10/19/09

Wow, Shichi is fast. It accelerates like a scalded cat from 3,500 rpm through the top of the tach. And it pulls all the way to the top. However, with the remote shifter mechanism, it is impossible to shift fast enough to keep up with the thing. And, to top it all off, it cruises like shite on a shingle. Coughing and sputtering at any throttle input when trying to hold a steady rpm. No, this engine is a balls out, full throttle, top end setup. Totally useless on the street. It has to go. Now, I'm of two minds as to what I want to do. The first thought is: Yank the A-14 out of Lil' Wiggly, rebuild it (rings, bearings, and gaskets, minimal machine work, only what is necessary) while we’re putting the L-series and five speed in, then install the rebuilt stock A-14 in Shichi with the dual SU carburetors. I'm not sure what we’d do with the “Screamin’ Demon” engine in that situation though. Which leads us to option the second: Yank the “Screamin’ Demon” A-14 from Shichi, swap in a stock cam, look at the bearings and rings (replace only if necessary), and reinstall with the dual SU carburetors. I think I was happiest with the car right before the number four piston let go in the million mile junkyard A-15 with the $1,000.00 cylinder head, stock cam, and SU carburetors. By the way, it didn't really have a million miles on it, I just say that. I did have a thought about the “Screamin’ Demon” engine, it would almost be streetable with a 4.11:1 rear end gear. George has a 4.11 and only weighs about 500 pounds more than Shichi. The “Screamin’ Demon” would be pretty bad ass in there. I'm not sure what would become of all the turbo bits, but they have been waiting around for a while anyway. What’s another few years? That probably won't happen though, unless we determine that the A-12 bottom end bored for +.040” A-14 pistons is junk. Hmm, that seems to argue for keeping the "Screamin' Demon" engine intact just in case it is needed in George. I don't know. I've sent John a text asking his opinion of options one and two. I'd come off cheaper going with option two, I think. Oh, I thought I heard someone in the back asking why I didn't just change the cam in the car. Well, setting aside the fact that it is nigh impossible to do a cam swap in an A-series without turning the engine upside down, there isn't room to remove the front pulley which is in front of the timing cover which is covering the cam. Now, it might be possible with the engine lifted to get the timing cover out of the way, but the lifter issue would still need to be overcome. See, the A-series uses “mushroom” lifters which are considerably larger diameter at the cam face than the bores of the block. They drop in from the bottom with the engine upside down. If there was a way to hold them to the top of the bores while removing and installing the cams, with the engine right side up, we might be in business. No, once we’ve gone t all the trouble to get the thing that far out, it might as well come on out and get inspected. Oh, John and I have discussed it and it looks like we’ve decided on option two. The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. Of course the next question is: Do I install the double valve springs, light-weight retainers, and rocker shaft spacers? I think I will since the engine will still be rev-able to 7,000+ rpm even without the monster cam. I know because I've done it. Oh, John suggested an alternative to Lil' Wiggly's engine. If we’re rebuilding, why not rebuild the A-15? I don't have an argument against it, except that the "Screamin' Demon" with a stock cam will be much cheaper. Yes, I think we have a workable plan. The "Screamin' Demon" was a detour on the road of Lotus Seven happiness and would probably have been really fun in a “Track Day Only” car. On the street, not so much.