Europa power issue

[ALFS]

Hey guys,

Im the new proud owner of a 225bhp Europa S

I have previously owned 2 Elises, a standard 2004 k series engine then a 111s.

There seems to be a slight dip in power every now and then when accelerating hard at about 4000rpm. Has anyone experienced this type of issue?

Apart from this niggle... WOW what a great car!

Cheers

Al

[dan1758]

Mine does the same; known as the "flat spot"

I got used to it very quickly. I'm told its caused by the ECU and currently these are being worked on both here and in Germany to try and find a solution.

HTH

Edited by dan1758 on Wednesday 20th October 16:45

[J2LOT]

TADTS. You will quickly get used to it and learn to 'drive around' it. I had forgotten it was there until I was reminded by your post. Hope you enjoy the car.

[ALFS]

Thanks. fingers crossed for that ECU fix.

[planenut]

My Europa S does the same. It has a Thorney 240 bhp ECU upgrade with a full Milltek exhaust but the dyno graphs still show a bit of a dip in power and torque at about 4200 rpm and you can certainly feel it. Looking forward to the "new improved" ECU as apart from the non-linear power delivery it is an excellent car. Any updates on the new ECU availability and cost?

[C43]

mine does the same.

Lisa claims that the charge cooler kit solves this but I have not tried it.

As everyone says you get used to it and the problem goes away. If you are pushing hard on track change up a second after the gearchange light comes on makes sure you don't dip down into that rev range.

otherwise enjoy a great car.

cheers

C43

[GTRene]

have those europa's with Opel engine the same "problem" also with the response of the gas-pedal when let go the gas pedal it still takes some time to go down in revs?
I had that in my Opel speedster Turbo (VX220 turbo) I hated that, something to do with emissions they said at the time.

[dan1758]

GTRene said:

have those europa's with Opel engine the same "problem" also with the response of the gas-pedal when let go the gas pedal it still takes some time to go down in revs?
I had that in my Opel speedster Turbo (VX220 turbo) I hated that, something to do with emissions they said at the time.

Maybe the problem you had has been solved??

The only time i have had anything like that is when the car is started from cold and its been parked outside overnight (its normally kept in a garage) but it only happens between 1st and 2nd gear with the revs holding at about 2000rpm. A quick blip on the gas seems to cure it.

[GTRene]

its a shame though that the Europa did nog get the newer 2.0 260hp engine the Opel GT and or Solstice has.

[flanders]

]

GTRene said:

have those europa's with Opel engine the same "problem" also with the response of the gas-pedal when let go the gas pedal it still takes some time to go down in revs?
I had that in my Opel speedster Turbo (VX220 turbo) I hated that, something to do with emissions they said at the time.

We removed the first katt....Wich is legal in Belgium according my dealer...And have since not experienced this problem anymore... but the dip at 4200 is still there...it has a feeling like there is some sudden extra air-intake valve opening in the intake system... otherwise just a supercar...
-31000 kms now. Europa S 225-

Edited by flanders on Thursday 21st October 07:03

[roger.daltrey]

You do get used to it, and to be honest I'd actually forgotten it was there.

The overrun on the revs will disappear when the engine is run in - it used to do it on mine, but not any more.

Thats not to say that I've just driven round both problems above, but I doubt it.

[GTRene]

flanders] said:

GTRene said:

have those europa's with Opel engine the same "problem" also with the response of the gas-pedal when let go the gas pedal it still takes some time to go down in revs?
I had that in my Opel speedster Turbo (VX220 turbo) I hated that, something to do with emissions they said at the time.

We removed the first katt....Wich is legal in Belgium according my dealer...And have since not experienced this problem anymore... but the dip at 4200 is still there...it has a feeling like there is some sudden extra air-intake valve opening in the intake system... otherwise just a supercar...
-31000 kms now. Europa S 225-

ah, indeed that could just be it...the communication between the cat and the ecu why it handled so slow in response.

strange though the dip in power you Europa drivers have, I cant recall the Speedster had that too, I think not I found the response very good for that 2.0 turbo.

but the Europa came in a few years later with new emission rules that maybe spoiled it around 4.200rpm? for you drivers.

wonder if that newer 2.0 turbo Opel engine wich lays in the GT (260hp) have the same issues...

also the Europa Se with his standard 225hp does that car has the same isues too?

Edited by GTRene on Thursday 21st October 10:40

[Norgles]

I did read somewhere (I think it might have been on PistonHeads) that the flat spot is all down to passing emission regulations. Apparently this is even more noticeable on the 200 bhp models.

[GTRene]

so, a smart programmer can fix that....at a price I guess.
when opening that box of pandora he could also ad some extra power

[aelord]

Very unfairly underrated, Europas.

[Norgles]

According to Thornley the ECU is part VX220 Turbo, part VXR Astra I wonder if this is why it is difficult to crack.

[GTRene]

Norgles said:

According to Thornley the ECU is part VX220 Turbo, part VXR Astra I wonder if this is why it is difficult to crack.

those? they did at least some good things when you look at the graphics...its a lot better around 4.000rpm

http://www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk/tuning/lotus/eu...

[planenut]

My Europa S has the Thorney ECU and Milltek upgrade and the Dyno graphs I have do not look as linear as the ones on the link. They still have a dip at 4200 rpm pretty much as the originals do only about 40 hp higher and it feels that way when you drive it. I must admit you do get used to it and learn to compensate but its not ideal. Good as it is, I don't think Thorney sorted the problem.

[GTRene]

its indeed a strange dip around 4.000rpm
wonder what makes it work that way...some control system? would be weird if thats because of emissions around those rpm.

[bigcalm]

I had a definite improvement when I fitted a Milltek full exhaust, with the flat spot smoothed quite a bit. The first owner (a tuning shop) also fitted a piggy-back ECU, but to be honest power delivery is better with the new ECU switched off. I am thinking about the Thorney ECU upgrade - what's the general consensus, is it worth it?

Cheers