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

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

If you want to do something interesting and different, how about grafting the Elan bodyshell onto a modified Cerbera chassis? A mate had one with a tweeked engine that would leave my Griff 500 in the dust, and that was quite nippy. Fast, fast fast, and they sound good too!

Mark

Mark,
"Interesting and different" I'm happy with..... But I think I will leave the Frankenstein stuff to your good self

I had the +2 out today, the zetec suits it perfectly and it handles and rides like a dream thanks to the Spyder set up. Can't think why I am bothering to try and improve on that by doing something different with the S4, It's going to be 150 kilos lighter than the +2 and will be nimbler in the handling department, a 180 - 200bhp zetec will make it absolutely fly, sub 5 second 0-60 easily possible and more than a match for most Porkers, Beemers & Fezzers... it will look pretty too and will still piss off the purists, so thats no bad thing

Sounds like we're beginning to sing from the same Hymn Sheet.
Go Zetec, "you know it makes sense"
John

[Spyder fan]

Finally he sees sense.

I'm not quite seeing sense yet Rich. Please have a peruse at my latest engine option http://www.h1v8.com/h2specs.html

Have a look at the PDF with the dimensions and note that the exhaust and inlets are on the correct sides of the engine as far as we are concerned. Also look at the engine CC's available and guess which one I would go for ------ clue:- car has 1558 and a 1600 is available which we could call a 1558 as far as the DVLA are concerned.

It's not over yet, there could still be some excitement.

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

If it's just fast you want, how about one of these? A combination of fibreglass and hayabusa, with an extra wheel so it's safe too.

Great commentary!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbYsSO7frCY

Mark

Cool! just got to love those things!!
Every Lotus Fan should have one in the Collection.
John

[richgilb]

Ha ha, I can already see the transatlantic litigation process with the supplier when a conrod snaps under warranty. Oh, but you won't have any spare cash to sue for a refund because it only averages 20mpg!

Do it, you won't regret it.....

[Spyder fan]

Ha ha, I can already see the transatlantic litigation process with the supplier when a conrod snaps under warranty. Oh, but you won't have any spare cash to sue for a refund because it only averages 20mpg!

Do it, you won't regret it.....

Dear boy, you are so negative, but thank you for your concern regarding my financial situation. All donations will be gratefully received in my offshore accounts.
There is a uk distributor, but you probably knew that when you read the web site properly, you are just a tease really. Perhaps 20mpg would remind me of my long lost twincam?

[richgilb]

Must admit I didn't see it......sounds safe as houses then!

[Spyder fan]

Dear All,
As of 7th April here's the progress:-


The body is now off the chassis and perched on a trolley at Spyders workshop,

the twin cam engine and 4 speed box have already been sold to offset the purchase cost and the car now owes me ?3000

I have all the other Lotus parts such as suspension, 3.7 differential, hubs, calipers (front & rear) knock on wheels, spinners and a superb signed steering wheel to sell, hopefully that little lot will realise another ?1000, I expect the steering wheel will raise the most, closely followed by the diff and the rear calipers.

The next phase is to build up a new rolling chassis based on the tried and tested Zetec setup, this will act as a test bed for a trial fitting of a 2.0 Duratec engine with Mazda Mx5 (Miata) 6 speed gearbox. The body in it's unrestored state will be planted onto this setup to ensure we are good to go and any necessary alterations will be made before being sent off to SMS for chopping and painting, currently we are going for yellow over white and YES it will have the ELAN SPRINT logo's. I am also making a special one off badge S220/6 in the style of the S130/5 badges that you find on late +2's.

regards

[richgilb]

Haha. It will be a monument to the marque- flared arches, rollcage, fixed headlights also planned as part of the butchery?

[trw99]

Spluttering over my corn flakes here! Your making it out to be a Sprint.........is there no end to your poking us purists in the eye?

Seriously, you will have an interesting car when you have completed the project and I wish you good luck with it all.

Tim

[Spyder fan]

flared arches, rollcage, fixed headlights also planned as part of the butchery?

Rich,

Is butchery a strong enough word? sacriligeous, abomination, confrontational, unforgivable or just plain downright 'Naughty' might be more appropriate.

Seriously, an S4/Sprint shell has arches that are flared just about enough to get the 14 inch minilites in, but we will have a Spyder combined roll cage with side impact beams. This car is going to be used on the road a lot and after reading Steve's thread 'The End' I think it's the only sensible way to go elan-f15/the-end-t18987.html

The almost poetic justice about this project is that the latest 2.0 6 speed MX5 uses a version of the Duratec engine, therefore the car that stole the Elan concept is going to be used to re-invent the original.

[Steve G]

Wow, you're making your car quite similar to mine (A Drop head Spyder chassis Sprint replica) except mine has half a twin cam, not a Duratec. Will you sell me your steering wheel? A Tony Thompson Racing one in red is top of my birthday list but I might still go for an original.

[richgilb]

Sell us your steering wheel - don't put it on ebay. I'll give you 50 off the minilites for it. You know it makes sense.

[Spyder fan]

Wow, you're making your car quite similar to mine (A Drop head Spyder chassis Sprint replica) except mine has half a twin cam, not a Duratec. Will you sell me your steering wheel? A Tony Thompson Racing one in red is top of my birthday list but I might still go for an original.

Hi Steve,

What's 'Half a Twin Cam'?

I would prefer to swap the steering wheel for something you don't need for something I need for my conversion. The picture of the wheel is virgin untouched or cleaned so it's therefore very very nice condition, the last one on fleabay in that kind of condition went for well over ?200.

I need a very good hood frame, hood tray and hood for an S4, if you or anyone else have any of those we can talk. I will probably bring the wheel to Malvern with me with an advert asking for swaps.

Regards

[Spyder fan]

Sell us your steering wheel - don't put it on ebay. I'll give you 50 off the minilites for it. You know it makes sense.

Rich,

Give me your wheels and 50 quid and we will be in the right ball park!!!

Cheers

[richgilb]

What about the spirit of the fraternity? We're all meant to be helping each other out on this site. This should not be limited to technical advice. It should also include even distribution of all assets, comrade.