Discussion
Not easily. The Noble is a modified version of the Ford V6 but, being turbocharged, you would have a lot of issues packaging intercoolers and getting rid of the heat. It's also quite a wide engine, due to the Vee configuration and 4-valve heads.
The torque would also play havoc with the standard Elan Plus 2 diff/driveshaft set up.
Anything is possible, if you are willing to basically build a new chassis and drivetrain to graft under the Plus 2 bodyshell, but it almost certainly falls into the category of 'if you need to ask, then you don't have the necessary expertise'.
The torque would also play havoc with the standard Elan Plus 2 diff/driveshaft set up.
Anything is possible, if you are willing to basically build a new chassis and drivetrain to graft under the Plus 2 bodyshell, but it almost certainly falls into the category of 'if you need to ask, then you don't have the necessary expertise'.
Sorry, Hiens, but I think you are being a bit unrealistic.
The Exige Cup, again, has forced induction, so you'd need to package the intercooler. Lotus can only fit it in the Exige by mounting the intercooler above the engine, where it completely blocks the rear view...
I've seen supercharged 2-seater Elans, but only with the supercharger mounted in front of the engine vintage Bently style, and with no intercooler (which seriously limits efficiency). The Elan was designed for a nat-asp 4 cylinder engine and Chapman didn't really leave enough space between the forks of the backbone chassis to fit anything much bigger.
About the limit of so far as sensible engine transplants are concerned is the well-established Spyder Zetec conversion.
You might manage the 260bhp Cosworth Duratec as used in the Caterham CSR if your pockets are deep enough, but I'd still be inclined to ask the question 'why?!'
The Exige Cup, again, has forced induction, so you'd need to package the intercooler. Lotus can only fit it in the Exige by mounting the intercooler above the engine, where it completely blocks the rear view...
I've seen supercharged 2-seater Elans, but only with the supercharger mounted in front of the engine vintage Bently style, and with no intercooler (which seriously limits efficiency). The Elan was designed for a nat-asp 4 cylinder engine and Chapman didn't really leave enough space between the forks of the backbone chassis to fit anything much bigger.
About the limit of so far as sensible engine transplants are concerned is the well-established Spyder Zetec conversion.
You might manage the 260bhp Cosworth Duratec as used in the Caterham CSR if your pockets are deep enough, but I'd still be inclined to ask the question 'why?!'
If you are talking about a straightforward engine swap into the original style, pressed steel Lotus chassis, then you are going to be pretty much limited to Crossflow/pre-crossflow based engines (so Crossflow, Lotus Twin Cam or Cosworth BDA, basically), since the chassis and engine mounting plates are so marginal that they don't take kindly to being hacked about, or using offset engine/gearbox mounts etc.... basically, you will need to keep the engine and gearbox mounts where they are.
Any more substantial engine swap (eg. Zetec/Duratec convesions) really require a change to the Spyder spaceframe backbone, which can be modified to revise miounting positions more easily.
Any more substantial engine swap (eg. Zetec/Duratec convesions) really require a change to the Spyder spaceframe backbone, which can be modified to revise miounting positions more easily.
over the years, various engines have been shoe horned into the plus 2 including triumph straight sixes(major body mods), toyota twin cam,various Ford lumps and supercharged/turbocharged efforts. The current vogue is to drop in a zetec ford, several people have done this in various different ways, Spyder cars promote thier conversion, along with thier own chassis and suspension.
The standard chassis/suspension would be at its limit (a shared opinion, not just mine)above 165bhp ish, and changeing the suspension,hubs,steering,brakes etc and sticking big wheels and tyres on the car removes a large amount of what made it so special in the first place.
I have no doubt that the Spyder Zetec is a competent car, but is it still a Lotus?. This subject has been done to death on lotuselan.net, and there are many opinions.
I feel that the heart of an Elan is its engine, the sound of a Twink is unique and the way it produces its power adds to its character. The handling and road holding of the Elan was truly revolutionary inits day and a well driven one can still show modern sportsters a thing or two on b roads, on skinny 165 tyres and without a bone shaker ride!
I would recomend that you keep the original lump, get QED to build it to 150 bhp spec and run it on throttle body injection for improved tractability and reliability. Cheaper than a zetec conversion and will not "ruin " the car.
just an opinion
Mark
The standard chassis/suspension would be at its limit (a shared opinion, not just mine)above 165bhp ish, and changeing the suspension,hubs,steering,brakes etc and sticking big wheels and tyres on the car removes a large amount of what made it so special in the first place.
I have no doubt that the Spyder Zetec is a competent car, but is it still a Lotus?. This subject has been done to death on lotuselan.net, and there are many opinions.
I feel that the heart of an Elan is its engine, the sound of a Twink is unique and the way it produces its power adds to its character. The handling and road holding of the Elan was truly revolutionary inits day and a well driven one can still show modern sportsters a thing or two on b roads, on skinny 165 tyres and without a bone shaker ride!
I would recomend that you keep the original lump, get QED to build it to 150 bhp spec and run it on throttle body injection for improved tractability and reliability. Cheaper than a zetec conversion and will not "ruin " the car.
just an opinion
Mark
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