great for the road and really good for trackdays http://www.ecliptech.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=59&Itemid=109 http://www.ecliptech.com.au//images/rsgallery/original/prb_birkin_s3_clubman.jpg I will grab some decent pictures tomorrow.

Your stacks are longer than the ones that were on my Weber 40s with K&N filters on so i think your going to need to shorten the stacks, the best bet would be to buy your filters and then have a talk with a local weber agent and ask what size he would recommend

Mike that center console looks great is it made from ali.

Also fitted in my new engine start button ready for wiring up. http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/Birkin_Thursday5th6.jpg Remote gearshift now finally sorted out it just needs to come apart for painting and then it can be refitted. http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/Birkin_Thursday5th1.jpg

Also orderd all new switches for the dash while I was at as they were pretty cheap at $16 each, im going to replace my heated windscreen one with a 2 position fan switch for the heater. http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/ekmps/shops/carbulder/images/rsvafan.jpg Pulled the pedal box out the other day and have now stripped it down for powder coating while its out i have decided to move it 1 inch forward which will give me some more leg room I have enough room behind the full clutch extension to be able to do this so thought nows the chance. Pedal box after it was removed http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/Birkin_Thursday5th4.jpg http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/Birkin_Thursday5th3.jpg http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/Birkin_Thursday5th2.jpg

Some parts arrived today from Car Builder Solutions online 14" storage pocket for the passenger footwell side handy for Marg to keep any maps and paperwork in for longer runs just like a womans handbag but for the car NZ $24 http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/ekmps/shops/carbulder/images/stpoc3.jpg 2 x smaller 7" storage pockets that im going to mount on either side of the transmission tunnel just by the gear stick which will be ideal for out cell phones/sunglass & Margs Ipod. NZ $15 each http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/ekmps/shops/carbulder/images/stpoc2_black_A_silver.jpg

Hi Mike hope your getting better. Your car looks great I really really like what you have done with it.

Sorted out a issue that had been troubling me for a day or two what to do with the hole in the bonnet where the webbers stuck out. I had thought about buying a narrow piper cross airfilter and sticking it in the hole as a dummy filter that would just lift of with the bonnet but at $250 for one it seemed abit excessive, anyway $34 later at Supercheap Autos and a $4 packet of rivets this is what i ended up with. http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/Birkin_Wed_4th2.jpg http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/Birkin_Wed_4th3.jpg http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/Birkin_Wed_4th4.jpg http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/Birkin_Wed_4th5.jpg Its looks great on the car and once the unifilter socks are on the snails it will look fine from the side too looking in at the engine. It should also allow some cold air into the engine bay too which will help push some heat out. Also pulled my pedal box apart at work last night ready for powder coating

Nothing wrong with that :drool::cooldude:

Im allways giving rides in my car especially work mates when were on late shift we have a nice small 5km circuit here around the outside of Christchurch airport which is good for a blat so far it has made 2 of them go out and order Macgregor Super 7 kits from the local 7 builder here in Christchurch NZ Im also all ways giving rides to my mates kids they just love it, my mates daughter is only 5 and the last time i took her out in summer she slid down the seat untill she was flat and you coulldn't see here if you looked at the car from the side but all you could see was this tiny arm still waving to people as we drove on was very funny.

New headers after being painted in Cermatel and then baked at 350 deg for 4 hours http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/Birkin_Tuesday3rd14.jpg Headers after a light glass bead blast which makes then a nice silver colour. http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/Birkin_Tuesday3rd15.jpg

Sump clearance http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/Birkin_Tuesday3rd13.jpg http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/Birkin_Tuesday3rd11.jpg http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/Birkin_Tuesday3rd12.jpg

Some progress this week i spent yesterday cleaning up the engine bay some more and removing the Ali top panel from in front of the scuttle in the engine bay which was badly corroded from a slow leaking brake fluid reservoir pot, a new panel is being laser cut and will now be attached by rivnuts when it goes back on instead of rivets. I have decided to use rivnuts where ever possible from now on as it helps later on when pulling things apart, I also pulled the pedal box out for a bit of a clean up and paint while I could get at it. Today the engine finally went back in for the last time and is now all mounted up in the correct place we then spent some time getting the remote shifter in the correct position so it aligned up with the center console gear shift position. with the engine in its final resting place I think i have gained about 25mm ground clearance so it should have about 125mm under the lowest part of the sump. The electrician can now start wiring the car up now and Mark hopes that we can start the car and maybe test drive it by the end of the week....we will see :roll: Im also having a engine start button fitted the surround was in chrome so i masked the button today and sprayed the chrome black to match my other dials and fitted it too the car. Pics to follow as im writing this at work. Engine bay panel removed....you can see the corrosion the brake fluid has caused where its got onto the main frame under the ali. http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/Birkin_Tuesday3rd4.jpg http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/Birkin_Tuesday3rd7.jpg Engine mounts http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/Birkin_Tuesday3rd10.jpg

Keep the windshield it looks so much better than brookland screens but the cycle guards do look good though.

Great photo.....so how was the run ???

Not much progress this week but next week we start putting it all back together, anyway some pics of bits getting ready for next week. Some pics to go with my post on Tuesday Battery box painted and installed http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/Birkin_Thursday_29th4.jpg Water pipes painted http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/Birkin_Thursday_29th1.jpg Radiator new slim fan also now mounted on the rear http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/Birkin_Thursday_29th2.jpg Radiator pressure cap fitted http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/Birkin_Thursday_29th3.jpg

My Birkin runs 205s all around on 15" rims but im moving back to 195s all around as I feel they will be a better combo on my light weight car, if it helps my mate had 175s on his Birkin and he had no trouble keeping with me on the track and on spirited drives through some of the more fun roads here in NZ. Dont go too big my advice you dont need too.

Progress is looking good I was there this week and I sorted out the exhuast & headers and there all welded up, we have removed the engine now for some tidying up of the car engine bay and for me to paint the engine block which i did on Friday so next time it goes in which is Monday its staying in. All up I would say another 2-3 weeks

Martin a drive shaft hoop is being welded at the back as per your suggestion so cheers

Jason nice car and a great name too. Your lucky to be allowed clamshells as in NZ they are not allowed on any new cars any more in the Seven style of cars.

Thanks guys the wiring PDFs came thru to my email the electrician now has what he needs. Cheers Stephen

Drive shaft hoop in and welded http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/Birkin_Monday19th6.jpg http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/Birkin_Monday19th1.jpg Fuel pump setup with the filters (fuel pump is missing at the moment) http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/Birkin_Monday19th2.jpg

Managed to get to Mcgregors today and see whats been done to the car, Mark had run the fuel lines and hooked it up to the tank and installed the fuel pump and filter system on the firewall behind the passengers seat also the drive shaft was back after having the diff end altered and re welded and balanced. My ali radiator had been set away to have a pressure cap put in and welded and also a new thinner electric fan installed on the inside and was back and mounted to the car to check for fit up I have decided to mount it this time on rubber bushes so it doesnt work harden the welds this time. I made a new battery box which will be mounted down in front of the passenger footwell inside the engine bay and welded it up at work tonight and also had a bit of a discussion with the electrician doing the electrics and sorted out where the ECU is being mounted, as my car has a heater core and fan unit there isnt much room under the dash so its being mounted inside the engine bay and i will make a cover to keep the heat away. Pictures of the battery box i knocked up at Mcgregors and welded at work I will get it painted black. http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/Birkin_Monday19th10.jpg http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/Birkin_Monday19th8.jpg http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu326/Hotdognz/Engine%20Swap/Birkin_Monday19th7.jpg Kiwibirkin