Lotus Elan Central

I have had an Elan for about 2 years and have been using it as my daily driver. I decided it is time to turn her into an autocross machine that is still driveable to and from the track. After reading a bit on the forums here, I have made a list of what I am planning on doing. As of right now, the upgrades I have planned are as follows:

1) AP Racing Front Brake Rotors/4 Piston Calipers from BG Developments
2) Protech fully adjustable suspension from SJ Sportscars
3) RC Engineering 550cc injectors and GM 3 Bar MAP sensor
4) Quaife LSD
5) Wiseco Forged Pistons
6) Ported throttle body and evergreen turbo upgrade from Isuzuperformance
7) Piper 2.25" exhaust system
Everest chip
9) Intake System and Compressor bypass valve from Top End Performance
10) Aluminum Radiator and Intercooler
11) Short throw shifter from Allan Betts Motorsport
12) SPAL fans
13) Aeromotive Fuel System with a Walbro 255 pump
14) Samco silicone coolant hoses

As far as a clutch is concerned, I want to go with a six puck sprung hub but am undecided between Unorthodox Racing and Spec. I also want a strong flywheel, but Fidanza does not make them for our engine anymore so I have found one by Aasco but am unsure of the quality of the product. I am also looking to upgrade the rear brakes with Hi-spec but am having trouble figuring out which of their product line I would need to buy to fit on the car. Looking for advice if anyone has fitted these products on their vehicle.

I am looking for suggestions on the upgrades I have planned and also looking for any additional advice anyone has to offer. If anyone has any other ideas for my project, it would be greatly appreciated. I am also not really concerned about price, I have pretty much an unlimited budget and am looking to buy the best for her.

1) AP Racing Front Brake Rotors/4 Piston Calipers from BG Developments

Good move overall but not sure if you want a heavier brake for autocross

2) Protech fully adjustable suspension from SJ Sportscars

I would raise the spring rates as well, stock is fairly soft

3) RC Engineering 550cc injectors and GM 3 Bar MAP sensor

I never liked this idea, a standalone of something like a AEM FIC would work much better

4) Quaife LSD

For sure!

5) Wiseco Forged Pistons

Not needed unless going for 500hp

6) Ported throttle body and evergreen turbo upgrade from Isuzuperformance

I suspect you can get more performance from the stock turbo then you will ever
be able to put on the ground in a Autocross. There's only so much the front wheels can handle in 2nd gear.

7) Piper 2.25" exhaust system

Good move

Everest chip

Also good move

9) Intake System and Compressor bypass valve from Top End Performance

Agree, a bypass will help keep the turbo speed up

10) Aluminum Radiator and Intercooler

I don't think either will be of much help

11) Short throw shifter from Allan Betts Motorsport

I'd see Bob Brown for this one, don't forget the stainless cable upgrade

12) SPAL fans

Stock is fine unless they are dead

13) Aeromotive Fuel System with a Walbro 255 pump

Don't think you will need this much fuel even with the turbo upgrade

14) Samco silicone coolant hoses

Yeah pretty

As far as a clutch is concerned, I want to go with a six puck sprung hub but am undecided between Unorthodox Racing and Spec. I also want a strong flywheel, but Fidanza does not make them for our engine anymore so I have found one by Aasco but am unsure of the quality of the product. I am also looking to upgrade the rear brakes with Hi-spec but am having trouble figuring out which of their product line I would need to buy to fit on the car. Looking for advice if anyone has fitted these products on their vehicle.

You mean light flywheel?? For sure, it will help! I went with a stock pressure plate and a 6 puck, a little grabby but will hold alot of power.
I don't see the point of a rear brake upgrade, the rears on mine are almost turned off...

I am looking for suggestions on the upgrades I have planned and also looking for any additional advice anyone has to offer. If anyone has any other ideas for my project, it would be greatly appreciated. I am also not really concerned about price, I have pretty much an unlimited budget and am looking to buy the best for her.[/quote]

1) AP Racing Front Brake Rotors/4 Piston Calipers from BG Developments

Expensive option as the kit is £1200.00 + VAT, the Hi Spec front conversion is worth considering as it is under half the price (starting at £420.00)

2) Protech fully adjustable suspension from SJ Sportscars

Not the best quaility dampers for the Elan, Nitron do a kit with a choice of springs.

3) RC Engineering 550cc injectors and GM 3 Bar MAP sensor

Agree with Steve
4) Quaife LSD

Agree with Steve

5) Wiseco Forged Pistons

Agree with Steve


6) Ported throttle body and evergreen turbo upgrade from Isuzuperformance

Agree with Steve

7) Piper 2.25" exhaust system

2.5" if you are going for power

Everest chip

9) Intake System and Compressor bypass valve from Top End Performance

Agree with Steve


10) Aluminum Radiator and Intercooler

Agree with Steve


11) Short throw shifter from Allan Betts Motorsport

I may be a little bias but mine is better quaility and the short shift is now adjustable on the fore aft cable so the shift travel can be slightly shorter than standard or very short.


12) SPAL fans

Agree with Steve

13) Aeromotive Fuel System with a Walbro 255 pump

Agree with Steve


14) Samco silicone coolant hoses

Agree with Steve


As far as a clutch is concerned, I want to go with a six puck sprung hub but am undecided between Unorthodox Racing and Spec. I also want a strong flywheel, but Fidanza does not make them for our engine anymore so I have found one by Aasco but am unsure of the quality of the product.

I am also looking to upgrade the rear brakes with Hi-spec but am having trouble figuring out which of their product line I would need to buy to fit on the car. Looking for advice if anyone has fitted these products on their vehicle.

Best option may be a two pot caliper matched to the fronts, bias pedal box with twin master cylinders and a spot caliper for the handbrake

I am looking for suggestions on the upgrades I have planned and also looking for any additional advice anyone has to offer. If anyone has any other ideas for my project, it would be greatly appreciated. I am also not really concerned about price, I have pretty much an unlimited budget and am looking to buy the best for her.


You'll have to have deep pockets as this soon adds up
If you are looking at being competitive with other cars in your class you need to consider your opposition in the UK turbo cars have the engine size increased by a factor of 1.7 for the different classes so an Elan would be up with the big boys and do not think it would stand much chance of being competitive.

Last but not least the CV joints.
Steve

SCCA puts the car in A Street Prepared, it runs with pretty much the fastist street cars
on the road. If you come up ageinst a car prepped for the class I doubt you will
have much of a chance but you will still have fun!

Right Bob I agree, the larger exhust is the way to go.

One thing you don't look into and IMO the most important are the wheels and
tires. Will you be running a street tire class (wear rating no less then 140) or
a DOT race tire?

In my area we can run A/SP-ST or A/SP

Steve

Thanks for the advice guys. Think I'll skip the piston replacement and just get in there and replace the rings as they are surely old and worn.

Bobbrown, I have read on these forums that you do not sell your shift kit to the US. If this is untrue, I would like to look into it.

One other thing, does anyone know where I can get a rear upper strut bar for the car. I have not had any luck finding one anywhere.

Thanks for the advice guys. Think I'll skip the piston replacement and just get in there and replace the rings as they are surely old and worn.

Ring wear would depend on a number of factors and with modern materials they last a lot longer than people seem to think, 200k is not unreasonable if the mileage is towards the low side I would leave alone.

Bobbrown, I have read on these forums that you do not sell your shift kit to the US. If this is untrue, I would like to look into it.

Do not know where that came from as I have supplied both cables and short shifts to the US only thing is the cables I source in the US with the rest of the kit shipping from the UK. I your case if you are in Hawaii then it may be more economic to ship every thing from here.

One other thing, does anyone know where I can get a rear upper strut bar for the car. I have not had any luck finding one anywhere.

Personally I think a rear strut bar will do very much as the design at the rear is such that you can not get much if any movement on the top of the damper/spring.