Potential gearbox replacement (Eclat s1)

[BernardSG]

Hello!

The gearbox (Lotus 5 speed) on my S1 Eclat is getting tired. It's pretty much impossible to engage first now. 
While I'm not sure what is the extent of the damage, the shop I sent it to started mentioning a full rebuild, so I'd like to consider my options.

One of which would be a replacement. 
If I were to go down that path, would a Getrag from an S2 be a better choice than the Lotus box? 
I read they are superior, but would it be a lot more work to fit it rather than an S1 ?

Thanks a lot for your inputs!

Regards,

Bernard

[EXCEL V8]

Relatively easy to fit - you would have to fabricate the mounting bracket (series 2 cars have different brackets) but now very expensive.  Good gearbox though.  I would think a full rebuild on the Lotus box would work out cheaper.

Pete

[exeterjeep]

Are Getrag boxes still available, had them in my 2.2 engined elite and 2 eclats, it is a much stronger box.

I sold my first elite 2.0 501 when the lotus maxi g/box failed. Sold it to Derek Dean (around 1985), who had the guys in Devon/Cornwall repair it. Agree with Peter above, I would think a repair would be cheaper, it may depend on where you could get it done - ie a local specialist or send to UK.

[black eclat]

The Lotus 5 Speed box is a "weaker" box but it really depends on what your intentions are. If you are not tracking the car or using a very heavy right foot, a rebuild Lotus 5 speed box will be perfectly adequate.

All the internals for a Lotus 5 speed box are still easily available to accommodate a full rebuild.

Changing the gearbox for another type is a black art, in my experience, and if you are not able to do the work yourself, it will get costly very quickly.

My car started out as an automatic but a heavy right foot wrecked 2 replacement gearbox's.

I could not find a Getrag box but was offered a Ford 4 speed box instead. This was fitted but the prop-shaft had to be shortened. Not too much of an issue but still an expense. And I was assured it was a "straight fit" LOL.

I then got my hands on an original Lotus Getrag box and fitted that. But this required replacement mounts and again, another prop-shaft length. 

So, in summary, my opinion is that if you are not into a bit of spannering or have the facilities to do so and you don't have a heavy right foot, a rebuilt Lotus 5 speed is perfectly adequate.

Just my experience. 😎

[BernardSG]

Thank you all for your replies - very consistent. 

Clearly I'm not looking at tracking the car - there's no track in Singapore to start with! 

So will stick to the rebuild if deemed necessary. 

Bernard

[USAndretti42]

On 06/05/2021 at 22:24, black eclat said:

The Lotus 5 Speed box is a "weaker" box but it really depends on what your intentions are. If you are not tracking the car or using a very heavy right foot, a rebuild Lotus 5 speed box will be perfectly adequate.

All the internals for a Lotus 5 speed box are still easily available to accommodate a full rebuild.

Changing the gearbox for another type is a black art, in my experience, and if you are not able to do the work yourself, it will get costly very quickly.

My car started out as an automatic but a heavy right foot wrecked 2 replacement gearbox's.

I could not find a Getrag box but was offered a Ford 4 speed box instead. This was fitted but the prop-shaft had to be shortened. Not too much of an issue but still an expense. And I was assured it was a "straight fit" LOL.

I then got my hands on an original Lotus Getrag box and fitted that. But this required replacement mounts and again, another prop-shaft length. 

So, in summary, my opinion is that if you are not into a bit of spannering or have the facilities to do so and you don't have a heavy right foot, a rebuilt Lotus 5 speed is perfectly adequate.

Just my experience. 😎

I was told by a former Formula 1 engine designer who had owned an Elite in the past that the gearbox isn't a problem unless you thrash the car.

[exeterjeep]

36 minutes ago, USAndretti42 said:

I was told by a former Formula 1 engine designer who had owned an Elite in the past that the gearbox isn't a problem unless you thrash the car.

Many years ago went to a Club Lotus seminar and the gearbox was identified as a weak point of the car, the expert recommended a mix of gearbox oil to include some sort of additive - the name escapes me - it was a Total product. Also the box failing was the final reason to sell the car and I did not trash it at all. Had owned it for a number of years before it went. I suspect part of the selector failed.

[BernardSG]

Hi everyone, 

Update: After working on refurbishing a spare gearbox for quite some time, my mechanic said the issue is the gear lever.

So I'm now looking for a gear lever assembly for the 5 speed Lotus box (item 1 on the picture below).

Would anyone have a spare in decent condition and would be willing to sell it? 

I have already reached out to SJSports Car and Lotusbits, but no luck... 

 

Thanks a lot!

Cheers,

Bernqrd

 

[black eclat]

What is the issue with item 1?

Is it that the fork on the end is worn?