Every opinion is welcome, the difference between these units (engine & gearbox) is 173 pounds,
it doesn' t worry me at all.
We know exactly how to change handling from understeering to oversteering and vice versa, as well as every other characteristic of suspension geometry & balance.
"Slowtus" post is right.
Someone wrote about weight/power ratio engine choice.
If the task was that, then I would prefer a better one, to use Hayabusas engines, as I did many years ago in a mini.
The tasks in this project is to use a BRITISH engine of that ERA (1969), more powerful, with the help of "6" gears O/D gearbox, relatively close to Elan's, with a minimum budget.
The engine was sitting in my garage, and I found it a very good idea to do it, as explain initially.
I admit that most of members, are lotus funs/enthusiasts, DIY amateurs, as well as some pro's.
So every opinion is welcome again, to exchange knowledge.
Beside my 'moto' since I was young , was:
"Open ears to listen, a lot of think, less to speak."
And as an old Greek saying: "As I' m getting older, I' m always learning".