Upgrades for 111R
Discussion
Surfing the web looking for significant upgrades for my car, I remain quite desappointed .
The crazy one; www.benami.ch : not for me as too expensive and too risky on the long term
Induction: ITG seems to be the best option if price is not so much an issue but I am surprised by the BPH values they give on their web sites both for the car with and without the kit www.itgairfilters.com/downloads/Elise111R.pdf
Others inductions exist but I need more info.
Exhaust: Stage 2 is definitely too noisy for me so it remains Stage 1 or quicksilver or janspeed. But my goal is to improve the power and not so much the noise.
Finally there are only one option for 111R owners and it is a shame.
Oh I forgot the improved light kit from Lotus... :)
The crazy one; www.benami.ch : not for me as too expensive and too risky on the long term
Induction: ITG seems to be the best option if price is not so much an issue but I am surprised by the BPH values they give on their web sites both for the car with and without the kit www.itgairfilters.com/downloads/Elise111R.pdf
Others inductions exist but I need more info.
Exhaust: Stage 2 is definitely too noisy for me so it remains Stage 1 or quicksilver or janspeed. But my goal is to improve the power and not so much the noise.
Finally there are only one option for 111R owners and it is a shame.
Oh I forgot the improved light kit from Lotus... :)
My plan is an ITG and then either a Quicksilver or Stage2 - I don't think Stage2 provides any extra performance but the Quicksilver does so maybe that's decision made. I'd like some more low down power to be honest... Cannot wait to get shot of the stock exhaust - the standard sound really lets the car down!
I've been waiting for the fabled supercharger retrofit kit arriving ever since I took delivery of my 111r. I really hope it happens soon - there's no way the factory will recoup their development costs on the 240r and Circuit Car models alone. Furthermore, there is a huge potential market in the US Elise owners, who are crying out for more power - to the extent that there is now at least one fully developed aftermarket turbo kit available there. However, the 240r shows that the Lotus kit works well, whilst the Circuit Car demonstrates that they can package it under the flat Elise-style bonnet (as opposed to the Exige-style hatchback).
I would guess that it's not going to be cheap at all - labour alone for a dealer install is likely to be hefty. However, when I was talking to a factory development engineer at a trackday, he was describing how much shorter the straights become in the SC car, and hence the need for uprated brakes and handling. They may therefore seek to make the retrofit kit Exige only, or at the very least mandate that the Exige handling conversion and big-brake kit be fitted at the same time for Elise applications.
[k]
>> Edited by [k]ar| on Wednesday 7th September 23:11
I would guess that it's not going to be cheap at all - labour alone for a dealer install is likely to be hefty. However, when I was talking to a factory development engineer at a trackday, he was describing how much shorter the straights become in the SC car, and hence the need for uprated brakes and handling. They may therefore seek to make the retrofit kit Exige only, or at the very least mandate that the Exige handling conversion and big-brake kit be fitted at the same time for Elise applications.
[k]
>> Edited by [k]ar| on Wednesday 7th September 23:11
My feeling on the "when" question is that lotus have to let the new owners of the 240 have thier moment. You can not release the limited editon run of 50 cars just to ruin that ethos by offering the kit to every tom dick and R owner.
The other influence has to be the cayman. If the cayman starts to steal sales then lotus have to fight back. Offering a supercharger upgrade to give porker destroying performance in every way would be a very efficient way of getting performance drivers to purchase your product.
Lets face it 90% of the development work has been done. Did you notice how the intercooler on the new track car was flat and small enough to fit in the R. Unlike the SC in the 240 which has an intercooler mounted on top the engine and is the size of a small car in itself.
I think when the initial rush has worn off of the cayman and when the 240 owners have had thier time of "uniqueness".
The other influence has to be the cayman. If the cayman starts to steal sales then lotus have to fight back. Offering a supercharger upgrade to give porker destroying performance in every way would be a very efficient way of getting performance drivers to purchase your product.
Lets face it 90% of the development work has been done. Did you notice how the intercooler on the new track car was flat and small enough to fit in the R. Unlike the SC in the 240 which has an intercooler mounted on top the engine and is the size of a small car in itself.
I think when the initial rush has worn off of the cayman and when the 240 owners have had thier time of "uniqueness".
Although the supercharger does get flat packed into the circuit car, the intercooler is at the rear of the engine bay and is fed by vents on the rear bodywork. Surely an Elise would therefore need a modified rear clam to be able to achieve this?
I think it would be likely that initially the supercharger kit would only be availble for Exiges and perhaps a subsequent new model Elise. I don't care about having my moment of exclusivity, the sooner it's released the better.
I think it would be likely that initially the supercharger kit would only be availble for Exiges and perhaps a subsequent new model Elise. I don't care about having my moment of exclusivity, the sooner it's released the better.
The intercooler could be to the driver's side and lower section of the engine bay allowing the driver's side air scoop to force air over the IC. Even better addition would be an air scoop cut into the under pan to feed cool air to the other side of the IC.
>> Edited by GRL on Thursday 8th September 16:34
>> Edited by GRL on Thursday 8th September 16:34
scotte said:
correct me if im wrong but "porsche caymen s"
£44 k +
0-60 in 5.1
top speed 171
(no doubt the lotus corners better)
the 111R/ExigeS2 has it beat already doesn'it ?
unless i am driving
(except top speed)
>> Edited by scotte on Thursday 8th September 12:34
Now compare the 0-100 times...
the supercharger kit for these engine has been availabkle from blitz about 3 months after the engine was released, all that would be needed for the elise is a suitable mounting point for the intercooler, so if some of yopu people where really desperate for this kit would it pay to get the supercharger done from a toyota tuner who has done it on the celicas and get them to sort the intercooler out i am sure they will be able to sort it.
We all know any lotus is better than any porker but the people who buy porkers do it for the "statement" that owning a porker makes. When that statement is blown into the weeds by a lotus then it can not be ignored.
There is no porker owner wo likes to be second best even when it is glaringly obvious.
There is no porker owner wo likes to be second best even when it is glaringly obvious.
People consider Porsches to better because they under the misunderstanding, that cos it is a Porsche nothing else is as good.
It all depends on what you are after, as compromise on most issues then it maybe better than some, but the Boxter IMHumbleO, is not better than any Lotus. There are to many of them, they dont handle as well as a number of other makes available, and the look of them leaves a lot to be desired. Can not stand some of the opinions expressed on Top Gear, but their one on the Boxter i.e. it looks the same from the back as it does from the front, I couldnt agree more with.
As to the 0-100 times, who cares, Legally you can not do it on a public highway and even if you were daft enough to try it there are very few opportunities where doing 0-100 was an option.
All in all, if you want a Sports car then there a number of makes out there that do the job better than a Porsche, if you want a Cruiser then the Porsche is one of the last cars I would choose. God strike me down for saying this, but a BMW would be better for that.
As to the statement a Porsche makes, not a very loud one. I have numerous compliements paid to me about the Elise as do a number of people on here, very rarely see people stop to look at Porsches, or shout out compliments as they drive past.
Thats my 2p worth, I await the derision
>> Edited by beachbum on Thursday 8th September 18:07
It all depends on what you are after, as compromise on most issues then it maybe better than some, but the Boxter IMHumbleO, is not better than any Lotus. There are to many of them, they dont handle as well as a number of other makes available, and the look of them leaves a lot to be desired. Can not stand some of the opinions expressed on Top Gear, but their one on the Boxter i.e. it looks the same from the back as it does from the front, I couldnt agree more with.
As to the 0-100 times, who cares, Legally you can not do it on a public highway and even if you were daft enough to try it there are very few opportunities where doing 0-100 was an option.
All in all, if you want a Sports car then there a number of makes out there that do the job better than a Porsche, if you want a Cruiser then the Porsche is one of the last cars I would choose. God strike me down for saying this, but a BMW would be better for that.
As to the statement a Porsche makes, not a very loud one. I have numerous compliements paid to me about the Elise as do a number of people on here, very rarely see people stop to look at Porsches, or shout out compliments as they drive past.
Thats my 2p worth, I await the derision
>> Edited by beachbum on Thursday 8th September 18:07
scotte said:
Now compare the 0-100 times...
to save me looking Dan (as im tired and want to go home) what are the 0-100 times for 111R, ExigeS2 and Cayman ?
i honestly have no idea
cheers
scott
IIRC for the 111R it is around 14 sec, but as said it is probaly not the most relevant mesure.
We are very much influence by medias and marketing.
Regarding 0-60 times, usually nobody, even sports car journalist can't reproduced them in normal situation.
When diesel cars started to be "interesting" publicist came with torque as a strong marketing argument because diesel engine got alot of it....
Top speed is totally out dated but was the only question years ago...
Personnally, my criteria would be more 30 - 70 mph time or 60 to 90, as this is what you need to overtake.
But all this point does not give an idea of the feedback from the chassis, the wheel and the confidence you can put in the car. Lotus is for me the best at the handling-game but that also mean that I didn't try so many of them (no ferrari, no noble, no caterham,....)
Speaking about Porsche, my feeling is that they were a few years ago where Lotus is today.
Originally, the 911 was a real sportscars with a concept and its pitfalls. To drive one was an issue specially on the wet. Then they realise that the market was too small (reputation was there + and -) and they change the access to the car (PSM, Carrera 4, ....) while keeping a strong "sports" car picture. I do believe they produce a very nice compromise as sportscar and everyday car. I feel that for marketing reason, Lotus could fellow the same way. Electric windows, sound insulation, aircon,...
What's your idea?
Ben
Now it is time to go home, my R is uncomfortably waiting for a very nice drive.
I'm not knocking the Elise, but my comment was just about keeping a bit of perspective. There is life beyond lotus and 60-100 on an Elise isn't as quick as the 0-60 suggests. Past 100 the cayman would likely destroy any Elise. It costs a lot more though, so no one should be bitter! The Elise is a great car, but if you overstate its performance you run the risk of looking a tad silly
p.s. I'd still buy another Elise, but it would have to have a Honda in it
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