engine and drivetrain M10 powered Lotus Seven clone

[dadandson02]

I am contemplating building a Lotus Seven clone using an M10 engine. Want to keep it simple and cheap. What bugs me is the distributor that protudes above the top of the engine. The carb, or a tii plenum, would also protude above the top of the engine. Dont want to raise the hood just to clear these and dont want bulges all over. Would be willing to go with Lynx & 45DCOE sidedraft but still stuck with the distributor. Go with a crank triggered ignition ? Seems like Megasquirt II would be the cheapest setup. But then again, all this fuel injection hardware just to get the capability to control the advance curve from the EDIS4 ! Any thoughts ?

[Guest Anonymous]

Do some googling on Megajolt - it's a "MS-similar" standalone ignition controller, cheaper and simplier to install.

Regards, Mike

[Delia]

Unless you're completely committed to the M10, consider the Toyota 4AGE twin-cam -- it's a Cosworth BDA clone according to this source:

http://www.billzilla.org/4agstock.htm

It's a great motor (1600cc), cheap to source, quite compact, and has the potential for performance well over 200hp.

Delia

And...it fits under the hood...no "panty lines"...!!!

[InkaSteve]

Here is a turbocharged, intercooled M-10 in a Caterham from SoCal vintage 09. Photo courtesy of JKBIMMA

Seems to have reg distributor, but modified hood.

[finkbuilt]

Megasquirt II would be the cheapest setup. But then again, all this fuel injection hardware just to get the capability to control the advance curve from the EDIS4 ! Any thoughts ?

This is what I plan to do with my NK 2000. - use a Megasquirt II , just to run EDIS. But then, I plan on perhaps going FI in the future, if my Solex's don't treat me right.

I looked into Megajolt, but found that the assembled cost is $125, (the kit version is Surface mount componentry, so I dont want to mess with it).

The MS-II kit version (not surface mount, so I can build) is only $250 on ebay. so I am just going to go for the MS-ii for ignition control, and have the FI capability waiting in the wings.

[PatAllen]

I am contemplating building a Lotus Seven clone using an M10 engine. Want to keep it simple and cheap. What bugs me is the distributor that protudes above the top of the engine. The carb, or a tii plenum, would also protude above the top of the engine. Dont want to raise the hood just to clear these and dont want bulges all over. Would be willing to go with Lynx & 45DCOE sidedraft but still stuck with the distributor. Go with a crank triggered ignition ? Seems like Megasquirt II would be the cheapest setup. But then again, all this fuel injection hardware just to get the capability to control the advance curve from the EDIS4 ! Any thoughts ?

One of my friend has a catheram super 7 and isntalled a 1.8 tubo engine from a nissan silvia iirc (CA18DET), and i installed for him a SDS EM4F, distributor less.

easy fit, the guy lives close to Sherbrooke (QC).

The car is unbeatable on mecaglisse iirc.

[02for2]

Unless you're committed to the M10 as a novelty, there are much better powerplants out there for a Caterham or Birkin.

Why go with an antiquated motor and ignition? Get a Ford Zetec or crossflow, lighter, more tunable.

My buddy has a birkin super seven w/ Zetec ands it flies. Great ignition and EFI and any ford dealer can supply service or parts.

Cheers!

[tjones02]

I worked on a Rotus & with an M10 in it. The distributor was in a "lay down" housing similar to the ones I have seen in Elva Mk7-Mk8 and Chevron B8 and B16 racecars.

I this folder I have pictures of a couple of Elva's w/ M10's with lay down distributor housings...

http://s121.photobucket.com/albums/o236/tjones02_bucket/Wine%20Country%20Classic%2007/

Information on Chevron cars here...

http://www.chevronracing.com/

L.H Owen in the UK should be able to provide a "lay down" distributor housing for you.

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/option,com_forum/Itemid,0/page,viewtopic/t,315181

Elva, Ginetta, Lotus 23B, Chevron B8 B16... These Threads have more pictures...

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/option,com_forum/Itemid,57/page,viewtopic/t,307952

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/option,com_forum/Itemid,57/page,viewtopic/t,110558

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/option,com_forum/Itemid,57/page,viewtopic/t,290487

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/option,com_forum/Itemid,57/page,viewtopic/t,308929

This Elva has a Mallory Distributor, the lower portion fits an 02.

Sorry for the red color, I did not have a filter to take their tent color out. Another Elva Mk8.

Too bad Rotus is out of business, they had the plans for the M10 install car that I drove.

[dadandson02]

Thanks a lot Tom. This lay down distributor is exactly what I was looking for.

[tjones02]

In one of the previous threaded links someone mentions that Ireland Engineering built a motor with one of these lay down distributor housings. They might remember where they got it from and help you get another.

http://www.iemotorsport.com/

[Guest Anonymous]

HI,

I have a Locost rolling frame with a M10 engine for sale. Project is well advanced. Lost of part. And I'm in Quebec.

Nicolas Leroux

nleroux@gmail.com