cats4

LotusCarlton.co.uk

VXR8


Not as pretty as a JE system but should buy me a good few years yet, and with advantage of
replaceable cats.

Final job was to extend the ends of the cats and weld some flanges (after dry fit) so that I can
have these on during the mot test, and of course I won't take them off when I get home.

Update June 2005
Having now driven some miles without cats, when at hot idle there is smoke
coming from the exhaust. This is due to turbo seal leakage where oil is being
burnt in the down pipes, interestingly there is absolutely nothing in the way of oil
smoke from the exhaust when the car is being driven, even being driven hard.
I feel the cats have been masking this problem by burning the oil smoke.
I've spoken to quite a few owners who have all experienced the same problem
to one degree or another, some much worse after removing cats. It does seem this
problem is not only restricted to the Lotus Carlton. Having spoken with lots of turbo
re-con guys and various reasons have been suggested why this happens.


I've decided that having old turbo's re-furbished is perhaps not the
best option in terms of value for money nor indeed solving the root problem.
I hope in the near future to try some of Garrett's new design turbo's. The turbo's
fitted to the Lotus are of course "specialised", which are unique (having said that
they are just
slightly different for each one), the replacements will need some adjusting on the
downpipes to make them work. Lets not forget that the turbo's fitted to the LC were
probably designed more than 25 years ago............I'm quite sure something better
is available............