Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I took earlier advice and made a bib to hold the nose down at higher speeds.
It is still in testing mode so not finished yet but I am astonished at the result - the nose feels really planted.

I was worried about hitting the air dam on speed bumps so had a mould taken but this may be overkill because I didn't have any problems over the many speed humps we have in our area.
My biggest difficulty at the moment is working out what speed I am driving at - the speedo seems to massively under read and the GPS speedo decided to have a moment today so all a bit tricky.
The damper settings are just right for my driving and I'm really happy with the suspension set up so more miles this year - thats the plan.....
Gavin

nice job Gav
Is it a modified Europa one?
Cheers
Dave

Hi Dave
Yes its a modified Europa one - not a perfect fit and needing a little more fettling yet but a good start
Cheers
Gavin

Are those Elise seats you've fitted? If so I'd be interested in how they're mounted.

I haven't driven mine in 30 years and it will be at least one more before it's ready, so just curious at what speed you start losing the front?

Hi Elanman

They are Elise seats and they are really comfortable.
I made up a new sub frame to match the seat and bolted it to a pair of runners which is welded to a bar just as the original and clamped the front in place as standard.

The only real adjustment is three clicks on the seat runners or changing position at the bar end so it isnt very flexible as a solution but better than nothing.

At the back of the runners, I made a spreader plate in the floor and bolted the runner through it. I am over 6' and it fits like a glove. The problem is that with my height, when I compete my crash helmet can be a little higher than the top of the cage. One scrutineer half heartedly suggested that I remove the seat and then suggested that for competition I remove the seat squab but this would permanently damage the seat. If I did more events, I'd ditch the runners completely and then I think it would be fine.

Hi USA64

When I run in sprints, there is one circuit where I can really get my foot down and which has two long straights. I found that between 80 and 90 mph the front started to get a little light. I didn't have a chance to go faster because by that stage I needed to start braking so I don't know if it is something I can drive through or whether it gets worse (I suspect the latter). I think I need more power so that I can reach those speeds quicker and that I something I am currently working on.

Clearly those speeds on UK roads would be reckless so I am planning to rebook that event this year. If all goes well should be able to advise later in the year (!)

Cheers
Gavin

My Elan is stable up to around its maximum speed of 125 mph / 200 km/h at 8000 rpm which I get to down the main straight at the Phillip Island circuit. The car runs a little lower than standard at around 110 mm at the front which may help the high speed stability but the body is standard S4 as no body mods allowed in my production sports car class.

All this assumes no big cross wind which you can sometimes get coming off the ocean at the end of the straight which is more exposed just before the 100m braking point which sometimes makes it interesting as you brake for the 150 km/h right hander

cheers
Rohan

Rohan

If you drive on the roads around my way, the speed humps are so extreme that the nose needs to be high and I suspect this may be causing half of the problems

Cheers
Gavin

Thanks Gavin, I have a pair of Elise seats in the garage and had wondered about fitting them. Thanks for confirming the art of the possible.

Well done, mine is very planted at silly speeds on a track or unrestricted road.



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Lotus Europa spoiler on my Plus 2S

I have just collected one, I somewhat like the looks.
Are there more comments about these spoilers please. My S4 does seem to lift, with a GPS speedo about 80mph but its a bit tough to tell exactly. Lowered about 1.5 or TTR fast road height so better than before.
From the photos on the net, many racers have this. So I suspect it works, before I go to the trouble. Was hoping for some experience please.

Cheers