hillclimbmanic
Grow old? Grow up!!
It would be a nicer install, like you say...
Which Lotus gave up on the Rover K and move on to the Toyota 4AG.. series, copy of the Cosworth BDA.
For all that work effort and related to fit a Rover K into the exxe chassis, it is easier and in many ways better with higher performance results to stay with the Fiat SOHC which IMO, is a better design then the Rover K in many ways.
Since you're in the UK the Gen 4 of this Lampredi engine is available which is a twin cam, four valve, Electronic engine management version of this design.
Easier still is to convert this Fiat SOHC to 1600cc with a big valve head. This equals the Rover K's output with better reliability, durability and more.
Any Nationalism involves here or choices made strictly on technical excellence and real world performance history.
The other reasonable choice is Honda K20-K23 which has a proven record and is used as a Lotus Series one conversion improvement over the Rover K. This works for the Vaxhaull VX220 version of the Lotus Elise too.
Bernice