Lotus Elan Central

by **mikeh2** » Fri 19.05.2006, 16:56

That's the spirit! When's your first hillclimb in the Elan, Sy?
By the way, no implied critisism of the M100, its just that my 12 years of motorsport has always been done on a shoestring. I have to consider repair costs as accidents in competition are not uncommon.
My 20,000 miles of M100 motoring has been most enjoyable.

by **John_W** » Fri 19.05.2006, 18:22

Sy V wrote:I find that if one costs out every possible eventuality, one reverts to a stagnated state of inaction and pessimism.

Ah,
like my erstwhile employer then.
John :twisted:

by **Sy V** » Sat 20.05.2006, 06:24

The whole project is (not surprisingly) getting clogged down at the moment. The CEL syndrome is cured with the addition of a new ECU (bought at Donington). PAS pump still needs fitting. Gearchange is sorted. Rear wishbone is in but despite having thoroughly checked all corners individually the front wheels appear to have to much of an anhedral appearance (I suspect chassis/prongeron damage). The seat and harnesses cannot be fitted until there's some form of rollcage in situ. So it'll be a non-tracking Stripey at Castle Combe next weekend, if anything.

As an aside, Gail and Dan broke down in the Vectra a couple of weekends ago (on the outskirts of Huntingdon) and were relayed home by the AA. The waterpump had seized solid and catapulted the cambelt off. Pump. valves, valve sleaves, gaskets and cambelt replaced, head skimmed -- during which time she was doing the school run and daily commute in the Series III Landrover -- the car broke down again last night (she heard a bang and lost all systems).
So the car was abandoned (we'll tow it in this morning) and will be fixed in the same unit as the Flying Cat is being worked on. The Vectra (as the family car) will take priority (again) in the repair stakes, so that's another w/e of inactivity on this project, which, you might be able to tell is starting to piss me off a little,

by **philip_sloper** » Sat 20.05.2006, 08:38

Sorry to hear about the car problems, nasty bills by the sound of it.

by **Monty** » Tue 09.01.2007, 17:53

Sy, How u getting on with the flying cat? Just wondering if u might have it ready for Donny and maybe do there trackday

by **Doug** » Tue 09.01.2007, 19:50

Monty wrote:Sy, How u getting on with the flying cat? Just wondering if u might have it ready for Donny and maybe do there trackday

seems that post was meant to be a :poke:

??

wasn't he using it as a large peet bog planter box ?

wonder how much of it the mice have eaten ?

:-D

by **Sy V** » Tue 09.01.2007, 23:18

The mice haven't been near it but the project has stalled while I concentrate on Stripey and her new engine.

by **GeoffSmith** » Tue 09.01.2007, 23:29

While the Cat's away, the mice do play.

by **Sy V** » Sun 21.01.2007, 08:51

I am very close to relinquishing this project.

I have less and less time and inclination these days, and while I'm working on Stripey the presence of this car, going nowhere and costing me storage, is getting on my tits.

Add to that, the fact that I'm getting no younger and that my degenerative back problem is giving me more and more grief more and more regularly, I cannot see that I'm ever going to be in a position, either mentally or physically to see this to an end.

One thing's for sure, it'd take a great deal of work and spares to get it back on the road, but it's still quite viable as a dedicated track project.

I've had interest from a local spotty scrote, but I'd rather not sell it to him - he doesn't fill me with faith that he'd do it justice.

I may have a change of heart, but I think not.

by **Sy V** » Tue 11.09.2007, 10:11

This project car is now for sale. Either as a complete entity, or I'll invite part requirers to a stripping frenzy.

See For Sale section

http://www.lotuselancentral.com/forum/v ... hp?t=10632

by **surfboardfiller** » Fri 07.03.2008, 21:23

The Cat has flown the nest and roosted in my garage. Thank you Sy this should keep me out of trouble for the next 12 months or so!

I'm not going to discuss my (not so) recent project ambitions, but I have been encouraged to post something as regards to it's development into a competitive race car.

I'll just post what I have done, when and why, just for your amusement.

Not much has happened so far other than the front bodywork is being rebuilt to free up some engine bay 'elbow' space and give better access to all mechanical parts. But I want to relaunch this project with SyV's new forum organisation. Also Ailwyn's project competition and my usual opinionated rants about how supercharging is so great for a track car, has attracted some interest.

I have removed the dump valve and replaced the header tank and a few other old and broken parts.

I am designing a full roll over cage and have booked this to be built along with harness' and seats to be fitted.

A new set of 16" wheels have arrived today.

by **surfboardfiller** » Fri 07.03.2008, 21:31

Before I start, thanks go out to:
Sideburn Kid for donating his Clam shell
DaveT for donating his old damaged bonnet.
Ajax for taking the good parts off me and putting them to good use! and leaving me with some re build able parts.
Dave Eds for selling the hood at a price I can afford.

Soon to be The Fast Cat. I believe weight reduction comes before any Gas Flow engine work and a totally new Induction system.

Step 1 - Front Airflow