hopeful of buying Elan +2 but sill damage

[Marc13]

Another question:

Is there a discernible difference when driving a 108 bhp older car compared to a +2s 126 bhp? I have only drove 2 +2s....assuming they are both in good condition?

Thanks

[vincereynard]

If you peruse the road test reports you will see little difference over the years. The reason for this is the Chunky (or Arnold) cheated with the first ones and had an Expert Engineering 130 BHP engine it.

Hence , when they had a later more powerful motor, performance stayed much the same in the Road Tests!

Probably a most accurate guesstimate for the early cars would be by using the figures from early American tests. Still Webers but standard. These show a top speed of about 110 and 0 > 60 around 9.5secs.
about what you would expect compared to a Lotus Cortina with the same engine. Or an Elan with an additional 300lbs.

[Marc13]

If you peruse the road test reports you will see little difference over the years. The reason for this is the Chunky (or Arnold) cheated with the first ones and had an Expert Engineering 130 BHP engine it.

Hence , when they had a later more powerful motor, performance stayed much the same in the Road Tests!

Probably a most accurate guesstimate for the early cars would be by using the figures from early American tests. Still Webers but standard. These show a top speed of about 110 and 0 > 60 around 9.5secs.
about what you would expect compared to a Lotus Cortina with the same engine. Or an Elan with an additional 300lbs.

Thanks Vince - just making sure I am understanding this correctly. The early models said to have 108 BHP, actually had quite a bit more than this?

[rgh0]

If you peruse the road test reports you will see little difference over the years. The reason for this is the Chunky (or Arnold) cheated with the first ones and had an Expert Engineering 130 BHP engine it.

Hence , when they had a later more powerful motor, performance stayed much the same in the Road Tests!

Probably a most accurate guesstimate for the early cars would be by using the figures from early American tests. Still Webers but standard. These show a top speed of about 110 and 0 > 60 around 9.5secs.
about what you would expect compared to a Lotus Cortina with the same engine. Or an Elan with an additional 300lbs.

Thanks Vince - just making sure I am understanding this correctly. The early models said to have 108 BHP, actually had quite a bit more than this?

The models that Lotus used as magazine review road test cars in the UK had more power due to modified engines. The sold to the public Plus 2 road cars had the normal SE engine.

cheers
Rohan

[vincereynard]

Marc,

I "believe" that the first +2s were actually fitted with 118BHP SE engine - as Rohan mentioned. So not a vast difference twixt that and the "nominal" 126 BHP Big Valve. The BV engine was more marketing ploy than a big power boost. Once again I think that the difference was very small increase in the inlet valve diameter. Most extra power came from a skimmed head and "D" spec cams.

Wiser historians will no doubt comfirm or deny. It was not unknown for Lotus Road Test cars to be delivered with a strangely defective bonnet release. Allegedly.

[wotsisname]

Assuming you find a car with somewhere near it's original power output.and running as it should.. its my understanding that the earlier cars are a bit lighter... certainly a less plush interior,etc. I also believe the smaller valved engines will feel torquier at the lower end, with the big valves giving a stronger top end.

[Donels]

According to Tony Rudd’s book the power went from 105 bhp to 128 bhp with the big valve engine.

[alan.barker]

I have owned a 1968 +2, a 1970+2S and a 1973+2S130/4 and i have found no difference in driving them . For sure there is the difference on paper 108 bhp, 118 bhp and 126 bhp imho that's only for Bar chat with a Beer.
The most important is if the Engine is set up correctly.
My favourite was the 1970 +2S with lots of little Lights even in the Ashtrays and Puddle Lights on bottom of Doors. Plus lots of Fuse Boxes.
Just go for one with Lotus Chassis/Subframe and as original as possible.
Good luck in you search
Alan

[XR40]

Marc, just a thought, you could always try and find an early +2 with an 'H' type Super SE engine. High compression, D type cams, 123 BHP.
Might be a nice alternative to the standard SE engine.

[Chrispy]

According to Tony Rudd’s book the power went from 105 bhp to 128 bhp with the big valve engine.

My understanding was the original +2 had the 118hp motor with webers and the C type cam. I didn't think it was ever fitted with the base Twincam.

[Matt Elan]

All my research agrees with Rohan and Chrispy - the Plus 2 was always offered with the 118 hp SE spec engine, certainly in UK and non-Federal markets. Data in Miles Wilkins book seems to agree, but he does not identify the Serial prefix 'I' 1969 Federal Plus 2 with Strombergs as being S/E spec.

[alan.barker]

My 1968 +2 cam no groove.
My 1970 +2S cam 1 groove.
My 1973 +2S 130 cam 2 grooves.
My 1972 Sprint cam 2 grooves.
Alan

[gibbon]

I would not judge the performance from the badge on the back of the car, all the plus 2's i drove varied hugely in drive.

Judge the car by driving it and dont get hung up on numbers, mine is an early model +2 and goes very, very well, with sprint spec cams and lightly ported heads, all the engines at this point will have been changed from original spec / tolerance by now anyway.

[MarkDa]

Late to the thread but apparently it's been sold.
Perhaps to the regular who buys something every year and brings it back so it can be sold again at the same price?