Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... SS:GB:1123

Not for the faint hearted, but here's a +2 that needs rescuing. Should it be completed as a zetec conversion or put back to original?

Ha, I saw this. It looks like a big job.
It looks like a 1968 car not a 1982 car. I think it would be easier to put the twin cam back in.

Jason

I think it would be easier to reinstate a twin cam also.

Looking at the state of that engine its pretty tired and probably needs a lot of work to make it good, that and in the listing it says the engine needs mounting so is it sitting on a block of wood and not fitted in?

Actually looks in better nick than mine was when I started overall. Must resist this near Christmas.

Simon

It's not exactly a Zetec conversion, is it? It's a Plus 2 missing its original engine plus a zetec engine from a scrapyard! Probably the wrong sort of Spyder chassis as well.

Mark

"Galvanised" sounds like a Lotus Chassis.
Sounds like the rest of the Transmission remains original, a conversion that has been done before.
The Intake system looks a bit unique & I rather suspect the Vendors description of the general condition

John

Also from the same seller ......
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LOTUS-ELAN-2-SHEL ... 33583ead5d
????????

Terry

Hi. The poll is difficult to respond to for me, because looking at the pictures my view was it's a standard lotus chassis, with a zetec engine popped into the engine bay in place of the original twinc. The engine exhaust ports look open to the elements and the car is outside, so it's possible / likely the engine is shot and will need a major rebuild. The bodywork and interior don't look in great codition, even in the photos taken in the wet.

So, I may see going back to the original twinc on the grounds that the zetec is knackered and not fitted as the most cost effective way ahead. On the other hand, I am quite keen on the idea of converting to a zetec engine for my own car in the future - next time the twinc needs a rebuild.

So are you trying to guage how many are in favour of conversion to a zetec, or are you trying to judge how to proceed with this specific car?

All the best.

Sean.

alaric wrote: I am quite keen on the idea of converting to a zetec engine for my own car in the future - next time the twinc needs a rebuild.

Sean - Go and wash your mouth out!!!!!!

All the best
Terry

alaric wrote:Hi. The poll is difficult to respond to for me, because looking at the pictures my view was it's a standard lotus chassis, with a zetec engine popped into the engine bay in place of the original twinc. The engine exhaust ports look open to the elements and the car is outside, so it's possible / likely the engine is shot and will need a major rebuild. The bodywork and interior don't look in great codition, even in the photos taken in the wet.

So, I may see going back to the original twinc on the grounds that the zetec is knackered and not fitted as the most cost effective way ahead. On the other hand, I am quite keen on the idea of converting to a zetec engine for my own car in the future - next time the twinc needs a rebuild.

So are you trying to guage how many are in favour of conversion to a zetec, or are you trying to judge how to proceed with this specific car?

All the best.

Sean.

Sean,
I'm mostly wondering hypothetically how to proceed with this particular car. This isn't meant to be a zetec versus twincam thread; although of course I expect a few to be suspcious of this as I am so openly in favour of zetec conversions.

As I said previously this project isn't for the faint hearted, but I was rather tickled by the bare face cheek of the seller who just wedged a zetec into the engine bay and then goes on to describe it as having a zetec 2.0 modification but then lists a few insignificant items to get it working, such as actually mounting the engine!

I think that someone was restoring this car and that it has become an abandoned project, the quality of the paint in the engine bay and the new looking bonnet catches give a clue, it may well be a lot better than the photos show, and perhaps has been sitting outside in all weathers unloved for a year or so.

Hypothetically I would lean towards selling the chassis and Lotus bits and going the Spyder route for a full zetec conversion, I doubt the supplied zetec is in a good enough state to use, but they are not exactly expensive to buy secondhand or even new in a crate. Alternatively keep the Lotus bits and mate a zetec to the existing running gear and Lotus chassis, it's certainly been done before with good results.

regards

Ok. I'd probably er towards getting a new zetec engine or the one that's there rebuilt. I like the idea of the modern fuel injected engine.

All the best.

Sean.

Spyder fan wrote:

alaric wrote:Hi. The poll is difficult to respond to for me, because looking at the pictures my view was it's a standard lotus chassis, with a zetec engine popped into the engine bay in place of the original twinc. The engine exhaust ports look open to the elements and the car is outside, so it's possible / likely the engine is shot and will need a major rebuild. The bodywork and interior don't look in great codition, even in the photos taken in the wet.

So, I may see going back to the original twinc on the grounds that the zetec is knackered and not fitted as the most cost effective way ahead. On the other hand, I am quite keen on the idea of converting to a zetec engine for my own car in the future - next time the twinc needs a rebuild.

So are you trying to guage how many are in favour of conversion to a zetec, or are you trying to judge how to proceed with this specific car?

All the best.

Sean.

Sean,
I'm mostly wondering hypothetically how to proceed with this particular car. This isn't meant to be a zetec versus twincam thread; although of course I expect a few to be suspcious of this as I am so openly in favour of zetec conversions.

As I said previously this project isn't for the faint hearted, but I was rather tickled by the bare face cheek of the seller who just wedged a zetec into the engine bay and then goes on to describe it as having a zetec 2.0 modification but then lists a few insignificant items to get it working, such as actually mounting the engine!

I think that someone was restoring this car and that it has become an abandoned project, the quality of the paint in the engine bay and the new looking bonnet catches give a clue, it may well be a lot better than the photos show, and perhaps has been sitting outside in all weathers unloved for a year or so.

Hypothetically I would lean towards selling the chassis and Lotus bits and going the Spyder route for a full zetec conversion, I doubt the supplied zetec is in a good enough state to use, but they are not exactly expensive to buy secondhand or even new in a crate. Alternatively keep the Lotus bits and mate a zetec to the existing running gear and Lotus chassis, it's certainly been done before with good results.

regards

I've not voted but my opinion is that any Lotus is well worth saving.
Apparently it's got a good Chassis & the rest of the drive train is still there.
Why not check the Zetec out, it could be good.
The bits you'll need to do the rest of job could be a lot cheaper than buying a Twincam.
The "Spyder Conversion" way of fitting Sierra Parts all the way through is IMHO not necessary in a Road Car & such Cars are not eligible for most forms of Competition.
OK all of those bits are presently more available than the older Ford bits but if it 'aint broke why fix it?
Whatever you do to get the Car right the Paintwork will take up the Lions share of the Budget; something which should put the job into perspective.

I'd like to see a differentiation between "Zetec Conversion" & "Spyder Conversion"; pure terminology maybe & me being pedantic


Cheers
John

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1970-LOTUS-ELAN-2 ... 711wt_1165

Another one, this time with a Ford OHV engine! Is this how it was done before Zetec?

Jason

Yes the Engines were "nicked" or "Traded" to put into competition Ford Anglias' & Escorts'
Values were different then, an Elan was a Car to be seen in, nobody was interested in what was under the bonnet so a cheapy OHV kept the Car on the Road & the sale of a broken Twincam paid the Garage Bill

I think these are two examples of when you could buy a +2 very cheaply just to rip out the engine for an Rally Escort or the 2 seater Elan. Such a shame........

D.

You can still buy them cheaply, David. I was offered a '73 130 S 5 speed a few weeks ago for ?2500 or offers, and it was on the road with perfect chassis, engine, box, diff and suspension / brakes, but very tatty bodywork / interior and chrome. It sold pretty quickly, and the engine is going into an Escort, as you said. The upside is that there are still plenty of good secondhand parts for restoring the Plus 2 available.

I doubt that the situation will change whilst there are tatty Plus 2 cars available.

Mark