Chapman-era subscribers,
This thread started off-line with a message I sent to Phillip Babcock and
Erik Berg. Phillip has a Toyota 5-spd transmission installed in his Lotus
Elan and will hopefully be posting the details to the list. Phillip had
e-mailed me Feb 24th, and I was woefully delinquent in getting back to him.
For your reference the full first message is tacked onto the end of this
reply.
12 Mar 1997, Erik Berg <Erik.Berg@trw.com> wrote to Phillip Babcock:
> Do you know which Toyota 5 speed this is? T-50?
> W-50? W-57?
>
> Or alternatively, which year/model car did it come
> from? Ken at DBE said that he thought you used
> the same one as in the Excel, which is (I think?)
> the Supra 'box.
12 Mar 1997, Tim Engel wrote:
It "Couldn't" (figurative term - disbelief) be the Excel's Supra box. The
Eclat's chassis (Lotus & Getrag 5-spd's fit) had to be revised/widened to
accept the Toyota box in the Excel. I find it hard to believe it would
slip into a tiny Elan.
The Supra has evolved through the years. Excel production started in
October 1982. Erik, what was the current Supra of the period and what
transmission did it use? That would be the Excel 5-spd. Phillip, what
Toyota 5-spd is in your Elan?
I think Ken at Dave Bean is confusing/mixing Toyota parts. I have had a
similar conversation with Ken and came away with the sense that he was
confusing the "EXCEL" Supra 5-spd with "ALL" Supra 5-spds like it was just
one entity. Erik, is that the case?
Also, in that conversation with Ken, I was specifically inquiring about
the EXCEL's Supra 5-spd as a possible alternative for my Eclat. He didn't
know for sure, but referred me to Phillip as someone who had swapped "THE"
Toyota box into an Elan. His wording was such that it sounded like he was
refering to the Supra box as used in the Excel. However, Phillip, when
I first talk to you, you gave me the impression your Elan's gearbox was a
Toyota 5-spd from a 4-cyl. car... not the Supra 5-spd.
Anyway.... I think there are two conversations getting mixed here and now
would be the time to separate them. Once that's done, we can pursue them
both as valid but separate subjects.
1) A Toyota 5-spd swap appropriate for an Elan. Phillip, which Toyota
5-spd is it and how about publishing the details to the chapman-era list.
I understand you didn't perform the swap, but any details you have would be
appreciated.
2) The Toyota Supra/Excel 5-spd as an alternative for the Eclat... my
original quest. I'm beginning to think this is a less practical
alternative than the Eclat 2.2's Getrag 5-spd. The Yoda box is less
expensive initially and would have better ratios; but would require much
more fabrication work and chassis modification to make it fit. By the
time it's in the car, the Yoda swap would probably be more expensive. (??)
> By the way, Tim.... (you're in the Bay area, right?)
> TRW S&EG in Los Angeles is doing big time hiring
> right now, if you're interested.....
Nope, Minneapolis. However, every winter I tell myself it's time to move
to a warmer climate... one where I can drive the fun cars all year. Is
TRW S&EG (what's S&EG) looking for engineering management types?
Tim Engel
tengel@isd.net
**********************************************
REPEAT ORIGINAL MESSAGE
> 24 Feb 1997, Phillip Babcock wrote:
> I have some not all the info on my Toyota/Lotus
> gearbox. This is my first out-going mail so let me
> know if you get this. Shop address is:
DYNOPHILLIPBABCOCK@worldnet.att.net
> Home address is:
PHILLIPBABCOCK@worldnet.att.net
> I have a dyno shop with a Dynojet chassis dyno. so I
> am doing a lot of development work on my Elan. Let
> me know where the other Lotus people hang out.
Phillip, cc: Erik
Been feeling ignored? I've been distracted. I was laid off from work
awhile ago and my priorities have shifted a little as a result.
I'm still interested in the Toyota / Lotus gearbox swap as are the other
people on the chapman-era mailing list. That list is just starting up and
hasn't been very active. I guess that's one of the reasons I've not
followed up with you... the general level of discussion has been kinda slow
Erik Berg is the person that started the chapman-era list and he is very
interested in your swap. I suggest you join the list AND make specific
contact with Erik. Keep me in the loop please but I may not be very
active for awhile.
If you are interested in Lotus stuff in general, try joining the Lotus
Mailing List as well. It covers all Lotus subjects and cars of all
vintages. Chapman-era is more specific to pre-Esprit cars. The Elan
will fit right in.
Instructions for both lists follow.
(snip... delete list instructions)
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