E16LAN - a new lease of life

[rival]

After a couple of years driving and enjoying my Elan, I was thinking about changing it for something else - not because I'm bored with it, but there are so many other interesting cars out there.

But now is not a great time to be trying to sell a sports car in the UK, so I thought some upgrades to make it feel like a new car would go down well.

After many hours reading through posts on LEC, I made my decisions and today completed the following set of upgrades:
- remote entry and remote bootlid solenoid
- EBC grooved discs and Greenstuff pads
- Mountain Chips EEPROM with switching adaptor

Goes (and stops) so much better now.

More details and photos for those interested are at www.rivals.talktalk.net/lotus

Thanks to all those who post to LEC for the inspiration.

[Jackonicko]

Very nice.

I'm inspired already.....

Full leather seats next?

[surfboardfiller]

So keep the Elan and just buy more cars, that's what I do!

How did you wire up the boot solenoid. i just put one in my boot lid but not got round to putting wires to it.

[Enright]

Phil, this thread might provide the answer - it provided me with the inspiration and has been a really worthwhile upgrade.

[rival]

Yes, that thread was my inspiration but I wanted a neater fitting. The solenoid I had fitted was smaller than in the first photo so doesn't stick out, and was glued to the fibreglass rather than bolted, so no bolts showing like in the second photo. With the cut-out piece sealed back in place, it hardly shows at all. I had it installed by Car Sounds & Security in Cheltenham.

[surfboardfiller]

I don't suppose you know what they wired the switch up to?

I was involved in the thread but Pinkie wired his button up directly. I want mine to be dependant on the ignition being switched on.

[dapinky]

Phil,

Just as a thought, if you want a switched ignition feed, the nearest one to the boot that i can think of is going to be around the fuel tank (for the pump)

[rival]

Surferphil,

The wiring comes through the car from the immobiliser unit so I don't think it's wired to anything separate in the boot.

Is being switched through the ignition a security concern? I've already found it really convenient to be able to walk up the car and pop the boot with my key fob.

[surfboardfiller]

Ahh, I didn't explain myself properly!
I have doctered a Carlton fog light switch (so it springs back when you reliese it); this is situated next to the steering wheel. I want this switch to work when the ignition is powered.

My alarm system is in the dashboard somewhere and I have the button on my keyfob which I would like to work the solenoid, regardless of the ignition being powered.

The solenoid is in the boot ready and fitted but not connected yet.