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Vegantune metering unit/distributor


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#1 Snakedriver

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Posted 11 August 2016 - 00:31

Does anybody have a photo or drawing of this component. It replaced the dizzy on the Kent blocks, most likely for their TC engine.

Thanks
Leo

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#2 David Birchall

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Posted 11 August 2016 - 15:17

Is this the Tecalemit Jackson unit?  I have a copy of the manual for that.



#3 Snakedriver

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Posted 11 August 2016 - 16:55

Hi David,

Could you post or send me a pic of the unit?

Leo

#4 fyrth

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Posted 11 August 2016 - 17:46

Are you aware that John Sismey (who started Vegantune) still lives in Bourne?



#5 Snakedriver

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Posted 11 August 2016 - 17:58

I would have to reference a map to find Bourn. As I live in Arthurdale.

#6 David Birchall

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Posted 11 August 2016 - 19:34

Hi Leo,  The manual is available as a download-which is how I got mine-scroll down here:

http://www.mk1-perfo...hnical_carb.htm



#7 David Birchall

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Posted 11 August 2016 - 19:42

There might also be some useful information in this discussion on the Elan forum:

 

http://www.lotuselan...ion-t33753.html



#8 Snakedriver

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Posted 11 August 2016 - 20:52

David,

The Tecalemit Jackson fuel injection looks like a belt drive unit. The Vegantune unit actually replaces the original distributor allowing the dist. gear to drive both the distributor, which is now is parallel to the crank line, as well as a Lucas metering unit.

#9 David Birchall

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Posted 11 August 2016 - 21:42

OK,  that does sound different.  I am pretty sure Vegantune used TJ injection.  Maybe they developed their own version.  It might be worth while contacting this John Sismey.



#10 David Birchall

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Posted 11 August 2016 - 21:43

I have always thought the best way to deal with the TJ injection would be to fit modern electronic injectors in place of the original constant flow units but I imagine the rule readers wouldn't like that!



#11 Snakedriver

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Posted 11 August 2016 - 22:10

Is Mr. Sismey around? What would be the best way to contact him I wonder?

#12 Peter Morley

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Posted 12 August 2016 - 08:45

I've got a complete Tecalemit Jackson system for a V8 if someone wants it.

As Leo says it is belt driven.



#13 Snakedriver

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Posted 12 August 2016 - 08:48

Peter!

Are you familiar with what I describing?

Leo

#14 kaydee

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Posted 12 August 2016 - 09:22

The Vegantune petrol injection system is based on using a Lucas metering unit combined with a specially made distributor.

Both of these components are located on a specially made housing which is driven from the original distributor position.

 

The Vegantune petrol injection system is totally different to the Tecalamit Jackson system.

 

The attached photos should help explain the layout -

 

 Vegantune_PI_1.jpg

Vegantune_PI_2.jpg

Hope this helps...

 

Kaydee

 

imgurl



#15 Snakedriver

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Posted 12 August 2016 - 10:18

Kaydee,

Thanks so much! I owe you a beer.

So, does anybody have one for sale or trade?

Leo

#16 Charlieman

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Posted 12 August 2016 - 10:50

Crikey, that looks expensive to manufacture.



#17 David Birchall

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Posted 12 August 2016 - 20:02

Well,  I am glad to hear they didn't use the TJ system-it seems neanderthal really!

If you click on the following link and scroll down there is a photo of the Hart system which is apparently very similar to the Vegantune but belt driven:

 

http://omnitech-engi...auto-parts-sale



#18 Snakedriver

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Posted 12 August 2016 - 20:05

Thanks David,

I basically have a BDA set up. The problem is I'm building a Formula 2 pushrod engine, a Cosworth MK17. I don't have the luxury of all those cams to use as a drive.

#19 Peter Morley

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Posted 13 August 2016 - 10:28

Peter!

Are you familiar with what I describing?

Leo

 

Leo

 

I didn't know the Vegantune system - but I do now thanks to Kaydee!

 

I bought the TJ system for a project that ended up using carburetors, so I've got an idea of how that (is meant to ) work!

 

Peter



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#20 mariner

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Posted 13 August 2016 - 13:13

First thanks to David Birchall for the TJ manual link, very informative and rare.

 

 

Secondly has anyone here produced a list of all the competition engines that used TJ injection? I have soft spot for the odball and lost causes and TJ injection seems to fit that bill espeically as it was used on my favourite lost cause - the Lotus 30/40!

 

The TJ sysem was best suited to racing I think, as it had only two inputs , engine speed and throttle position and was untimed. It lacked any manifold depression signal so didn't try to save fuel at low power, unlike the Bosch and Lucas systems. Basically it is very similar in principle  to the Hillborn sysems used for many years at Indy and on Sprint cars.

 

Because it is untimed it is attractive for multi-cylinder aplications like V-8's. Four more feed pipes and spray nozzles take you from 4 to 8 cylinders compared to buying twice as many Webers for a carb set -up .I wonder if that is wny Lotus used it for the Lotus 30?  I can imagine the very cost conscious Chapman and gang being upset at finding 4 dual downdraught Webers costing neary as much as the base Ford 289 engine.

 

I know of only  three racing applications of the TJ systems - the Lotus 30, some Marcos 1800 cars, and the Holman-Moody Honker supposedly used it. Any I have missed please?



#21 Snakedriver

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Posted 17 August 2016 - 00:55

I wonder how the Hilborne and JT systems compare to the Lucas PI system, which is undoubtedly a much more popular system then as is now.

#22 David Birchall

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Posted 17 August 2016 - 02:35

I think the big difference is that the Lucas system, like the Bosch, is timed rather than continuous.  Of course, in the seventies Bosch came out with CI injection  (Continuous Injection) which was similar to the TJ but with an air/mass meter added.


Edited by David Birchall, 17 August 2016 - 02:36.


#23 Angus Lamont

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Posted 17 August 2016 - 03:17

Team Harper of Hong Kong had a TJ fuel injection system in their Cosworth twin-cam powered Lotus 47.



#24 Snakedriver

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Posted 17 August 2016 - 03:52

That's very interesting. I'll have to look into the TJ, and Hilborne system more.