Elan Engine Rebuild - QED Motorsport

[cavebloke]

Hi Guys,

I'm having a bad couple of days and I could use some help.

On the way back from Le Mans Classic my Elan S4 (1970) blew its gaskets (pretty much all of them) and chucked its oil everywhere. As a result I've got an engine rebuild on my hands once the car gets shipped back to the UK in 12 days or so.

I'm starting to wonder about fitting some new bits to the engine in the quest for more power and I was recommended QED Motorsport.

I have a garage who I trust to do the work so I'm really just looking for parts.

So do any Elan owners out there have any recommendations for upgrades?

Cheers guys,

Cavebloke

[Sam_68]

QED have a very good reputation and I've been happy with the parts and work they've provided me with in the past.

Your local garage/engine man will be more than capable of rebuilding the bottom end and assembling the engine, but if you're planning on rebuilding the head, I'd be inclined to pay the extra to get QED to do it for you, so that it comes back with new valves and guides, cams in place and shimmed-up ready to drop back on the block. The valve seats and guides on the Twin Cam, in particular, need someone who knows what they're doing (its not uncommon for people to over-ream the guides and end up with an engine that smokes more than it did before the rebuild).

I'd recommend the QED 420 spec head for fast road use; I've got 420 cams fitted to my Elan (albeit with a Brian Hart ported head) and it's a really torquey, gutsy engine... about 145bhp on Webers/Dellortos and not a hint of temperament.

edited to add: Sorry - just checked your profile and see that you're on Strombergs. The sensible limit of upgrade for these is about 128-130bhp, unless things have moved on since I had my Stromberg car, but otherwise the same advice applies.

Edited by Sam_68 on Wednesday 16th July 12:59

[lotus-types]

I might be talking BS (probally am) but someone told me that QED no longer do engine work and only supply parts.....anyone else heard this?

Edited by lotus-types on Wednesday 16th July 13:42

[Sam_68]

I've just checked their website and I must admit it has been substantially revised and no longer makes any mention fo engine builduing - just the supply of components and kits - so you may well be right!

[cavebloke]

You guys are correct, having given them a call they no longer do rebuilds they just supply the parts. Which is what I was after anyhow.

Any more suggestions on choice improvements for the motor?

Edited by cavebloke on Thursday 17th July 11:09

[Sam_68]

To be honest - and this is not having a go at the Stromberg engine, which is a nice, torquey motor when properly set up - there's limited value in trying to do too much on a non-Weber/Dellorto head.

Take QED's advice on what they think is their most suitable cam with the Strombergs, but you're not going to lift the power much beyond about 130bhp, from the 118bhp stock SE, so you'd be wasting your money on an extreme spec.

The one thing that might be worth considering is ignition timing; by all accounts (well, by the account Mile's Wilkins account, supported by the factory development reports reproduced in his book), the advance curve offered by the mechanical distrubutor on the Stromberg engine was always a bit of a compromise. With modern, mapped electronic ignition, you should be able to get much closer to the ideal, if you're willing to put in the development work.