S2 Elise or VX220 for an Esthi?

[OlberJ]

Would like to pick your brains on the above.

Ignore the looks and take that out of the equation. Which one would you choose to do an "Esthi" on? Audi V6TT inline for those not familiar.

I'm thinking that the VX220 has beefier underpinnings and may be more suited to having that sort of weight and grunt back there.

The S2 Elise i see more as a delicate machine but do you think it would handle that setup?

S1 i reckon is a no-no without a huge amount of work.

The cost of the base car comes into it i suppose, the VX's are much cheaper but would the benefits of the Elise be lost post conversion?


Cheers,
Olie

[Herman Toothrot]

Think of the VX220 as the front end of an S1 Elise and the rear end of an S2 Elise they are the same cars, just an evolution between the two. A VX220 is no 'Beefier' than an Elise.

[kambites]

The VX220's rear subframe is unique isn't it? No idea which is strongest though, possibly the 111R since it's so damned heavy?

[OlberJ]

The subframe would pretty much have to be removed and rebuilt/space-framed due to the gearbox.

[Herman Toothrot]

Then zero difference :-).

VX220 subframe is different but in very minimal terms, only engine mounts again it's an evolution between S1 and S2 more S2 than S1. Geary at EP had a look at mine to get correct double shear plates measured up or the toelink kit and that's how he described it.

[OlberJ]

Cheers for that. Are the hubs the same S2/VX220? As i know the S1 had issues with K20 swaps, unsure on the later cars.

Looks like it might come down to looks and cost otherwise.

[Herman Toothrot]

Hub carriers a think S2 and VX are the same at the rear, just got different hubs in the 5 bolt VX and 4 bolt Lotus - they are interchangeable which makes me think they are the same.

[kambites]

I'm pretty sure I've seen an S2 Elise with a version of the VR6 lump in it, although I don't think it was turbocharged.

[Exige77]

Speak to Plans Motorsport.

They have had a few "ex Lotus" long wheel base cars designed to take a V6.

I think they were mules for the V6 race car they built for Proton.

Ex77

[GTRene]

or you can contact Simon at Caral.

http://www.caral.co.uk/VX220_Speedster.html

they did the V6 on the VX220 but also on the Exige/Elise etc....also V8 ;-)

[OlberJ]

With the 2010 onwards Audi box i know i could get it in to a non stretched chassis. They did it with the old box and it'd be about 7" shorter driveshaft to front of engine.

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f3/lotus-esthi-414...

[OlberJ]

Something else,

S2 hubs, will they be different from Rover engined and Toyota engined cars?

[Herman Toothrot]

Different hub carriers on the Toyota to k series cars.

[OlberJ]

Cost wise, i can pick up a VX220 for about £7k, the right Elise is gonna cost £10k+ to start.

Thanks for all your input folks, much appreciated.

[the ronin]

Get the VX220 it doesn't have some chick name and looks so much meaner to start with, along with the 5 bolt hubs will give you a better choice of wheels when you flair out the body work to add some serious rubber.

[s express]

I know the rear chassis frame is bolted onto the aluminium tub and is in fact galv steel. So making / modifying the rear frame to suit another engine should be a piece of pee.
See some of my VX rebuild pics here showing the rear galv frame section.