Bonnet (Hood) Off Driving

[Stevie-Heathie]

If you haven’t already done this, pop that spring off and take your Elan for a drive around the block with the engine bay exposed. OMG, the induction noise is sensational!

Had to do this last night to test out my temporary headlight arrangement before the MoT test, and I was blown away .

Best
Steve

[Spyder fan]

Hooligan!

[1963 S1]

I've had a similar experience. It is indeed spectacular!

[elanfan1]

But probably illegal

[bitsobrits]

I bought my first Elan (S3 FHC) when in college and would often run it without the airbox cover just to hear the induction sound while hooning around the streets of Seattle. Hooligan for sure.

[Elanintheforest]

I have done it but a long time ago. My S4 is going to be back on the road soon after a long lay-up, so I think I will re-discover the delights of weber induction noise!

I tried something similar with my old Clio V6. That has a 3 litre engine mounted just behind the front seats with a very heavy rubber cover to keep the heat and sound at bay. With the cover removed the air-intake is about 14 inches from your head, and the sound is amazing, although a bit painful. It also had a straight through exhaust with no cats at that stage. I lasted about 5 miles before putting the cover back on!

Mark

[StressCraxx]

Here in the Colonies are a bunch of hooligan rally drivers and stunt drivers. Anything worth doing is worth overdoing. To wit: [Hoonigans]

https://www.youtube.com/user/TheHoonigans

[TBG]

Brilliant video! Thanks for the link. D

Someone on here will probably tell you it is illegal................................! D

[SENC]

Brilliant video! Thanks for the link. D

Someone on here will probably tell you it is illegal................................! D

Sure makes me feel better about driving around without a hood!

Great video!

[ElanAl]

Back in the 70s, our daily driver was a Mk1 Lotus Cortina. It had no air box on its twin Webers and the induction noise was truly addictive!

[Andy8421]

There are two factors going on, pressure recovery from the plenum effect in front of the radiator, and temperature of the intake air. Googling gets me 1% decrease in BHP per 10 degrees increase in air temperature.

Its quite possible that the temperature of the intake air without the trunking fitted is 30 degrees hotter than fresh air. Equally, taking the bonnet off will help with intake temperature, but will drop the under bonnet pressure.

So, for an Elan to go the fastest, leave the bonnet on and have the original ducting. For an Elan to sound as if it is going the fastest, take the bonnet off and remover the carb air box.

Take your choice.....