Elan hot rod ideas.

[ottocycle]

Like the old lady who adopts stray cats, I cannot say no to interesting cars. I have gotten a 1967 Lotus Elan S2 abandoned project basket case, without the engine or trans. It is apart and I have no idea what is missing. It would be too expensive to restore and a sane man would part it out or junk it. I have never been accused of being sane.

 

At this point I would suggest to purists that you stop reading.

 

I am thinking of doing an Elan speedster and would like to hear from anyone with ideas and experience with these cars. I am interested in hearing about modern 4 cylinder engine suggestions. My emphasis will be on keeping the weight down and glitz to a minimum. I am not committed to this yet but I believe there is a mountain of experience and history of these cars out there and I would love to learn more and build it on paper first. I am particularly interested in ideas people have for the suspension and brakes and what parts interchange with what. If I can keep the weight down, I should be able to use a lot of the stock stuff or off the shelf modern parts.

Keeping the costs down is a priority.

 

If you have found any interesting sites on this subject or have any suggestions please let me know. Also if you have any Elan bits lying around let me know too.

 

Thanks,

 

Dermot.

[Davemk1]

I know there is a Zetec/T9 kit available for the Elan and I'm told it works very well.

 

I've autocrossed against a couple from the North West who run an Elan with a Cosworth BDA in it with a Quaiffe dog box. The BDA puts out about 240 hp. It's a bit quick.

 

 

dave

[DeanG]

There is a Toyota powered car. I think it is out of New England. A lot depends on budget and what fabrication you can do or have done. Dave Bean Engineering has some good trick parts: radiators, half shafts, differentials... Others that know the cars are JAE, RD Enterprises, Sports Car World ...

[scannon]

Miata engines and transmissions are cheap, easy to work on and I think they will fit anywhere a Zetec will go. Lots of aftermarket go fast goodies available when the time arrives.

 

Consider buying a good wrecked donor car from a salvage auction, pulling out what you need and then stripping the donor and selling the parts. I did that with my Miata powered Caterham and had a free low mileage engine and transmission and money to put back into the build budget.

 

The bigger question is will the Elan chassis survive with a major HP and torque upgrade?

[ottocycle]

I agree with the issue of major HP output. I want to use a light, high output motor. I am thinking of an all alloy unit. I am sold on the lightweight principle. The car does not need more than 150-200 hp to be great fun.

[TheDingo8MyBaby]

I think the toyota 4age is an excellent choice due to it's similarites with the oringal lotus twincam. You can pick up a 20V blacktop motor from Japan for under $1000. You'll get an 8200rpm redline, ITB's and 165 hp all with stock ecu reliability.

 

The t50 transmission isn't bad, but it would be a lot more fun with a miata transmission.

Edited June 9, 2009 by TheDingo8MyBaby

[MoPho]

Or you can just buy my Elan and be done with it

[ottocycle]

Morgan,

I would love to buy your car but finances being what they are........

I would love to see details about it, could you send me a link to your advert. How does the Elan compare with the Seven? "Inquiring minds want to know". What are the Elan's weak spots? I have yet to weigh things but I think a stripped down Elan could come in within 100 lbs. of a normal Seven (if that is not an oxymoron).

 

Thanks.

[MoPho]

Here is a link to an FS post http://www.vintagemotoring.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=483

 

My car has been fairly stripped down and weighs about 1440lbs with a half tank of gas

 

Hard to compare the two, the Caterham despite it's roots feels much more modern and much more performance. The Elan is a blast to drive though

 

 

 

As far as what you plan to do to the car, a lot of people put Zetecs in them (though mostly to the 4 seater versions of the car). lotuselan.net is the forum for these cars.

 

Spyder cars make an aftermarket chassis that is stiffer and more modern ( I would recommend doing this if you are going to go for bigger power) and they do Zetec conversion kits http://www.spydercars.co.uk/

 

 

Don't expect ever get anywhere close to your money back if you ever sell, modified Elans seem to be a pariah, as most want a stock original car to relive their youth

Edited June 9, 2009 by MoPho

[ottocycle]

Thanks Morgan,

I realize that the dollars and cents side of things make no sense. I have a multitude of bits lying round my shop from past projects and if I can I would like to use them in the old American hot rod tradition. I am considering things at the moment, I always seem to have a multitude of irons in the fire. I have not committed to the project yet, I am considering things. We will see how things shape up. I threw it out here because I thought it would stimulate some interesting discussion.

I like your car.

Cheers-

 

Dermot