Engine hot off the dyno!

[1owner69Elan]

Can someone ask Dave who has the moulds to make the airbox as its beautifully made and also looks correct.

Cheers

V

Dave has the molds (moulds). But, the custom backplate is also needed. A number of Forum members have expressed an interest in obtaining this deep airbox design. I have passed these requests along to Dave. His response six months ago was he would look into fabrication of these after the pandemic cleared up. Unfortunately, we are still in its midst.
I suppose I can ask him again if he wants to proceed now anyway, as it doesn’t look like we are going to get out of the crisis any time soon.
I should note that Dave is retired and would be sub-contracting out the fabrication to his specification.
I would also note that I spent some time on my air box smoothing and painting it to achieve the finish that you see.

[gjz30075]

Backing plate looks unique, too.

[1owner69Elan]

Backing plate looks unique, too.

That is correct:

[vstibbard]

Im in if he's interested in making a batch up.

[TWebb]

I would be interested as well.

[elangtv2000]

I'm seeing him tomorrow, and will ask, but I suspect Naury may have done so already.
Cheers,
Greg

[74Twincam]

Make it three interested... !

-Bill

[The Veg]

I'd love it if somebody made bigger airboxes for Strombergs. Oh well; I'm reading WIlkins's book and will figure out how to make my own.

[Andy8421]

There is a gentleman on eBay who makes deep Elan and Plus2 airboxes. I think he makes batches, as the adverts come and go. The link below is to a Plus2 box, but he also makes Elan boxes. They fit the S4 backplate, and look like the original, just deeper. I keep meaning to buy one, but always seem to miss his adverts.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lotus-Elan-2-amp-2S-Airbox-Special-full-depth-/293638938399?hash=item445e3e9f1f%3Ag%3AOGEAAOSw8LNeSw9S&nma=true&si=KJ8QsMivCv4XDiMDoGK%252Fqzu9khI%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

The issue is not the overall airflow (there is only one inlet sucking at any given time), but the distance from the mouth of the ram pipe to the opposite wall of the airbox. There are a number of threads about this, but the standard airbox is too close to the ram pipes for cylinder 3 and 4, and interferes with the standing waves that develop at the rampipe mouth.

[1owner69Elan]

I spoke to Dave.

The fiberglass part can be done readily from the molds. The backplate is another question. The fabricator that created the backplate is no longer available and there are no design drawings or even examples except those installed on a few cars, scattered about. One of these would have to be borrowed temporarily as a model to replicate. I would probably have to remove my backplate and provide it. Not enthused about doing that as I have just got my car back together after a long bout of installing the Voigt 5-speed. I'd like to enjoy my car before dismantling it again.

Cost for the fiberglass portion alone, if you can make your own backplate, probably on the order of $USD 500.

If a fabricator for the backplate Is identified, the full airbox (backplate and chamber) probably on the order of $1k. Certainly more expensive than other options out there (see previous post). Unfortunately the fabricators that do this kind of custom work run $100-125/hr.

Is anyone is still interested at this level of costs? If so, the actual costs could then be refined and perhaps reduced a bit based upon volume. Otherwise, we’ll just close this discussion.

BTW, this is not a money maker for Dave or me. Managed as a courtesy to the community, if there is real demand. However, not sure about Members be interested at this cost level. Pricey. And there are apparently alternatives, if perhaps not quite as elegant.

My airbox setup was provided in the context of a larger engine build, five years ago, and the original fabricator was still available at that time. Sadly, no longer the case. Still pricey though, even then.

[saildrive2001]

A simple question, how much difference in HP &/or torque would a different airbox make on a Stromberg head?

[vstibbard]

Why not take a mould of one of dave's existing back plate and use fibreglass rather than fabricated, then easy to make front and back in fibreglass? Previously, not wanting to modify a standard S1 backing plate in past, I made a mould made new fibreglass product and drilled it out for 45mm carbs.

V

[baileyman]

My large TTR box is exactly that. John

[Pfreen]

If you want, you can make your own air box. I did on my Europa.
I attached photos of the components.
The back plate is flat aluminum with aluminum angle riveted to it. The inlet pipe is 3" thin wall aluminum tube. The air box itself is an aluminum bread pan. It works fantastic and allows large velocity stacks to be used.
My car has Hitachi SU carbs, but the Stromberg carbs are basically the same.
It really was not that hard to make once you determine what will fit.
If anyone would like drawing or bill of material, let me know.

[J J DIKKE]

hello all, i wonder if anyone would know what the oil filler cap and its fitting are as seen in the 1st posting on this. this looks very good to me.i wonder who made this and if its possible to purchase a similar item now. thank you.