Is it possible to have a relaxed drive in a Elan?

[h20hamelan]

My plan is for the heavier and more sleek +2 to have a 5 speed on Patton Fi as the GT
The wee one, a 3:1 with the hot cams and DCOE for the daily spring

[David1953]

Just back from 3,000 mile round trip to Portugal from Wiltshire.
I had no problem with cruising at 4,000 to 4,500 revs, around 80mph with 3.55.
As far as comfort goes the wind noise is the most annoying aspect, but I did not find that as bad as the drumming exhaust note of other old cars.
I did spend far too much time on motorways, but that enabled 700mile days. And more time to enjoy the car at the destinations. If I could avoid the M25/M20 the whole trip would be improved.

So my reply to the original question would be, depends on how you define relaxed. I look forward to the next long trip.
David

[LI-599]

My S4 dhc is running standard gearbox with 3.55 diff and is very easy to cruise at our (ever decreasing) speed limits in Australia. 60mph is about 3000rpm and 70mph achieved just over 3500. Note: Speedo and tacho move about a bit at these figures.
I am now using 165-78-13 Yokohama tires at 24(f)and 30psi(r) which transformed the nervous handling to total relaxed driving on twisty or straight roads. As noted by others it is much better with the roof off otherwise wind noise is annoying. I have a small wind blocker behind the seats and bespoke tourneau cover to prevent that breeze attacking us from behind.
Cheers
Ian

[tdskip]

Bill - did you ever get the 3.1 installed? How is it working in NorCal conditions?

I should probably confirm what I actually have now by counting wheel revolutions but I’d be shocked if it is a 3.55 already although as a 1969 S4 isn’t that what it would have come with?

[1owner69Elan]

Bill - did you ever get the 3.1 installed? How is it working in NorCal conditions?

I should probably confirm what I actually have now by counting wheel revolutions but I’d be shocked if it is a 3.55 already although as a 1969 S4 isn’t that what it would have come with?

You need to count out the diff ratio to be sure. My Federal 69 S4 SE has a 3.77. As original, and delivered to me in 1969.

Now have a 5-speed so relaxed cruising excellent.

[billmoore42]

Update on my 3.1 CWP conversion - I have finally scheduled this and should have it done in about 4 weeks, along with a driveshaft change from donuts to CV driveshafts. I currently have the 3.77 diff, and I believe a 2.97 first gear ratio. I have a 1700 cc stroker motor, along with Webers, and I am hoping this proves to be adequate with the new ratios.

I am a little nervous, I hope the car is not ruined for back road type work, but I cannot stand the current high revs on the freeway!

I will report back as soon as this is completed.

[TBG]

Bill - you don't have to worry - it all works tremendously well. Just done a continental tour and creaming along the auto route at 90+ mph a bearing in the gearbox went. We think?? (coming home on a truck) But before that the relaxed cruising and wonderful torque made the trip really relaxed. Down about 1000rpm in top? What is not to like? D

[tdskip]

Good luck and keep us posted Bill!

[2cams70]

The other alternative is not to stroke the engine in the first place

[h20hamelan]

The other alternative is not to stroke the engine in the first place

Does the engine spin faster, the shorter the stroke?
I would assume one would get more top end torque, with the longer stroke.
Does the twink drop off, if set correctly?

[2cams70]

The longer the stroke the higher the piston speed and consequently the higher the piston acceleration and deceleration forces when the piston changes direction at the end and start of each stroke for any given engine speed. Whilst you may gain some torque you lose out in other areas as well the main one being a loss in engine smoothness.

[billmoore42]

My 3.1 CWP conversion is complete on my 67 FHC with 1700 CC tallblock and standard head with standard cams and Webers. At the same time, I also had my Rotoflex replaced with solid driveshafts, and the clutch redone, as it was worn out and had a judder issue. All the work was done by Rich at Kampena Motors, one of the most knowledge Elan shops in Northern California, and Rich is a real pleasure to work with.

My impression is positive on the 3.1 CWP except my formerly quiet differential now has a noticeable whine on overrun. Before doing this, I was warned - the Scottish Gear Maker said they could not guarantee a quiet differential, and TBG on this forum had mentioned a whine on overrun. I have a Coupe so it may be worse than a convertible, and I am the type of guy who likes cruise and listen to music from time to time. This whine on coasting is pretty much the same thing my 72 MGB has been doing for the last 20 years, so I do not think imminent failure is going to occur. I wish i could make it quieter like my old 3.77 but I am thinking that non standard ratios run in small quantities may by nature not be factory quiet? Any insight would be appreciated here!

On the positive side, I can start out in first gear easily, although first gear now will get you going 18mph at 2000 rpm, so you can find yourself running quite fast out of the driveway! I find myself shifting back from second into first for slow speed corners, something I would of never done before. Second and third gear are a joy to use, and the car almost seems to have more power and torque, probably because I can go faster in second and third. Fourth means 3000 rpm at 70 miles per hour, exactly what I wanted, and at 70, the car seems to still have plenty of go left if I press down the pedal. I can even start on a hill if I feather the clutch a tiny bit, and my fears of having it be a dog around town appear be unwarranted.

Now that i can cruise at 75 mph routinely on the freeway, I have also noticed my knockoff wheels are unbalanced above 70, so this is something new to attend to. I never really noticed this before because I did not cruise above 70 with the 3.77, so I will have to look for a shop that can balance our old wheels correctly.

As far as if it possible to have a relaxed drive in an Elan, keep in mind the wind noise increases at 75 compared to 60 MPH, as our cars have no noise insulation. But if you can stand this, (and if you get your wheels properly balanced), I would say yes, you can have a fast and most importantly engaging drive in an Elan.

[elancoupe]

My NTG CWP was set up by a professional race mechanic, and the off throttle is horrible. I have a Coupe as well, the cockpit probably amplifies this, as you noted.

I like the reduced revs at speed, but if I could come up with a Ford CWP 3.55, those gears would be outta there.

BTW, is that on original red interior?

[TBG]

Interesting. Mine whined on overrun for a bit but that has almost gone now - a few thousand miles later. MOST important to set it up correctly and try Redline diff oil. D

[billmoore42]

Not sure if it is the original red color, I bought it from someone who had the interior completely redone and even used wool carpets. So I cannot say if it was red when it came from the factory.