S4 FHC soon to be DHC : Please see new MODS forum for update

[Spyder fan]

Okay I admit I have the bug now, not only do I have a Spyder converted +2, but I now have an S4 FHC that requires saving. I haven't quite decided what direction to go regarding colour or use for road or track, but it will definitely be losing a few pounds when the roof is removed to change into a DHC.

I have done a deal with Spyder to start the work early April with a hopefully late summer delivery date, please keep an eye on this thread as I will be updating once there's some progress.

Regards

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

Why chop the Top Alan?

I like the FHC & if I was going to use it on the Track I'd hang on to that Roof.
I don't have any Figures but the car should be more slippery than the DHC; after all the 26R's have a hard top fitted & in the case of S1's definitely not because of the improved looks.
Are you sure that there will be a weight saving by going soft top? I don't think there will be much in it.
On the subjective side of things, Cabrio's here & I'm sure also in GB have a Poser's Car image.
More interesting is, will it be Zetec'd by Spyder?
If so I'll be interested to see what they do with their Coolant Rail & Thermostat due to the Cooling System being different to that of the +2.

Nix f?r ungut
John

[Spyder fan]

Hi John,
My wife has insisted that stage 2 of my mid life crisis must be a DHC as she wants to drive it herself (hence the girly soft top), the problem is that all the project DHC's are no longer in the ?5k ballpark and have moved up to at least ?7k for a car that may not be totally complete. I have until May to convince her to keep it a coupe, although I do find the coupe a bit cramped or claustrophobic after being used to a +2. If it goes DHC I will use a hard top for track and inclement weather.

I'm looking at Duratec or Honda VTEC first, before going the zetec route again, I checked a Honda S2000 and it has the exhaust ports on the opposite side to a twincam or zetec and I'm getting negative don't think it can be done feedback from Spyder. BUT as you know, the zetec suits the Elan really well and is a similar weight etc so perhaps I should leave re-inventing the wheel to someone else with less sense or greater engineering skills or most importantly more money than me!

Not starting until April, so plenty of time for head scratching and soul searching about chopping a type 36.....

Regards

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

I think we've discussed the use of engines with the Exhaust Ports on the "wrong side" before.
I consider the use of one of those types of Engines beyond my own capabilities because of the problems involved with the Exhaust Manifold & routing of the rest of the system(s)
For that reason alone the Duratec is for me a "no go". However I'd like to know if the Porting on the Honda S2000 is on the "correct side". I think it should be, it being fitted longitudinally in a Japanese designed Car & therefore basically conceived for RHD.
I think it's a great Engine having had a close look at it when it was introduced.
Unfortunately I can't remember the Cylinder Head configuration.
Spyder were a bit quick to say "we don't think it can be done"
Maybe they could use some help in developing the conversion?
Just for a laugh I've attached some Photos of an Evante into which the owner had "Stuck" a Zetec.
I still can't figure out why he went for such an outrageous Exhaust System, well I suppose it matches all of the other Bodges
Please excuse the false Captions on the Photos

Cheers
John

[Spyder fan]

John,
I'm afraid that these pictures bust your theory about S2000 engines, I would dearly love to see the look on peoples faces if I could shoehorn the stonking motor in the first picture into an S4.

Maybe I should set a challenge for suitable engine swap suggestions. Perhaps affordable options ie. less than the cost of buying and re-building a LTC and more extreme engines as well?

Regards

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

Well that's put my mind at rest; so the S2000 Engine was designed the "wrong way around" to suit the rest of the World.
I don't think there's a chance in Hell of getting that into an Elan.

Why not buy her indoors an S2000 & rebuild the S4 as a Track Car

John

[elansprint71]

Re the Evante:
1. That was a hell of a low bridge.
2. Is that a spark plug in the exhaust to ignite un-burned fuel?

There are loads of Minis running around with v-tec motors; keep the Elan as it is and buy a Mini!

[Spyder fan]

Hi Pete,
I promise I will strongly resist any temptation to take into account other peoples opinions as I undertake this little bout of retro-modding

All protests will be gratefully received and sniggered at


Regards

[Elanintheforest]

What about a Cosworth from the Sierra...turbocharged of course! 250 bhp in mild-ish tune, with 350 bhp and it's still street-able, and anything upto 550bhp if you like. Should make the old girl sit up and go!

I'd be interested in buying the original engine if you do change it....and I have an original S4 hood frame spare, the proper 'D' section one.

Mark

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

Re the Evante:
1. That was a hell of a low bridge.
2. Is that a spark plug in the exhaust to ignite un-burned fuel?

There are loads of Minis running around with v-tec motors; keep the Elan as it is and buy a Mini!

1. That happened during a wet Qualifying at Mallory. It was in more of a mess than that Photo shows.
The Owner told me he was going to Bin it.
2. I'd hazard a guess that it's blanking off a Hole intended for a Lambda Sensor but in that Bodge up
who knows.

Oh dear, I wonder what the Mini Purists think of such an abomination.
How could anyone do that to such a "classic"

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

What about a Cosworth from the Sierra...turbocharged of course! 250 bhp in mild-ish tune, with 350 bhp and it's still street-able, and anything upto 550bhp if you like. Should make the old girl sit up and go!

I'd be interested in buying the original engine if you do change it....and I have an original S4 hood frame spare, the proper 'D' section one.

Mark

Whatever happened to the Guy who posted his plans on here to do exactly that Engine swap?
Perhaps his Brain burst.
Nevertheless a feasible alternative, it's been done often enough in 7 derivatives but that Engine would most likely cost much more than a Twin Cam rebuild.

John

[Spyder fan]

I'd be interested in buying the original engine if you do change it....and I have an original S4 hood frame spare, the proper 'D' section one.

Mark

Mark,
I have sent you a pm

[trw99]

Bleedin heck! The things some of you guys get up to!

What's wrong with the standard car? And what's all this with the girly/poseur comments re DHCs?

Keep it original.

Tim

[Spyder fan]

Tim,

I couldn't live with an original car, in any case I enjoy the controversy Mrs T (Er indoors) wants a DHC, so thats what she will get, even though I have to upset a few purists by chopping the roof off a type 36 for which I am righteously ashamed about (not!).

Whats so special about original cars anyway? Are they faster? Are they Mrs T proof? Do you like anoraks?

[richgilb]

Haha.I can't work out what is more sacrilegous, dropping another modern lump in there or chopping its top off. Make sure you pick a non-Lotus colour as well.