New Lotus Twincam

[GeeWiz1]

Help! - Need some advice

I’m a Caterham new-be. Just got my first ’98 Live Axle minus engine and transmission and I’m looking for a power train. Currently I’m looking at a zero time Lotus twin-cam 1600, Dry Sump, Rally Spec engine (what ever that means) I know its an old style motor but that’s OK for a nostalgia type guy like me. I have emission control standards here in the US that I have to deal with and I figure that I can deal better with this old style motor better than I can with a new Zetec motor (comments appreciated from any one with Illinois experience)

If any one has experience with this type engine I would appreciate hearing your comments.

Also looking for transmission recommendations.

Thanks for your help

 

 

novice

[R2D2]

I have a Twin Cam engined seven and it would be interesting to know what emission standards you have to meet. Early TCs were fitted with Weber 40DCOE18 carbs and then 40DCOE31 variant. To meet US emissions Lotus did develop the Stromberg carb. version which obviously uses a different head casting. The last version of the engine with the "Big Valve" head had Del Orto 40DHLA carbs.

Caterham supplied some Twin Cam engined cars with engines based on a 711M block which need a spacer fitted between the head and the front cover. I would think this would be more reliable than the original L Block as the crank suffers less torsional vibration.

 

Miles Wilkins book on the Twin Cam engine is very helpful and QED in UK supply a fuel injection system using a modified Stromberg head which may help emission problems.

 

Gearboxes:

 

The 2000E four speed is a nice box and Alloy bellhousings for either hydraulic or cable clutches are available and alternative gear ratios are available from Quaife

 

The Escort Sport Mk2 "German" four speed box was fitted to the Twin Cam sevens supplied by Caterham.

Quaife produce a

 

The back of the block is the same as the Caterham Supersprint engine and the T9 Sierra 5 speed box fits you will need the relevant bellhousing.

 

Hope this helps.