lotus 5 speed propshaft length

[AussieJohn]

I have a 5 speed propshaft that looks like it has been shortened to put in a "baby" elan, I need to lengthen it for my +2; does anyone have a standard one that they could measure with spline fully closed then fully extended, cheers, John.

[bcmc33]

John,

Info from John Clegg some time ago said: "My plus2 shaft is 33 1/2" between u/j centres"

John's information is always reliable.

[AussieJohn]

Thanks Brian, John Clegg is a hive of information, cheers, John.

[malc_grn]

Hi there

I have a 5 speed propshaft going spare if that would be easier?
E-mail me if your interested

Regards
Mal

[Verve]

Hi John ,

I want a plus 2 5 speed prop` for a "Baby Elan" if that helps also ??

I`m also wanting an alloy bellhousing & gear stick for the same 5 speed box , if anyone has one .

Cheers ,

Paul .

[AussieJohn]

Hi Paul, I have someone who wants my "baby " 5 speed propshaft but unless I can find a +2 5 speed then I will have to use the one I have to make one; good luck with your search, cheers, John.

[bcmc33]

I`m also wanting an alloy bellhousing & gear stick for the same 5 speed box , if anyone has one

This gear lever will suit: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/escort-mk1-2-rs20 ... 255d36ed93

[CBUEB1771]

John,

Info from John Clegg some time ago said: "My plus2 shaft is 33 1/2" between u/j centres"

John's information is always reliable.

Are we sure that John was talking about the prop shaft for a +2 with a Lotus 5 speed box? The distance between UJ centers is fixed for the standard 4 speed box but variable for the 5 speed version. The sliding spline is in the mid-section between the UJs in the 5 speed version. The Lotus 5 speed box has a flange at the end of the output shaft, not a spline as in the four speed.

Post Script: I went out to the garage after the above post and measured the distance between UJ centers for the propshaft in my +2 with 4 speed box, it is 33 1/2", just as John Clegg measured. I think it is clear that John Clegg had not measured a propshaft for a +2 with Lotus 5 speed although that is what AussieJohn was asking about at the beginning.

[bcmc33]

John,

Info from John Clegg some time ago said: "My plus2 shaft is 33 1/2" between u/j centres"
John's information is always reliable.

Are we sure that John was talking about the prop shaft for a +2 with a Lotus 5 speed box?

That's what he said.

Are we sure that John was talking about the prop shaft for a +2 with a Lotus 5 speed box? The distance between UJ centers is fixed for the standard 4 speed box but variable for the 5 speed version. The sliding spline is in the mid-section between the UJs in the 5 speed version. The Lotus 5 speed box has a flange at the end of the output shaft, not a spline as in the four speed.

I have no idea what the distance is between U/J centres for the +2, but I do know that the distance between the vertical face of the diff flange and the vertical face of the 5 speed output flange on an Elan is 30". I had mine made at 29.25" compressed length.

[AussieJohn]

I measured the shortened shaft with the spline compressed at 29". John Clegg's measurement for a +2 5 speed was from UJ centres not total length, maybe this is causing confusion.

[bcmc33]

I measured the shortened shaft with the spline compressed at 29". John Clegg's measurement for a +2 5 speed was from UJ centres not total length, maybe this is causing confusion.

John,

I'm not sure what can be confusing on what has been said so far.

However, to help get the complete story - measure the length of the Elan shaft between U/J centres in the compressed condition.
From this we can work-out what the compressed length of the +2 shaft would be.

[NickD]

I've found some old notes on propshaft dimensions.

+2 5-Speed: 40?" - 42?" overall, 38?" - 40" UJ c-c

Elan 5-Speed: 28?" - 30?" overall

The +2 dimensions were taken from an original Lotus shaft and the Elan dimensions from one I had made by Bailey-Morris.

The Lotus chassis drawings show a 12" difference in length from diff - gearbox mounts so these dimensions match to within ?".

I still have the +2 propshaft and 5-speed gearbox-chassis mount if you want an easier alternative to modifying your existing one.

[stuartgb100]

John,

Here's a photo of mine showing a pair of props - one for my Sprint (which I had made specially), and the other which came with my Lotus 5 speed box.

I was told that the gearbox and prop came from a Plus 2 130/5.

The rearmost flange was scavanged from the longer prop and utilised on the Sprint prop.

I have the Sprint prop and 5 speed box out of the car at the moment, and while looking for things in the garage this weekend, have spotted the old +2 5 speed prop.

Now's an ideal time if you've any doubt about dimensions etc.
Maybe just a check ?

Regards,
Stuart.

[AussieJohn]

Thanks Stuart, I calculated that the difference between a shaft for a 5 speed baby and a +2 5 speed is 12" approx .. based on total distance beween the back of the engine block to diff flange being 68" minus a 5 speed box with bellhousing being 26".
cheers guys for all help and suggestions, John.

[h20hamelan]

Probably could be a new post. Figure ied try this first.

The Voigt, vs Tremec length is a bit different I believe than the Lotus box.
Seems to me, as there is only one or two others with the Tremec ( probably easier to contact them). It would be helpful to know what options and what people have done thus far toward the 5 speed.
Please if you can, and have a Voigt box, and recorded the shaft length.
Same question for a +2
If anyone has a Tremec in a Elan
Same question for a +2
Looks like if we can get some numbers, compiled with the above figures.

I will hopefully be adding a Tremec 5 to my +2