Engine hoax?

[jhogne]

Hi, I have been searching for an Elan+2 LHD and came across a car with the wrong engine. I was told it is a 2 liter but I don't know what it is from. Is anyone familiar with this twin cam engine and what will it do to the value of an elan with this in it? See photo of engine in attachment. What would it cost to get the right engine for the car. Many thanks in advance!

Johan Hogne

Having trouble to get the attachment of the engine added. I can email it.

[jhogne]

Finally was able to add a picture. Please let me know if you recognize this engine. Thanks!

[kenny]

Just can't decide what that motor is at present , but if the car itself is nice and sharp looking then to be honest I don't see a different engine knocking it's resale value and overall worth.

After all Zetac powered +2s are at a premium, and the first guy to power one with a Duratec with al the right bits is on to a fortune

Kenny

[elans3]

This looks like a Fiat 2 litre twincam to me, I'm 99.9% positive that this is what it is.
A good engine, but in my opinion would seriously devalue an Elan.
Shame really, as the Fiat/Lancia/Alfa twincams are really excellent engines, but a good one can be had for around ?500 in the UK.
Wish we could say the same of a Lotus Twink..........
Regards

[SADLOTUS]

Looks like a Fiat to me... so could be a 2 litre. quick search brings up this modded turbo thing

[SADLOTUS]

Bli'me! beat me by 2 minutes!

[dougweall]

This looks like a Fiat 2 litre twincam to me,

I agree I was going to say Alfa by the looks of those cam covers.

Different if nothing else

Doug.

And beat me by 3 mins. or 4 even

[jhogne]

Thanks everyone! Great detective work, this means the transmission is also likely from a Fiat and the clutch and........ I suppose this is not a common conversion. Somebody spent some time to engrave those cam covers with Lotus! In any event, this means I am still on the hunt for Elan +2 LHD. By the way, What does a running Lotus twincam cost???

BR,
Johan
still looking...

[elans3]

?1500 to ?2000 in UK for anything worth having, and that's NOT re-built !
Regards

[1964 S1]

Can you find a serial number anywhere on that replacement engine?
I've bought and sold a few Lotus Twinks on eBay. The BIG difference in price is the Weber versus Stromberg heads and carbs. A running Stromberg in the USA is worth $1400 to $1800, add at least $1000 for Weber models.
I've got an assembled long block, bored with oversized pistons, no head, I'd sell it for $500, including crank. It's a four bolt early type. Be careful,
shipping costs can be very high on engines. Eric

[RonR]

Yep, it's a Fiat/Lancia Twincam, probably from a Supermirafiore, as that's just about the only possible donor car with RWD.

There's another Lotus connection here: A few years back, the Top Gear TV show let loose some Lotus guys on a Lada Riva. As the Lada is basically built on the 1970's Fiat tooling, they chose this engine, suitably tuned, as the power plant. The finishing touch was a Black/Silver paint job similar to the Lotus Sunbeam.

If you're feeling curious, the article can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbOfA5JvYgo

Cheers,

[john.p.clegg]

Ron
Thanks for the reminder-excellent...

John

[types26/36]

Yes, very good .......I seem to remember that Lada coming up on ebay...anyone else remember and how much it went for

[Bruce Crowthorne]

The guy who bought it was from Germany or Holland. He brought it to one of the Elise meetings - Bruntingthorpe I think.
He was having exhaust problems (cracked manifold?) but was still going to drive it home.
If you ask on Seloc, someone there may know
Bruce

[Frank Howard]

Yep, it's a Fiat/Lancia Twincam, probably from a Supermirafiore, as that's just about the only possible donor car with RWD.

The Supermirafiore was badged as the Super Brava in the States. Could have also come from a late Fiat 124 sedan, a Fiat 124 Coupe, a Fiat 131 or a Fiat Brava. Also, a competitor to the Elan, the Fiat 124 Spyder, later re-badged as the Pininfarina, had the same engine. With the exception of the Pininfarina, all these cars came with a Weber. With the exception of the early 124 Spyders, all of these cars came with 5-speeds.

The engine evolved from 1.4L to 1.6L to 1.8L to 2.0L. I doubt this particular engine is 2.0L because Fiat moved the distributor from the block to the cam when they went to either the 1.6L or the 1.8L, can't remember which.