Lotus Elan Central

by **Benmac** » Mon 19.03.2007, 16:42

Does anyone know whether its possible to buy big sections of the 'foam with heat resistant coating' material that is used on the underside of the bonnet? Mine is pretty tatty and I want to replace it.

Now, here is the odd bit. I know you can buy the sections still from places like SJ sportscars but mine is different to every other car I've seen in that it is one big piece rather than two. This is a legacy of the car being a pre production one (also why I have a short bonnet prop that hooks into the nearside underside of the bonnet and is stowed on the nearside inner wing).

The normal pieces would fit but I'm worried they'd look a little odd so I'm wondering where I could get a big enough piece to cut a new section from.

Any ideas?

by **lotusgirlmarie** » Mon 19.03.2007, 18:29

http://www.dynamat.com/products_automot ... liner.html

Dynamat all the way

by **Paul.P** » Mon 19.03.2007, 18:38

Off topic, but is that you Marie in the avatar ?, if so, can we have a better / bigger pic ?

by **Ekapol** » Mon 19.03.2007, 19:47

Paul: Check out THIS THREAD

;-)

by **Doug** » Tue 20.03.2007, 00:44

Paul.P wrote:Off topic, but is that you Marie in the avatar ?, if so, can we have a better / bigger pic ?

YES, she finally threw a pic of herself in :shock:

wondering what you mean by "bigger/better" :wink:

hopefully it will include her "friends" :twisted:

by **Benmac** » Tue 20.03.2007, 07:55

Excellent thanks. (goes off to find a UK supplier)

by **lotusgirlmarie** » Tue 20.03.2007, 21:50

No worries always glad to help out.

Paul, yes the pic is of me. It was taken at a photoshoot in Vegas. Sorry only a solo shoot but, still very thought provoking......

by **Ekapol** » Tue 20.03.2007, 22:50

Benmac wrote:Excellent thanks. (goes off to find a UK supplier)

You meant the Dynamat thingy?

by **Paul.P** » Tue 20.03.2007, 22:59

lotusgirlmarie wrote: still very thought provoking......

Looking at the larger pic in the link, your right, very thought provoking

by **lotusgirlmarie** » Wed 21.03.2007, 18:37

Aw, why the frustrated face Paul?

by **Paul.P** » Wed 21.03.2007, 19:08

lotusgirlmarie wrote:Aw, why the frustrated face Paul?

I have my suspitions marie ?

by **Benmac** » Thu 22.03.2007, 20:57

Found some. About 180 miles away from Cheshire but about 2 miles from my mum's house and I was down that way with work the last couple of days. Chap had run out but is going to post some up to me.

by **lotusgirlmarie** » Thu 22.03.2007, 21:19

can't wait to see the pics of the install

by **Benmac** » Sat 24.03.2007, 20:20

Well it arrived yesterday. There is a good amount in the pack, easily big enough for what the Elan needs, even my single piece version. Needed to paint the kitchen today so didn't do it but should have time tomorrow. First tricky bit will be removing the old piece without tearing it to use as a stencil, then removing all the old adhesive, then sticking the new bit on without it going wonky!

by **paulwatkins** » Sat 24.03.2007, 23:00

Ben,
It's an easy job to remove the bonnet mind you. It would make it alot easier when fixing the new stuff on. Just lay it out flat on a sheet.

When I took mine off, I marked around the brackets with a pen so that I could put it back in exactly the same position (removed the bonnet from the brackets)

Cheers, Paul

by **Benmac** » Sun 25.03.2007, 17:16

Finished, and as Paul suggests taking the bonnet off really is the only way to go, otherwise you're fighting against gravity the whole time.

In the grand scheme of things a doddle to do and I cleaned up the hinges while the bonnet was up as well. All in all a successful day as I popped my new wheel centres on as well (thanks Phil).

The hoodliner is easily big enough so I just took the old bit off and used it as a stencil then cut with scissors and a stanley knife. Used terps and elbow grease to get rid of the worst of the glue left on the bonnet and also replaced some of the washer pipe under the bonnet (there was a madly excessive amount in there.

Had to cut a couple of slots in the liner where the washer jets are and where the pipe comes out but all in a doddle. I also replaced the foil tape under the hinges with new stuff to spruce it up a bit.

Old and new

Close up of the old one, 17 years has not been kind

New piece installed

All back together[/img]

by **paza1** » Sun 25.03.2007, 21:55

That looks awesome...nice work....how did you get the bonnet hook and spring looking so good :?:

Mark

by **Ekapol** » Mon 26.03.2007, 04:47

Looking good :smt023

by **paulwatkins** » Mon 26.03.2007, 07:40

Good job Benmac :smt023

Would you mind posting the cost details and where you sourced it from?

Cheers, Paul

by **Benmac** » Mon 26.03.2007, 19:49

Thanks chaps. The bonnet catch is actually brand new, hence why it is so clean

, my old one was really manky and corroded. I had cleaned it up and degreased it but I spotted the new one on the SW sportscars stall at Donny for £10 so it was a must buy. The spring I cleaned up and painted. Basically it just unscrews from the bonnet and then dismantles. I polished up the main shaft, cup and big nut thing with the dremel and I rubbed down the spring and then sprayed it with hammerite. Took a while but easy to do and very pleasing results.

I got the hoodliner itself from this place Banshee Motorsport

a bit 'max power in their target market but a really nice chap and it came very quickly. I was looking for the stuff on the internet and this place popped up. While I live in Cheshire I'm from Andover and that is just where this place is. I was down there the next day with work so popped in. He had run out but got some more in and posted it up. I went in there Wednesday at about 5p.m. and the stuff arrived Friday morning. Not cheap at £60 these things never are are they. I think SJ sportscars sell the standard two pieces. I would have gone for that had my bonnet been 'normal'.

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