E - Engine
My car is fitted with a 2.2litre 912 engine, sourced from a 1981 NA S3 Esprit. To install this in the Elite was easy and only required the following mods:
| water pump replaced with original Elite unit |
| Crank bearing for gearbox primary shaft removed and replaced with Elite item |
| Flywheel was Flexplate type. I could have kept it, but preferred the original solid one |
| Elite Series 2.2 clutch assembly and release bearing fitted for Getrag box |
| Elite exhaust manifold fitted |
| Lumenition system fitted |
| Carbs rejetted for 2.2l engine (see L - Fuel section) |
| 907 PAS pump bracket reworked (cut & shut welding) to fit 912 crankcase |
| Distributor protection plate to prevent fuel ingress |
| Thermostatic Oil cooler installed |
Conclusion
Definitely worthwhile, a much better engine all round with better torque characteristics. I bought my engine for £500 and was told it had been rebuilt some 10,000 miles earlier. I did the mods above, plugged it into the car and have used it ever since. I haven't even opened it up to do the valve clearances; just changed oil, filter and cambelt. Don't waste your money on expensive rebuilds unless its really necessary!
Water Pump Mod
One other mod done to the water pump was to replace the one bolt you cannot get a spanner onto properly with a socket head bolt of the same dimensions. Works a treat.
See L - Fuel section for;
| Carb jetting |
| Carb balancing |
| Distributor protection plate |