Interesting +2 US project - Zetec or Twin Cam

[collins_dan]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... otohosting

I've been thinking about a daily driver +2 to go with my S4 and what should come up on ebay.... a nice looking, spider framed, no engine or transmission +2 roller. Of course it comes at the worst possible time financially... so, what would the cost be if the Twin-cam route was pursued? What other non-original routes should be considered that would be performance, ease and cost effective?

Dan

[collins_dan]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/JDM-HOND ... |72%3A1171

What about a Honda S2000? I seem to remember hearing that was a possible clean swap.

Dan

[msd1107]

Well, other than minor things like the intake/exhaust being offside, shift lever being back, and adapting the engine electronics to the Lotus harness, it should be a drop in!

It is less expensive than rebuilding a TC.

The first one to do this can make a business of replicating it for other owners.

David
1968 36/7988

[terryp]

What about this:-
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cortina- ... ccessories

[collins_dan]

The Cortina engine is a good option, although I just went through a rebore on my S4 and it gets expensive.

Ebay seems to have a limited selection of Zetecs, but they appear to be considerably cheaper than the S2000s, but equally lower performance.

Dan

[1964 S1]

Hello Dan, with a little luck and a lot of patience, I think you could come up with an operable Elan drivetrain for about $3000. From the front fan to the tailshaft flange. I'll send you a free original bellhousing if you get the car. (which I just bid on).
I'm not at all clear as to what a Zetec engine is, but today I bought a '92 Ford Escort with a twin cam, pre Zetec,? Ford Zetec? ( as there are later model Escorts with a different twin cam, ) sorry, anyway, I bought the whole car for $675. The engine's dimensions whisper Elan and it runs great. The next generation Escorts came with a different ( Z tec? ) twin cam engine that's very similar. These can be very quick cars, I've driven a couple of screamers.
Toyota made a twin cam in the late eighties coupled to a five speed that should also fit.
The Honda 2000, has anyone done it? Please let us all know.
In the end, my two cents worth, go for an original engine and gearbox, but if not, there are several hot cheap, and also expensive, engine swaps available to complete a kit car.
Eric

[Spyder fan]

The Zetec option is not cheaper than the LTC option, especially if the Spyder frame connected to the shell you have seen is not a Zetec spyder frame.

All restorations will cost you lots of money, the Lotus twin cam engine can be fully rebuilt for ?5000 over here (Burton Power). A 2.0 zetec crate engine costs ?1200, but you need to add Jenvey throttle bodies, new cams. some head work and emerald engine management ?2500 - ?3000, this equals nearly the same cost as rebuilding the Lotus twin cam.

My choice would be to go for the Zetec, more power to take advantage of the +2's excellent handling and chassis. Go for the Lotus twin cam if you want people to gaze longingly under the bonnet (hood) at show and shine meets.

Forget the s2000 route unless you want to be a pioneer and any lesser Ford units other than the LTC and BDA engines are a dead end.

[collins_dan]

Thanks for all the thoughts. I thought I remembered a post of a guy up in Pennsylvania putting an S2000 in an Elan, but I can't seem to find it. I'm not prepared to be the pioneer, and time is on my side. This one was just too perfect not to get dreaming about it.

Eric, I hope you get the car for a good price and do something interesting with it. I'm very curious what the reserve is. If you get it, keep us updated.

Dan

[1964 S1]

Hi Dan, I didn't get it. At least this auction lets us know what a decent roller +2 is worth in mid '09. I'm a little surprised it's near five grand, but now I feel good again about my original driveable '69 +2 !

Eric

ps; Hello, is the buyer a member here ? ? ? I have a stock bored short block with crank and pistons, bell housing and used original Elan trans for sale...

[collins_dan]

Eric, Sorry you didn't get it. It sure seemed like a fairly straight up project, but you never know. I always worry that the work was done poorly, or had been in a significant accident... I'll be curious if it comes up again in a short while will a zetec or twink in it. Your Escort idea is a good one, I'll keep that in mind for the future. Dan

[denicholls2]

Well, other than minor things like the intake/exhaust being offside, shift lever being back, and adapting the engine electronics to the Lotus harness, it should be a drop in!

It is less expensive than rebuilding a TC.

The first one to do this can make a business of replicating it for other owners.

I think this may have changed on the newer ones, but on early S2000's at least, I believe you will find on completing your project that you have 4-6 speeds reverse (depending on the tranny you employ) and one forward. Something worth investigating.

[lotusanglia1965]

'tis all b'locks about the six reverse gears,s2000 rotate same as normal engines. the gearbox is a good fit in elan and linkage can be shortened to emerge in original location,sump has front bowl as per twin cam . only exhaust on wrong side to deal with...