1983 Elford Turbo - Ex Patrick Motor Museum

[myatt1972]

Whats with the red coil ? Need to get that changed it sticks out like a saw thumb in that immaculate engine bay

[ian65]

Whats with the red coil ? Need to get that changed it sticks out like a saw thumb in that immaculate engine bay

it's a microtech coil, fitted by elfords to work with the microtech ignition unit..... their literature says to only use the red coil, dunno why, I used a stock coil and it didn't do any harm.

[myatt1972]

Every day is a school day, cheers Ian.

[chc]

I'm glad you told me that, I'll stop searching for the fluorescent orange paint on eBay ...... haha
Well at least I know it's a stock and genuine item then

Question guys - I thought the fan was supposed to have been changed to orange when the Elford conversion was done

no, fan and engine was stock for the Elford. The only rotary with the orange fan was the factory 12at as far as I know.... I had a 12at fan and used it on my black s3 when I converted it to an Elford which was why it had the orange fan. I only used it because it was the only good viscous fan I had.

[chc]

It does seem strange to only replace one of the coils though ?

Whats with the red coil ? Need to get that changed it sticks out like a saw thumb in that immaculate engine bay

it's a microtech coil, fitted by elfords to work with the microtech ignition unit..... their literature says to only use the red coil, dunno why, I used a stock coil and it didn't do any harm.

[spoddy]

It's one lovely example Cliff, but why are you changing the original alloys for the silver ones?
Just your own taste of colour, both look good though.
Even the turbo is shiney, its like you travelled back in time and just bought the car and jumped back to the present.

You don't have a delorean by any chance

[ian65]

It does seem strange to only replace one of the coils though ?

they only changed the leading coil as the ignition control unit only connected through the leading ignition.
see here...

viewtopic.php?f=21&t=1549

Over the years, they used 2 different systems:

1. ignition control unit which actively controlled the ignition by retarding the timing and limiting the revs
2. ignition monitor unit which wasn't actually wired into the ignition at all and didn't adjust anything, it just monitored the boost level.

This was because early conversions used a less reliable wastegate system to safeguard the engine and dump any excess boost... in case it failed, the ignition control protected the engine.
Later conversions used a much more reliable swing arm wastegate and elfords decided the ignition control unit was no longer necessary.

the later 'ignition monitor unit' didn't connect through the ignition at all and just provided a light and buzzer if the boost got dangerously high ( due to a stuck waste gate).
If your car has the early, all singing and dancing unit Cliff, it'll be in the engine bay on the bulkhead. If it has a later ignition monitor unit, it'll be in the drivers foot well, fixed to the transmission tunnel. Logic would say that they wouldn't fit a Microtech red coil with the later unit as they don't connect to it but I've seen a few elfords that have both.

Something I would definitely get your mazda guys to do is to service the wastegate, they seize up pretty easily due to the carbon in the manifold. It should be done at each 6000 mile service but I bet most don't get touched these days as the cars have changed hands many times and owners don't know about it or have access to the operation manual ( I sent you a copy, it details it in there, page 4 & 5) If your car has got the later monitor unit, fitted in the drivers footwell, the wastegate is the only protection you have against overboosting.

[spirit r]

I only used it because it was the only good viscous fan I had.

I have a better one for you so we can change our parts

@ chc
please turn your aircleaner cover only for professional look, because I have replaced your leading spark coil
great car if you ever visit germany (I know you like visit other countries) would be great do it with your Elford and give me some info.

Thomas

elford.jpg (294.87 KiB) Viewed 3105 times

[TOOL]

I have a good source for NOS coils if you're serious about getting one.

[chc]

This is a spare set which I bought from Ian a few years ago and I recently had these refurbished in preparation for fitting to JAZ and/or Goldie. TOF came along by surprise throwing me off kilter but it was an opportunity that I wasn't going to let go by. So having spent over 600 on tyres and refurb I am going to put them to good use especially as although the original alloys are in very good condition, the pirelli tyres are too original 30 yr old and need to be changed - later rather than sooner. So I'll have the alloys cleaned up and rubber replaced and I'll have a spare set to change whenever I fancy.

Yes the overall condition is fabulous but there are still a few little things to put right and replace to make it so.

Delorean ????? What would I want one of those for when I have an Elford ! power

It's one lovely example Cliff, but why are you changing the original alloys for the silver ones?
Just your own taste of colour, both look good though.
Even the turbo is shiney, its like you travelled back in time and just bought the car and jumped back to the present.

You don't have a delorean by any chance