Zetec +2

[Thelotuspaul]

What is the value or going rate for the following car:

1968 +2 with spyder chassis, Standard diff and suspension other than spax at the front. and solid drive shafts look like TT ones.

Zetec 2L engine with fuel injection and MT75 gearbox.

The body has had a nice down to gel coat respray. The interior in in good condition with non standard but nice looking front seats.

Needs a rear bumper. The car was fitted with a new speedo when built and has, covered 498 miles.

The car looks standard even with standard wheels.

[berni29]

Hi

Is the chassis the correct one for the zetec conversion or is it a modified standard spyder chassis? If it is the correct one and has decent throttle bodies (jenvy for instance) and the fuel injection is properly sorted and put together, then I would say 5K - 7K which is what a standard car in similar condition with a good big valve engine would go for. The condition of the engine and particularly the gearbox is important. Do you know the history? To the right person it might be worth a premium in the same way that a very original car might be worth a premium to someone.

The above is my opinion only...I could be miles out.

Good luck!

[theelanman]

who built it???.....
spyder sell the finished product for...erm....IIRC its in the 10's of thousands....
if its a home made job with a chopped chassis should be about ?10k...again just my opinion of the 'used' spyder value

[berni29]

Hi

The full Spyder conversions are very different from a standard car with a Zetec engine and MT75 gearbox. The engine and gearbox are not the expensive bits. I picked up an unused 1800 Zetec Engine for ?250 (inc delivery and VAT) and the MT75 gearboxes can be useable for ?50 up. The fuel injection parts including the engine management can be had for less than ?500 if you go the non standard route (ie motorcycle throts). Apart from that there are a few other parts you need, but if you look and are inventive you are not in for much more money.

A lot will depend on exactly what has been done as part of the conversion. How much is it being offered for and do you have any pictures of the engine bay?

Berni

[Thelotuspaul]

A friend of mine built it, I am thinking of buying it off him, the chassis was professionally modified, In some ways I think it is better than the pure spyder car as you are not forced to get spares from spyder.
+ even lotus people in the know cannot tell without a look underneath its got 160+ BHP which when we went out in it and played games with an Elise was quite amusing. I like the fact it has standard wheels. I think the spyder version goes too far with the modifications. I think its quite a difficult car to value. Its not going to be for sale until the summer but I have first refusal.



Thanks for your opinions

[john.p.clegg]

If/when you get it take it to Stoneleigh/Donnington so we can have a peek at it
Thanks
John
P.S.
If you don't get it i might be interested

[lotusanglia1965]

Hi!
My sentiments exactly, re spyder version going too far. Sounds very similar to the car I'm building,starting from standard replacement spyder chassis,keeping proper size knock-on wheels.Just with that much extra torque, be wise to fit TTR diff output shafts and outer wheel hub shafts. I should think ,if built nicely, would be worth at least ?10,000 to anyone interested.Can you post some pics?
Martin

[simon.mitchell]

There's what looks to be a full rolling chassis for a plus 2 Zetec conversion for sale on pistonheads at the moment if anyone's interested

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/65267.htm

[RichP]

Having read all of the communications regarding installing the Zetec into the +2, I am 95% through a project where I have installed a 2L Zetec into a +2 with a standard Lotus chassis if this is of interest to anyone, also is there any out there that has done the same as it would be good to discuss.

[john.p.clegg]

Yes,I am most interested as i am pondering going down that route and any info would be gratefully received
Thanks

John

P.S. please see Zetec at Donnington in the things in common

[Elanintheforest]

I'd be very interested too. As a complete Zetec virgin, could anybody jot down a 'beginners primer' on the subject? Specifically:

Engines...it looks like there's the 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 from the Focus and Mondeo, but don't these go east-west? If so, what gearbox is used and from what car are they sourced? Does the gearbox mate to the engine directly or does it need a plate? What engine mountings are used? What exhaust system is used? How is the ECU wired into the standard loom?

Gearbox : for the given type of gearbox, does the gearlever emerge in the right place in the transmission tunnel? If not how can it be modified? What cross-member is used to tie the gearbox to the chassis? What propshaft is used? How is the speedo driven?

That would do as a starter for 10!
Mark

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

Welcome to the forum ? Packman, sorry I forgot your first name. You bought some Yokohama's from me when I was living in the Midlands (Henley).
Good to hear your project is finished.

Mark,
the original G/ box does bolt onto the Zetec & the gearlever etc stays put.
Check out my previous mails, I've covered quite a lot of points on things on this topic in the past

[Elanintheforest]

Thanks DJ. I have just spend 3 or 4 hours hunting through the archives and, oh boy, there's a huge amount of opinion but the facts are time consuming to drag out and a bit thin so far. I'm probably about 10th the way through! There also seems to be some contradiction...original box goes straight on vs have to modify the flywheel, ring gear and clutch actuating arm, dowel sizes etc. But hey, early days!
However my basics are answered from this quick look, and of course there is some good info on the Spyder site....yeh, I know, I should have looked there first.
Right, I'm off to gen up and narrow down the options, but a couple of specific questions to set me in the right direction:

Where do T9 and MT75 gearboxes come from. From the context of the forum info it looks like the MT75 is a Sierra 5 speed?

There were some notes that the MT75 box feels wrong in the Elan...strange change pattern and very low first gear...any comments?

When Webbers / Dellortos are fitted, I guess that a manifold is required? Where can these be obtained? Can the original backplate / airbox be used to retain existing linkages & throttle cable?

Mark

[john.p.clegg]

Looks like we have a few Zetec strings running at the same time,maybe we can all join together and post in the elanmods??
John

[simon.mitchell]

Mark,

The type 9 was fitted to;

Capri 1.6/2.0 02/83 on
Capri 2.8 11/82 on
Sierra 1.6/1.8/2.0 to 12/88
Sierra XR4i
Sierra XR4x4 2.8

And the MT75 to;

Sierra 2wd 12/88 on
Granada 2wd 12/88 on
Sierra XR4x4
Sapphire/Escort Cosworth 4wd
Granada 2.9 4x4.

Yes, the MT75 first gear could do with being lower (i.e. taller), but I think that's a problem with most gearboxes designed for a heavy car being transplanted into a light one. No problem with the shift pattern though - feels fine to me and works well on track days.

You'll find lots of information on installing a Zetec into a RWD car on the following link;

http://www.zetecinside.com/xr2/gearbox.htm

John - sorry if I'm being dense but where is the 'Elanmods'? I'd be happy to post there if I knew where it was!!