Spyder +2 zetec owners on elan.net?

[pauljones]

Hi all

In answer to a few points.

I have EFI on my twin cam so it's not a hard mod to do. It just depends how you go about it.

Just an out there point. My father owns a lotus Excel . looking through some books it uses Toyota running gear. Would this be a viable alternative to using the spyder uprights and Ford sourced brakes/trunnion. ?

[Spyder fan]

Hi Paul,
Nothing wrong with using Toyota derived parts if you have them to hand and they fit, but perhaps not such a good option if they are comparatively scarce to obtain pushing up prices and making obtaining spares difficult to source. I don't know the availability, perhaps they are an interesting alternative if you can furnish more information on compatibility etc.

The Spyder uprights are direct replacements and accept Sierra hubs and therefore ventilated disc brakes and proper ball joints rather than trunnions, the Sierra parts are cheap as chips and very robust, for instance I just purchased some 260mm ventilated, grooved and cross drilled discs for ?55.

Fuel injection on a Lotus twin cam is a sensible modification in my book, Brian Clarke (BCMC33) runs throttle bodies on his Sprint and so do quite a few others. Perhaps when it wears out we can persuade you to fit another sort of twincam

[pauljones]

I will indeed be fitting another form of twink .I have an 1800 zetec that has an mt75 on it. The case has been modified so the gear lever comes out on top. It came out of an elan too.its running a trust electric sourced EFI that uses an omex ecu on a lambda sensor. It uses as much as the Ford sourced components as posible but with a race line water rail. I've got some reprofiled cams from a 2ltr that should help it breath. Just give me a few years to leave the services and ill get it all started.

[elanfan1]

I don't know why you all don't buy a kit car and have done with it!

[pauljones]

Because I have enough of them

[tablets32]

Hi All

My +2 passed the MOT this morning so after 28 years and quite a few owners putting in lots of work it's back on the road.

I have owned it for the last five years, it came to me with a very ropy 1500 crossflow engine. I looked into fitting a twink but the cost of a decent engine was eye watering.

I found a 1.8 zetec which was to be used in a caterham for racing, I believe they are known as "Formula Ford" engines. It had been run on a Dyno but never in a car.

I had the chassis altered and the engine fitted by a firm that specialises in fitting Zetec and Duratec engines into almost any car. They also fitted a Megajolt ECU. And Mikuni carbs.

I fitted solid driveshafts, had the headlining done professionally, fitted green stuff brake pads and did lots of carpeting and polishing.

I am trying to arrange a rolling road test but most places around the area are booked solid. So I will get the carbs balanced and keep the revs down till I can have the test done.

The car is exhilarating to drive and has already prompted many admiring comments.

From what I've read and heard Colin Chapman as well as being an inspirational character and a superb engineer, was a very practical and resourceful man.
I may be wrong but maybe even he would of approved of fitting the next evolution of his engine.

Lots of photos of my car in the mods section "Zetec in a lotus chassis"

Regards.

Keith

[Peter +2]

I have no doubt he would,

Keep the post's comming and lots of pictures too.

Peter

[elan66]

Hi Alan
great idea,this thread.I have a twink that needs a rebuild so seriously toying with the idea of putting in a 2ltr zetec on bike carbs,so would like to know anyone that has done the conversion into a spyder chassis(plus 2)but the lotus running gear type.I am going to uprate brakes to alloy 4 pots and waiting on someone doing a rear alloy caliper.How much power can the rear realistically take?
It would be interesting to hear from people who have had both types of engine and can compare them
regards
Paul

[Spyder fan]

Hi Alan
great idea,this thread.I have a twink that needs a rebuild so seriously toying with the idea of putting in a 2ltr zetec on bike carbs,so would like to know anyone that has done the conversion into a spyder chassis(plus 2)but the lotus running gear type.I am going to uprate brakes to alloy 4 pots and waiting on someone doing a rear alloy caliper.How much power can the rear realistically take?
It would be interesting to hear from people who have had both types of engine and can compare them
regards
Paul

Hi Paul,
I would suggest you strike up a dialogue with Mike Duff (miked) he is now the custodian of Grumpy Bodgers Elan Zetec which although it isn't a +2 uses a Spyder chassis with Lotus running gear. If the Lotus running gear is suitably refreshed and uprated where possible (funds permitting) I see no reason why it wouldn't take up to 200BHP, but I would suggest aiming for 170-180 in the interests of longevity. The bike carbs are interesting but do some research and consider keeping the Webers, I can't recall the name of the person or if there is a topic on here somewhere but there is a chap who has devoted a considerable amount of time and not a little money into making Webers as good if not better than the bike carbs setup, somebody on here will know who I mean and will post a link.

Regards

Alan

[tablets32]

Hi
Aside from the engine changes we have done, does anyone have plans to fit an alternative heater?

I have been looking at smaller kit car heaters to give me more room behind the dashboard. I would also need to squeeze a heater valve in there somehow.

I could then fit the retro looking radio I have. I need to figure out how to use the standard controls as well.

Any thoughts?

Keith

[tablets32]

Hi.
Went to see the guys who fitted my engine, ECU and carbs yesterday. They are now fitting EFI to there cars as well.

The system has a lambda sensor which constantly keeps the injection system at optimal efficiency.

They have reported big improvements in BHP with a 2.0 Zetec producing 210 BHP at the flywheel.

Keith

[elan66]

Hi Alan,
Thanks that sounds promising.I have some spyder driveshafts i am going to fit,200bhp however sounds better i will just have to o/haul it more often I have dellortos so would be nice to keep if possible
Keith
i have the car in bits at the moment and i am trying to see what i can get the weight down to,the heater is so bulky and heavy,i may look at something from kit car solutions or even see if i can get a heated windscreen.
I will look at some of Grumpy Bodgers old posts,i am sure there is a mine of info there
regards and thanks
Paul

[tablets32]

Some pics taken yesterday

[Spyder fan]

Nice colour! well done, thanks for posting the pictures

[pauljones]

Looks great..how have you set up the cooling system?