Lotus Elan Central

Folks, I’m about to press the button on an order for a Samco hose set for the S2. I’ve been in touch with Amber Performance to enquire about lead times, and they tell me it’s 12-14 weeks at present. I’m planning a cooling system refurb over Easter, so I want to order fairly soon.

Quite by chance, Senor GeoffSmith dropped by this evening, and mentioned that he too needs a new set of hoses. And that got us thinking . . .

I need to go back to Amber in the next few days and confirm my order (and required colour). Before I do that, does anyone else want to join the party? I *may* be able to negotiate a discount, depending on the number of takers, but of course no promises at this stage!

If you’re interested, please join the list and indicate how many sets [default = 1], preferred colour, and model (SE or S2). No payment necessary at this stage, but I’ll probably need payment up front depending on what Amber say. If that’s the case, I’ll pay by credit card so we have some recompense in the event of a problem. Postage will be extra at cost (unless I can get Amber to drop ship). Alternatively, you can collect from SN16 9 area, and I’ll be at Castle Combe in May, North Essex in late spring, Devon in late August, Edinburgh in November, and probably South Staffordshire at some stage this year.

More details on the product at the Samco Elan SE page or the Samco Elan S2 page. Price is around £350 a set for the hoses, plus £35-40 if you want the hose clips as well, inc VAT. Some colours are a bit more expensive.

So, in time-honoured fashion, The List:

1. saltire - 1 set, classic black, with hose clips, S2
2. GeoffSmith - 1 set, classic black tbc, clips tbc, S2
3.

I’d *really* like to order by end January, so please let me know ASAP if you’re interested. Thanks

isnt there any other alternatives for these hoses that are of a more affordable price ?
£327.60 is some serious money

Well, Joao, I guess the alternative is to buy OEM-style hoses from SJs or somewhere similar. The last time I looked, they were about £220 for a set, including VAT but excluding hose clips.

Personally, I think the additional lifespan and reduced risk with the Samco is well worth the £100 premium, but YMMV. I’m not forcing anyone to join in!!

in time-honoured fashion, The List:
1. saltire - 1 set, classic black, with hose clips, S2
2. GeoffSmith - 1 set, classic black tbc, clips tbc, S2
3. Clemo - 1 set, classic black tbc, clips, S2 ( may go mad yellow to match my spokes , or red to match the Jim Clark red bits .... thinking)

Saltire wrote:Well, Joao, I guess the alternative is to buy OEM-style hoses from SJs or somewhere similar. The last time I looked, they were about £220 for a set, including VAT but excluding hose clips.

Personally, I think the additional lifespan and reduced risk with the Samco is well worth the £100 premium, but YMMV. I’m not forcing anyone to join in!!

its a personal preference, that is understandable.
I'd be interested in samco if they were same price or cheaper than OEM.
OEM has lasted 30 years on my car and still no signs of failure (execpt for 1 part that was not the hose's fault).
i highly doubt a group buy discount will bring the price down that far, however, if for some miracle it does, ill join in.

I have put my name down for a few group buys but unfortunately nothing came to be of those, for many different reasons.

Just a few quick points before I forget:
Amber were giving a 30% discount a few years back.
As pointed out by Muley elsewhere, Europerformance give a 10% discount.
Someone (can't remember who) said that Merlin Motorsport at Castle Combe might be worth asking for a discount.
Also, we've discussed the difference between the SE and S2 sets and the only difference appears to be a 16mm to 19mm reducer - probably available for less than £10 or £18 from Samco.
I've replaced all my clips with stainless so don't need them.
John (tb10) might take 3 sets.

You could contact James at Amber Performance but they were a lot miffed with the issues we had with the induction hoses, so they may not want to reinstate the discount.

Does Merlin offer other discounts that you are aware of?

Does Merlin use the same prices as Amber Performance or do they mark the Amber price up and then discount?

I’m in touch with Merlin at the moment, and also looking at Demon Tweeks who sell Samco. Actually, I’d rather buy from Merlin, because they are really close to me and I could collect, saving on postage.

The issue is that (AFAICS) Amber are the only ones who supply a kit specific to the S2, with the additional reducer pipe. And all three takers (so far) have S2s. If someone can suggest how to obtain that piece separately, and thus use an alternative supplier, I’m all ears.

For reference, current online listed prices for an SE set in blue are as follows:

- Amber: £273 plus VAT and delivery
- Demon Tweeks: £259.35 plus VAT and delivery
- Europerformance: £245.70 plus VAT and delivery
- Merlin: £283.92 plus VAT (no delivery as I can collect)

The Samco part no is TCS-330/C, and they quote a list price of £273 plus VAT.

The only difference between the S2 and SE kits are the joining piece as the S2 hose is made in one piece. Presumably SEs have to re-use the old pipe and someone told me this was a 16mm to 19mm reducer but it's hard to tell from ab2cv's picture from way back whether it is a reducer or (as it looks to me) just a straight through connector which Merlin stock. Could anyone who's fitted Samcos confirm what it is?

Brit-Car-Nut wrote:You could contact James at Amber Performance but they were a lot miffed with the issues we had with the induction hoses,

Yup... But those who got a faulty induction hose that damaged the turbo were even more miffed, especially when Amber did do zero effort in fixing this the right way

Anyway, the quality of the hose kit is superb and one of the additional benefits is that you can remove and reattach the hoses a lot easier, what might come handy to replace coolant & other repairs.

I had the connector in my hands yesterday. That's just what it is: a step up (or down) connector.

HJ2 wrote:I had the connector in my hands yesterday. That's just what it is: a step up (or down) connector.

I’m going to pop over to Merlin in the next few days and chat to them. HJ, please can you confirm exactly what I should be asking for as regards the reducer. They carry a lot of that kind of thing. But I obviously need a spec before I start; thanks.

Anyone else considering joining in, please let me know ASAP - thanks.

Jonathan,

When you order the S2 kit, you will get the necessary adapter as part of the kit.

It would be nice to compare the actual hoses between the SE and S2 kit since if they are the same actual hoses, one kit appears to be cheaper than the other.

Brit-Car-Nut wrote:Jonathan,

When you order the S2 kit, you will get the necessary adapter as part of the kit.

It would be nice to compare the actual hoses between the SE and S2 kit since if they are the same actual hoses, one kit appears to be cheaper than the other.

Thanks, John. That’s certainly right if I order from Amber, because they list the two separately, and the product images are different. However, Merlin - who I’m considering because they’re much closer and to avoid the previous awkwardness with Amber - appear to list only one variant. At the moment, I can’t find two different part numbers for the kits at SamcoSport, so I’m guessing that Amber simply add a reducing pipe and charge a premium.

If you or anyone can clarify, I’d be really grateful to know; thanks.

As far as I had been able to tell: The S2 hose was a single piece whereas the SEs were two with a reducer. Samco must have used an early pipe as their master but when someone with an S2 couldn't complete, Amber stepped in… for a small fee. I was going to ask Merlin but as a backup, there are suitable reducers on FleaBay for a fiver and up.

C100K0026F: Hose, thermostat housing/heater valve/electric pump - replaces early type jointed hose (Turbo)

GeoffSmith wrote:The only difference between the S2 and SE kits are the joining piece as the S2 hose is made in one piece. Presumably SEs have to re-use the old pipe and someone told me this was a 16mm to 19mm reducer but it's hard to tell from ab2cv's picture from way back whether it is a reducer or (as it looks to me) just a straight through connector which Merlin stock. Could anyone who's fitted Samcos confirm what it is?

Hi Geoff, where did you dig that picture up from?

I currently have a full Samco hose kit in my possession (not fitted) so can confirm whatever is needed. I appear to have two of the so called reducers and can only assume that GrahameC ordered a spare.

Size is roughly 15/16mm one end and 18/19mm at the other (inaccurately measured with an old measure tape)

I am thoroughly confused by the discussion about the reducer and SE vs. S2.

The cars are identical as far as I know in terms of radiator and hose fitments.

I have fitted 2 sets of Samco hoses.

They had the long bit attached to the bottom hose in one piece. This would suit both SE and S2. But..

Try as I might I could not get the hose to fit ~ it was too short. Only a few mm. mind. To avoid putting undue strain on the hose, I cut it (!) and put in a straight connector.

HTH


Jim

Thanks, Jim and ab2cv. Now I’m really really confused!

- Samco themselves quote part no TCS-330/C for a Euro spec M100 Turbo. No different part no for an S2
- Amber sells a kit for the SE and a kit for the S2, and the only apparent difference from their photos is the “reducer piece” (shown top right in the picture below)
- Merlin sells the single kit for both models and quotes the Samco part no.

So, the options seem to be:

- we don’t need a reducer piece at all, and the standard kit will fit an S2 as is
- we don’t need a reducer, but we do need a straight connector to provide extra length (Jim’s experience)
- we do need a reducer (as in ab2cv’s picture), in which case I’ll attempt to get some made up

Any thoughts?

In time-honoured fashion, The List:

1. saltire - 1 set, classic black, with hose clips, S2
2. GeoffSmith - 1 set, classic black tbc, clips tbc, S2
3. Clemo - 1 set, classic black tbc, clips, S2 ( may go mad yellow to match my spokes , or red to match the Jim Clark red bits .... thinking)
4. Rambo - 1 set, classic black, clips, SE (Jonathon - can do you a BACS transfer prior to purchase, once price is confirmed. Pick up at CC)

Saltire wrote:Any thoughts?

Buy them and we'll worry about a bit of pipe later… I bet it'll be on a lot shorter lead time.

Rambo wrote:In time-honoured fashion, The List:

1. saltire - 1 set, classic black, with hose clips, S2
2. GeoffSmith - 1 set, classic black tbc, clips tbc, S2
3. Clemo - 1 set, classic black tbc, clips, S2 ( may go mad yellow to match my spokes , or red to match the Jim Clark red bits .... thinking)
4. Rambo - 1 set, classic black, clips, SE (Jonathon - can do you a BACS transfer prior to purchase, once price is confirmed. Pick up at CC)

Can do; BACS no problem, and post purchase is fine as I’ll a) try to persuade the supplier to take just a deposit at time of order, and b) pay on a credit card unless it’s financially punitive (I know they can’t surcharge me, but I guess they might give me a better discount for cash. Anyway, let’s see). Besides, we know where you live . . .

Geoff and Clemo, please confirm exact requirements; thanks.