Lotus Europa Community
Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: lotus4me on Monday,August 03, 2015, 11:13:57 AM
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hi all
I'm new to europas.......have trawled through posts, and done a search, but can't find anything on fitting a twincam engine to an s2.....is it possible? has anyone done it? reason being, I like the twink [elan s4 owner] and looking for a europa project.....but there seem to be more s2's around/available.....any advice/help appreciated!!! :newhere:
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:Welcome:
Twink swaps into an S2 are not very common. Swaps to Zetec or Toyota 4AGE are probably the most common and I think they have great bang for the buck (with a lot of flexibility e.g. carbs or injection). But then you didn't ask about them, did you? I have a TC so I can't speak very authoritatively. I know there are more dimensional differences between the S2 and TC even though it looks like the only real difference is the wings were cut down on the TC, but I expect it could be done. with not too much fabrication (possibly motor mounts, water pipes, access to the front of the engine, etc.) Richard at Banks could certainly tell you. He is the Europa Oracle!
Good luck and post pictures of whatever you do.
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The Twin Cam can be put into the S-2 frame. However it will require modification to the frame; just the same as if you were doing a Zetec or Toyota swap. The S-2 frame is narrower than the Twin Cam frame. I don't have the exact measurements. The Twin Cam sits farther forward. But it can be done.
(http://www.lotuseuropa.org/gallery/albums/album13/S2_frame.jpg)
(http://www.lotuseuropa.org/gallery/albums/album13/TC_frame.jpg)
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Proper Ford/Lotus/Weber head 1558 engines are f'ing rare and f'ing expensive.
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thanks for the info, guys.....much apprecated.......
joe... the two drawings of chassis...presume they are s2 and twincam, but which is which? s2 at top?
looks like there are differences to suspension maybe too?
I will have a look at the zetecs which have been done, as some elans and plus2s have also been converted...
:)fred :)
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The S2 frame is the top one.
Suspension is basically the same but there are different rear tranny mounts depending on the tranny used.
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I'm in the process of installing a Miata engine in my S2. I have the Toyota kit as a backup in case things don't work out but I think the Miata will be much easier. Tom
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Maybe this will help
(http://www.lotuseuropa.org/gallery/albums/album13/bothframes001.jpg)
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Hi Fred (?)
Hmmm, you might get away with it although I've got to say it's not a conversion I'd consider easy or cheap. If you think about it the Lotus 47 was an S1 with the TC engine installed so in theory it has already been done despite the chassis fork differences. But there was a whole load of other mods to the S1 to produce the 47, they basically cut off the chassis at the ends of the fork and added a cross member / subframe to handle the suspension with a Hewland gearbox - another major difference from the S1/S2. So the engine could well have been located further back in the frame ?
IIRC there's something also about the driveshaft angle on the S2 & TC cars, I have a vague memory of reading somewhere that the TC driveshafts run slightly backwards from the wheels whereas the S2 is aligned properly (as you'd expect ?) Certainly the parts numbers for the radius arms and lower links are different between the cars.
So I think it could be on, but only with a bit of trailblazing and probably as much development work as following the paths for other engines. Then of course you have the problem of getting hold of a TC Europa engine because there are fairly major differences.
Personally in your shoes I'd either get an S2 and try a modern transplant if you don't like the lower power from the Renault engine, or if you really want a TC then just wait for the right one to come along. It will do, it just seems like there are none around when you're actively searching !
Brian
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joe
thanks for the diagrams.....that helps a lot!!
brian
useful stuff...thanks...I have a little bit of experience in what you call 'development' [my kinder friends call it bodging....]
and I try to do as much research as I can before cutting things up, grinding, machining, etc. all to the accompaniment of copious foul language....
a tc to start with would indeed be the best bet.....if I can find one..........do I wait??? :help:
on the other hand, I do enjoy a challenge!!!!
fred
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a tc to start with would indeed be the best bet.....if I can find one..........do I wait??? :help:
I would wait. One will pop up.... as soon as you bring home an S2!
Have you looked into importing one from North America? I believe member 4129R has imported a gaggle of TCs in the last year or so. I also believe he is converting them from LHD to RHD. In addition to looking on eBay, you can use Search Tempest http://www.searchtempest.com (http://www.searchtempest.com) to search Craigslists across the continent. I just looked and found two S2 cars and a nice looking S2 "carbon fiber hood" ::), but TCs are sure to show up at some point.
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mark I see you also believe in 's*d's law'..... ;D
most people seem to be suggesting I wait for a tc........the problem might be getting up early enough in the morning to get in front of alex in norfolk ;).......[btw, I believe his recent imports are destined for restoration, not sale]
I have tried the link you kindly supplied, but apparently I need a stateside zip code... ???
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Fred,
I hadn't thought of selling it but I have a TCS rolling chassis with a god awful body that I bought just for the chassis a while back. This may be a better candidate for your desire for a twin cam motor than a S2 conversion. I really hate to see an original running S2 hacked up to stuff in the twin cam. My email is on my ad for the S2 and the JPS in the for sale section. I can send you pictures of the car.
Joji Tokumoto
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mark I see you also believe in 's*d's law'..... ;D
most people seem to be suggesting I wait for a tc........the problem might be getting up early enough in the morning to get in front of alex in norfolk ;).......[btw, I believe his recent imports are destined for restoration, not sale]
I'm still awake but not in the market for more.
When you need to know who to go to in the UK to do anything, just ask.
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thanks alex.....
I have little doubt that I will be picking your brains at some time in the future!!!
would you mind if it's on open forum so that your knowledge can be shared?
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No problem. That is the whole idea of this place.
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I have tried the link you kindly supplied, but apparently I need a stateside zip code... ???
You can use any zip code (e.g., 84103) and set the distance to Within "any" Miles.
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right alex, I did warn you!!!
I have a possible candidate in the usa........tc rolling chassis.....
since I presume you have done it several times, is it easy/difficult to get this registered in the uk?
the car [type 74 ] has a VIN plate no. 7305353[something]R....
your advice would be appreciated!
thanks in advance
;Dfred ;D
just a thought..should I start a new thread?
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Start a new thread.
Make sure you get a written receipt, and the US title document, and then it is a goer.
When you get the car, I can talk you through the mechanical, electrical and paperwork involved.
Cheers,
Alex.
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roger, alex..
will do..
and thanks!
fred :D
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Yes guys, I second the idea of a new thread, it's definitely a forum-wide topic for the rest of us in the UK.
The mechanics of importing something, costs and what's involved from our dear old customs folks would be very interesting.
Brian