Lotus Elan +2 project in Palm Coast, FL

[Wayneharrison]

Hello All,
I have recently retired to Palm Coast FL and am in the process of completing a restoration on an Elan +2. I would like to have the engine rebuilt and replace the Stromberg head with an Weber head and have the final paint done by a pro.
Looking forward to meeting fellow Lotus owners in the region and hope you will make contact.
Regards,
Wayne Harrsion

[Elan45]

I am restoring an early pre-airflow Coupe in Palm Coast. I also have my S3-SS there also. I have the coupe about 90% down to gel coat, preparing for paint. I've already done the frame.

I'm in the Ks. There is a Europa project within walking distance of my house and Tim Sudard of Classic Cars magazine is restoring a S1 in Ormund Beach. He came up last spring and pulled a mold off my coupes boot floor.

There are a few newer Lotus in the area, but not an enormous selection. I'm also a snow bird, racing my Lotus 20/22 in the big Formula Junior jubilee this year. I plan to be in PC around Haloween. You can contact me at 614 506 3745. Obviously, I'm retired too. I can help w/ your engine issues and perhaps more.

Roger

[Sea Ranch]

Welcome to the forum.

You might consider having John McCoy of Omnitech engineering develop a cylinder head for your Plus 2. He specializes in converting Stromberg heads into Weber heads with a proprietary intake casting and cnc blueprinted intake tracts, valve pockets and combustion chambers, all developed and perfected through extensive building and dyno testing.

He has been involved in racing twinks for a long time, builds heads for people around the world (including some respected forum members) and did a mild-tune rebuild of my Plus 2's Weber head this spring.

Interesting that he can do better/more exacting port work, I believe, on Stromberg-to-Weber conversion heads, because he mills off the Stromberg intake tracts, which then gives him proper access to the valve pockets, and then machines his custom Weber castings, which are then bolted on.

Anyway, thought you might like to know . . .

https://omnitech-engineering.com/category/automobile

Regards, and best wishes on your retirement and Plus 2 restoration . . .

Randy

[Wayneharrison]

Thank you, Roger and Randy.
Very valuable information and I look forward to meeting you in due course.
I'm not convinced I can paint the car as well as I would like and I'm looking for a shop than can do the final prep and paint. Planning on using a single stage urethane instead of the base/clear coat system.
Any suggestions?
W

[Sea Ranch]

I like single stage for non-metallic colours. Much easier to repair small chips. On the other hand, you run the risk of having the product you use go out of production, as non-waterbased paints are eliminated.

I do believe that if a base-clear system is wet sanded andpolished to eliminate texture/peal, then it looks the same as single stage, ie, it looks like the colour is right on the surface, very touch-able, as opposed to it looking like there's a thick layer of clear over the colour (that's the effect some people don't like about base-clear when they're trying to replicate older paint types).

Just my opinion. Hoping your shop search goes well . . .

Randy

[christopher]

I have seen flow figures for the Omnitech head. They were not very impressive. I have no wish to start a discusion on the pros and cons of that modification. Sent you a pm. I am located in St Augustine and have a weber head for sale.

chris

[Davefettback]

John at Omnitech just completed a full Stage 3 build for me. Great job, not inexpensive, but all the bits are full race grade stuff.

[rgh0]

I have seen flow figures for the Omnitech head. They were not very impressive. I have no wish to start a discusion on the pros and cons of that modification. Sent you a pm. I am located in St Augustine and have a weber head for sale.

chris

Chris
If you don't want to start a discussion don't make a comment like you did and leave the criticism just hanging out there and saying you don't want a response. I have seen lots of heads and lots of dyno data and i don't share your opinion.

cheers
Rohan

[CBUEB1771]

John at Omnitech just completed a full Stage 3 build for me. Great job, not inexpensive, but all the bits are full race grade stuff.[/attachment]

Is this engine built on one of the Ford Racing blocks introduced a few years ago? I just noticed the external feed to the exhaust side oil gallery.

[Davefettback]

Yes, good eye, it is a new ford block. Needed for the stroke and strength.