Got the Lambda and AFR gauge working now. Haven't really done anything yet apart from see how it idles. With the new exhaust I noticed it hunts and drops down when idling, the Innovate lambda's telling me its very weak at tick over. I'll be having a look at tuning the carbs this weekend, even if its just near enough to get back down to Blogg Brothers for a proper set up.
Still need to complete the new inlet manifold tho!

Any, here's some pics of the exhaust I got from AAS in Newcastle. Sounds great, ticking over quite quite but once the revs build and the VVT kicks in it howls... nice!!I've constructed a copper heat shield for the sensor out of 28mm copper pipe as advised inthe Innovate manual.

Some pics of the sump chop on my ST170. Rear section of the sump boxed in to create extra capacity. I left the original part of the rear section, you can see the profile where the weld is and drilled holes through it to create a baffle.

Needs to come off soon as its leaking, making a mess on the garage floor!

New exhaust on last Wednesday, had a run down to MNR Saturday. I've connected the VVT to the aux output on the Mj and set it to switch a relay at 4K. This allows high cruising speeds without the cam kicking in and buggering the mpg up.

SO, couple of nice empty straight roads and 4K in third gear... whoosh! off she goes and pulls like train!
Carbs are not set up properly yet as there is a fluffy moment between 2.5~4K where I think it is running a bit weak. I need to get the LC1 connected so I can see the AFR and have a go at tuning myself....

In the meantime I've been kicking on with the log burner, bit late for this winter but will get rid of tons of rubbish in the garden and its there for next year. I got an empty 19kg bottle a while ago and left the valve open for a week, turning it upside down after 3 days. With tons of old engine oil I drilled a hole in the top of the bottle next to the valve and filled it with water. I then cut the valve off and left it full of water in the garden for 3 months!

I got a length of 4 1/2" 3.5mm pipe the other day so I've been cracking on....

Doors marked out a partially cut. Thought original marking out was too high.

Doors fully cut out.

Hole cut in the top for steel chimney pipe. Next step, hinges and welding up.
Its tight in the garage when all the toys are in!

Been for a drive out today, nothing more than a mile eating session, sitting in traffic, testing the new coolant pipe setup. Couple of burst in first and second some speedy motorway driving. All went well with no incidents and I took some pictures.

Its going in for a new performance exhaust next week, bigger primery's and beefy silencer to extract as much power as possible out of the motor.

Some pictures of my ST engine install....

Thermostat/header connections.

Exhaust on, straight off the 1.8.
Soon to be replaced for a bigger one!

Engine on the stand showing the sump chop.
I cut it level with the bottom of the bellhousing.

New nearside engine mount with custom alternator mount
using the original aircon pump bracket.

Yesterday I had my first run out with the new engine. Nothing spectacular as the roads were damp in places and it was very cold. Went down to see a fellow MNR builder who is getting ready for SVA.

I've bought an Innovate LC 1 lambda kit so I can have a go at tuning the carbs for their new application. So, I need the lambda boss welding into the exhaust..... paid a visit to AAS Exhausts in Newcastle to see about getting that welded in and a couple of other tidy ups on the exhaust, welding two joints, nice hanger etc... Anyway to cut a long story short, and explaining I wanted 200bhp from the motor I've booked the car in for whole new exhaust system with much bigger pipes throughout. I hadn't planned this atm but knew it needed doing so I'm in for it just need a hefty cash injection....

Got back home in the dark with no drama's apart from a concern with the coolant. I'm not convinced I'm getting the correct reading from the temp gauge, and its chucking coolant out when its cold. I suspect this is due to the header tank connection being very close to the bypass output of the thermostat housing. I'm going to move the header tank connection down to the bottom hose close to the radiator to try and smooth out any surges that may be the cause of the coolant being expelled.

Immediate plans are to cure once and for all the brake fluid leak that's been a constant problem with new master cylinders with integral reservoirs, move the header tank connection and get the exhaust done. Then I can think about cams to get up to 200bhp. And I still need to make a new inlet manifold.

Roll on the warm weather!

Got my hands on some 5mm steel plate. I've decided to make a new inlet manifold. Seeing as I made the original one I can save a bit of cash making this one too. I've got the Ford Plastic one to use as a template and it should be easier this time as the ports on the head are larger. I wont have to reduce the tubes to make them fit!

I've swapped the thermostat housing for the one of the 1.8. This is because the newer ST one has temp senders that are push in and held with sliding clips, where as the 1.8 one has threaded sensor holes. This has enabled me to fit the Acewell sensor to the bottom of the unit. I started the engine again for another warm up/leak test and while the fan came on as it does at 86 degrees the dash was only registering 55... This may be due to the sensor sitting on the bottom of the thermostat. The problem is I've blocked the rear outlet that would have gone to the heater so there's not much flow over it. However this may or may not be problem during normal driving when the water is going round a lot faster. Time will tell. I have a mechanical Racetech water temp gauge I may attempt to plumb into the top sensor.

Congratulations to Vinny, Bill & Basset for getting their cars started today. You can check their blogs out with the links on the right..

Quick update. I've used the inlet manifold just to get it running. Everything connected now I've had it outside toady with the engine running up to temperature. Revving it up its spitting a fuel mist out of the carb trumpets. Not sure if this is due to the manifold not lining up with the head so I reckon a call to Blogg Brothers again to make me a new inlet and set the carbs up for this engine.

Before I do that I'm going to try and get the Megajolt work the VVT, opening the oil pressure switch at 4k rpm.

Tidying the garage out atm to try and get my Rover in over the winter. Can't stand the windows being frozen up on a work morning!

Got some silicone hoses in the post yesterday and set to making all the water connections. This time I've run the bottom hose down the outside of the chassis in the gap between it and the body. I've run the hose through a tight gap between rad mount and chassis and am hooping it won't cause a problem. Its all solidly mounted and shouldn't be moving around.

Hoses going round outside of chassis.

Bottom hose going through tight gap in chassis.

Top rail is now secure thanks to some correct size reducing hoses and the tube is fastened to the engine with a home made ali P clip. Heater outlet on the back of the thermostat housing to block and it should be ready for some antifreeze. Next step is the oil filter housing to make oil tight and get some new oil in.

Took the ST inlet off and tried my homemade carb inlet off the 1.8 on it. Looks like the inlet will be staying with the 1.8. The ST inlet ports are about 10mm further up and nearly twice as big! Too far away to adjust the other one. So a new inlet manifold is required for the carbs.

On the opposite side the exhaust is on, no real difference in the exhaust ports so on it went without any fettling. I've made a top hose pipe out of B&Q aerial aluminium pipe and bent it to drop under the exhaust. Some slight crimps on the folds but nothing to worry about. I'm going to block the top vent on the radiator and use the vent from the termostat housing. This is higher up and makes for a neater installation. In order to connect the bottom hose I need a 180 degree hose to get the water pump outlet pointing forward. 180 is probably a bit too much but seeing as I can't get a 155 one it will have to do. Its not far way now, apart from the inlet, so will be trying to get it finished over the holidays. Merry Xmas all!