Elise S1 VAG conversion question?
Discussion
Hi Guys
I have found a S1 elise, with a Motorsport/Exige body, for sale here in Denmark.
The car looks really nice, but is only running the standard 120 hp K series.
The VAG 1.8T conversions really appeal to me, and i if i decide to buy the car, that would be the way i would go with it. Reason for this is that you could install the 150 hp Golf GTi version, that should be able to go through inspections here in Denmark (they are very strict) and then after inspection 200+ hp would be easy. I have seen that both Guglielmi and Auto Technix do these conversions, but it doesn't seem like they make kits for DIY. As i live in Denmark, i think that would be the easiest for me. So my question is are there any DIY kits available for this conversion, and is it even possible to do it yourself? How much work is involved?
Hope to hear from you
Very kind regards
Dennis
I have found a S1 elise, with a Motorsport/Exige body, for sale here in Denmark.
The car looks really nice, but is only running the standard 120 hp K series.
The VAG 1.8T conversions really appeal to me, and i if i decide to buy the car, that would be the way i would go with it. Reason for this is that you could install the 150 hp Golf GTi version, that should be able to go through inspections here in Denmark (they are very strict) and then after inspection 200+ hp would be easy. I have seen that both Guglielmi and Auto Technix do these conversions, but it doesn't seem like they make kits for DIY. As i live in Denmark, i think that would be the easiest for me. So my question is are there any DIY kits available for this conversion, and is it even possible to do it yourself? How much work is involved?
Hope to hear from you
Very kind regards
Dennis
Hi Dalla,
I would head over to www.seloc.org.
Theres alot of chat on various engine conversions in one of its sub forums.
HTH
I would head over to www.seloc.org.
Theres alot of chat on various engine conversions in one of its sub forums.
HTH
This is the car:
http://ljbiler.dk/2805.cms?id=774500554
I really like the VAG swap, as that makes it possible to swap a 150 hp 1.8T into it.
That should be able to get trough inspections, and the afterwards you could open it up.
http://ljbiler.dk/2805.cms?id=774500554
I really like the VAG swap, as that makes it possible to swap a 150 hp 1.8T into it.
That should be able to get trough inspections, and the afterwards you could open it up.
Nice looking car. You certainly could do a conversion. Opinion is divided on which engine conversion is better but many people think the low-revving nature of the VAG lump doesn't suit the car.
The VAG is the only one of the three engine conversions that I don't know whether there's a DIY kit for. If there isn't you'll have to fabricate engine mounts, gear selecting apparatus, half shafts, the wiring loom, etc. yourself which wont be easy.
The Duratec has the advantage (or possibly disadvantage, given what the K-series 'box feels like) of maintaining the K-series gearbox which means you don't need as many specialist parts.
The VAG is the only one of the three engine conversions that I don't know whether there's a DIY kit for. If there isn't you'll have to fabricate engine mounts, gear selecting apparatus, half shafts, the wiring loom, etc. yourself which wont be easy.
The Duratec has the advantage (or possibly disadvantage, given what the K-series 'box feels like) of maintaining the K-series gearbox which means you don't need as many specialist parts.
Edited by kambites on Thursday 6th August 18:08
kambites said:
...many people think the low-revving nature of the VAG lump doesn't suit the car.
I can certainly see this point of view; high-revving engines with not much torque, so that you have to work them hard to extract the performance, do sit better with the Elise's 'light and nimble' ethos.But it's worth saying that the VAG engine isn't that low revving... the standard tune 2.0 TFSi in my Skoda revs to a touch over 7,000 before the rev limiter stops play, which makes it higher-revving than the original K-series in the Elise. No appreciable turbo-lag, either, unless you f
k things up to the point where you find yourself at 1,500rpm in top gear.I'm not sure what peak-power revs are in the Skoda, to be honest. I'd guess they're around 6,250-6,500 by feel, but the thrust doesn't drop offnoticeably until you hit the rev-limiter.
Power peak is easily moved up the rev range with a change of cams, of course, but I'm not sure what the point would be with a turbo engine... it would probably just make it laggier lower down.
I do agree with you, on the whole though - lazy, torquey power just isn't what the Elise is about. A lot of the satisfaction comes from the need to drive it properly to get the best from it and the broad torque spread of the VAG would kind of make it too easy.
Power peak is easily moved up the rev range with a change of cams, of course, but I'm not sure what the point would be with a turbo engine... it would probably just make it laggier lower down.
I do agree with you, on the whole though - lazy, torquey power just isn't what the Elise is about. A lot of the satisfaction comes from the need to drive it properly to get the best from it and the broad torque spread of the VAG would kind of make it too easy.
Sam_68 said:
kambites said:
...many people think the low-revving nature of the VAG lump doesn't suit the car.
I can certainly see this point of view; high-revving engines with not much torque, so that you have to work them hard to extract the performance, do sit better with the Elise's 'light and nimble' ethos.But it's worth saying that the VAG engine isn't that low revving... the standard tune 2.0 TFSi in my Skoda revs to a touch over 7,000 before the rev limiter stops play, which makes it higher-revving than the original K-series in the Elise. No appreciable turbo-lag, either, unless you f
k things up to the point where you find yourself at 1,500rpm in top gear.Bernard brought one round the other day, had a quick play with it, and I have to say, it was hugely impressive, pulls well off-boost, very smooth into boost, and revs happily all the way to 7K (and further he suggested), it's nothing like people make out that turbo's are like.
lastly, to say it was quick is a bit of an understatement....
Scuffers said:
Sam_68 said:
kambites said:
...many people think the low-revving nature of the VAG lump doesn't suit the car.
I can certainly see this point of view; high-revving engines with not much torque, so that you have to work them hard to extract the performance, do sit better with the Elise's 'light and nimble' ethos.But it's worth saying that the VAG engine isn't that low revving... the standard tune 2.0 TFSi in my Skoda revs to a touch over 7,000 before the rev limiter stops play, which makes it higher-revving than the original K-series in the Elise. No appreciable turbo-lag, either, unless you f
k things up to the point where you find yourself at 1,500rpm in top gear.Bernard brought one round the other day, had a quick play with it, and I have to say, it was hugely impressive, pulls well off-boost, very smooth into boost, and revs happily all the way to 7K (and further he suggested), it's nothing like people make out that turbo's are like.
lastly, to say it was quick is a bit of an understatement....
Wildfire said:
I'd have a chat with Paul at PSR automotive, he's expereinced in installng Honda and Audi conversions. I believe he's doing a 2.0T install at the moment and it looked very tasty last time I was up there.
I'm sure he can point you in the right direction or even supply a DIY kit.
LOL!I'm sure he can point you in the right direction or even supply a DIY kit.
think I would wait till they have actually finished one....
Scuffers said:
Sam_68 said:
kambites said:
...many people think the low-revving nature of the VAG lump doesn't suit the car.
I can certainly see this point of view; high-revving engines with not much torque, so that you have to work them hard to extract the performance, do sit better with the Elise's 'light and nimble' ethos.But it's worth saying that the VAG engine isn't that low revving... the standard tune 2.0 TFSi in my Skoda revs to a touch over 7,000 before the rev limiter stops play, which makes it higher-revving than the original K-series in the Elise. No appreciable turbo-lag, either, unless you f
k things up to the point where you find yourself at 1,500rpm in top gear.Bernard brought one round the other day, had a quick play with it, and I have to say, it was hugely impressive, pulls well off-boost, very smooth into boost, and revs happily all the way to 7K (and further he suggested), it's nothing like people make out that turbo's are like.
lastly, to say it was quick is a bit of an understatement....
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