Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Once you get a bit more in to your project you might get it featured in <a href='http://www.retrocarsmag.co.uk/' target='_blank'>http://www.retrocarsmag.co.uk/</a> This is just the sort of thing they like and so far their coverage of Lotus has been very thin.

Hamish, very nice pics of the Lola, if I can get anywhere near to that quality of finish I will be delighted!

Evan - Now that sounds like too much work, despite what you claim This forum seems to be working pretty well and I don't have to look after it!

Steve - Retrocar looks interesting. However, I have provisionally arranged with Max Power mag a side-by-side test with the modified Honda S2000 featured in the Sept 2004 issue. Sold it on the Brit v Jap and bald old git v young whippersnapper storylines (me being the bald old git, obviously). Gives me just another incentive to complete the project.

I have started to look at seting up a web page, but don't hold your breath, too many other things going on at the moment.

Movement on car front - Arranged for chassis to go in for the rear suspension/drive train work next Tuesday. Graham hopes to have it back to me by the end of the month!

Looking out far an alloy fuel tank (around 15-20 litres) - keeping eye on one on eBay at the moment.

Any ideas on GOOD stainless exhaust fabricators in SE England area? Need to get 3" turbo outlet pipe down to the other end of the car without it scraping along the ground! Thought about either running 2 No 2" pipes (would make interesting noise with two boxes and crossover pipes) or flattened single pipe with same cross-sectional area as 3" or 2 x 2". Thoughts, suggestions from you guys?

<a href='http://www.haywardandscott.co.uk/' target='_blank'>http://www.haywardandscott.co.uk/</a> have a good reputation when it comes to exhausts and a welding torch. They fitted a 993 system to my old 964, very neat job. B)

Steve - Thanks for that. They are only 10 miles away from me! I rang this morning and arranged for them to have the car as soon as the engine is fitted, sometime in the new year. Cost of complete system around ?500 + VAT, whether it is single or double pipe, one or two boxes (two boxes being quieter).

An interesting project but 400 odd bhp at either end of a chassis is something of a problem - I believe Spyder have done a Europa with a Cossy and off course you can then use a Hewland DG and react the engine /box loads into each other and the frame over a wide base. An Europa based project would I think be more rewarding in the long run. Sorry to mention this on an Elan site!!!

Yes I have done it and raced the car for years with just under 300 bhp and well over 200 ft lbs - engine was bored to 2.4 litre. Fuel injected and obviously all steel.
Chassis was Spyder space frame widened to take engine which I moved back about 6" and a Rocket box with straight cut Quaiffe gears. Roll cage designed in to prevent teist, and whilst doing chassis fitted wishbone rear suspension from a Ralt, used Quaiffe diff they make for Escort 4 wheel drive at the front of the car - it is like an enlarged Elan diff unit but with Atlas cwp.
March front suspension and vented AP brakes. Mallock wing to keep it on ground and large front end splitter. Ride height and rake critical as was undertray to make it glue itself to ground [ usually - someome reading this will know I crashed at most corners at Oulton! ]. Could not find room for turbo and intercoler, but considerd race Ford V6 as next step as this would fit
Hope this helps
Richard

Hi guys

Update on progress.

Cossie 71/2" diff now sitting in chassis. Rear crossmember has had to be removed in order to fit it. tTis will be replaced with removable section so diff can be taken out via the boot area!

I have had to modify my plans due to the fact that the Elan knock-on hubs are too weak to take the thicker Cossie driveshafts. I am now going to use Cossie hubs and hub carriers, discs, calipers and driveshafts. Intermediate shafts will have to be shortened and re-splined. Escort dampers with coilovers will allow for adjustable ride height and damping. Retaining lower wishbone, using Tony Thompson adjustable units so that fine tuning can be undertaken.

Now that I have had to do away with the Wolfrace slot mags I am looking for a 15, 16 or 17" replacement. The upside of this additional expense is the improved handling the lower profile tyres will give the car. I am looking to use 235 on the rear and 205 or 215 on the front with a maximum overall diameter of 24". Any suggestions? As the car will not see a great deal of road use, I am looking for grip and handling rather than longevity

I haven't set up a web site yet, so email me if you would like to see pics of the diff in the chassis ([email protected])

Hi Paros

What rake and ride height did you settle on?

For your new wheels you just have to go with minilites. Give them a call as they can machine up anything you want. B)

Hi Steve

If you mean the style that was fitted to Minis all those years ago (and quit a few Lotus 7 lookalikes), then I 'd rather walk

Do they offer other styles? I would like to get something similar to the original Wolfrace slot mags. Machine7 do slot mags by Anson, but only for Beetles.

The style is classic - as fitted to mini, Lotus 7, Ford Escort etc.....

Have a look at www.minilite.co.uk
If you do not like that style TTR may be able to do something with 26R wheels they supply as they make these themselves.

Fully agree with Steveww. Minilites are classic wheels. In the 60s & 70s, if you were anything in motorsport you would have minilite wheels. Ford, BMC (they became leyland) Rootes (imp & hunter) all used minilites. They were also used by some F2 & F3 teams. They were all magnesium alloy & very strong.

If you are using bolt on hubs supalite may also be of help.

Hamish.

Competition Fabrications (Nick Pavarrani). Really top class work! Did my exhaust system & some cooling piping for my project.
Address: Bunns Bank, Attleborough NR17 10D Tel. 01953 454573.
I've got that Lotus Elan video & Pat Thomas does have a Mod Sports Elan with a Cossie motor & Formula 2 suspension. There is a wheel manufacturer in north Birmingham (can't think of the name) they could provide you with anything you need fron their split rim range!

What Elan video is that ?

I have just stumbled across Superlite. They seem to do the sizes I want at not TOO drastic a price. Although their designs are Minilite-esque(?) they look (to me, at least) better. I think I could live with them

It has also been suggested that I get myself up to Birmingham for the Autosport Racing Car Show in January. Should be able to find exactly what I want there, or find someone to make it for me! So I will wait until then before making a final decision.

Settling on Hayward and Scott as suggested by Steveww for the exhaust. Near to home and helpful. Thanks for the suggestions guys.

Chassis update. Diff in place, mounted rigidly. Right hand side almost complete. Not a lot of Lotus left, just wishbones! Using gas coilovers. Due to the excessive torgue planned top wishbone has been added so that damper doesn't have to bear the brunt and risk locking up. Cossie driveshafts will be shortened and re-splined rather than "cut-n-shut".

Leaning towards TOYO 245/35/16 for the rear. These give me approx the same diameter as existing 225/60/13. Not available in this country for a few months, but I am in no hurry, yet.

That's all for now

Steve