Lotus Elite Kit?
Discussion
Mistrale said:
I would not dream of telling anyone how to run a business - it's your money and I'm sure you know what you are doing!
To be fair, he did ask for thoughts and comments! 
Mistrale said:
It looks like what is needed is a modern re-imagining of the Elite.
Only so long as it doesn't include re-imagining the aesthetics - the Spyder T140 took this approach and bombed completely! You can't improve on perfection! 
...but yes, I very much support your suggested approach of using the lightest components possible and fairly modest horsepower.
The Aygo engine is an interesting suggestion, though not one that (as an Aygo owner) I would be unreservedly enthusiastic about. I think it might be pushing the principle a bit too far - it's certainly light (69kg) but it only produces 67bhp in standard form, not 75bhp, and would require a custom bellhousing or adapter plate to mate it to an inline gearbox (whereas at least suitable bellhousings are already available for the K-series and Sigma). It's not the most sporty feeling engine, either - whilst it will rev to 7,250rpm, it feels quite flat and linear (with a notable lack of V-TEC YO! from the VVT-i!) and the power drops off sharply after peaking at a relatively modest 6K rpm:
Even the original Lotus Elite produced 85-95bhp in its most common specifications (with up to 105bhp in the highest spec.), and I suspect that modern performance expectations would lead to most customers demanding that you at least matched the power:weight ratio of the higher spec originals. I think with improvements in tyres (albeit retaining original sizes), brakes and damping you could go to perhaps 120-130bhp without corrupting the 'balance' of the overall package.
The single cam K-Series Rover engine might be the most evocative of the original Coventry Climax. With the right engineering (throttle bodies, headers, cam and head mods) - this engine could provide enough power (say 100-140 bhp) especially the 1400 cc. If there is enough room, a later Lotus twin-cam engine could provide a huge amount of thrust - but, that would necessitate higher specification and bigger wheels, tyres, suspension, brakes, downforce etc. - appropriate for racing and track-day cars.
Mistrale said:
Anyone else have an off the wall engine suggestion?
Whatever is suggested, the first question to ask is 'will it fit?'.The Elite has a very low bonnet line; the Climax FWE was slanted over at an angle and only had a narrow, SOHC cylinder head.
The Aygo's triple does, admittedly, have an advantage in that being so short it can be tucked back against the bulkhead, under the highest part of the under-bonnet area.
I still think the 1.4/1.6 K-series or 1.25/1.4/1.6 Sigma are the obvious choices if you can get them under the bonnet line (possibly by dry sumping?), but if you want off the wall, how about the Smart ForTwo range of engines - designed to run canted over to fit beneath the boot floor in their original application, and up to 102bhp in current Brabus spec (with diesel and hybrid options if petrol isn't weird enough for you). You'd still have the problem of mating them to an inline gearbox, though.
BMW K75 motorcycle engine (only 75bhp, though, and access to the plugs might be a PITA)?
the moulds are "as original" and were taken from a car that has covered only 14,347 miles from new.it started life as a racecar and following only a few years of road use was then taken off the road, (in about 1980) as far as i know, although engine/running gearfor the replica is yet undecided, the importance of keeping the car aesthetically correct is obviously shared by many.the live axle idea was not one of mine and is undoubtedly not the way to go judging by the negative comments so any further suggestions i agree that a small light engine is a favourable option, anyone had any experience with a suzi cappucino?
i think it is very easy to make a great car not so great by a poor choice of donor.
i think it is very easy to make a great car not so great by a poor choice of donor.
Alchemistoxford said:
Off-the-wall? How about a Hayabusa with a Caterham gearbox?
Most bike engines have integral gearboxes (without reverse gear, of course) that they can't be split from, so normal practice is to simply turn them through 90 degrees and run a propshaft from the output sprocket to the rear axle, via a separate reversing box or with an electric reverse mechanism bodged onto the diff.They're surprisingly tall overall, though - usually due to the airbox over the induction - and might be difficult to package within the narrow front 'fork' of a backbone chassis. And then there's the gearing... the Elite was a notorious buzzbox, even without the short gearing that you get with BECs.
Mistrale said:
K series is 60cms high, 48 long apparently....
That sounds about right for the K-series with standard sump; I measured mine at 550mm, but that was with a shallow Caterham wet sump and you might gain a bit more still with a dry sump (though bottom of bellhousing might then become the limiting factor).http://www.mk14components.com/index.php/news/item/...
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/best-l...
I keep dreaming. I heard a while back that he wouldn't sell a shell without a car to restore. I wonder if that is still true.
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/best-l...
I keep dreaming. I heard a while back that he wouldn't sell a shell without a car to restore. I wonder if that is still true.
"Only so long as it doesn't include re-imagining the aesthetics - the Spyder T140 took this approach and bombed completely! You can't improve on perfection! wink"
shame you don't know what you are talking about!!!!! the only reason the project was stopped was that we could not make the car cost effectively, as for Previous comments in this tread about it being over blown, the moulds were actually taken from a std road car and the length/track/wheel base was exactly the same as the original, the only real changes made was to the bonnet which was humped to clear the Zetec engine, the tops of the rear wings were slightly reshaped to give a more 26R style and the wheel arches were copied from the original front opposite corner. the grill shape (which I hated) and of course the floor pan (taken from an Elan)
There was no change doors apart from using Peugeot handles, no change to the boot lid, windscreen and rear window were original parts, as was the side window frames and cost to us of £600 per car.
we actually did take 6 orders at the Donnington lotus festival but as soon as the costings were complete it was obvious that the sale price would be competing against the Lotus Elise so it was just not worth the investment.
shame you don't know what you are talking about!!!!! the only reason the project was stopped was that we could not make the car cost effectively, as for Previous comments in this tread about it being over blown, the moulds were actually taken from a std road car and the length/track/wheel base was exactly the same as the original, the only real changes made was to the bonnet which was humped to clear the Zetec engine, the tops of the rear wings were slightly reshaped to give a more 26R style and the wheel arches were copied from the original front opposite corner. the grill shape (which I hated) and of course the floor pan (taken from an Elan)
There was no change doors apart from using Peugeot handles, no change to the boot lid, windscreen and rear window were original parts, as was the side window frames and cost to us of £600 per car.
we actually did take 6 orders at the Donnington lotus festival but as soon as the costings were complete it was obvious that the sale price would be competing against the Lotus Elise so it was just not worth the investment.
Type 14 replica would be high on my list of cars that one day I could aspire to make. Absolute classic beauty.
Obvious engine to use would be a cross between the climax and the twink - 1.25l Zetec SE on TBs and tubular exhaust ??? All ally, very light weight, can be bolted to either Type 9 or more classic 4 speeds (2000E?)
For those wishing to go a bit hairier there are rally spec 1.4's, tuned 1.6's to 240hp and the 1.7 vct puma engine - all usng the same basic block.
Obvious engine to use would be a cross between the climax and the twink - 1.25l Zetec SE on TBs and tubular exhaust ??? All ally, very light weight, can be bolted to either Type 9 or more classic 4 speeds (2000E?)
For those wishing to go a bit hairier there are rally spec 1.4's, tuned 1.6's to 240hp and the 1.7 vct puma engine - all usng the same basic block.
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