Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Need to pick the right diff carrier for my 145bhp GTS style S2 Elan - I know the later ones (photos) were strengthened - I have a clean early one and a late one that needs a clean - any advice on whether later is better (or not!)?

Thanks

David

I think both are fine as long as you don't fire the diff crown wheel bolt head though the casing.( been there done that)

The strengthening bracket should be used with either

cheers
Rohan

The later ones are stronger,they have much more "meat" on them..

Ditto the brace.

John

Hi,
Just my opinion but I would sell the old ones and buy a new one - The TTR ones must be a lot stronger as they are much heavier - approximately 750g.
Std 2.23 kg
TTR 3.08 kg

Regarding the diff carrier heavier / stronger must be better.

Regards
Steve

CABC will be turning in his grave.
Why not go the whole hog and fit a cast iron one?
Surely it all depends where the extra weight is in the ali. casting?

John

...I think the jury is out on all this at the moment...any more views or experience?

Has anyone actually broken the carrier at this mounting point other than in an accident?

David

Presumably the later ones with the additional flanges around the hangers are somewhat stronger, otherwise Lotus wouldn't have bothered to change the casting.

It seems that the progression was:
- Early carrier without hanger flanges (S1, S2 and maybe S3)
- Late carrier with hanger flanges (S4 and maybe S3)
- Late carrier with hanger flanges and strengthening brace (Sprint)

I would simply compare the overall condition of them both and use the best one. Check the bearing housings and circlip flanges, look for cracks, poor repairs, etc.

Then follow Rohan's advice to use a brace!

Nick

Later diffs have strengthened casings at the mounting lugs so stronger ,but as mentioned you can also add diff brace bar,and uprate the diff top mounts,diff torque rods and bushes etc
regards
Paul

...I think the jury is out on all this at the moment...any more views or experience?

Has anyone actually broken the carrier at this mounting point other than in an accident?

Not myself (with circa 145bhp / 125 ft lbs - isn't torque the potential problem?) in a S2 with original carrier & a diff brace + Quaife LSD (used mainly for sprints) but I did see a guy in a combined sprint / hill climb event (with a Sprint spec engine) on Jersey a couple of years back break off both top lugs on the start line. This was during the Friday evening sprint on the sea front, & by supporting the diff with a plank somehow he told me that he had made the car driveable?

This car did not have a diff brace fitted.

Edit - I also have the uprated top diff mounts & torque rod bushes.

"I think the jury is out on all this at the moment...any more views or experience?"

The diff carrier is obviously not strong enough as no car company let alone CBC spends money unnecessarily on something hidden from view, makes it harder to assemble and can't charge an arm and a leg for!

Regards
Steve