Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

gus -- if you're like one of those lovely british fabricators (f1 - mini 850 modsports) you'll have the engine's subframe all welded up (+ a few cuts) in 5hrs!! good luck sandy as just said: that engines looks perfect in there!

gusvlachos wrote:Almost all known mods for stiffness to the std Chassis previous posted to" Lotus Elan.Net " , have been done and much more. The "box" technic applied everywhere were possible.
Original chassis have been rewelded and reinforced with 2mm & 3mm plates inside-out, especially in front & rear towers,as well as crossmembers, TUNNEL and all mounts & weak points prone to crack.
In conjuction with the "limited roll cage " !, the reinforced GRP body and the adds of tower/strut bars front & rear, the roll stiffness of this project 'll be exceptional for road use.

Looks like you have that covered ! I must have missed your earlier posts.
It will be interesting to discover the weight distribution with the longer engine.

Fascinating project, I'm in awe of your skills.

Vince

el-saturn wrote:gus -- if you're like one of those lovely british fabricators (f1 - mini 850 modsports) you'll have the engine's subframe all welded up (+ a few cuts) in 5hrs!! good luck sandy as just said: that engines looks perfect in there!

El-Saturn, I don't know if I am like those, but I always tried to build my crazy plans.

more details on the mini engine?
I've not seen a head like this fitted before, its usually the K1100

After removing 4 coats of previous paints + the original spruce green coat (can't accept modern 2K paint thinner). After body cracks repair with naval epoxy resin and two coats of 2K primer (one thick, one thin) with an unstoppable sanding & fine filling, the car is painted with this shade of BRGreen ???!!!!.

Here it is:

Good job. Man after my own heart

The car mechanically finished yesterday. The first ride impression was absolutely fantastic. The power/torque through 4/6-o/d gears was terrific for road use, in this relative lightweight project !
The handling first impression in fast cornering was very good, with very reasonable understeer.
This thanks to 225lb front coils, adjustable Koni's, and engine's position (moved backward as far as heater allowed - cut body pocket, leaving a lot of free useful space in front of the engine bay, as looks in the photo).
Brakes with the use of TR 6 double master cylinder, repositioned fluid reservoir and independent front servo unit was satisfy enough.
I add also some details of DIY electronically pop-up headlamps ponds, as well as for cooling system.
Next job, wiring loom, interior & exterior work. More to come....

Gus that is truly amazing quality. Very well done indeed. I wish you lived next door to me!! Fancy a holiday for a month or two in Somerset?

TBG wrote:Gus that is truly amazing quality. Very well done indeed. I wish you lived next door to me!! Fancy a holiday for a month or two in Somerset?

Ha-Ha thanks, I wish you too, cause my present neighbor is a Big jerk !! Thanks for the invitation, I'd love to. I 've a lot of years to visit my lovely GB, also the invitation applies to you, to Rafina - Athens. Thanks again

En route you can call in here for a weekend! I have two gites, and in return you can give me some pointers in making my build look as good as yours!

I understand from other forums the difficulty in engineering in Greece, so admire what you have done 100%

HCA wrote:En route you can call in here for a weekend! I have two gites, and in return you can give me some pointers in making my build look as good as yours!

I understand from other forums the difficulty in engineering in Greece, so admire what you have done 100%

My pleasure, I always share knowledge Btw, what is your build ?

Many congrats - The car looks fantastic!

I used to race a Triumph TR5 and owned several TR6's, so know the engine and PI system well. The weak point is the fuel pump in the boot, which is basically powered by a Lucas windscreen wiper motor, and is prone to overheating. It is marginally more reliable when mounted horizontally (but not by much) and most people change out the pump and filter for Bosch items from someone like Racetorations or Pumfords. The conversion doesn't cost much, but it is sooo much better!

Thanks a lot WSMEMPSON for your valuable suggestions. I know these problems, but it is for initial trial and I install the parts I had available. Usually I use Pierburg fuel pump. As you can see, my next step is all fuel linings in the boot (rubber hoses), will be replaced by copper-nickel pipes and I 'll put 6 1/2" ram pipes (trumpets) instead of these weber 45mm trumpets, in the inlet manifold. In front of these ram pipes I 'll reposition the injectors from their std position. It is a clever modification that gives a significant power & torque increase and it was established in US car races by Kastner & Lund, some clever engineers back in '70s, who spend a lot of time in a dyno to gain something more from this PI engine, as well as David Vizard did
Thanks again..

Gus,
Fantastic build! Looks like you are close to the finish line!
Cheers,
Glenn