Lotus Elan Central

by **Hegg** » Thu 12.10.2006, 22:46

So, since my ring gear fell off my flywheel, I need to remove the tranny and flywheel to get that back on. Seems to me that I shouldn't re-use the ring gear and should put a new one on. I figure with 60,000 miles on the cluth, might as well replace that, too.

So I was looking at clutch kit prices from trusty DiscountAutoParts.com and the only brand they carry (for a '91 Isuzu Impulse RS) is "Rhino Pac", which I've never heard of. Anyone have anything good/bad to say about them? Any other recommendations?

And as far as a ring gear, the only place that has those so far is Dave Bean in California. Anyone know of anywhere else these are available?

And I read through the posts in this forum looking for people chiming in about how easy/hard it is to change the clutch, but didn't really get a good solid "it ain't so bad" or "suckiest job ever" answer. At the labor rates from the dealer here, I can't afford a 3rd mortgage to have them do it. (The 2nd mortgage is for the clutch kit)

by **Hegg** » Fri 13.10.2006, 00:46

Oh, and I would assume to replace the Pressure Plate as well. Is there any reason not to?

by **Candles** » Fri 13.10.2006, 09:42

Swapping the clutch, pressure plate and release bearing is easy, it is getting the transmission out that is hard, especially if you are using jacks and stands.

I put in an aluminium fly (AASCO)and 6-puck clutch (clutch specialities). See here for pics: Pics

I got it from F5 performance over in the US, but their websites seem to be down or something. Maybe they are no longer trading??

Candles.

by **Hegg** » Fri 13.10.2006, 14:43

I've always wished with transmissions that you could just "put" another gear in. I'd love it if the Elan was a 6-speed.

by **Monty** » Fri 13.10.2006, 17:46

Hegg,

Sorry to hear the problems u`r having as per u`r other thread and hopefully u will do the work u`r self amd get some satisfaction out of it. What part is the ring gear? is this the part the flywheel attaches too?

If u decide to for the Assco flywheel and 6 puk clutch could i jump on board on a joint buy? as we can`t get those parts in the uk.

by **Hegg** » Fri 13.10.2006, 17:51

I was thinking of replacing the flywheel with the aluminum one, but I'm not sure what the point of a 6-puck clutch disc is. Is it just to reduce weight? It seems like it'd have less grip since there is less surface area touching the flywheel.

The ring gear is the toothed gear that goes around the outside of the flywheel. It's only purpose is to allow your starter to grab on to something when you start your car.

by **Monty** » Fri 13.10.2006, 18:13

didn`t realise the teeth were a seperate piece :roll:

6 puk clutch has more grip, don`t ask me why :roll:

but most of the guys who have done quaife and fly uprades have fitted these too.

by **Hegg** » Fri 13.10.2006, 21:25

Anyone know about the Daikin brand? http://www.autohausaz.com seems to have the plate, disc, and bearing for a reasonable price. From what I can find out about Daikin, they make good products.

Just seeing if anyone has a red flag. I'm actually having a hard time finding a ring gear anywhere though.... A light flywheel would be nice, too (especially if it came with a ring gear on it).

by **Candles** » Sat 14.10.2006, 07:56

The AASCO one comes with the ring gear.

Friction is independent of area, hence a 6-puck can have the same grip as a full clutch. It is to do with the properties of the compound, pressure and eventually cooling.

by **Hegg** » Sat 14.10.2006, 15:48

Would you happen to have the AASCO part number? I can't seem to find a place that lists Isuzu or Geo (or Lotus) as a valid vehicle for AASCO.

I was also looking at the Centerforce clutch kit for the rest of the stuff. Seems like a reputable brand with a little more high-performance product.

by **Hegg** » Sat 14.10.2006, 16:01

Here's some information on Centerforce:
http://www.racepages.com/brand/centerforce.html

I know, it's probably all marketing fluff. Here's the kit:
http://www.buyaclutch.com/performance/buy.php?makeid=13&year=1991&modelid=421&partid=137&brandid=2110

And the throwout bearing:
http://www.buyaclutch.com/performance/brand.php?makeid=13&modelid=421&year=1991&partid=4803

And finally the flywheel:
http://www.jazzproparts.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=111871

With some marketing fluff about them:
http://www.fidanza.com/productdetails.aspx?id=aluminum_flywheels

Anyone think I'm off base if I get that set?

by **Hegg** » Tue 17.10.2006, 19:58

Sure hope these parts show up soon. Sounds like they're at least a week out. Bummer having to drive my Esprit every day now...

by **Dave M** » Thu 16.11.2006, 17:53

Any luck with these Hegg? Desmond is looking to do the same and it looks like you've found some good deals on these products. Did you get the Centerforce clutch & pressure plate and the Fidanza flywheel?

by **Hegg** » Thu 16.11.2006, 18:11

I have received the CenterForce kit and it looks to be an exact match. The Fidanza flywheel was 5 weeks backordered (I think I'm down to 2 weeks left), so I'm still waiting.

However, I was nervous about waiting that long for a flywheel that wasn't even correct, so I called Fidanza directly (and first of all confirmed it was 5 weeks) and got the blueprint measurements for the flywheel and measured them against my flywheel it and everything sounds like an exact match.

I'll post again once I actually get my flywheel and confirm the matching part numbers. I'm glad that it looks like it'll work, and for mostly reasonable prices. However, all of the flywheel suppliers (aluminum or not) basically say that this flywheel just isn't in demand so they don't make very many. I'd expect supply to be hard from just about anyone.

As a side note though, my current steel flywheel is extremely light. It looks stock and I don't see that any area has had metal shaved off. How much does the stock flywheel weigh? The Fidanza is 8.5 lbs apparently, but the stock doesn't even feel like it weighs that much! The pressure plate, however, is quite heavy (both the stock and the CenterForce).

Hegg

P.S. If anyone has a contact with Fidanza, please tell them to hurry! My Esprit ain't gonna hold up much longer!

by **desmondsee** » Mon 20.11.2006, 16:23

Hello,
it is indeed very comforting to hear that the Centreforce dual friction is an exact fitting clutch. I was also betting on the Fidanza as it seems some members are using that. I was considering between this and the AASCO but couldnt find any material on the AASCO. Also i read Fidanza marketing stuff that it could go with almost any type clutches so i decided to get it...still, it was just mktg material.
Anyway, i am hoping that i wont have to wait 5 weeks ...i dont have another Esprit to drive meanwhile

Looking forward to hear more on the fitments and performance please, thanks!

by **desmondsee** » Mon 20.11.2006, 16:31

Hello,
it is indeed very comforting to hear that the Centreforce dual friction is an exact fitting clutch. I was also betting on the Fidanza as it seems some members are using that. I was considering between this and the AASCO but couldnt find any material on the AASCO. Also i read Fidanza marketing stuff that it could go with almost any type clutches so i decided to get it...still, it was just mktg material.
Regarding the stock flywheel, i felt that the stock was somewhat heavy. think it was about 5kg..I had a custom made flywheel but i dun somehow i dun trust that. that garage seems a bit shifty....
Anyway, i am hoping that i wont have to wait 5 weeks ...i dont have another Esprit to drive meanwhile

Looking forward to hear more on the fitments and performance please, thanks!

by **Hegg** » Mon 20.11.2006, 16:38

If you do order the Fidanza, let me know how long they're making you wait. I ordered Fidanza part number: 111871, which I called and got the specs on and they appear to match precisely.

Best of luck! I really really really want to drive my Elan again. I hope this arrives soon!

by **Hegg** » Fri 24.11.2006, 04:58

Well, I decided to give Fidanza themselves a call to get an update on the status. They say that they only have one order in for that part and it was only placed just a few days ago. So the vendor I bought this from sat around on it for 5 weeks before placing the order with Fidanza! Fidanza said that now they have an order in, it's 4 to 6 weeks before it's done!!

The Esprit is dead and I have no car to drive anymore!! I've already been out a car for 6 weeks, and waiting 6 more is going to be the death of me.

Ah well... it's the price you pay for deciding to drive the world's best car as your daily transport!

by **desmondsee** » Sat 25.11.2006, 05:39

I can identify with how you feel and it;s only been 1.5 weeks for me!
But i have quite a load of parts coming from SJ too. So i try to manage this feeling. Even so, i am also waiting for Dave's short shift

As for the Fidanza, i hope that they can come up fast. Otherwise, wont you consider the AASCO ? perhaps its faster? I read from prior threads that AASCO doesnt slip whereas the Fidanza....

Cheers

by **Dave M** » Sat 25.11.2006, 05:46

Hegg wrote:If you do order the Fidanza, let me know how long they're making you wait. I ordered Fidanza part number: 111871, which I called and got the specs on and they appear to match precisely.

Just to make sure, I went back and checked my old invoice. I have the same part number, so it will fit perfectly.

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