Help - Chassis stiffening plates

[Yorke3]

Hi All

I'm currently restoring a lotus elan plus 2.

This weekend I've managed to remove everything from the chassis ready to get it sand blasted and powder coated. Before I go through with this I want to know if there is any chassis improvement that you recommend. I've read a few bits about stiffening plates. Can anyone give any info on which ones should be wielded to the chassis and what the improvement will be. Is it worth it for a none race car.

I've inherited the car and have never worked on an elan before. Where can I get sound advice on improvements to make while restoring it.

Photo attached is before we removed all running gear etc.

Many thanks in advance for any help.


James

[jcocking]

Within the Wiki, we have the following chassis modification article:

http://www.lotuselan.net/wiki/Chassis_Modifications

[john.p.clegg]

...and then there is always relieving the top chassis rail (and reinforcing?) to allow better clearance for fitting/removing the exhaust manifold

..and you could contemplate fitting towing brackets front and rear...

John

[PeterK]

When you ask about a source of sound advice - you've come to the right place here. I am continually amazed by the astounding amount of knowledge and experience here, from those who care about what colour stickers were placed where on the boot carpet of which models, to those who know the innermost secrets of the engines, those who have highly modified their cars with modern engines, transmissions and running gear, and most anything in between.
When you ask about recommended improvements, the answer in part depends on what you want - do you want to retain a completely original car, to have a car with modifications to make it 'better' for you (but easily reversible should you want to revert to original), or are you not bothered by reversibility. If you want changes, what do you intend to use the car for - local driving on high days and holidays, your main daily driver, long distance touring, or (occasional) track machine.

Think about what you want, try the search engine (most things have been covered at some point), and then ask. A word of warning though. Before you hit the search engine, get a coffee (or whatever you drink), settle down in a comfy chair and prepare to loose part of your life. A simple search can often throw up avenues of interest, leading you off down tracks you hadn't thought of, and you'll be so engrossed that when you look up, the house will be dark and everyone else has gone to bed

[Yorke3]

Thanks for the advice guys.

Peter, yes I'm looking to make modifications that will make it handle slightly better and make it better as you put it. As you said make modifications that can easily be reversed. I want to keep the classic beauty for the car.

The car will be used for weekends drives etc not every day or performance driving. I would like to feel happy driving the car fast and throwing it into some corners now and again.

With this in mind do you feel I need to make all the stiffening modifications to the chassis show on the link above.

Thanks again

James

[CBUEB1771]

Once the sand blasting is completed you will need to examine the chassis carefully before worrying about modifications. The usual trouble areas for corrosion are the lower extremities of the front suspension towers where they join the crossmember, also the base of the backbone section at the bottom of where the fiber blanket rests.