Elan project

[wayne]

Hi (again) everyone. I used to own an Elan but sold it when I left Bahrain. I have recently returned to this sunny destination and tried to buy it back but the guy I sold it to did not want to sell it (and why would he)? So... I ended up with a Fiat Barchetta... The only other unusual little 2 seater that no one here has any idea what it is and there's no parts dealer... but just not as much fun as an Elan!!

Anyway I just came across another Elan here that has been parked up for a year. (I last saw it on the road 4 years ago so may be longer) The story I got was that it was running/ ideling very rough and needed new fuel injectors. I was told they were getting very hot?? They were removed about a year ago and it has never run since.

It is currently burried under a years worth of sand, looks to be in good origional shape (except cooling fans were changed to larger BMW fans to cope with the heat here)

From a quick look today it needs injectors, various release cables, a new glove box and of course hood seals and a new back window, spoiler lip, probably battery, filters, belts...... Oh god, here we go again!!

I guess first major problem is getting injectors. £108 each from SJ's anyone any idea if I can get any cheaper ones from anywhere? should I fit origional or upgrade to larger ones??

After this at least I can get power on and fire it up and see what other problems there are and what hase siezed up during it's time in the garage.

Any advice is welcome (and needed).... I know it's gonna cost me a fortune to put this old girl back on the road but I can't leave her there to rot. especially not in a country where there are only 3 elans that I know of.

[tigerdog]

RC Engineering injectors have been used successfully as replacements for the Elan's originals. 550cc injectors can be combined with a 3 Bar MAP sensor if you plan on ludicrous levels of boost (i.e., beyond a Mountain Chip.) Otherwise, RC make injectors in the stock size as well. Check out Doc Fizzix' "Hot to trot" engine rebuild thread in the Major Projects section for details. With the US Dollar in the toilet, these California-made parts should be a bargain.

[wayne]

Oops, I may have posted this thread in the wrong section... didn't see the projects section, sorry

Tigerdog, many thanks for the info on the RC injectors. will check them out.

My main concern will be getting her up and running but after that I would like to upgrade to higher levels of boost but as yet am kinda new to what I can now do with the Elan. I think the last time I had one was when the chips had just been released (about 2 years ago) so have alot of reading up to do....

Only thing i ever did in the past was fit a manual boost controler.

Would the larger injectors work with the stock setup? untill I upgraded the map sensor, chip etc?

where would I get hold of a 3 bar sensor?

[tigerdog]

Tigerdog, many thanks for the info on the RC injectors. will check them out. Would the larger injectors work with the stock setup? untill I upgraded the map sensor, chip etc? where would I get hold of a 3 bar sensor?

No, if you add larger injectors without changing anything else, you'll dump in far more fuel than the engine needs. The existing engine computer triggers the injectors for a certain amount of time. The stock injectors deliver the requisite amount of fuel in that time. If you add bigger injectors, they'll flow correspondingly more fuel in the same amount of time and you'll therefore run very rich (if you run at all.) The 3 Bar sensor fools the computer into thinking the engine us using 33% less air than it really is, so the computer triggers the injectors for a shorter amount of time. If you add an injector that flows correspondingly more fuel, the net results is close; close enough that the computer can compensate. Unfortunately, the timing is not taken into account and will therefore be wrong - typically with more advance than the stock curve would call for. This, in turn, increases risk of detonation (knock). Having written all this, Smaug wears a 3 bar sensor, 550cc injectors and a manual boost controller set to 16PSI (about 1.1 BAR) and runs quite well, at least here at sea level.

By far, the simplest way to make more power is to keep the stock setup including injectors and MAP sensor and install one of ESM's Mountain Chips. The highest setting will take you very close to a full bar of boost while keeping all the designed-in safeguards and factory-tuned air/fuel and timing curves.

If you take the time to read through various projects, you'll find a wealth of information that'll let you decide on a direction.

[wayne]

once again thanks, tigerdog.

Had a closer inspection the other day. Had a closer inspection the other day and seems it's gonna be a huge project.... I'm still not sure the injectors are the problem.. the guy recons he is an expert on the elan. I must admit that he knows (and has worked) on all 3 of them here on the island. but when I asked about the asdl connector and setting the timing I got a blank look....

After getting power on seems the fuel pump is not working.... ? windows are not working... 1 I can hear things moving... cable? / plastic things broke?? are they still available?

Mirrors not moving? have not yet checked fuse..... but do not expect it to be so simple.... found out it has been off the road for about 2.5 years....

Still waiting on my offer being accepted.... but at the end of the day have a nasty feeling I will pay what he wants (£2200) as I would love another elan and there are no others available here...

I know this sounds cheap... but the prices of cars here are much less than the uk... But not many people would be prepared to buy an Elan.... especially if they know how much parts cost!

[WillB]

To be honest it doesn't sound cheap with the work required!

A similar 'project' Elan in the UK would probably sell for around £800-1500

All parts you mention are available, at a cost, the window motors alone are around £200 each.

[wayne]

Many Thanks for the input will. I totally agree with you and I have seriously thought and looked at buying a car from europe (LHD here) but seems to be very little available...

I know this is gonna cost me a friggin fortune to fix..... got the latest sj price list. and have to sit down to read it... what scares me the most is the parts that are no longer available....

the other problem is I know that there are only 3 cars on the island and I would hate to see this one totally trashed by the locals.... If I don't buy it I can guarentee that the next time I see it it will have a toyota engine fitted to it..... Believe me it's the cheap answer to everything here.... I have seen an old esprit with one

If u could find a car for £800-£1000 I would be
willing to buy it for a parts donor and try to drive it here and take what parts I need and donate the rest for the shipping costs...

as far as the window motors go I was hoping it was gonna be a cable problem... which I can get re-made here... even motors get re wound.... failing that I hopr the plastic bits are still available

I must admit that I wasn't really looking for another car especially another elan.. but same reason as the first time I saw 1 for sale here. I think it's the pretiest car ever made....


Fortunatly here alot of parts can be made cheaply... or come from other cars.. ie: new manufactured rad about £40, new fuel pump (from a US Oldsmobile V8) identical replacement.... about £25, rear brakes available in the scrappers.... etc

It's only the lotus only parts that cost a fortune... ie UK prices plus shipping....

[Paul.P]

Theres one being broke & sold off on ebay at the moment, but you need to be quick !, & the plastic butterflies for the windows are still available.