Lotus Elan Central

by **Elan_Matt** » Wed 15.02.2006, 23:52

Hi guys,

My '90 Elan SE has just failed its MoT on a leakage in the exhaust system and problems with the rear brakes. I have taken it to Merritt's Lotus in Amersham to get it repaired, but there they have quoted me £414 to replace just the centre exhaust part (I will post a new topic in the appropriate forum about the brakes), which seems very expensive to me, after having read many posts about a full Stainless Steel system being fitted for less than that.

Being a bit low on money at the moment, I was hoping to get just the centre section of the exhaust replaced (as this is the part with the leak), but if the price is similar to a full Stainless Steel system, I don't really see the point and might as well go for the whole thing. Has anyone got any experience getting parts of the exhaust replaced rather than getting a full system fitted and if so, can this be done at any regular (i.e. non-rip off main dealer) garage?

If I do go for a full stainless steel system, I think I will try to get a standard 2" one, without the squished part I've been reading so much about. Will this make a considerable difference in power? Anyone know a good place to get this fitted around north of London/Hertfordshire? I read about some places in Essex which I would consider.

Sorry about the long post with so many questions, have just been a bit shocked by the price of fixing the problems on my Elan after spending £845 at the end of October on a B service at said garage... Would be grateful for any help and suggestions.

Cheers,
Matt

by **Monty** » Thu 16.02.2006, 00:18

There are some robbing B*$ta*rds out there, these people should be name and shamed. The best bet is to get one from SJ`s and take it to any local exhaust garage to get it fitted. They also do stainless in 2" but i think it still has the squish. If u do go for a custom built (which u should get for £300 to £400) at least go for the 21/4".

http://www.sjsportscars.co.uk/partsandaccessories/parts.asp

http://www.sjsportscars.co.uk/partsandaccessories/srchRes.asp?Car_ID=9&Type1_ID=16&srch=&Submit=search

Exhausts | Genuine exhaust parts
EXHAUST DOWN PIPE (Series 2) A100S6019F EACH
40.35

Exhausts | Genuine exhaust parts
EXHAUST DOWN PIPE, (Series 1 Turbo ) C100S0023F EACH
56.79

Exhausts | Genuine exhaust parts
EXHAUST FRONT PIPE (Series 1 with catalyst) B100S0061F EACH
44.85

Exhausts | Genuine exhaust parts
REAR SILENCER (Turbo non Cat) (Lotus) J100S0008F EACH
187.30

Exhausts | Manifolds
EXHAUST MANIFOLD A100E6166S EACH
151.49

Exhausts | Manifolds
GASKET, EXHAUST MANIFOLD to HEAD A100E6097S EACH
12.03

Exhausts | Orginal lotus exhaust parts
EXHAUST CENTRE SECTION (Series 2) With catalist fitted. A100S6023F EACH
58.65

Exhausts | Orginal lotus exhaust parts
INTERMEDIATE PIPE (Lotus) For all non-catalyst cars. C100S0007F EACH
30.75

Exhausts | Stainless steel exhausts
CENTRE SECTION (Turbo, non-cat) SJ100S0003 EACH
37.21

Exhausts | Stainless steel exhausts
FRONT SECTION (Turbo, non cat) SJ100S0004 EACH
44.58

Exhausts | Stainless steel exhausts
REAR SILENCER (Non turbo) St/St SJ100S0007 EACH
100.61

Exhausts | Stainless steel exhausts
St/St 'SPORTS' REAR SILENCER SJ100S0006 EACH
98.68

Exhausts | Stainless steel exhausts
STAINLESS STEEL SYSTEM (Turbo, non-cat) SJ100S0005 4 piece
231.00

+vat

by **Enright** » Thu 16.02.2006, 02:16

Just a few months ago I bought a stainless centre section from SJ for my 91 SE. But now I'm on the point of fitting a full 2 1/4" one.

Once it's on (in approx 1 week), my old one will be spare, but is still in almost new condition. With VAT and P&P it cost me just under £60. If I get half that back it will help me recoup some much needed costs. Let me know if interested.

by **woody** » Thu 16.02.2006, 08:45

Neil,
Where are you getting the 2 1/4" system fitted.
Woody

by **Elan_Matt** » Thu 16.02.2006, 10:02

Cheers for the quick replies guys.

Only reason I'm thinking about getting the standard 2" exhaust is because of "boost creep" I've been reading about. Is this really a problem? If not, I will go for the 2 1/4".

Has anyone had their exhaust from SJ's fitted at SJ's as well, or do they only deliver to other garages to have it fitted there?

by **pjohn151** » Thu 16.02.2006, 12:06

I got my exhaust from SJ, but I fitted it myself. Not too bigger job if you have the tools and inclination, and you save the cost of fitting. I get boost creep as I fitted their sports exhaust that has less of a 'squash' on it than the original in the first section of the exhaust - I have learned to live with it and just keep an eye on the boost gauge.

Off topic - How are your rear brakes? Mine recently failed the MOT for being inefficient. From experiance and reading various forums it looks as if they have tightened the pass thresholds...

Phil

by **Enright** » Thu 16.02.2006, 13:15

woody wrote:Neil,
Where are you getting the 2 1/4" system fitted.
Woody

On my drive. Skinned knuckles, pulled muscles and blue language galore, but do-able. Fancy helping, then we can do yours after?

by **woody** » Thu 16.02.2006, 13:23

Hi Neil,
Yes anytime mate, and if I ever get the stiffy off Stevo,I'll be glad of your help.Have you bought the 2 1/4" system from Sj's.
Cheers,
Woody

by **Enright** » Thu 16.02.2006, 13:41

I'm buying Avonvilla's, which he didn't like.
Can you PM me your number?

by **Elan_Matt** » Thu 16.02.2006, 14:26

OK, I'll have a think about whether I can live with the boost creep. The extra power would be nice, but I would sometimes like to put my foot fully down without worrying about keeping my eye on the boost.

Phil, would you be interested in fitting a 2 1/4" exhaust on my Elan, in return for some financial compensation of course...

On the brakes topic, the rear ones failed, being only at 48% efficiency or something like that. The parking brake was even worse, around 10%. The main dealer I took it to wants to put new callipers on the rears after already rinsing me out of £100 for changing the brake fluid. Any tips on this? I know there is such a thing as a "calliper re-building kit", but being the newbie that I am, I don't think I would be able to do a very good job with it, even with the instructions I downloaded.

by **pjohn151** » Thu 16.02.2006, 16:51

If you don't want the boost creep then squashing the replacement front pipe to a similar size of the original pipe should sort the problem. I don't mind fitting your exhaust if you are getting it from SJ Sportscars, as I know that theirs will fit without any fettling. I can have a look at your rear brakes as well if you want...

Hit the PM button and we can try and arrange something

Phil

by **woody** » Thu 16.02.2006, 17:14

Phil,
For a £100 or so an Everest chip from ESM will cure the boost creep, inconjunction with a 2.25 or 2.5 inch exhaust system.
Regards,
Woody

by **Sy V** » Thu 16.02.2006, 18:10

by **Elan_Matt** » Thu 16.02.2006, 18:36

What sort of increase in insurance premium are we looking at though? Does the £100 include fitting the chip?

by **pjohn151** » Thu 16.02.2006, 18:50

From Alan's website

Requirements for a Successful Installation....(of ESM Chips)
Sports exhaust fitted (greater than 2 inch diameter)
If you have a large bore exhaust fitted (>2" bore) and suffer with boost creep this upgrade will not cure it. However, if an MBC was employed then its removal may have corrected the issue. It is advisable to check the hoses to the BSV for leaks thoroughly and to ensure unions are fully secured. Remember this line is pressurised under boost so the seals must be good. Test-drive the car to see if the creep has been resolved before fitting the chip. If boost increases beyond 0.95 bar then fuel cut will still occur with the chip and you should consider porting the wastegate, putting a constriction in the exhaust and whether its worthwhile installing the chip.

I don't particuarly want to port my wastegate, and as all my hoses are fine, I'll leave it for now.

Phil

by **nitroman** » Thu 16.02.2006, 21:26

Do you guys have some kind of "exhaust/chip police" whose 'beat' is inside your personal garage? I have never noticed an EPA inspector at my house. If any non-compliant device is on my car it must have been installed by the previous owner without my knowledge.

I just drive the car. Beyond that, as Sgt. Schultz said, "I know Nothing".

by **pjohn151** » Thu 16.02.2006, 21:35

Taking my car off the road to port the wastegate to cure my boost creep would mean missing out on valuable driving time

Phil

by **Doug** » Thu 16.02.2006, 21:54

I don't know if we have proof (yet) that Stevo's stiffy pipe will cure boost creep or not, but if it does that is one easier way to go -- get one of them and build an exhaust off of it.

by **Enright** » Thu 16.02.2006, 22:05

Here I go again, winding up the off-topic police, but I'm confused.

Can anyone explain why you would have to squish a bigger exhaust down to the original size to eliminate boost creep? Doesn't that completely negate the point of putting a bigger exhaust on in the first place?

And I thought the whole point of the the stiffy was to make it even more free-flowing, which if the above argument is correct, would only make the problem even worse!

Help, my brain hurts!

by **pjohn151** » Thu 16.02.2006, 22:06

Although the Stiffy will do away with the pre cat housing, doesn't that still leave the constriction of the wastegate aperture? Unless you port that at the same time as removing all the pre cat housing, in which case I'll miss out on driving again

Phil

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