New Member From Cyprus! :)

[zinon]

hello everyone!!
my name is zinon and i am from Cyprus! I bought a red Lotus Elan se 1992 and i am waiting the car to come in Cyprus!
I am 21 an it is my 4th car but my first lotus and i am curious if i made the right choise to buy a car that is almost 18 years old!
I intend to change my wheels and tires but i dont know what to buy! And my final change on the car is that i want to change the suspension to lower the car and to be better but i have no idea what to buy so please hepl me!!


Zinon Kambanas

[rip]

Welcome to the forum.
An Elan would certainly be enjoyable to drive in your climate. It shouldn't depreciate any more either so you should be able to sell it if you decide it is not for you.
Wheels/tyres: the Elan has very unusual wheels so choose carefully. The offset is +60 so most other wheels would stick out a litle more.
Why do you want it lowered? The Elan is fairly low already. This is another one to be careful about as you could easily upset the car's fantastic handling. Remember that Lotus are the suspension experts of the entire industry, so there must have been a good reason to choose the current ride height.

[zinon]

I hope it is enjoyable in my country! But have you ever been in Cyprus? the streets sucks!
anw i am not going to change suspension if it is ok but if its not then what?
And another thing i want to ask you guys.. about the mountain chips! do the actually give me 200 hp or not! and if it does is it safe?

[zinon]

Can someone tell me pls where ca i find o hardtop???
please answer me!!

[rip]

Suspension: Bobbrown is co-ordinating a replacement setup with Nitron & Eibach.
Mountain chip: Increases boost from 0.65 bar to 0.8bar (Kilimanjaro) or 0.9bar (Everest) but retains the fuel cut-off safety feature. A larger exhaust will also help flow, which also increases power. Yes, you can easily get 200hp with a chip alone, and they are very easy to fit. The exhaust helps too. You may end up having to port your wastegate afterwards because it may not be able to cope with the extra gas flow (This is a turbo out job but some get away without having to do it ).
Accurate Ignition timing is absolutely critical under boost. It makes an enormous difference so get it working at its best before thinking of upgrades, otherwise you'll just be wasting your money.
Hardtops were hand-made to order. Check through the site because they often come up for sale.

One thing you have not mentioned is brakes. The standard ones are rubbish.

[transporter]

Hello Zinon and welcome i'm 21 years old too and i own an elan s2 calypso red 1995 model.You couldn't have bought a better roadster with that class of handling and you shouldn't change anything from the custom set up of the suspension,believe me even in Greece it's ok (we have bad streets too) you have to get used to in time as you drive the car just be carefull.If you want to put the chip to increase boost my advice is to upgrade your brakes just to be safe because the custom brakes are not enough for 200hp(i think they put the wrong brakes in the wrong car).

[Blue_Bullet]

Hello Zinon and welcome i'm 21 years old too and i own an elan s2 calypso red 1995 model.You couldn't have bought a better roadster with that class of handling and you shouldn't change anything from the custom set up of the suspension,believe me even in Greece it's ok (we have bad streets too) you have to get used to in time as you drive the car just be carefull.If you want to put the chip to increase boost my advice is to upgrade your brakes just to be safe because the custom brakes are not enough for 200hp(i think they put the wrong brakes in the wrong car).

Wrong Brakes in the Right Car!!!!

Just get your hands on some Paget Blues for the Front, and some decent ones for the back I got Green Stuffs on the back but apperently they no good until they are hot!!! Works on my car a treat and I have everest chip,Peco exhaust and RIP sorted my tuning, the car goes like a stink and they are stopping me great for now, until I got the money for the Wilwood setup!!!

Oh and dont change the wheels for 17"'s unless you change the suspension because they will cut on the front arch causing the tyre to slice!!!

[rip]

I read on another forum that EBC have changed their Greenstuff compound several times & the latest is ok from cold too. Who knows what old stock is lying around though???
Other pad options are available from the US. You'll find more details about these in the 'Pads' thread in the part cross-reference section.

[Blue_Bullet]

Cyprus Traffic really!!

Last time i was there was speeding about like a nutter, and not a copper or a camera to see!
Yes there was traffic in the City but nothing compared to London and most of the Citys over here!!!

I am sure you will find it enjoyable - sun sea, loads of women about, roof down cruising sounds like heaven to me!

Dunno why you want to lower it or change the suspension though!

[zinon]

Thanks guys! you guys know what you are doing:) not like me though!
If the suspension is good and grives nicely i wont change it but the brakes... i didn't know that they suck!!
I might change them but i have no idea what is good for an elan!
what about brembo?? are they good for the elan?
And for the Everest chip im thinking about it!!!
Thanks again guys!!

[rip]

Upgraded pads will help, but the calipers do not dissipate heat very effectively.
Lotusgirlmarie has fitted Brembo's but I believe nobody else has. LGM is very keen & the quality of her work is very good, so I would not be surprised if there was a lot of engineering involved with fitting these calipers.
The more common upgraded calipers are HiSpecs, Wilwoods or AP Racing.

[zinon]

? !!
I'll just wait fot the car to come, i will test it and then i will change parts!! if it is ok i wont do anything!
thanks or cheers!

I will ask LGM if the bembo are good!!
Also about the hard top does anyone know how much does it costs??

[Blue_Bullet]

An arm and a leg!! What do you need a hard top for in Cyprus lol !

[zinon]

lol!!
I just thing that it looks good with a hardtop!! And why wouldn't buy a hardtop if it is cheap?
I hpe it is!

[Blue_Bullet]

The one thing about hard tops is that they are never cheap!

Get the car first then do the brakes if you like but i would strongly advise you to get comfortable with driving the car before you make any performance mods improving speed/acceleration!

Elans Can and Do bite back sometimes if you drive them like mad!

Be Warned!