"Serial Renault Deviant" Adey's current Renault R8 adventure

[adey]

Got the splitter back on this eve, decided to try a slightly different "look" for a while. Bumperless, is less more?? I will sit with it for a while and see where we are at in a few weeks.

 

[adey]

Still waiting on a few more bits to turn up and I can make a start on the engine modernisation.

I have received my new electric fuel pump though. This was ordered after my "issue" last time I drove it. Though the more I think about it the more I think it could have been a vapour lock. Either way an electric pump should add a little more resistance to it happening again if that was the case. The car will actually start up and run fine now and I've had it idling for quarter of an hour at a time 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

 

[adey]

Made a start on the Ignition ecu and conversion stuff. Picked out placements for everything and started mounting parts. Fuel pump is bolted down on some fresh rivnuts and piped up. Got the 36-1 trigger and pickup is fitted and set in the correct place. Then I decided to remove the manifolds for extra access and repair. The exhaust manifold has a slight blow, and the inlet could do with a few more tweaks. So why not do it all at the same time. I'm actively stopping myself from pulling the head off and getting a cam in there too......

 

 

[adey]

One of the other bits I wanted to remove was the dizzy, it pins the gear to the top of the oil pump so just removing it could be catastrophic. I did post on the R5 Gtt FB groups asking if any one knew the way to blank it off correctly to be shown them still in place but with a cap on. People had just left them fully in place when running standalone. Not good enough for me, I chopped a dizzy down, inspected it to make sure it wouldn't fall apart and would work as intended still (bar driving a distributor) then made a quick cover from aluminium. Job jobbed.

 

 

[adey]

 

[adey]

Made a start on the wiring side of things this afternoon, roughed out most of it in the correct locations. I don't think making it work will be an issue, making it look tidy will be though. Once I've got everything working properly I will go back and unwire everything that isn't needed in the fuse/relay box so there isn't an excess of wires hanging around.

 

[adey]

I made some Pidgeon shit repairs to the manifold. Was able to see the small blows of black against the mild steel colour, so did my best to repair them. Drilled or cut out where there was an issue and puddled it back together. Gave it a lick on jenolite high temp paint, hopefully it will protect it from the UK weather and damp.

Manifolds are back on so I can see what space I have with regards to sensors and wire routing. Also confirmed the switched ignition live it working and switching the ecu/coil feed on and off through the relay box (y)

All in all a good weekend and all being well I should have the extra ecu pins in need in the week. I can then get it to a "test" stage in the conversion.

Oh and in other news, insurance renewal is coming up, looks like it'll be £88 for the year and my road tax renewal came through with a huge £0 cost

 

 

[adey]

 

[adey]

So this has not gone to plan.... Few things to go through.

I had an mis sync issue that seemingly got worse the longer the car ran. Seemed to run perfectly when stone cold. I've been pretty particular with the routing of wiring to minimise interference to the ECU. Anyway, replaced the crank sensor to see if that was the issue. No change. Started diving a little deeper, decided to remove the rad fan that was in the same vicinity (that and I was giving myself a headache about temperatures and direction of airflow, @Steve Swan I should have just listened to you in the first place, mechanical fan back on) still no change. Remade the earthing points and added extra to make sure all was grounded nicely. Still no change...

Had been calling my mapper whilst trying to get it diagnosed and correct before I take it to him. Didn't want to waste his time or my money so he was throwing some ideas about.

Started looking deeper using the software for the ecu, noticed that it was seeing a signal of some sort constantly. There are filter settings to cut these out and aren't usually a problem unless they are strong enough for the ecu to think its seen a trigger tooth, (think of it like background noise). There's software based things you can change but switching the filters on and off didn't make a difference to the signal or running.

Anyway, kept digging until the car ran on 2 cylinders. That's weird... followed by a hiss and a bang. Took a look around everything and found the coil pack to have exploded!!!!! My first thoughts were that it was a dodgy coil pack.

Made a call back to the mapper and he throws some more ideas around. Generally coil packs over heat if they are been driven too hard or for too long or a mix of both. Asks me to triple check the loom which I have, and found no faults that I can see. Noted that there was continuity with the ecu powered back through one of the coil trigger wires.... This would suggest that the driver is stuck on for one half of the coil pack.

Anyway pull the ecu and do the same on the bench, sure enough the ecu is showing continuity to ground through one of the coil drivers.

Seemingly I have a dead brand new ECU. The issue with the misfire creeping in as the coil heated up.

Anyway a ticket has been raised with the supplier, we will see what they say/can do when business opens as of Monday.

 

[adey]

 

[adey]

SOoooooo i think we are on to a winner.

"ME" haven't gotten back to me regarding my ECU as of yet. So last night I briefly looked for another unit on FB market place and Ebay.... found a second hand unit, along with an mx5 1.8 inlet manifold and a set of jetted bike carbs for an for a chunk less than a new nodiz. Very local to me also! I have little to no patience when trying to sort an issue where there's the possibility that I've caused it.

First thing I did was check the ecu pin outs to see if it had the same fault I found on the original ecu.... nope so all good to carry on with testing. Went through things one by one, adjusted an earth strap and slapped on a new coil....

It only bloody started and ran straight away!

plan is to run it up fully tomorrow but I very much think the driver for one side of the coil had failed in an on or semi on position on the original ECU (that is how the pin out results were looking) and that killed everything.

Fingers crossed we are good, I'm expecting ME to somehow say I've created or caused the issue but we will see. Really I now have no need for the original ECU after buying a working item elsewhere.

[adey]

The replacement ecu is on and we are running very well. As its running a base map it didn't take too long to set it up again. Managed to get out and about for some testing and all is good so far after completing about 10 miles. Need to get some more done this week before mapping on the 28th

 

[adey]

 

 

[adey]

So a little wrap up of the day. Top line power mapping resulted in pretty much the same peak power it already had (high 60s low 70s), all the bottom and midrange stuff was where we gained everything and not just on full throttle.

Driveability is hugely improved and the engine itself seems quieter and less stressed, even though its doing more as such. As soon as you touch the throttle, even lightly, its very willing to get up go vs the old dizzy setup.

I'm calling it a win, peak power wasn't my main concern, though its always nice to have more, but I'm sure we can address that in the future..... for now, ill enjoy it 😁

Thanks for reading/watching

[adey]

I was asked a while back if I wanted to be in a a YouTube video, with the car constantly being worked on it wasn't always on the road and available. Things aligned last week though and Will from Resto Revival popped down and we had a little chat.

 

[adey]

Little update on the interior of the car. Gone for an 8 ball gear knob (matches the name and the 8's on the outside), ended up drilling it to suit and then using some epoxy resin to fit it in place. Happy with that.

Also managed to bag some Alcantara covered dash trims and top. Covered by cobra seats for a friends car but he opted not to fit them. Dark grey with silver stitching.

 

[adey]

Went for a little drive this morning and picked up a few bits. Potentially a chunk of it will go on the 8..... lets see where this goes

 

 

[adey]

 

[adey]

 

[adey]

Been putting a few test miles on the car. Luckily the steel wings were easily manipulated for a little extra clearance. Car rides super smooth on the big tyres and the speedo is only 5mph out vs GPS. Little bit of scrubbing on turning but it already did that anyway.

Stoked so far, just need to sort out the tracking, and find someone who can balance the wheels. The place that did my dope wheels last time seemingly can't do them or tracking on my car anymore...

 

[adey]

Made it to work and back with no issues at all. Drive is lovely 😁

Someone else also decided to drive their retro to work, so I had to park up with it and get some pics

 

[adey]

Been having some "scene" fun with the car. After going chunky tires I decided to have a play with tyre decals 😁 will probably actually work well when the turbo engine goes in.

 

[adey]

Banging some more miles on it, another trip to work and spirited run home. Still need to align it, and possibly order some new shocks all round. I see that gaz offer some for the car...

Had someone properly complaining that it stank of fuel from the exhaust this morning when I drove past them.🤣🤣. Didn't grasp that old carbed cars don't smell like a modern.

Spotted and got a wave from a cool Ferrari testarossa too

 

[adey]

Do you remember a while back when I opted to fit all new, modern electronics and parts to give me some extra reliability and confidence in the car....

We had a rare ish child free morning so decided to do some "house" bits. Namely get some paint to do some touch-ups around the place. Decided as it was nice, we would pop out for some breakfast and then on to Gloucester to browse B&Q.

Started fine and I got a full English in and then off we headed until karma got me. At a set of traffic lights, joining a dual carriage way the chap in front of us stalled, we had a little chuckle as we waited patiently then a more laughter as the car seemingly kangarooed and just as the lights were turning red, it went. Not in a huff more slightly amused we blatted past in the outside lane. About 400meters down the road the car bogged every time I touched the throttle. Urgh, no biggy, coast into the local farm shop. Quick look over the car and I cant see anything major wrong. Using the AA app I request recovery. It was going to be a few hours, but luckily we are friends the people who own the farm, so off for a quick coffee and the farm house.

AA quickly pushed the time out so I opted to go home, get some kit and the laptop, and give it a proper going over. Now I could get the car to idle but only just, the carb seemingly squirting fuel when asked of it, so in my head a sensor had gone down. Laptop plugged in showed no issues, all the sensors were showing acceptable readings and it was syncing up fine. I started to wonder if the trigger wheel had slipped so went into checking that. plug out, at tdc and eyeball it on the pickup, again all fine.

It was then I noticed the pump wasn't as loud as normal when priming. Annoyingly I currently have some sort of ear issue, so hearing wasn't the best anyway. I used the laptop to put it into test mode, it was making some noise, but on removal of the carbs fuel feed, nowt was coming out....

This coincided with the AA arriving. We had a little chat, he looked at and said id know it better than he would and discussed towing it home. He pulled out a little hand pump device so we could see if the tank pickup was blocked or the pump was buggered and we were able to check draw through the pipe work all the way through to the carb so that was good but we were now talking about if it would be fine freewheeling with the engine and box being in the rear. As I was putting it all back together I jokingly said have you got a hammer, we can give it a clout. Set the ecu to run it continually, held the main feed over the carb inlet and "whack" all of a sudden the noise changed, and it filled the carb to the brim..... not ideal but it was working!!!!!

So out with all the plugs and cranked to empty out the excess fuel (didn't want to hydro it on petrol) back in and fired up. Ran lumpy whilst chugging black smoke for about 30 seconds, but a few blips of the throttle and she ran sweet again. Mr AA man followed me about 6 miles home and it ran sweet as you like. Ill be ordering another pump as a back up. Looking at the first bit of fuel we pulled through I think the pump has had some crap get into it, its the lowest point in the system and I think some sediment had made it through to there.

So, replacing everything for modern parts and electronics, so far, hasn't helped me 🤣

 

[tooSavvy]

@adey.. "Had someone properly complaining that it stank of fuel from the exhaust this morning when I drove past them.🤣🤣. Didn't grasp that old carbed cars don't smell like a modern".

I followed a Toledo, minty minted, along towards N.Shields just yesterday... My nose is still 'twitchinn' 🤣

Now, Castrol R..... You just float away mmmmmm

🚙💨

[adey]

 

[adey]

Got out for a decent run today, good few hours bouncing around and all is well. The wife and i jumped in it early doors to head over to a big car meet (BOHO on Tour) which was on an old industrial estate next an airfield. 600+ cars in attendance and everything from a Rusty R8 to drag cars and supras, Even a few lotus' and a delorean were in attendance. Super chilled and loads to look at plus music, food and drink. Took the opportunity to try and grab some pics, a fair few coming through from the day though. After that a detour to get some ice-cream. Did me proud today but the heat and the seats defo make you sweaty!

 

[adey]

Had a lovely drive out to Goodwood this weekend for the Retro Rides Weekender. The car was displayed in the "French Connection" area along with some other lovely machinery. The show was great and defo one of the best in the year for me.

The car was nearly faultless on its 300mile round trip. Clocking around 45 to 47mpg which was nice. Cruised lovely though I really do need to sort the wheels, I think years of skinny tyres and no give in the suspension has defo buckled a few. Cruising speed has a decent wobble, though being so light resting a hand on the wheel steadies it. Also my tracking.... yeah the car pulls left lol.

Any way we drove down on Friday night to an airbnb 30 min from Goodwood. Stopped for a bite to eat at the local Caffeine and Machine on the way there too. Up and out by 8.30 the following morning. Queue in was a bit long but I got the 360 cam out for a laugh.

What a great venue, never been to Goodwood track before (though I've been to the hill climb down the road) properly posh setting with and air field attached. Really didn't manage to get many pics of the 8 but have been tagged in a few so have copied them in. Absolutely loved it though and will defo return in the future, either for a longer stop over or in the quicker car..... 3.5/4ish hours each way is a chore

 

 

 

[adey]

Since the show (though I hoped it would be here before hand) I've added a new mascot, Its supposed to be a play on "Mr Horsepower" let me introduce you to Monsieur Cheval Vapeur

 

[adey]

With the Clio being mildly annoying I've not actually gotten any further with the turbo build for this, the 8 being used as the reliable daily. With the heat we've had it has been like driving a green house but still plenty of smiles and miles.

One of the blokes from work lad asked if I'd give him a lift to prom in it. Odd choice but I agreed, he seemingly loved rocking up in the old rust bucket  someone turned up in a full blown tractor so maybe odd ball is the new thing