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Canada calling

PostPosted: Sun Jan 03, 2016 11:41 pm
by dbarton62
Hello from Canada, ex Brit from Brum......Aston to be exact.
I am in the process of acquiring a 1969 Elan plus 2.
Car is complete cosmetically but lacking engine and transmission.

I will be looking to keep the car appearing as it came from the factory but with a surprise under the bonnet.
I have modified several British sports cars including a 1969 Marcos with a 3.5 Rover and 4 speed. A 1974 TVR 2500M with a Ford 302 and 5 speed and a 1958 MGA coupe with a Ford 302 and 5 speed.
I will post a topic in the appropriate forum.

Glad to be here.

Dave

Re: Canada calling

PostPosted: Mon Jan 04, 2016 5:13 pm
by stugilmour
Welcome from Calgary Dave. Where are you located?

Stu

Re: Canada calling

PostPosted: Mon Jan 04, 2016 5:20 pm
by dbarton62
Kitchener ONT.
Just about an hour West of Toronto

Dave

Re: Canada calling

PostPosted: Mon Jan 04, 2016 5:51 pm
by The Veg
Welcome Dave!

Re: Canada calling

PostPosted: Mon Jan 04, 2016 6:38 pm
by daholmes1967
Hi Dave
I am just down the road from you in Woodstock ON and have a 73 Plus 2, send me a PM and we can connect sometime.
Cheers
Dave

Re: Canada calling

PostPosted: Mon Jan 04, 2016 9:46 pm
by donselan
Hi Dave,

And I am just up the road from you in Erin ON. I have 2 Elans but not +2s. I am aware of 2 other +2 Elans in the area.

Cheers,
Don

Re: Canada calling

PostPosted: Tue Jan 05, 2016 5:29 pm
by dbarton62
Hello all,

Great to see so many locals.
We will certainly need to get together once my project gets rolling.....if you don't mind me picking your brains??!!
I have been in touch with Len Mason in Orangeville also regarding plus 2 bits. He says he has a decent inventory of used stuff.

Dave

Re: Canada calling

PostPosted: Wed Jan 06, 2016 3:32 pm
by saildrive2001
Welcome Dave, I have a 69 S4 Elan & I live in Burlington. If you are down this way let's get together for a chat. I'm originally from Lancashire near Burnley.
Keith

Re: Canada calling

PostPosted: Wed Jan 06, 2016 4:01 pm
by TimBJ
Hi Dave
I am in Puslinch, just south of Guelph.
I have a 71 FHC Federal Sprint, together but not running yet.
A 1966 S3 DHC in pieces and a 1967 FHC Super Safety basket case.

Good luck with your project.

Tim

Re: Canada calling

PostPosted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 3:07 pm
by stugilmour
Small world Dave. I got my car from Ken Mason in Orangeville a number of years ago and drove it across the country to Cowtown.

Best of luck with the project. Curious on drivetrain you have in mind. Anyway, you have landed at the right place on the interweb; lots of help here. Stu

Re: Canada calling

PostPosted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 7:24 pm
by dbarton62
stugilmour wrote:Small world Dave. I got my car from Ken Mason in Orangeville a number of years ago and drove it across the country to Cowtown.

Best of luck with the project. Curious on drivetrain you have in mind. Anyway, you have landed at the right place on the interweb; lots of help here. Stu


Hey Stu,
Depending on when you did buy your Lotus from Len I likely saw the car.He used to hold annual summer meets at his place and I do recall a couple of Elans, a beige and a yellow?? I think.

Anyways I do not have my plus2 in hand yet but am putting in serious inter web seat time collecting info on physical sizes of engine and trans combos in preparation for this build. I will start a thread to document but until I get the chassis and take measurements I would be jumping the gun on any plans.
I do like the Ecoboost and Miata NC 5 or 6 speed combo. I think it is compact enough and with 350 ft/lbs capabilities it would make the plus2 wonderful machine. The purists will frown no doubt but for me a modern drivetrain under a classic shellis where it's at.

Cheers
Dave

Re: Canada calling

PostPosted: Mon Jan 11, 2016 3:27 pm
by stugilmour
Sounds like an excellent project. My car was purchased as a white Plus 2; hard to believe it was over eight years ago now! He had a Plus 2 convertible when I was there. Here is the blog of my drive across the country....

free-parking-f45/half-way-across-canada-lotus-plus-t16492.html

As you have probably found out, the Ford drivetrains are the well trodden path. We have a chap locally that has been working on an older Toyota TC and five speed combo for a number of years. My car now uses a Ford MT75 five speed with the stock Lotus TC. More power from a modern engine would be great!

Most of the drivetrain conversions use some form of Spyder frame; excellent company to deal with. Although my frame landed in Canada was a bit spendy, the Spyder guys assisted me with loading a wide array of other parts I needed in the same box. The Spyder modified engine mount design and cut out front cross member really increase the clearance.

The critical Plus 2 engine dimension tends to be the compromise of the sloped bonnet to the cam cover / front plate / cam belt and the oil pan clearance. Check out Mark's Plus 2 with a BDA and reworked bonnet for reference. I think the Duratec guys typically mod the pan to increase road clearance. Other tight spot is the exhaust routing around the bell housing.

All he best with the project and have fun with it. These are great cars when finished up, and can easily handle the increase in power.

Stu

Re: Canada calling

PostPosted: Mon Jan 11, 2016 11:28 pm
by dbarton62
Great diary Stu.

I am a journeyman fitter welder by trade so any work required to fit a non stock drivetrain will hopefully not be a big issue. It remains to be seen.
Dave