Ians black series 3 Elford Turbo

[TOOL]

Drill them out. Works every time.

[RamoNZ]

I presume it's not escaped your notice that a 'real' 12a turbo has come up for sale?

It will drop straight in, already fuel injected and well over 200bhp for the taking without compromising drivability or fuel consumption... Food for thought?

[ian65]

I presume it's not escaped your notice that a 'real' 12a turbo has come up for sale?

It will drop straight in, already fuel injected and well over 200bhp for the taking without compromising drivability or fuel consumption... Food for thought?

I don't think it's been run since it came out of long term storage has it?... I had a good look at it when I took the a/c and pas off the car.... they are collectable and desirable engines being factory turbos but not for me.
If I was going for an injected turbo rotary, I'd put a 13bt in it..... but I like the simplicity of the Elford turbo.... and it's fast enough for me.

[RamoNZ]

I presume it's not escaped your notice that a 'real' 12a turbo has come up for sale?

It will drop straight in, already fuel injected and well over 200bhp for the taking without compromising drivability or fuel consumption... Food for thought?

I don't think it's been run since it came out of long term storage has it?... I had a good look at it when I took the a/c and pas off the car.... they are collectable and desirable engines being factory turbos but not for me.
If I was going for an injected turbo rotary, I'd put a 13bt in it..... but I like the simplicity of the Elford turbo.... and it's fast enough for me.

That certainly is the pragmatic and eminently sensible point of view that is hard to argue against... Hold out for the 13bt

[TOOL]

That is sensible. I dont think you had a good look at it though.

I've only just had a proper look at it last week

You would more than likely need to strip and inspect prior to use though.

[ian65]

That is sensible. I dont think you had a good look at it though.

I've only just had a proper look at it last week

You would more than likely need to strip and inspect prior to use though.

It depends on what we mean by a good look.... I didn't start examining it but I've been around these cars enough to see by looking at it that it would need some remedial work before being pressed into use and I remember you saying that the fuel lines in the car were gummed up and it probably needed new or cleaned injectors which it why it hadn't run.

The rest of the fluids in the car were very clean weren't they and even the air-con was still pressurised so the internals of the engine are probably ok but at the least the injection system is going to need a proper strip and clean.
It could potentially have been taken off the road due to an engine problem...probably not, but who knows...

Don't get me wrong, they are a desirable engine to have and very rare and quite sought after but my view, rightly or wrongly, is that they were an engine of their time. The engine is a low compression 12a and if it blows, how available are the spares?
The Elford is also an old setup but is very simple and also uses a standard 12a which is easy to swap if the engine lets go. Standard 12a's can be had for peanuts can't they.
The Elford is almost as powerful as the 12at and both can be tuned to over 200bhp.

I think these days, if going for an injected turbocharged rotary, the 13bt is the way to go. Spares a plenty, good power, good torque . I can't see any advantage in using the factory 12at over a 13b out of a turbo2.... apart from the actual install being simpler and the 12at's legendary status....
Having said this, someone will snap it up I think, especially if you'll put it on a pallet and ship it.

[TOOL]

You are absolutely spot on there mate. I agree with everything you said.

I would love for someone to put it to good use though

[ian65]

You are absolutely spot on there mate. I agree with everything you said.

I would love for someone to put it to good use though

Me too! I really hope it sells as a complete unit and goes into an old school Mazda. There's just something special about looking into an engine bay and seeing that red turbo hat.... it's just iconic
Thanks for the oil cooler by the way, came yesterday... looks good!

[TOOL]

Absolutely.

Glad it arrived safe.

[ian65]

After months and months of planning and research, I'm going to finally carry out the ultimate cool mod to my Elford Turbo today, that is to remove the roof and rear hatch and convert the car into a 'drophead' a la the Pacific Avatar car in the US.
My plan it to bolt a length of scaffold tubing to the chassis rails underneath the floor plan for additional strength and then to cut the roof at the join of the roof and A posts and also cut the B posts at door height.
Traditional scaffold tube is 4mm thick and has a yield strength of 235N/m2 which should be plenty to brace the monocoque.
I've sourced a 626 boot lid that will replace the glass hatch and the cover will be a bespoke item.
I don't know of another convertible FB in the UK, let alone an Elford Turbo so it should be quite desirable and valuable when completed.
I hope the sun stays out!!