Bolt in engine swap...

[Dyna]

Hi Folks,

We are new to Lotus Elan but have an Elite S2.2 since before. We are totally newbies when it comes to "Ford" engines. So our question is what engines are direct bolt in replacements for the twincam found in a Elan +2? What I mean is that you will be able to pair the original gearbox with the engine without adapters and only possibly change some of the clutch components and even better the front engine mounts are the same or the originals can be bolted to the block. There will of course be changes to intake / exhaust / cooling - and here maybe you can advice which engine is easiest to fit in this regards and what engine requires the least of specialist parts.

We tried searching but didn't really get a full understanding of all the issues. So I hope it's ok to post, many thanks in advance for any answer ..

Sincerely Dyna

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

Ford Crossflow e.g. 1600 cc
" Pre-Cossflow e.g. 1500 cc
Ford Pinto e.g 1600cc
Ford Cosworth BDA eg 1600 cc
" " BDG " 2000 cc
Ford Zetec e.g. 1800cc / 2000cc

I think you'll find that all of those require a similar amount of adaptation except the engine to gearbox interface which is practically identical in the Zetec ( one bolt doesn't work) & identical in the rest.

Now I've run out of ideas.
Cheers
John

[Dyna]

Super thanks for your reply..

Looking at the:

Ford Crossflow e.g. 1600 cc
" Pre-Cossflow e.g. 1500 cc
Ford Pinto e.g 1600cc

Those especially the crossflow looks like a pretty easy engine, it look to be narrow and be able to fit inside the frame/chassis. From what I understod the Zetec requires a lot of mods to other parts of the car i.e. frame. What we want to achive is basically a drop in instead of the twincam with a minumum of mods to get the car up and running since there is more than a few +2 outthere wihtout engines. Later on we can do the exotic bits and get things in a lot nicer and speedier state .

Cheers Dyna

Ford Crossflow e.g. 1600 cc
" Pre-Cossflow e.g. 1500 cc
Ford Pinto e.g 1600cc
Ford Cosworth BDA eg 1600 cc
" " BDG " 2000 cc
Ford Zetec e.g. 1800cc / 2000cc

I think you'll find that all of those require a similar amount of adaptation except the engine to gearbox interface which is practically identical in the Zetec ( one bolt doesn't work) & identical in the rest.

Now I've run out of ideas.
Cheers
John

[kstrutt11]

If you want simple then it has got to be the x flow, the block is basically the same, inlet and exhausts are on the same side as the twin cam, they can even be made to make much the same power. The only unique parts you will need will be the exhaust and a few bits of plumbing.

[c42]

I agree, go with the crossflow for ease of conversion; I considered this unit but went Zetec in the end - decided I wanted a bit more of a challenge and a later fuel injected engine.

Regards
John

[nomad]

Please excuse my ignorance but what were these engines fitted to in the US that would be common?
I'm familiar with the Pinto and the Zetec but not sure on the others. Pinto engines would be hard to find nowdays. Was the crossflow the common SOHC engine Ford used for years?

Kurt.

[StressCraxx]

Please excuse my ignorance but what were these engines fitted to in the US that would be common?
I'm familiar with the Pinto and the Zetec but not sure on the others. Pinto engines would be hard to find nowdays. Was the crossflow the common SOHC engine Ford used for years?

Kurt.

Hello Kurt,

The crossflow Kent is a 1.6l pushrod motor fitted to the Cortina, and early Ford Pinto, the "Pinto" is the SOHC German Ford 2.0 to 2.3l engines.

Regards,
Dan Wise

[twincamman]

I have 711 block 1600 on the engine stand awaiting either a Twin cam detonation oR fittment into the Europa to replace the Renault engine should it expire -add twin webbers and a little warming and they surpass the twin cam and are much less fiddely to use -you only lose a few hundred top end RPM --they are not that hard to find and now with a Formula Fit engine winning the runoffs there will be a bunch of race prepared engines coming on the market Im sure --ed

[nomad]

Thanks much but if I'm wandering thru old salvage yards in the states is there any old fords I should keep an eye out for???

Kurt.

26/3754

[StressCraxx]

Thanks much but if I'm wandering thru old salvage yards in the states is there any old fords I should keep an eye out for???

Kurt.

26/3754

Most of the time, the Kent and Pinto(SOHC) engines in the yards are pretty tired or they were poorly rebuilt. The advice to find a Formula Ford motor is not a bad idea, as long as you understand they are dry sumped and will need to either be plumbed as such or install a stock pan, pickup tube, and oil pump. The dry sump parts can be sold to fund the parts you will need. They often also have racing clutches and cut flywheels.

I know of a few good Kent motors on ApexSpeed.com with widely varying prices... No connection to any, whatsoever.

http://www.apexspeed.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55048

http://www.apexspeed.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53417

http://www.apexspeed.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55248

http://www.apexspeed.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55112

Regards,
Dan Wise

[nomad]

Thanks Dan.
I assume that finding any treasures in the salvage yard's is unlikely then. I know the old Fiesta motors were Kent engines but have read or heard that they are not useful mainly because they were FWD.

Kurt

26/3754

[gjz30075]

Kurt, that's correct. They're missing the mounting bosses on one side because they're weren't needed in a Fiesta. Also, the crank is a tad shorter and would require a spacer.

[StressCraxx]

Thanks Dan.
I assume that finding any treasures in the salvage yard's is unlikely then. I know the old Fiesta motors were Kent engines but have read or heard that they are not useful mainly because they were FWD.

Kurt

26/3754

There is truth to the above. The earlier engines and service engines did have the 4 bosses on each side of the block, but not always drilled. You can use the Fiesta crank if you install a 1/8" spacer between the flywheel and crank. We do that in Formula Ford.

Regards,
Dan