More Questions?

[vincereynard]

Having read the Hughes book I now have a few more "availability" questions.

Great store is given to the quality and specification of the various raft bushes. Allegedly slight changes could make a big difference. Are the original spec. still available?
Same with the "special" tyres. Are modern tyres suitable? I'm thinking that as the suspension is tuned for little camber change
a square edge tyre would not be a negative?

Filters? Any problem obtaining these? A standard Halfords type filter that would be a straight sustitution.
Springs would be easy to replace to whatever spec wanted but dampers?
EDIT : To save repetition I have just found this excellent thread. viewtopic.php?f=46&t=9465

Any other unobtainiums (other than hood seals)?
Allegedly each car had its 4 wheel tracking was accurately set up at the build finish. I can see no adjustable bits, so how? Shims? Big Hammer?

The reason for these questions is that I have just finished rebuilding a +2 and getting bits (especially rubber bits) that are not rubbish or have not
been updated can be a problem.

Thanks

[par]

In response to some of the points you raise:-

Oil Filter - It is the same size and fitment as Honda oil filters, I use HAMP (Honda After Market Parts - made by Honda) basically because I had stock left over from previous projects and I am Scottish so dont like to waste money . These are highly rated in the Honda tuning world where high revving engines are the norm.

Hood Seals - contact Jamie N on here who turns out better than OEM seals.

Suspension Geometry - Front is adjusted through shims at the top ball joint and a range of drilled blocks that sit in a slot in the upper wishbone. Rear has an eccentric bolt at the inside of the wishbone and has a top adjustable bar which is tubular with threaded section with locking nuts on later styles and many have switched to these.

I rebuilt my suspension front and back but didnt change the raft bushes as they seemed OK (and difficult to get hold of as you mention), most of the other bushes were replaced by the PU type replacements.

[Bern]

I've just rebuilt my suspension, and referred to this:

www.lotusm100.com/manuals/Elan-M100-Service-Manual-v6.pdf

Try section CE (about 1/2 way through)

I got all of the parts from SJ Sportscars

It does seem like slight changes do have a big impact. I've had one eye on the Lotus spec and the other on how it actually feels when driving it (er, if that's physically possible), and have been making small changes until I've got it how I like it.

I've used the Adjustable dampers from SJ, and have taken some time to get it to a point where the front isn't too soft and the rear not too hard. And too much of a difference between the front and the rear leads to nasty scuttle shake! Tyre pressures also seem to make quite a difference here. A few times I've thought about just putting the old dampers back on!

[vincereynard]

Thanks for the replies.

So it is all (hopefully) adjustable enough to cope with variations. The +2 is sensitive to rear toe in and many owners have expressed how fitting adjustable arms has transformed the car.
Makes one wonder how many actually handled properly to begin with?

I've used the Adjustable dampers from SJ, and have taken some time to get it to a point where the front isn't too soft and the rear not too hard. And too much of a difference between the front and the rear leads to nasty scuttle shake! Tyre pressures also seem to make quite a difference here. A few times I've thought about just putting the old dampers back on!

Suppliers seem unable to resist the temptation to "upgrade" the specifications.

How about windscreens?

[JusNoGood]

Various options out there for windscreen:

https://www.google.co.uk/search?source= ... 9h5ts9pjgQ

Hazard warning switch tricky to find. I've not had one break on all the classics I've had to date though - why did I say that . Replacement Window motors are tricky too - although someone does recondition them...SJS I think it is.

On ebay there are a number of breakers selling parts so I'm sure you could get everything at a mark up if it's not available through RockAuto, SJS, Lotus, Paul Matty etc etc

[vincereynard]

As a +2 owner, another question arises.

How about the steel sill reinforcement and outriggers? Is it even possible to check without dismantling lots of bits?

[JusNoGood]

All sorts of things are detailed in the wiki. Well worth having a read.

http://wikilec.com/view/Main_Page

There is a buyers guide there too which is very comprehensive and covers things you wont know to ask.

http://wikilec.com/view/Buyers_guide

You need to pull away either the plastic trim in the roof cavity or more likely the carpet in the cabin to get to the outriggers. If you can convince the owner to let you do that you can use an iPhone endoscope (few quid from ebay) to have a look. I cant remember how we did it on mine.

Lots of discussion about outriggers here with helpful pictures to show you where and what you'll be looking at.
viewtopic.php?f=30&t=17298

[vincereynard]

You need to pull away either the plastic trim in the roof cavity or more likely the carpet in the cabin to get to the outriggers. If you can convince the owner to let you do that you can use an iPhone endoscope (few quid from ebay) to have a look. I cant remember how we did it on mine.

Lots of discussion about outriggers here with helpful pictures to show you where and what you'll be looking at.
viewtopic.php?f=30&t=17298

Brilliant thread if a bit scary!