Discussion
What is the best book to buy to understand the working gubbins of this car? ie engine, gearbox, electrics ... well just about everything 
For example:
Is the engine a Lotus own made or a modified other make like TVR?
Best place to get a new cambelt?
any information will be most helpful
thanks
For example:
Is the engine a Lotus own made or a modified other make like TVR?
Best place to get a new cambelt?
any information will be most helpful
thanks
The excel board(if its still running) would be a good place to start, or the Yahoo lotus4seaters http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/l forum maybe.
Better still, buy an Excel and some spanners
>> Edited by Simonelite501 on Wednesday 15th February 20:42
The excel board is now at www.lotusexcel.net
The Lotus workshop and parts manuals are available. (I've a feeling someone on the board has scanned them on a CD if you ask around?)
The engine is Lotus' own motor - same as the 4-cylinder Esprits (N/A). Gearbox & some other bits are off a Toyota Supra.
Genuine Lotus cambelts are available, but the equivalent is readily available from Gates - the part no. is on the Excel board somewhere.
>> Edited by Rob-C on Thursday 16th February 12:02
The Lotus workshop and parts manuals are available. (I've a feeling someone on the board has scanned them on a CD if you ask around?)
The engine is Lotus' own motor - same as the 4-cylinder Esprits (N/A). Gearbox & some other bits are off a Toyota Supra.
Genuine Lotus cambelts are available, but the equivalent is readily available from Gates - the part no. is on the Excel board somewhere.
>> Edited by Rob-C on Thursday 16th February 12:02
I will go and check them out. I am suprised that their are not more owners on here! Unless they are all in hiding? 
bluespanner said:
The engine is Lotus' own motor - same as the 4-cylinder Esprits (N/A).
is this not the engine based on a Bedford CF van block?
Nope, it's not.
Some early prototypes used a Vauxhall block because it happened to share the same bore centres, so it allowed Lotus to test the head for minimal cost. The production 900-series engines used an alloy block to Lotus' own design.
scared but happy said:
Thanks for gates link. So where is the best place to get spares? Engine and otherwise.
The main specialists are listed here
Edited to add...
...just checked your profile and notice that you have actually bought an Excel project car?
In that case, I'd strongly suggest you pay a visit to the annual Club Lotus Show at Donington in a few weeks. Amongst other things, there is a Lotus parts autojumble where you may be able to pick up many parts you need for your car, new or second hand, and there will certainly be workshop manuals and parts lists available to buy.
>> Edited by Sam_68 on Friday 17th February 22:36
^^^ I sure have I got it today by car transporter and its sitting in the garage at the moment waiting for parts. Shame I cannot make Donnington that would have been ideal for what I need. 
I only require Dash, Window switch, and zillions of other odds + sods and now a Clutch oh, and its smoking like hell so maybe head gasket? - will have to investigate when weather improves.
Still roll on the summer so I can strip it right down.
I got it today by car transporter and its sitting in the garage at the moment waiting for parts. Shame I cannot make Donnington that would have been ideal for what I need. I only require Dash, Window switch, and zillions of other odds + sods and now a Clutch oh, and its smoking like hell so maybe head gasket? - will have to investigate when weather improves.
Still roll on the summer so I can strip it right down.
Sam_68 said:
Some early prototypes used a Vauxhall block because it happened to share the same bore centres.
Despite being in a different material It shares quite a bit more than bore centres. The fact that Vauxhall used a Lotus block for a while in rallying (in the Chevette HSR) and almost got away with it sort of proves it
M100 said:
Some early prototypes used a Vauxhall block because it happened to share the same bore centres.
Despite being in a different material It shares quite a bit more than bore centres. The fact that Vauxhall used a Lotus block for a while in rallying (in the Chevette HSR) and almost got away with it sort of proves it
Naturally, having designed a head to sit on the Vauxhall block for prototyping purposes, when they eventually got round to designing their own block it shared a lot of similarities...you aren't going to bugger about changing bolt positions, oil and water galleries etc., etc., just for the sake of it, are you?
Never the less, the bottom and of the Lotus 900 series engines are a Lotus design, in a different material. Not that this is necessarily a good thing...the early 900 series engines had big problems with block stiffness, though these had for the most part been resolved by the time the Excel was in production.
Sam_68 ... M100 et al said:
Stuff about the early prehistory of the Excel engine block
But it's not like you can get a new bottom-end for an Excel from a scrapped Vauxhall of any description is it?
So for the practical purpose of rebuilding an Excel, it's a Lotus engine, with Lotus parts prices and worse still, Lotus availability
Rob-C said:
Stuff about the early prehistory of the Excel engine block
But it's not like you can get a new bottom-end for an Excel from a scrapped Vauxhall of any description is it?
Nope, fraid not. If Bluespanner wants to drive a coupe with a van engine, he'll just have to buy a Porsche 924, I'm afraid.
I'm not hiding 
just didn't see the thread
You'll be able to get most of your bits from www.lotuseliteparts.bravepages.com/
Good luck!
just didn't see the thread You'll be able to get most of your bits from www.lotuseliteparts.bravepages.com/
Good luck!
Try here for your bits and bobs:-
www.lotusbits.com
or here:-
www.sjsportscars.co.uk
Both really helpful
www.lotusbits.com
or here:-
www.sjsportscars.co.uk
Both really helpful
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