(1975) Lotus Elite 503

[awilliams]

I have recently been given a Lotus Elite as a present from my granda, i dont know much about these cars, but i am willing to learn. I am usually into Jap performance cars, but as i have this car now i would like to make the most of it.

Can anyone tell me is there a bigger engine that fits streight in? I think it has just the normal 2litre engine?

[Oilchange]

some people have stuffed Rover V8's in but they did all the work to make them fit themselves or got a specialist to do it. There isnt a kit for it if thats what you mean, I dont think.
Plenty of room though ISTR.

[Sam_68]

I see from your profile that you describe it as 'fully restored'.

These cars, in standard form and working order, are becoming very rare - they are not noted for reliability and cost more to restore/keep running than they are worth, but eventually people will recognise how important they are to Lotus' heritage.

I wish I had a grandad who's give me gifts like that, and wish even more that I had the nerve to take on an Elite. It was one of the cars that switched me on to the Lotus marque when I was a kid - it is deeply flawed (like many Lotus cars) but touched with genius never the less.

As Oilchange says, people have done Rover V8 convesions, but they are far from straightforward.

You can slot the 2.2 litre version of the Lotus 900 series engine in with minimal modifications, and this can be tuned to give an easy and reliable 180bhp (compared to approx. 140bhp, realistically, for a standard 2 litre).

If it's a good one, for heaven's sake try to keep it close to standard and in good working order... it's something to treasure!

[awilliams]

Thanks Sam, after thinking about it, i think your right, i as just going to keep it as it should be.

If you are interested i will post some pics up, thanks

[Oilchange]

Do you know what? I was thinking about a completely different car when I mentioned the V8 conversions. I have in fact NEVER heard of anyone putting a Rover V8 in an Elite although I have in an Eclat...

Duh!


apologies


and as Sam said,

"You can slot the 2.2 litre version of the Lotus 900 series engine in with minimal modifications, and this can be tuned to give an easy and reliable 180bhp (compared to approx. 140bhp, realistically, for a standard 2 litre).

If it's a good one, for heaven's sake try to keep it close to standard and in good working order... it's something to treasure!"

Edited by Oilchange on Wednesday 11th July 12:30

[Sam_68]

Oilchange said:

Do you know what? I was thinking about a completely different car when I mentioned the V8 conversions. I have in fact NEVER heard of anyone putting a Rover V8 in an Elite although I have in an Eclat...

It has been done; I've seen at least a couple of Elites with this conversion. In any case, for all practical purposes (as far as engine swaps go) the Elite and Eclat are essentially the same.

[anonymous-user]

I agree about keeping it original, but you can stroke the engine to 2.2 , and put in the 180BHP cams from the Eclat SE, so you could get the best of both worlds. A 1975 907 engine will never be as reliable at high revs as latter 910 block, (look at the changes at the bottom of the block), But at road revs these engines can be made reliable. Apart from the oil change, go for a latter HTD timing belt and pulleys, put in an electric water pump, and under no circumstances run the engine without a thermostat.
The best source of engine information on the 900 series, especially an early 907 is the Jensen Healy Preservation Society in the USA, they even do a stroker kit to take the 907 to 2.2 litres and at the current $ rate thier part prices are now very good.

[simonelite501]

Drive it, and you'll wonder why you thought of an engine conversion at all.
They handle so well that the 160bhp (original spec) is plenty. Check out the trouble and Joy mine gave me http://www.pistonheads.com/members/showServiceHist...

Edited by simonelite501 on Thursday 12th July 21:01