Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I have already gone through the archives as this seems like something
that must have been covered before, but couldn't find an answer. I've
got a '66 S2/SE, box stock and original. What final drive ratio
should my car have? I've seen both 3:90 and 3:55 listed as
possibilities. thanks, Steve

Steve

I have not done a detailed study of the literature on the topic but
going purely from memory on what I have read over the years for what
its worth.

Lotus used 3 final drives 3.9, 3.77 and 3.55. I believe typically the
3.9 was used on S1 and S2 the S3 used either 3.9 or 3.77 the S4 3.77
the Sprints 3.55 or 3.77. The trend reflected the increase in engine
power and increase in highway cruising speeds with motorway building
over the Lotus production run.

What Lotus actually used versus what they offered or what was claimed
in road tests and what may be in your car today is anyones guess.

regards
Rohan

If in doubt, put it into top gear (usually 1:1 on cars of that vintage) and
roll it forward. The diff ratio is the number of turns of the engine to one
full turn of the driven wheels.

-----Original Message-----
From: ***@***.***lto:***@***.***
Behalf Of guerrilla1
Sent: 27 June 2006 22:52
To: ***@***.***
Subject: [LotusElan.net] final drive ratios


I have already gone through the archives as this seems like something
that must have been covered before, but couldn't find an answer. I've
got a '66 S2/SE, box stock and original. What final drive ratio
should my car have? I've seen both 3:90 and 3:55 listed as
possibilities. thanks, Steve

The S/E beginning with the S3 had the 3.55 installed at the factory. It
was part of the S/E package. That may have been true for the S2 S/E as
well.