FITTING:

This is from the thread to gauge interest in an off the shelf configurable T7Design Heater for the VX220:

Most of the text below is from the “heater Not Great’ thread that can be found here: http://www.vx220.org.uk/forums/topic/144875-heater-not-great/

T7Design were already working on a LHD Speedster heater based on their Midi unit, but it was a long way off. To get things moving (and selfishly to get me a heater immediately) T7 agreed to sell me the midi based prototype, with 3d printed parts (finished unit will be all alloy) and in return I worked out the simplest installation I could, making some small components, testing the results and sending back pictures, measurements and the like.

Once the pain of getting the old heater out is over, I'm thinking anyone could fit this in an hour, it is pleasingly precision machined and the components used, like the powerful compact Spal twin fan, are well considered and very efficient, the temperature knob turns freely with full travel in each direction and most importantly it blows and heats…..a lot.

While I’ve mainly focussed on the heat produced in the original thread, when the heater is turned to COLD the matrix cools quickly, as it uses a bypass valve sending the hot water back to the engine, and the fan is much more powerful than the Elite one so I you can feel that cold air blowing on my smiling face.

The finished unit will be anodized silver or black, with bespoke fixings for the VX and options such as a larger heater core for speedsters in colder climates, an integral filter is also being looked at.

Pictures here are of the prototype, so bear in mind its not anodised and some of the components I have made would not be up to a T7design production finish.

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First try of this prototype of a VX 220 heater. Outside temperature is 0'c, radiator fans locked running to keep engine temp down at a steady 80'c. Output shown is from one of the windscreen dash vents. Impressive as it's drawing ice cold air and no front clam is fitted so the unsealed heater box and hoses are also exposed. I should justify the temperature as running on the lowest fan speed and only through the window vents.

Video of first prototype working: https://youtu.be/IT9726PfWXc

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How much will it cost.......

As mentioned before this will be a configurable product where people can buy the heater unit and then configure the components to suit their needs/skills.

The heater won't be expensive, given the quality of its construction, with the VX/Elise mountings, alloy spun outlet nozzle and anodising etc. after which configuration is up to you with motorised or manual bypass valve options, different fan sizes, optional filter or larger heater cores. This will affect the cost dependant on how you want it to work, but most should still come in under £300. Prices for many of the options are already on the T7Design website.

The complete setup I have fitted is quite simple and would probably be the cheapest option.

I have no stake in this except helping T7 and us owners move this along. Adam is currently awaiting the tooling costs and pricing for the alloy spun cone, he should have those figures early next week plus larger cores (than I have fitted) should be arriving in the next couple of weeks. Hopefully he will have some close to production prototypes in 4-5 weeks.

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