An education in the K-Series

[Petrol_fumes]

Hi guys,

I'm trying to learn a little bit more about the K-Series and more specially the differences between the engines/state of tune in the standard 118hp, the 111, the 160 and 190 Sport grades of the S1 Elise.

Does anyone know any good sources of info?

Thanks

T

[Esprit]

Not 100% Expert but the following mods/power levels are the rough idea:

Standard S1: 118bhp, same engine as MGF, EU2 spec, MEMS ECU
Standard S2: 120bhp, same engine as MGF, EU3 spec, Lotus K4 ECU

• S1/S2 135/Sport 135/135R: ~140bhp Base engine with some light porting work and cams, sports exhaust. MEMS ECU in S1, K4 in S2
• S1 111S: 143bhp, same as MGF VVC, Rover VVC engine.
• S1 Sport 160: ~155bhp, similar spec to S135 but further porting / cams / exhaust manifold. Different ECU
• S1 Sport 190: 192ps Rover VHPD engine, different head casting, larger valves, porting, cams etc. Lotus V8/VHPD ECU.
• S1 Exige/340R: 177ps Rover VHPD engine. Same as sport 190 but with Catalytic converter, inlet noise restrictor, more docile cam timing etc. Optionable up to Sport 190 spec.
• S2 111 / 111s / Sport 111: 156bhp EU3 version of VVC engine similar to MGF160. Lotus K4 ECU.

That covers off most of them I think

[TIPPER]

Worth checking out Dave Andrews website http://www.dvapower.com/. Follow the links and there's masses of information. Dave is a highly respected builder/tuner of K series engines. Roger at Sabre heads also has a welath of knowledge http://www.sabre-heads.co.uk/1.html. Also worth checking though the Seloc technical archives as there's some great stuff in there including some engine rebuild/tuning threads.

[Scuffers]

Esprit said:

Not 100% Expert but the following mods/power levels are the rough idea:

Standard S1: 118bhp, same engine as MGF, EU2 spec, MEMS ECU
Standard S2: 120bhp, same engine as MGF, EU3 spec, Lotus K4 ECU

• S1/S2 135/Sport 135/135R: ~140bhp Base engine with some light porting work and cams, sports exhaust. MEMS ECU in S1, K4 in S2
• S1 111S: 143bhp, same as MGF VVC, Rover VVC engine.
• S1 Sport 160: ~155bhp, similar spec to S135 but further porting / cams / exhaust manifold. Different ECU
• S1 Sport 190: 192ps Rover VHPD engine, different head casting, larger valves, porting, cams etc. Lotus V8/VHPD ECU.
• S1 Exige/340R: 177ps Rover VHPD engine. Same as sport 190 but with Catalytic converter, inlet noise restrictor, more docile cam timing etc. Optionable up to Sport 190 spec.
• S2 111 / 111s / Sport 111: 156bhp EU3 version of VVC engine similar to MGF160. Lotus K4 ECU.

That covers off most of them I think

almost.

135 was just a lightly ported head, std cams etc.

Sport 160 was the same head as the 135 but with wilder cams.

111 as said was the first use of the VVC engine (different head, bigger valves, variable inlet cam)

S2 111S later EU3 version of the VVC engine from the as was MGF TF with 160hp

190 was the VHPD, toughrited crank, forged pistons, and a hybrid std/VVC head (ie bigger valves, but no variable cam).

[John D.]

Good source of info = SELOC

[Scuffers]

John D. said:

Good source of info = SELOC

lol!

[John D.]

Scuffers said:

John D. said:

Good source of info = SELOC

lol!

The tech wiki is very good in my un-expert opinion. Splitting opinion from fact perhaps tricky on the general forum sometimes.

More likely to get a response to a technical question on there than here at least.

[Petrol_fumes]

Thanks guys - I'm a member of SELOC and use the Wiki - but i've been looking to learn more about engines for a while (in general) and the K-Series seemed like a good place to start.

I've got some good leads there and so once again, thank you PH!

[Scuffers]

Petrol_fumes said:

Thanks guys - I'm a member of SELOC and use the Wiki - but i've been looking to learn more about engines for a while (in general) and the K-Series seemed like a good place to start.

I've got some good leads there and so once again, thank you PH!

your welcome...

never be afraid to ask, you might be surprised with the answer!

[TIPPER]

Scuffers said:

lol!

Still plenty of nuggets from yourself in there.

[Scuffers]

TIPPER said:

Still plenty of nuggets from yourself in there.

maybe I should send them a bill.....

[pthelazyjourno]

To be fair, there are still plenty of people who know their stuff.

They may not be as active as several years ago, but there are several people on SELOC that I have a lot of respect for.

They may be in a minority, but there are a few that have been there, done that and tried an awful lot of things with the Elise.

Then again, there are obviously the threads that turn into ststorms for no reasons, or because people refuse to accept tried and tested advice, or throw their toys out of the pram... They're not just restricted to SELOC though are they!

[DamienCBR]

I know this thread is a couple of months old but thought it would be best asked on here.

Does the Sport 160 engine have the same valves as a standard K Series. I know the VHPD has bigger valves but was not sure on the 160.

Thanks
D

[Korbi]

Yeah, it just has std valve sizes.