MT75 onto Lotus Twin Cam or Xflow?

[shirley temple]

Has any one done this or know of some one that has? I'm after 5 speeding my Elan+2, and hopefully will get this gearbox in with a shortened remote, I need to know, which flywheel/clutch/starter/spigot bearing combination to use, and what concentric slave cylinder arangement will work?

I'm trying to keep the cost down as this restoration is going to get out of hand!!!

regards

Mark

[Sam_68]

I've got an MT75 on the Crossflow in my Sylva, but I can't remember the components off the top of my head.

There was an article published years ago in CCC magazine which listed the components required to mix-and-match Ford engines and gearboxes.

Try asking on the Locost or Westfield forums - I'm sure someone on there will be able to give you an answer straight away.

[350matt]

Pretty sure all you need is a std ford sierra 'pinto' bellhousing, the clutch plate will be to suit the gearbox input shaft, but ford have a history of using a std 23 x 1" spline so loads of choice there. Speak to someone like EBC perhaps?
As for concentric slave cylinder might be able to fettle something from a later ford to fit but most fords of this era used the lever arm pulling on a cable type which work fine so why not use one of those?

If you're stuck on hydraulics I'm sure it wouldn't be beyound the wit of man to adapt a Rover slave to push on the cable arm

Matt

[MR2Mike]

350matt said:

Pretty sure all you need is a std ford sierra 'pinto' bellhousing

The MT75 has an integral bellhousing that will bolt up to pretty much any of the Ford engines with "standard" bolt spacing e.g. XFlow, Pinto, CVH, Zetec E (but not Zetec SE).

I'm also fairly sure that some MT75's had a concentric clutch release slave as standard, though I don't know which cars they were fitted to.

Edited by MR2Mike on Thursday 28th September 17:28

[shirley temple]

MR2Mike said:

350matt said:

Pretty sure all you need is a std ford sierra 'pinto' bellhousing

The MT75 has an integral bellhousing that will bolt up to pretty much any of the Ford engines with "standard" bolt spacing e.g. XFlow, Pinto, CVH, Zetec E (but not Zetec SE).

I'm also fairly sure that some MT75's had a concentric clutch release slave as standard, though I don't know which cars they were fitted to.

Edited by MR2Mike on Thursday 28th September 17:28

correct about the bellhousing/mt75, it matches the engine bolt pattern, but only the front drive version had a concentric slave, the other option is to convert the pedal box in the elan to cable operation (not too difficult)its the flywheel and starter that is the real issue.I dont know if there is enough room in the chassis to fit the gearbox yet (trial fit next week!)

[shirley temple]

Sam_68 said:

I've got an MT75 on the Crossflow in my Sylva, but I can't remember the components off the top of my head.

There was an article published years ago in CCC magazine which listed the components required to mix-and-match Ford engines and gearboxes.

Try asking on the Locost or Westfield forums - I'm sure someone on there will be able to give you an answer straight away.

thanks Sam, I'll give it a go, is your clutch Hydraulic or cable?
Mark

[niva441]

I've got a copy of that somewhere I'll try and dig it out, although if its the article I'm thinking of I think it's pre MT75.

[shirley temple]

niva441 said:

I've got a copy of that somewhere I'll try and dig it out, although if its the article I'm thinking of I think it's pre MT75.

there have been plenty of articles in various mags about using the type 9 box, I'd love to use this, as it will fit in the space and on to the engine, flywheel and starter options are plenty, theres even a hydraulic alloy bellhousing available for it as well, sadly the gear stick is the length of the tailhousing too far back. There is insufficient clearance in the chassis to do a TVR (griffith) type selector set up.
a modified tailhousing is available but only as a complete kit of parts with a rebuilt gearbox and its £1500+vat, too heavy for my wallet!! Plus I want the challenge of making my own bits (mounts, prop, speedo drive etc)

if the article does cover the MT75, I'd appreciate hearing what it has to say (ex wife binned all of my old mags (fast Car pre max wally days!! and CCC)

Mark

[Mr2Mike]

Just FYI, the MT75 is stonger than the Type 9 in standard form, and lighter. However, it has the disadvantages of being somewhat larger than the type 9 and having very little scope for future improvements. The Type9 has numerous aftermarket options of different gear ratios.stright cut gears/dog clutches instead of synchro etc.

[shirley temple]

thanks mike, I'm after wedging this into my old Elan+2 to give a 5th for motorway use, its not for a race/track day jobbie so the factory ratios will be fine. Spyder use this when they do thier Zetec conversion, the reports in the press compliment the ratios and the quality of the gearchange.

Just to be awkward, I want to retain the original engine

Mark

[ELAN+2]

MT75 fits the engine a treat, 2 litre Capri flywheel and starter motor , gear stick is 110mm too far back but I can make a remote, but theres no room for the exhaust


back to the drawing board i guess

[niva441]

Sorry haven't managed to find the CCC gearbox article (house moves etc). As an alternative information source Ford Power Products have (had?)very informative brochures with detailed diagrams of all input and outputs.

[ELAN+2]

I'm back to trying the Type9, looks like I need an RS2000 alloy bellhousing as they are "ambidextrous" and a concentric clutch slave. Got the body off the chassis today and yanked out the engine and box, I'll see if there is clearance above the gear box in the chassis for my TVR remote gearshift arrangement, it looks tight though!!

Mark

[trackcar]

Put a remote gearshift above the central tunnel .. i did this on our tasmin racer for the T5 that went in, everyone comments on the remote gear system on view, and it works a treat

[ELAN+2]

trackcar said:

Put a remote gearshift above the central tunnel .. i did this on our tasmin racer for the T5 that went in, everyone comments on the remote gear system on view, and it works a treat

have you gat a pic that you can email me? I' thinking of trying a similar set up as used on Griffiths with the T5 and Rover box, the "rifle bolt" set up with a couple of rose joints and a rod. Is this what you used?

Hight is my issue, the chassis is box section and closed in all round (Lotus Elan circa 1970)!

thanks

Mark

[ELAN+2]

For any one who is interested, The Gearbox to use is from a 4cylinder petrol ultima Scorpio, concentric Hydraulic clutch and the starter motor on the drivers side as per original.

Mark