Elise 2ZZ or 2ZR Engine

[JimTC]

Keen to get views on which is preferred in an Elise - 2ZZ engine mostly in Series 2 cars (and a few S3s) or the later 2ZR in Series 3?

I appreciate that the 2ZZ revs higher and the 2ZR has more torque.

But keen to get owner's views on real world differences.

Thanks in advance.

[Rick101]

ZZ for track, ZR for road.

Both good and will do either well. The few extra revs always helps on track.

[Jodele]

That's a good way of putting it. Just to add, the 2ZZ in a S2 is lighter and therefore makes the car more nimble. The down side, is that the really good go-fast stuff is just starting to come out for the 2ZZ.

[CocoPops]

I have an MY17.5 Elise Sport 220 (2ZR) and recently I took it on 3 trackdays (Le Mans, Dijon, Magny-Cours).

Did I miss the extra revs? Nope.
It drove sublimely, it really was superb on track.

If you wanted more power from the 2ZR, there are kits from Simply Sports Cars (Hofmanns is UK reseller) and Komotec (Hangar 111 in UK) that will go from 220 to 250 and 265.

I had my car weighed (with full tank of fuel) and it came in at:
931kg with HardTop
922kg with SoftTop
917kg without any roof.

Edited by CocoPops on Wednesday 15th August 08:40

[JimTC]

Thanks for all the replies - very interesting.

Other than the obvious changes in external appearance and change of engine, what are the main differences between a late S2 and S3?

I am currently running a TVR Chimaera 500 and trying to research Elise's carefully before making the leap :-)

Thanks again.

[Venisonpie]

I've got a 2014 S3, how can I tell what engine it has? Thanks

[deggles]

Venisonpie said:

I've got a 2014 S3, how can I tell what engine it has? Thanks

You can work it out from your VIN, there's a decoder in the service manual: http://vsic.lotuscars.com/system/files/documents/s...
Seventh digit should be your engine code

[Venisonpie]

deggles said:

Venisonpie said:

I've got a 2014 S3, how can I tell what engine it has? Thanks

You can work it out from your VIN, there's a decoder in the service manual: http://vsic.lotuscars.com/system/files/documents/s...
Seventh digit should be your engine code

Thanks, engine number gives it away too.

[TheAlastair34]

2ZZ for me, i have a N/A one in my car

most people regard the best S/C Elise to be the early S3 with the 2ZZ engine in, i love the engine and the way it revs

[lj04]

[quote=TheAlastair34]2ZZ for me, i have a N/A one in my car

most people regard the best S/C Elise to be the early S3 with the 2ZZ engine in, i love the engine and the way it revs[/quote

Yes loving mine

[hughcam]

2zz without a shadow of a doubt is a far more involving engine. And once an exhaust is added the sound and throttle response alone is on a different planet.

IMO the move to a 2zr engine was of necessity to comply with ever more stringent Euro emissions - not to increase performance.

The newer 2zr engined cars are slightly better screwed together but the 2zz engine cars (111r, Exige S2 variants) will likely be the more sought after in years to come.

[MTBMartin]

Pros and cons to both engines in my opinion. 2ZZ pros already covered by other posts but there are some for the 2ZR as well. The change to the 2ZR does indeed bring lower emissions and fuel consumption - not my highest priority but that does make it cheaper to run and tax. Big increase in torque is a real benefit though, and main reason I bought a 2016 car with the later engine. Feels effortless on road and good on track as well - pulls hard all the way to the limiter. I'd also add better refinement but it's easy to get more noise with different exhaust and/or induction (exhaust manifold change gives useful extra power too).
Previously owned a 111R with the N/A 2ZZ. Sounded great at 8000 rpm but the power band was way too narrow. On track it was either bouncing off the rev limiter or under the cam change point where it felt completely gutless, so it really needs the supercharger.

[peter2704]

Just need to find a good priced s/c kit for my n/a

[fridaypassion]

The new cars are ok the bigger thing people may not know is the true s3 cars have really short throw pedals which I don't think are as good as the older ones.

The sweet spot is 2.5 which had the updated clams but 2zz supercharged. Outside of the RGB edition they only made 50 of those cars and they are pretty sought after.

[tonyg58]

It's not just engines you need to consider

I owned a 2010 SC with a 2ZZ and now own a Cup 220 with a 2ZR and I'll keep the new one thanks !
Do i miss the way the 2ZZ makes that lovely grin inducing whine at 8000 rpm plus? - you bet i do.
I don't miss the fact that it's unhappy below 4000 rpm in high gears at all.
Does the fact that the 2ZR makes a pretty rough sounding noise as it climbs the rev range annoy me ? - a little.
Do i love the fact that it pulls strongly from 2000 rpm in any gear? - yep.

The real difference is in the box and the gearchange - i will NEVER go back to the old slow gearchange i had in the SC - the new one is light years ahead !

Whatever you decide make sure you get the car geometry checked and adjusted by someone who knows what they're doing - make a world of difference to any Elise !!

[2ZR_turbo_YarisRS]

I know this is a very old thread. I am wondering if anyone could lead me to a source of information which explains what - if any - structural changes Lotus made to the 2ZR-FE engine prior to supercharging it. I figure they must have done some valvetrain reinforcement to accommodate the higher RPM. I ask as I have swapped a 2ZR into my 2006 Yaris RS Hatch and turbocharged it. I want to know if there are any additional measures I should take even though I am running very similar horsepower numbers. Obviously Lotus has their own specific tuning, but that's a different matter.

[fridaypassion]

I think you'll find they just slapped the SC on

[sege]

Yes, I've never heard of any internal strengthening by the factory on the Toyota engines. Not the same I know, but lots and lots of after market supercharging gets done on the older 2zz. I'm putting 10psi through mine.
Hop you find the info you're after

[fridaypassion]

Gearboes are the weak point in the Toyota cars. They are made of chocolate and will need an oil cooler for even moderate track use.