Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Dunno

Don't wanna be a killjoy, but if I was going to put a 400 pound engine in my plus two, I would think of other candidates

with about twice the horsepower.

Dunno

Don't wanna be a killjoy, but if I was going to put a 400 pound engine in my plus two, I would think of other candidates

with about twice the horsepower.

I think the point is that is the engine that the OP has available.

AshleyPark wrote:

Dunno

Don't wanna be a killjoy, but if I was going to put a 400 pound engine in my plus two, I would think of other candidates

with about twice the horsepower.

I think the point is that is the engine that the OP has available.

Exactly that. If he had a Twin Cam or similar to hand he would have gone that route - as he stated - me, I lean towards Japanese for these types of things and although an S2000 drivetrain is too big/heavy, that would be a nice 'drop in'. (yes, I know that exact transplant has been done but it lacks the 'elegance' that these tasks should have)

And he is doing an excellent job of it so...

AshleyPark wrote:

Dunno

Don't wanna be a killjoy, but if I was going to put a 400 pound engine in my plus two, I would think of other candidates

with about twice the horsepower.

I think the point is that is the engine that the OP has available.

Yeah, well, I can get my hands on a Cummins Diesel fer free, don't make it right

Look it is his car, he is doing a nice job, but I think ill thought out.

This engine weighs how much more than twink? 150 pounds at least.

At least 100 of that is purely on the front wheels, I think you are going to feel that

And what are you going to have to do to the hood

I am all for engine swaps, maybe not so much this particular one

Neat project and looks to be a very nice job, looking forward to more!

gus wrote:

AshleyPark wrote:

Dunno

Don't wanna be a killjoy, but if I was going to put a 400 pound engine in my plus two, I would think of other candidates

with about twice the horsepower.

I think the point is that is the engine that the OP has available.

Yeah, well, I can get my hands on a Cummins Diesel fer free, don't make it right

Look it is his car, he is doing a nice job, but I think ill thought out.

This engine weighs how much more than twink? 150 pounds at least.

At least 100 of that is purely on the front wheels, I think you are going to feel that

And what are you going to have to do to the hood

I am all for engine swaps, maybe not so much this particular one

I spent almost 5 years of selecting, weighing, trying in place, scratching my balding bonce right down to the wood with a variety of drivetrains before I selected and installed a drivetrain (not in a Lotus but in a car which was similarly light - for a 2 door saloon car made of metal... ) and well 'balanced) which engine/box weighed circa 200lbs more than the original.

I factored that in and set it back as far as it would go and found that the car was much more 'planted' than with the original drivetrain. With the original I found that the front end would tend to float at speeds over 85 mph...with that transplant I found that I could easily exceed 85 mph and the front end just sat there, happy as could be.

Maybe we need to drive a mile on his tires?...

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".

Great project- I love it!

Me, I am waiting for that Cummins diesel transplant.

Me, I am waiting for that Cummins diesel transplant.

Be aware, all of you fearing to tread in this area that a man whose initials were ACBC, was fond of such nonsense.

Here are some more details, as I promised:

More:

Looking good, but just a thought, do you think the Rotoflex couplings are up to the additional weight and power?

Mazzini wrote:Looking good, but just a thought, do you think the Rotoflex couplings are up to the additional weight and power?

+1

cheers
Rohan

Very nice work! Impressive.