Any Interest in getting a Chevy LSx powered Eclat / Elite

[jellison]

Saw an nice late one last night and just thought Hmmmm!

See what is like in a TVR from my Profile - or do you think a bit too fragile for 400bhp?

Would the diff be up to it? Etc.....

[anonymous-user]

My hobby-horse of the moment is that the Corvette engine/transaxle could work nicely in the back of a cost-effective new Esprit and offer a handy 400 bhp/500 bhp model range. However, I'd be staggered if there's enough room in the front of an Eclat/Elite for an LS but even if there is I can't help thinking a chassis and running gear designed for a light 140 bhp engine would be completely overwhelmed. IIRC even the later Exel models didn't go much over 160 bhp with all the improved Toyota bits.

[Sam_68]

jellison said:

Would the diff be up to it?

Nope!

Neither would the chassis, the brakes, the suspension, the cooling system, the aerodynamics....

The Excel is a bit more robust (thanks to the Toyota bits) but the basic backbone frame really isn't up to it, so you would have to fabricate a 'Spyder' style tubular backbone replacement with upgraded brakes and suspension, brakes and drivetrain if you want it all to hang together.

[jellison]

Pity - however I think doa-able I have seen alot of old elites with Rover V8's of various spec and an LS is only a fraction bigger - (I would know!) so I recon easy. Of course up date brakes. But if exhaust cam forward like in tvr rather than down I recon it would work - after all the Lotus lump is really in clided an has huge sidedraughts carbs that take up alot of room.

Brakes and diff + the engine swap - easy - TVR chassis is up to it. I have 140bhp more that the Chim500 ever had!

[Simonelite501]

It comes down to the weight of the mill I guess. The Chevy weighs in at around 360kgs out of the crate, whereas the Rover is a mere 230kgs. The Rover conversions are great for drag racing but completely ruin all the subtle handling Characteristics of the original. They also require modification to the bonnet (no matter which carb set up you use) which just looks ugly.
Oh, and if you do mash up the diff, its a real Brd to replace!

>> Edited by Simonelite501 on Thursday 26th January 10:10

[jellison]

I think you weights are on Small block not all alloy LSx's - my car is barely any different in weight to pre-swap.

Think the diff would have to go - but easy replacment with a BTR.

LS engine much lower than plenum RV8 - doubt a modded bonnet would be required - I have alot more space above my engine than with the RV8.

[Simonelite501]

Is this not the engine?

General Specifications
Displacement 5.7L (5665cc, 346ci) Gross Horsepower 310 @ 5200 RPM, 320 @ 5800 RPM
Bore/Stroke 3.90/3.62 Gross Torque 340 @ 4000 RPM, 330 @ 4400 RPM
Compression Ratio
10.1:1 Maximum RPM
6200
Firing Order
1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3 Out of crate weight.
Approximately 390 lbs.
Spark Plug
ACDelco 12
ACDelco 41-985 Spark Plug Gap
.060”, 1.524 mm

Block Specifications
Block Material
319-T5 Aluminum Block Description
90° V, Deep skirt with cast-in iron sleeves.
Bore Spacing
4.40” Deck Height
9.24”
Main Bearings
5 Thurst Bearing
Center Bulkhead
Bearing Caps
4 vertical bolts, 2 cross bolts


Cylinder Head Specifications
Material
356-T6 Aluminum Description
Cross flow, wedge combustion chamber.
Ports
Symmetrical, intake and exhaust Chamber Volume
67.3 cc
Head Gasket
0.052” compressed


Crankshaft Specifications
Material
Cast Nodular Iron Features
Undercut and rolled fillets.
Crank Pin Diameter
2.10” Main Bearing Diameter
2.56”

Piston Specifications
Material
Cast Aluminum Description
Strutless, flat top.
Compression Ht.
1.34” Weight
15.5 oz.

Induction System
Manifold
One-piece composite. Throttle Body
75.0 mm bore dia.
_________________
LS1Racer
1998 Onyx Black Z/28
408 cubic inches of nitrous injected LS1!!!

>> Edited by Simonelite501 on Thursday 26th January 11:35

>> Edited by Simonelite501 on Thursday 26th January 11:37

[Simonelite501]

and this is from a well known RV8 tuner.

General V8 Engine information

Dimensions of the Rover V8 engine fully dressed, and weighing in at 230KG all up.

[jellison]

Best get mine weigh again.

Miles better than with RV8 and handling is not differnet on std suspension - engine in mine is owna dn back a bit from RV8. And use TKO 600 box, not t56 (really heavy) from f-bodies etc, or std t5 slightly lighter but now way up to torque.

Lighter better exhaust, race battery, alloy rad, etc etc all adds up.

Yep basically the same only LS6.

[Sam_68]

jellison said:

Pity - however I think doa-able I have seen alot of old elites with Rover V8's of various spec

I've seen a few with RV8's but nothing to a particularly high spec. - certainly nothing that would bear comparison with a 5.0 TVR spec. motor, let alone a Chevvy.

Sure, it's do-able, but remember that the Elite/Eclat has inboard drum rear brakes, a rear suspension and diff that are notoriously fragile even with the standard 2.0 litre Lotus powerplant, and Triumph front uprights with trunnions, again renowned for not being up to the loads of post-1960's 'low profile' rubber (and I'm talking 186x60 Dunlops, not the latest 'track day special' rubber).

By the time you have finished, what you would have would be a completely new car with a Lotus Elite bodyshell dropped over the top of it.

Possible, yes.

Worth the effort? How much do you like the shape?

[jellison]

Sam_68 said:

jellison said: Pity - however I think doa-able I have seen alot of old elites with Rover V8's of various spec I've seen a few with RV8's but nothing to a particularly high spec. - certainly nothing that would bear comparison with a 5.0 TVR spec. motor, let alone a Chevvy. Sure, it's do-able, but remember that the Elite/Eclat has inboard drum rear brakes, a rear suspension and diff that are notoriously fragile even with the standard 2.0 litre Lotus powerplant, and Triumph front uprights with trunnions, again renowned for not being up to the loads of post-1960's 'low profile' rubber (and I'm talking 186x60 Dunlops, not the latest 'track day special' rubber). By the time you have finished, what you would have would be a completely new car with a Lotus Elite bodyshell dropped over the top of it. Possible, yes. Worth the effort? How much do you like the shape?

This bit of clarification kills it for me the rear brakes and fragile std diff - tunions I can handle (I know what my TR4 can stand on the track). Not a lover of the shape - think it is understated and cool. Oh well never mind.