Lotus Elite/Eclat 5 Speed conversion Question

[Classic-BSC]

I never asked Alan for specific Ratios.

With the exception of 1st, the Standard Ratios on offer are pretty close the original Elan +2
Ratios with an Overdrive 5th, which is what I was after.


---------------Original +2S 130 Ratios------------Voigts T9
-------------------Semi--------Close Ratio----------------------

1st ------------2.972 : 1 or 2.510 : 1-------------3.65 : 1
2nd------------2.009 : 1 or 1.636 : 1-------------1.967 : 1
3rd------------1.396 : 1 or 1.230 : 1-------------1.367 : 1
4th-------------------------1 : 1----------------------------1 : 1
5th--------------------------------------------------------0.815 : 1

Now, I haven't installed the T9 yet, and I won't be doing it anytime soon. It's just that my
Name came up for the next one off the production line, ready or not I thought it better to
have it ready. So I can't report any installation experiences yet.

But as far as I am aware, the modification to the Chassis can be done with the Body in Situ.
I see no reason why the body would need to come off for the Mod required.

Basically, the Cross support/Webbing needs trimming to make space for the slightly wider Box.
I'm guessing, access to a Nibbler might be very useful here.
I have attached the instruction Drawing to clarify what's involved.

Some Mods are needed to the Slave Cylinder feed, a later Ford Clutch is needed and a Speedo
adapter is required. All these parts are included in the Installation Kit.

As regards how long I waited from Ordering, I'm not exactly sure when I ordered the T9 ,
but I guess it was around 8 Months. Definitely a lot less than a Year!

Price ?2400 including VAT for the T9 and
? 80 Shipping to Uk Mainland.

Which, when you consider the Time, research and effort involved to get this into small scale production, I think is pretty good value.



Ian

[john.p.clegg]

Not a lot of money for major increased pleasure..

John

[Foxie]

I fitted the Voigts T9 conversion to my Spyder chassised +2 in 2004. This was the prototype installation in a Spyder +2 chassis. I understand their present chassis is easier to adapt.

I removed the metal with hacksaw/grindstones.

The only downside with the T9 is the 3.65 1st gear. I later replaced this with Burton's 2.98 kit, now costing ?261.
They also now do a 2.74 @ ?376.

I'd say Alan could fit this as an option with a gearbox order.

I mounted the clutch bleed nipple on a bracket on the bellhousing bolts so as not to interfere with head removals.

The other good thing I did was fit a Caerbont/ Smiths type electronic speedo, driven by a pick-up glued to the rh flange on the diff casing. It picks up from the CVJ bolts. This did away with clearances required around the angle drive gear, and awkward speedo cable fitting.