Lotus Elan Central

by **lotusgirlmarie** » Fri 29.09.2006, 07:14

Just curioius but has anyone thought of doing a new main gauge cluster? Utilizing an electronic speedo rather than the stock mechanical? Perhaps Esprit gauges?

by **Doc Fizzix** » Fri 29.09.2006, 16:52

lotusgirlmarie wrote:Just curioius but has anyone thought of doing a new main gauge cluster? Utilizing an electronic speedo rather than the stock mechanical? Perhaps Esprit gauges?

Thought about it, yes

Did it, no

I also thought about redoing the whole interior to match that of an Acura NSX

by **F1 LOTUS** » Fri 29.09.2006, 20:06

I've thought about it... :roll:

by **Doc Fizzix** » Fri 29.09.2006, 20:57

F1 LOTUS wrote:I've thought about it...

Now we are cooking with gas!!!

by **F1 LOTUS** » Fri 29.09.2006, 21:45

by **TommyK** » Sun 08.10.2006, 23:41

I've been forced into thinking about it by the scum that tore out my dash about a month ago... I'm going to try a whole new cf dash fascia with updated gauges and switches.

by **TommyK** » Sun 08.10.2006, 23:42

I've been forced into thinking about it by the scum that tore out my dash about a month ago... I'm going to try a whole new cf dash fascia with updated gauges and switches.

by **TommyK** » Sun 08.10.2006, 23:44

I've been forced into thinking about it by the scum that tore out my dash about a month ago... I'm going to try a whole new cf dash fascia with updated gauges and switches.

by **lotusgirlmarie** » Mon 09.10.2006, 00:25

With any luck I'll have my new Esprit cluster in by Halloween. Ive just about finished with the gauge panel and I have the new speed sending unit already set up to just drop in to th factory local. Oooooo I can't wait.

by **lotusgirlmarie** » Thu 26.10.2006, 10:54

Almost done...... All I have left is the aluminum fascia plate and the glassfibre trim ring. All of the gauges work as do all of the required tel tales.
I was sooooo excited to see it in the car finally. One less GM part in the car. Now its really a Lotus.

by **Monty** » Thu 26.10.2006, 11:07

Marie,

Looks Fantastic :smt023

The wiring must be a nightmare :shock:

Will the SpeedO still be accurate?

by **lotusgirlmarie** » Thu 26.10.2006, 11:16

Much more than the factory could ever be as it is programable. I no longer use the cable for the VSS. its all electric now. It uses a Hall Effect sensor from VDO...same as the last of the Esprit to judge speed. It works fantastic!!! It just takes time and a good amount of patience to get the whole thing set up right. I have to admitt though...... I think this is the single coolest upgrade I've done to the interior. Its subtle but those that know Elan's will be pretty impressed.

by **GeoffSmith** » Thu 26.10.2006, 11:17

Very tasty indeed! :bowdown:

by **F1 LOTUS** » Thu 26.10.2006, 21:45

Super job

by **ailwyn** » Thu 26.10.2006, 22:21

Marie,

Looks stunning! Do you have details of the speed sensor, part no, availability, fitting guidance (i.e. straight replacement for the speedo cable or needs adapting etc), also advice on any of the other parts required (for example I'm guessing there is a little black box for the calibration?), and connection to the ECU - straightforward replacement for the VSS or does it need an additional bit of kit?

I would be interested in looking into this myself, but don't have much of a clue where to start!

Thanks

Ailwyn

by **Doug** » Fri 27.10.2006, 01:05

yeah baby! :smt023

, as usual

by **Kjeld** » Fri 27.10.2006, 02:08

Unbelievable! As nice as it looks, you know the "one less GM part" line gets me everytime.

Okay, so how much?......

by **lotusgirlmarie** » Fri 27.10.2006, 04:43

It deffinitely wasn't cheap and it took alot of time redoing the wiring to make it all look both stock and yet be reversable. Plus figuring out he Esprit's colour codes and addapting them to the Elan was a trial in patience along with 4 hours of soldering. I took the expensive route with the sender and also bought a second assembly for the Elan's transmission though the original would have done just fine. At the time I didn't know that and thought I might have to do some custom machining and didn't want down time with my car.

Anyways here is a PARTS LIST :

340011 $60 VDO speed sender
310105 $26 VDO water temp
301105 $26 VDO fuel gauge 240 ohm
437159 $164 VDO 220MPH speedo
333160 $84 VDO 8K tach
8915 $74 MSD DIS Tach adapter

Lotus Esprit parts
a082n4063f $85 V8 graphics panel
a082n4068f $15 ea*6 bulb holders
c082n4069f $28 V8 instrument bracket
a082m5047f $60 ea*2 LHD instrument wire 98MY

$757 is the rough total for the conversion. The Aluminum mask that will be there soon I"m building myself out of T6 aluminum. The cluster surround will be of glassfibre then suede wrapped to match the rest of my interior trim. Like I said this was alot of work. I was contemplating doing this for 2 years before I actually went ahead and did it. I just couldn't stand the stock gauges any longer nor could I stomach one of my old car buddies saying that it made the car look cheap.He said," What gives with the Chevy Cavalier gauge cluster?" That did it!! Its a Lotus darn it so I feel it should live up to its name in every way possible. Cavalier be damned!!!

by **Ekapol** » Fri 27.10.2006, 20:51

Looks just FABULOUS Marie. BEAUTIFUL!! :smt023

Lotus angel you are :smt059

by **lotusgirlmarie** » Fri 27.10.2006, 21:03

Thank you.... I try. Revised dash photo with more detail.

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