My recent phone conversion with Tim Holland GM/LOTUS Engineer for the LT5....

[Roadster]

This all came about with my installation of the Haibeck chip in the 94, on this thread.....http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=22728
when member grahambehan wrote this in reference to the PROM found in my Z.

"Tim Holland worked on the LT5 program for Lotus, the car must have been in the "captured test fleet" at some point for it to have this chip in it.

Graham."

So this got me to thinking, mmmmmm, could there be a story behind this???
I did some research and located Tim Holland. After some phone tag, he returned my call last evening and for the next 32 minutes, we had a great conversation.
I made notes as I went along and tried to absorb everything that we discussed.

...Yes my ZR-1 was part of the "captured test fleet" because of the PROM that was still in the ECM. That PROM was supposed to be removed before sale to the public was his response as he chuckled.
...Yes, he probably drove my Z and others on a daily basis, used as driver's to test out the entire vehicle. And any parts that were suspect were replaced and then tested again.
...No, I did not ask him for how long and how many miles they went before testing was complete. I was too busy asking and discussing everything else I could think of.
...Yes, the PROM is the correct one for my vehicle, simply because of the
"BKKR" code on the cover. The 94 and 95 PROM's were the same and this PROM has all of the available updates at that time.

Here is a pic of the Blue PROM cover that was on my 94.




There is a lot more to share, but I have to get to sleep and get ready fot my night drive.
I would like to thank Tim Holland for his time, it was a great conversation and this just adds a bit more history with the purchase of my Z.......

[GOLDCYLON]

cool story

[PhillipsLT5]

The primary purpose of tracing the provenance of an object or entity is normally to provide contextual and circumstantial evidence for its original production or discovery, by establishing, as far as practicable, its later history, especially the sequences of its formal ownership, custody, and places of storage. The practice has a particular value in helping authenticate objects. Comparative techniques, expert opinions, and the results of scientific tests may also be used to these ends, but establishing provenance is essentially a matter of documentation
You got it, nice

[gbrtng]

I'm pretty sure Tim came to the April 1995 gathering along with Graham. Where is Tim living now? And is he still with Lotus?

[Roadster]

Originally Posted by GOLDCYLON

cool story

thanks, I think it is also.......

Originally Posted by PhillipsLT5

The primary purpose of tracing the provenance of an object or entity is normally to provide contextual and circumstantial evidence for its original production or discovery, by establishing, as far as practicable, its later history, especially the sequences of its formal ownership, custody, and places of storage. The practice has a particular value in helping authenticate objects. Comparative techniques, expert opinions, and the results of scientific tests may also be used to these ends, but establishing provenance is essentially a matter of documentation
You got it, nice

couldn't have said it better myself....only kidding....great explanation...thanks

Originally Posted by gbrtng

I'm pretty sure Tim came to the April 1995 gathering along with Graham. Where is Tim living now? And is he still with Lotus?

yes, he is still with Lotus, I am assuming he is in MI.

[Roadster]

more info from the call......the following may have already been discussed over the years, and known by many, but I thought it would be interesting to mentioned what we talked about now, some 20 years later.

...The LT5 was on the dyno for at least 400 hours, GM's dyno testing was very aggressive at the time.
...The LT5 ran hotter than usual at the time. (I imagine he was comparing the LT5 to the other engines of that time period)
...When I asked him about the PROM chips available from the aftermarket, such as Marc's and others, especially with the fans coming on at lower speeds, he said that the oil needs to be @ 88 degrees centigrade,
(which is 190.4 degrees F) in order for the oil to boil out the condensation in the engine. He said you don't want to run these engines at like 150 F, as it would do more harm than good. Even with the fan temps from the aftermarket PROM chips, I think we are ok, JMO.
And he also mentioned if doing a lot of short trips, to make sure you get up to operating temp. There is also a thermostat in the oil line.
...a twin roller chain was added for the cams, as they seemed to have a problem with the earlier single roller chain. (hope I understood him correctly on this one).
....make sure you are warmed up at operating temp before doing any WOT's.

again, this may be common knowledge for some if not all, but still a neat conversation.......
still a few more items to cover, will do in my next post.........thanks for checking this out.....

[Roadster]

the remaining part of our conversation......

...engine is more fuel efficient on all 16 injectors open rather than just 8 injectors.
...talking about the "tube" going from the rear of the trans to the axle,(I imagine the "tube" he was referring to is the driveshaft. Mentioned that when accelerating that you should be smooth with power delivery, and not jerk the engine in gear, such as accelerating in 1st gear, letting off, than accelerating again in same gear (jerking). This puts undo stress on the bolts that connect the joint at the back of the trans, which can come loose from that motion (think I understood him on that) which can sag when applying torque and therefore result in the gear lever (shifter) moving upwards when accelerating. This is a machined part and needs to be exact. Apparently this was discovered during testing, thus resulting in using a smooth delivery rather than a jerking power delivery.
...secondary injectors opening is based on fast you are going and not a specific RPM.
...clutch reservoir contains the "black cup" as I refer to as.....which purpose is to prevent air and moisture from entering the system. That "black cup" should be collapsible to underneath the cap, mine isn't. But not to run without one.
...also spoke about changing out the anti-freeze fluid in the engine. I mentioned about the Dex-Cool may create complication on the gaskets, he said he was not aware of that, but also mentioned that he has been out of the "circle" for a number of years. When I said about filling the system and not getting any air pockets, he said that there are bleeder pipes on top of the plenum (he thought between #2 & 3 and #4 & 5 cylinders). The fill cap was placed on the highest point of the engine for a purpose. He also mentioned that when filling the system, that it will purge itself.

My thought is.....Of course alot more has been learned about the LT5 since the production years and different ways to maintain and prevent any possible complications that may arise.

That was about the content of our conversation from all of the above posts, interesting to say the least, especially for me, as I am still in the learning process of the LT5 and the ZR-1 overall.
Glad I could share with you.......thanks for looking...

[ghlkal]

Very cool. I sure it was a great experience to get some first-hand knowledge.

Originally Posted by Roadster

And he also mentioned if doing a lot of short trips, to make sure you get up to operating temp. There is also a thermostat in the oil line.

I didn't know there's a thermostat in the oil line ...

[Dynomite]

Originally Posted by ghlkal

Very cool. I sure it was a great experience to get some first-hand knowledge.
I didn't know there's a thermostat in the oil line ...

Concur....very interesting discussion by Roadster

Engine Lubrication System Functional Discussion

This may be what is discussed in regard to oil thermostat?

Oil Temperature Control Valve Assembly.....................Oil Temperature Valve Thermostat opens at 203 deg F


Oil Temperature Shuttle Valve Open (HOT)............................Oil Termperature Shuttle Valve Closed (COLD)

[Kevin]

...secondary injectors opening is based on fast you are going and not a specific RPM.

first i've ever heard of this