Lotus Europa Community

Lotus Europa Forums => Resources, Parts and Products => Topic started by: BDA on Sunday,April 24, 2022, 12:58:00 PM

Title: S. Jennings Racing
Post by: BDA on Sunday,April 24, 2022, 12:58:00 PM
In case you don't remember Jennings Racing, they used to make some of the best BDAs for Formula Atlantic back in the day. Well it turns out they also produce some interesting bits for the Lotus Twin Cam motor (and much more!).

Here is the link to their site: http://sjenningsracing.com/.

And here's the link to their TC products: http://sjenningsracing.com/ltc/.
Title: Re: S. Jennings Racing
Post by: Grumblebuns on Tuesday,April 26, 2022, 09:41:49 AM
Interesting and tasty range of TC bits they offer especially the Gilmer style water pump drive and the lightened steel flywheel. I wonder the weight difference compared to an aluminum one.

 
Title: Re: S. Jennings Racing
Post by: BDA on Tuesday,April 26, 2022, 10:56:44 AM
Yeah, they had a bunch of things I hadn't seen before. I'm pretty sure DBE sells a gilmer water pump drive kit. I don't have a clue who's is better or less expensive. As for the flywheels, they sure seemed to cut a lot out of them! I would presume that cast flywheels are required (and aluminum flywheels are not allowed) for some classes of racing unless they have some other advantage over aluminum units.
Title: Re: S. Jennings Racing
Post by: Bainford on Wednesday,April 27, 2022, 08:55:19 AM
Thanks BDA. Some pretty groovy bits there. The CNC machined cylinder head had me wiping drool off my keyboard. It's good to see the old Lotus lump still getting this kind of attention.

I wonder the weight difference compared to an aluminum one.
I was wondering the same thing. They are very nice looking pieces.
Title: Re: S. Jennings Racing
Post by: Chuck Nukem on Wednesday,April 27, 2022, 09:31:38 AM
They did the fuel injected twin cam that is going on the 23C for Regogo Racing/ Sports Car World.

Title: Re: S. Jennings Racing
Post by: BDA on Wednesday,April 27, 2022, 09:48:27 AM
Interesting, Chuck!

Is that rust on those frame tubes?!!   :huh:
Title: Re: S. Jennings Racing
Post by: Chuck Nukem on Wednesday,April 27, 2022, 10:37:52 AM
Interesting, Chuck!

Is that rust on those frame tubes?!!   :huh:

They blasted and painted it since that photo.
Title: Re: S. Jennings Racing
Post by: SilverBeast on Wednesday,April 27, 2022, 10:38:27 AM
It's not called rust these days, its called patina!  :)
Title: Re: S. Jennings Racing
Post by: BDA on Wednesday,April 27, 2022, 10:42:36 AM
That should make the car more valuable then!  :)
Title: Re: S. Jennings Racing
Post by: TurboFource on Wednesday,April 27, 2022, 12:20:13 PM
Did they weld with silicon bronze filler wire?
Title: Re: S. Jennings Racing
Post by: BDA on Wednesday,April 27, 2022, 12:44:34 PM
I don't know but (because of the thin walled tubing?) in early days, I believe tubes were brazed.
Title: Re: S. Jennings Racing
Post by: GavinT on Thursday,April 28, 2022, 06:18:50 AM
Reasonably sure it was Manganese-Bronze used for oxy/acetylene brazing in the old days.
Don't know what the practical differences might be.
Title: Re: S. Jennings Racing
Post by: TurboFource on Thursday,April 28, 2022, 12:20:15 PM
Just curious because some of it looks TIG welded and some with a oxy/acetylene torch...
Title: Re: S. Jennings Racing
Post by: GavinT on Thursday,April 28, 2022, 09:02:38 PM
Just curious because some of it looks TIG welded and some with a oxy/acetylene torch...

Yes, could be.
I made an assumption because there was an oxy torch in the photo and that's what was used originally (I think). Apparently silicon bronze has a slightly lower melting point so that could be even better.
Perhaps Chuck knows the answer.

I've only used manganese bronze & nickel bronze with oxy/acetylene.
Brazing seems to be a somewhat orphan process these days since the advent of TIG which is understandable. That said, TIG doesn't seem to get the capillary flow that happens with oxy which I expect is a feature of the flux.
I should experiment with silicon bronze.