Lotus Elite questions...

[matts_74_elite]

Thanks for any advice here fellas....
I am getting ready to buy a 1974 Lotus Elite that needs some work... The tbelt is off it with a good head put back on... So I need to put it back on.
That brings me to my questions...
1) most important ?. Where can I get replacement parts. I found one but it is in the uk.
2) What are some common issues/areas of attention with the Elites?

[lotusforsale]

Originally Posted by matts_74_elite

Thanks for any advice here fellas....
I am getting ready to buy a 1974 Lotus Elite that needs some work... The tbelt is off it with a good head put back on... So I need to put it back on.
That brings me to my questions...
1) most important ?. Where can I get replacement parts. I found one but it is in the uk.
2) What are some common issues/areas of attention with the Elites?

Join Lotus Ltd. They have many technical resources available for nearly all road cars, and there are members who list themselves as being able to provide technical information and support for all the cars.

Also, the parts dealers for the vintage cars, like R D Enterprises in Pennsylvania, are a good source of info and parts.

As with many/most of the early Lotus, a wide variety of the parts came out of other Lotus, or the parts bins of other car manufacturers of the time. Again, Lotus Ltd. has resources for this type of information.

Best of luck.

[JLSELISE]

And you'll find a basic parts cross reference listing on the GGLC site:
GGLC Lotus Eclat/Elite Part Interchange / Cross Reference

[matts_74_elite]

Thanks guys. Any websites as far as parts go? Anyone ever done any performance work with the Eclat/Elite models?

[DeanG]

For the "new" Elite you have to call the specialists. RD Enterprises, JAE, Dave Bean Engineering ... I believe that Lotus by Claudius has done some work with these.

Performance work is done by swapping in an aluminum block V8 Buick. There are a few around the world but not many.

Good Luck

[wallabyguy]

I have a 1974 Elite. I got many of my parts from RD Enterprises (rdent.com). There are a few obsolete parts however that can be a problem to find. Fortunately the engine is shared with the Eclat (sprint) and Esprit so parts are around. Buying a donor car isn't a bad idea depending on what you need. GET A WORKSHOP MANUAL. It is critical to properly fixing or maintaining an Elite.

[matts_74_elite]

As a performance option, Not to sound like a jerk or idiot, but I will not swap a buick v8 into a Lotus... Just can't do it....
As far as the parts, I have some good leads, and appreciate the help. I may have someone build some cams, amd have my comp ratio bumped up.

[wallabyguy]

Replacing the US spec carbs for the Euro ones will net you 20 BHP right there. If you want to get real serious you can replace the 2.0 with the 2.2 from the S2 or even (in theory) a 2.2 Turbo from the Esprit.

[matts_74_elite]

Thanks for the info! That would sure be cool to swap to the 2.2 later. I am stoked to get this thing going.
I am still trying to get parts prices, most of the sites have inquiries only...

[comadis]

before i would do any technical or interior repairs i would check if the car is worth investing further money:

1st job is a detailed inspection of the rear crossmember. they rust like hell. unfortunately its covered to 70% by the body.


if the crossmember is rusty, the car needs a body off restoration incl. a replacement chassis.

may i ask why the car came with the head removed?