Ford Lotus Twin Cam 8v Tuning Guide

Ford Lotus Twin Cam 8v Engine

The stuff legends are made of, the Lotus TC was THE engine of the Sixties, especially in cars such as the Ford Mk1 Cortina plus the Anglia, which was the first road-type car, albeit in prototype form, to carry the motor. Images of Jim Clark belting round a race track cocking a front wheel go hand in hand with this unit.

There are basically two Ford-derived Twinks, the Mk1 introduced in the Mk1 Cortina in 1963, and MkII, which was fitted in the MkII Cortina Lotus from March 1967 - this version was also fitted to the 1968 Escort Twin Cam. This is actually the better engine since it has a purpose-cast Lotus block (identified with a large L on the side but usually under an engine mount) as opposed to a mere graded Cortina 1500 block. As such, the engine was based on a Ford Pre-Crossflow with a Harry Mundy-designed, twin cam alloy head, with chain drive and eight valves.

Blocks were bored to 82.55mm from the Pre-Crossflow’s standard 80.96mm - hence the Mk2 having a thicker casting to more reliably carry the increased capacity that allowed 1558cc. These engines also had square mains caps - the same as 711M Crossflows, proper oil seals as opposed to the Mk1’s rope-type, plus, stronger 125E rods. The MkII engine also had sleeved tappet bores, better oil returns to the block, plus a 6-bolt flywheel fixing in the crank, which supersedes the earlier 4-bolt type.

In addition, you’ll also find a Twink in Lotus Elans and later Europas. Naturally, there were several versions of these too. The Special Equipment (S/E) with 115bhp was fitted to S2-S4’s, whilst the Elan Sprint received bigger valves (and has Big Valve on the rocker cover), higher compression, better cams and exhaust, resulting in 126bhp.

There is also a Stromberg - carbed engine, although most had a Weber DCOE type manifold cast into the head, which interchanges with the similar and occasionally fitted, Dellorto side draught.

Twinks do have a reputation for water pump failure but this is mostly due to the engine being left standing for long periods - the pump goes dry and rips the seal when it’s turned over. We have re-designed this area to incorporate a modular type water pump so that it’s easier to remove and replace. We also offer the water pump housing in two heights to suit standard or Crossflow based engines.

The latter is also a popular route for building a Twink since L-blocks are becoming scarce. In addition, the Crossflow block can be increased up to 1700cc obviously giving a performance increase too. We also stock the special spacing components required, for this conversion.

More power is reasonably straightforward with the engine responding well to head porting, cam change and 45DCOEs. A usable 140+bhp can be achieved with the right cams. Due to the age of most head castings, we would recommend getting the head checked over first to advise on how suitable it is for further improvements to be made. We stock a whole range of replacement and performance parts for this engine including forged pistons, steel cranks / rods, steel flywheels, camshafts, large valves, steel tappets and much more besides.

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  1. Burton Powerlead HT ignition spark plug lead set (black): Lotus Twin Cam 23D4 7mm BPL10BK
    £35.00 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £29.17

    Part Number: BPL10BK

    Available From Stock
  2. Edge gear reduction starter motor: Ford X\Flow OHV Kent 10T 1.4kw (135 tooth ring gear). Escort Mk1\Mk2, etc CF003\9H3-135T
    £329.95 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £274.96

    Part Number: CF003/9H3-135T

    Reduction geared, lightweight, high torque starter motor. De.... Learn More
    Available From Stock
  3. Aldon Ignitor 2 electonic ignition conversion with black Flame Thrower II coil: Lucas 23\25D4 IGNKLU142A
    £372.00 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £310.00

    Part Number: IGNKLU142A

    The more powerful Ignitor II shares all the same features as.... Learn More
    Available From Stock
  4. Competition red distributor rotor arm Lucas 23D4\25D4 type 47510RED
    £9.00 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £7.50

    Part Number: 47510RED

    This upgraded red rotor arm is produced with a brass inlay which eliminates the rivet w.... Learn More
    Available From Stock
  5. Competition distributor red rotor arm Lucas 43D4\45D4 type 47540RED
    £9.00 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £7.50

    Part Number: 47540RED

    This upgraded red rotor arm is produced with a brass inlay which eliminates the rivet w.... Learn More
    Available From Stock
  6. 9 tooth replacement gear for Edge starter: Ford X\Flow OHV Kent, Lotus Twin Cam, BDA CF003\9\GEAR
    £43.80 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £36.50

    Part Number: CF003/9/GEAR

    Stock Lead Time Typically 1-2 weeks
  7. 10 tooth replacement gear for Edge starter: Ford X\Flow OHV Kent, Lotus Twin Cam, BDA CF003\9X\GEAR
    £44.00 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £36.67

    Part Number: CF003/9X/GEAR

    Available From Stock
  8. Dynamo-alternator 42A. Lucas type C40 positive earth C40ALTPOS
    £360.00 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £300.00

    Part Number: C40ALTPOS

    This is a 42A alternator that looks like a Lucas type C40 dy.... Learn More
    Available From Stock
  9. Omex water coolant temperature sensor Ford push-in OMEM2202
    £24.00 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £20.00

    Part Number: OMEM2202

    Available From Stock
  10. Omex water coolant temperature sensor Ford screw-in M12x1.5 OMEM2203
    £24.00 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £20.00

    Part Number: OMEM2203

    Available From Stock
  11. Omex ECU communication cable - RS232 (COM) extension lead OMEM001
    £7.20 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £6.00

    Part Number: OMEM001

    Available From Stock
  12. Omex ECU communication RS232 to USB adaptor OMEM002
    £36.00 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £30.00

    Part Number: OMEM002

    Available From Stock
  13. Road spec basic wiring harness loom for Omex 200 ECU (ignition only) OMEM1412
    £156.00 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £130.00

    Part Number: OMEM1412

    PVC tubing and harness tape, ready built harness for basic N.... Learn More
    Stock Lead Time Typically 1-2 weeks
  14. Road spec basic wiring harness loom for Omex 600 ECU (ignition & fuel injection) OMEM1419
    £306.00 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £255.00

    Part Number: OMEM1419

    PVC tubing and harness tape, ready built harness for basic N.... Learn More
    Stock Lead Time Typically 3-4 weeks
  15. Road spec basic wiring harness loom for Omex 600 ECU (ignition & fuel injection) with MAP connection OMEM1419A
    £324.00 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £270.00

    Part Number: OMEM1419A

    PVC tubing and harness tape, ready built harness with MAP se.... Learn More
    Available From Stock
  16. Race spec basic wiring harness loom for Omex 200 ECU (ignition only) OMEM1512
    £210.00 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £175.00

    Part Number: OMEM1512

    Heat shrink sleeved, ready built harness for basic Naturally.... Learn More
    Stock Lead Time Typically 4-7 days
  17. Race spec basic wiring harness loom for Omex 600 ECU (ignition & fuel injection) OMEM1519
    £438.00 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £365.00

    Part Number: OMEM1519

    Heat shrink sleeved, ready built harness for basic Naturally.... Learn More
    Stock Lead Time Typically 1-2 weeks
  18. Race spec basic wiring harness loom for Omex 600 ECU (ignition & fuel injection) with MAP connection OMEM1519A
    £456.00 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £380.00

    Part Number: OMEM1519A

    Heat shrink sleeved, ready built harness with MAP sensor con.... Learn More
    Stock Lead Time Typically 4-7 days
  19. Bespoke race spec wiring harness loom Omex 700 systems: 4 cylinder coil pack type engines OMEM1540
    £690.00 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £575.00

    Part Number: OMEM1540

    Bespoke heat shrink sleeved, ready built harness Learn More
    Stock Lead Time Typically 4-7 days
  20. Lucas ACR Style 60A Alternator RH mounting (chromed): Ford X\flow OHV Kent, Lotus Twin Cam, etc ACR60RH-C
    £139.00 (inc VAT)
    (ex VAT) £115.83

    Part Number: ACR60RH-C

    A high output ACR style alternator with a chromed alloy body.... Learn More
    Stock Lead Time Typically 1-2 weeks
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