Owners of Turbo Technics Supercharged Elises
Discussion
I've visited the factory and have taken out the TT190 demonstrator. I was very impressed and it confirmed my belief that superchargers are the way to go.
The conversion
What is the conversion like to live with on a day to day basis?
Fuel consumption?
Oil consumption?
Starting problems?
Driving in traffic?
TT230 - any drop in low rpm torque?
Has anyone converted a Lotus Sport 135 to a TT230 ?
Servicing
Any faults with TT equipment - how did they resolve them?
Has the extra torque broken/worn other parts of the transmission?
I known TT will cover engine and transmission under their own warrantee, but have any Lotus dealers had an issue servicing your cars?
How much does it cost to replace, MOT, and remove the CAT?
Anyone had any "difficulties" not having the CAT installed?
Insurance
Any problems with insurance (I found about 50% or companies would not insure my S1 BBR GTI160)
Any recommendations?
Resale
Have any of you tried to sell your cars yet?
Could you charge a premium over similar but non TT upgraded cars?
Is it worth the money? Would you have your next Elise upgraded? Did they budge on the list price?
Anything I've missed?
Many thanks for your time.
Miles
The conversion
What is the conversion like to live with on a day to day basis?
Fuel consumption?
Oil consumption?
Starting problems?
Driving in traffic?
TT230 - any drop in low rpm torque?
Has anyone converted a Lotus Sport 135 to a TT230 ?
Servicing
Any faults with TT equipment - how did they resolve them?
Has the extra torque broken/worn other parts of the transmission?
I known TT will cover engine and transmission under their own warrantee, but have any Lotus dealers had an issue servicing your cars?
How much does it cost to replace, MOT, and remove the CAT?
Anyone had any "difficulties" not having the CAT installed?
Insurance
Any problems with insurance (I found about 50% or companies would not insure my S1 BBR GTI160)
Any recommendations?
Resale
Have any of you tried to sell your cars yet?
Could you charge a premium over similar but non TT upgraded cars?
Is it worth the money? Would you have your next Elise upgraded? Did they budge on the list price?
Anything I've missed?
Many thanks for your time.
Miles
I've got a TT230 and it is fantastic. It feels more like a normally aspirated engine than forced induction. It has reasonable low down torque but really flies further up the rev range.
The car has done 2000 miles on the converted engine including a couple of track days. So far it hasn't had problems of any sort. Temperature is always constant and it has used less than a liter of oil.
Overall, it makes a great car even better!
The car has done 2000 miles on the converted engine including a couple of track days. So far it hasn't had problems of any sort. Temperature is always constant and it has used less than a liter of oil.
Overall, it makes a great car even better!
quote:
Don't mean to put anyone off but I have herd of 2 engine burn outs in these mods. As in a fire and complete rear meltdown. I am sure that the build is of a good quality and these incidents are purely incidental but its always worth asking them the burning question.
I have heard of one similar incident and one engine suffering head gasket failure. I think (hope!) that these were earlier conversions. It seems like they have ironed out the weaknesses but I guess only time will tell...
One alternative that may be worth looking at - a US company is apparently dropping Honda S2000 engines in Elises. Similar horsepower with a bit less torque but Honda reliability.
quote:
One alternative that may be worth looking at - a US company is apparently dropping Honda S2000 engines in Elises. Similar horsepower with a bit less torque but Honda reliability.
See the thread on 240bhp Honda conversion.
I am still debating what to do about a power upgrade. To be fair to TT the failures mentioned relate to I believe earlier conversions and they do seem to have got their act together. New conversions are offered a one year warranty extendable to 2 years.
I test drove a converted 111S earlier this year and was impressed by the surge of power above 100mph and certainly noticed the torque in the lower gears. That car ironically is now for sale on PH.
It would obviously be down to the current owner to state how good or bad it has been, but at the time it felt tight and ran smoothly. This particular car had had its brakes and suspension upgraded to match the increase in power, essential if the car is going to be used 'properly' - a point made in relation to braking by the chaps in the US who have dropped the Honda engines into their Elise/Exige - they run standard brakes at present on both cars albeit not for long.
I will more than likely take the chance with a power upgrade at some point next year. Racespeed may well do the Honda conversions over here so I will await to see how much it will cost in relation to the TT conv.
In the meantime am upgrading driver to match the cars current abilities which far outstrip the drver for the moment.
PC
Try a Sport 190 Elise with the TT260 supersport.It can be fitted because the 190 is the VHPD engine on the Exige that the TT260 is designed for.
It handles Lotus but has more mid and top end power.
May I suggest an upgraded Exaust!
>> Edited by hungryjim on Monday 30th September 21:12
It handles Lotus but has more mid and top end power.
May I suggest an upgraded Exaust!
>> Edited by hungryjim on Monday 30th September 21:12
I have had my TT190 S2 now for about three weeks - it’s now run in and all I can say is that I am now utterly convinced that I have made the correct decision.
On the plus side the performance of the car is completely transformed. Even when running it in and taking it easy the ability to ride a wave of torque made the car both significantly quicker but also more relaxing to drive. Now the 1000 mile run in period is over and full throttle is available the performance is quite stunning. My conversion includes the 4:1 manifold a sports exhaust and a cat bypass so power is estimated at about the 200 bhp level. The noise is also fantastic, with loud pops and cracks on overrun and a motorsportesque scream on full throttle under acceleration.
On the down side, cold starting was initially difficult - now I know why they took the car for a spin round the block before letting me drive off - but the key is to simply let the starter motor do its thing for 3 to 5 seconds with no gas, let it idle for about 20 to 30 seconds and after that the car drives pretty much as standard - apart from a slight bit of shunting on overrun at 1.5 to 2,000 revs. This to me is the only fault - and can be addressed apparently by tweaking the engine management now the car is run in. I'll believe that when I see it however - although it is not that much of a problem and not one I can't live with. Also the car does run hot - and even the upgraded radiator I asked to have fitted does not appear to help that much - a new thermostat may be added soon.
Also the three year warrantee does provide me with a high degree of reassurance - more that Lotus gave me!
Just do it.
Cheers
Julian
On the plus side the performance of the car is completely transformed. Even when running it in and taking it easy the ability to ride a wave of torque made the car both significantly quicker but also more relaxing to drive. Now the 1000 mile run in period is over and full throttle is available the performance is quite stunning. My conversion includes the 4:1 manifold a sports exhaust and a cat bypass so power is estimated at about the 200 bhp level. The noise is also fantastic, with loud pops and cracks on overrun and a motorsportesque scream on full throttle under acceleration.
On the down side, cold starting was initially difficult - now I know why they took the car for a spin round the block before letting me drive off - but the key is to simply let the starter motor do its thing for 3 to 5 seconds with no gas, let it idle for about 20 to 30 seconds and after that the car drives pretty much as standard - apart from a slight bit of shunting on overrun at 1.5 to 2,000 revs. This to me is the only fault - and can be addressed apparently by tweaking the engine management now the car is run in. I'll believe that when I see it however - although it is not that much of a problem and not one I can't live with. Also the car does run hot - and even the upgraded radiator I asked to have fitted does not appear to help that much - a new thermostat may be added soon.
Also the three year warrantee does provide me with a high degree of reassurance - more that Lotus gave me!
Just do it.
Cheers
Julian
I believe that it is my TT 111s that has been mentioned in this thread! I brought the car back in Feb. this year and have done 2000 miles during the summer.
When I first looked at an Elise I was disappointed with the performance, my previous car was a 330bhp Evo V! I looked at the sport 190, but concluded that the no torque and high revving engine didn't suit my driving style....then I drove my TT 111s and knew it was perfect for me. It has loads of torque from 2500rpm and doesn't need to have to be bouncing off the limited to make rapid progress.
I have found the conversion to be 100% reliable, no idling problems at all, the only upgrade I have done is to stick a 82 degree stat. in to help keep the temp. down while stuck in traffic. The car is amazingly quick in a straight line and uncatchable round the bends due to the Leda adjustable shocks and motorsport springs.
The brakes have been upgraded, Pads, disc's and hoses. This is a must if you drive an Elise with about 220bhp!!!
To give you an idea of the performance of my car, in one 15 min session at Castle Coombe I lapped 2 well driven 111s's which had both had slight modifications. I was timed at 1'22 sec's on one flying lap!!!
Mine is for sale as I am looking for a Bike engined car to clog up my garage.
One thing I will add is check you can get it insured as people looking at mine are having difficulty.
When I first looked at an Elise I was disappointed with the performance, my previous car was a 330bhp Evo V! I looked at the sport 190, but concluded that the no torque and high revving engine didn't suit my driving style....then I drove my TT 111s and knew it was perfect for me. It has loads of torque from 2500rpm and doesn't need to have to be bouncing off the limited to make rapid progress.
I have found the conversion to be 100% reliable, no idling problems at all, the only upgrade I have done is to stick a 82 degree stat. in to help keep the temp. down while stuck in traffic. The car is amazingly quick in a straight line and uncatchable round the bends due to the Leda adjustable shocks and motorsport springs.
The brakes have been upgraded, Pads, disc's and hoses. This is a must if you drive an Elise with about 220bhp!!!
To give you an idea of the performance of my car, in one 15 min session at Castle Coombe I lapped 2 well driven 111s's which had both had slight modifications. I was timed at 1'22 sec's on one flying lap!!!
Mine is for sale as I am looking for a Bike engined car to clog up my garage.
One thing I will add is check you can get it insured as people looking at mine are having difficulty.
Miles,
I am fortunate enough to own a garage so I have a traders policy.....cost me £42.00 to insure my TT. I have asked this question on the TT Yahoo group forum, go to www.uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/EliseTT and see the messages with my name attached. I would also reccommend that you put some questions to the other members as they all own TT'ed Elises.
Would you be interested in mine as I am looking at selling?
Dom.
I am fortunate enough to own a garage so I have a traders policy.....cost me £42.00 to insure my TT. I have asked this question on the TT Yahoo group forum, go to www.uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/EliseTT and see the messages with my name attached. I would also reccommend that you put some questions to the other members as they all own TT'ed Elises.
Would you be interested in mine as I am looking at selling?
Dom.
My conversion includes the 4:1 manifold a sports exhaust and a cat bypass so power is estimated at about the 200 bhp level. The noise is also fantastic, with loud pops and cracks on overrun and a motorsportesque scream on full throttle under acceleration.
Julian, the 4 into 1 is the bit I am interested in, is it worth it and does it actually produce a reasonable torque increase, would I also be better oof going to get the manifold elsewhere?
Cheers
PC
>> Edited by Felix7 on Thursday 14th November 00:32
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