+2 newbie (stupid questions!)

[msd1107]

I know it is common to say the big valve engine was mainly a marketing device, and that the increased power was mainly from cams, etc.

However, the math does not bear this out.

126 hp at 6,500 rpm is 161 psi bmep. At 6,500, the 1.56" intake valve has a mean gas velocity of 224 fps.

If the intake valve is decreased to 1.53", for the same mean intake velocity the rpm at peak hp would decrease to 6,200 rpm for 120 hp.

Significant enough.

Everybody with simulation software can weigh in with their opinions.

David
1968 36/7988

[mikealdren]

Tim,
Leatherrevive seems over the top, the original seats are plastic. They do respond well to upholstery cleaner and elbow grease.

Mike

[TimButDim]

Tim,
Leatherrevive seems over the top, the original seats are plastic. They do respond well to upholstery cleaner and elbow grease.

Mike

Not with the rips in these babies!

Still, it does make me wonder if leather revive is the way to go. Plastic revive anyone?

[mikealdren]

If you're looking at recovering the seats, there are several suppliers who will cover them. Look on Ebay and in the Club Lotus mag.

You should also try searching back on this forum as quite q few people have had seats recovered.

The final option is to fit alternative front seats. Jag XJS, Fiat X1/9 and MAzda MX5 seats have all been used.

Mike

[denicholls2]

Tim
You have a very rare version of the Big Valve Cam Cover...worth ?Millions!! Well, maybe not, but it is quite rare. The writing at the front is the wrong way round. Some say that a batch were made to launch the big valve engine in the Sprint and S130 at motor shows, where the cars would be displayed with their bonnets removed...hence the audience could read what it said on the cam cover.

Or maybe...

The initial Big Valves were for the 130, but at about the same time started going into Europas as the standard engine (all U.S. production, anyway.) And on a Europa, Lotus is right side up from the back.

Or maybe...

Tim, you have a Shapecraft Plus 2!

Sorry Ed, but I could not hold myself back.

[danielbargh]

Tim

I have a reasonably original plus 2 130 and am also currently doing a Spyder Zetec conversion. I have had the interior recovered in leather as the old seats were ripped, if you want to see them or want a photo let me know (I'm only in Huddersfield).

Daniel

[Jason1]

Couple of pics of Tim's ripped seats and a very nice looking roof. I am sure Tim will not mind.

I am very tempted by the rag roof when I get my +2 back on the road, I know some people do not like them but all that fresh air is tempting.

[TimButDim]

I am very tempted by the rag roof when I get my +2 back on the road, I know some people do not like them but all that fresh air is tempting.

It's the next best thing to a drophead!

By the way, has anyone got any comments on the steering wheel? Is this original equipment?

[Elanintheforest]

That is the correct wheel for the year. Later cars had a bigger plastic horn push and earlier cars had the spokes in polished aluminium, some with the 'Colin Chapman' signature wheel.

The bonnet could well be original to the car as well. Lotus tended to use whatever was available, and if your car was going down the line and the only bonnet available was the one with the bulge, they would fit it on. Given that your car is one of the very first Big Valve cars, the preceeding Plus 2 cars would nearly all have had Stromberg Carbs fitted to their S/E engines, therefor I'll bet that the stores only had bonnets with bulges in stock.

Your car doesn't look like a bitsa at all...in fact, looking at the pictures, the car looks to be far more original than most!

Mark

[stugilmour]

Welcome aboard. Nice car.

For the sunroof, in Canada the Weathershield brand was available through Lotus Canada. It is similar to your Webasto. Hoping to get one installed prior to my repaint. Great to hear they suit the car so well.