Lotus Elise with VW 1.8T Engine

[G-rig]

What about an Ultima GTR?
(probably a bit on the expensive side).

At least you would blow everything away for about 100k.

Fastest top gear lap time:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdAz2...x=0&playnext=1

[team_v]

What about an Ultima GTR?
(probably a bit on the expensive side).

KTM Xbow would be a better alternative imho

[IanJ]

Just spotted this.

Check out the Aussie Elises forum or SELOC over in the UK.

From some research I had been doing the majority of conversions are Honda as Neil points out. Audi being a close 2nd then the Ford Duratec. However because toyota parts are now an off the shelf fit for the Elises these are fast becoming a new favourite.

Off the shelf toyota engines aren't the most exciting and do need some tinkering to get any decent power but $ value can't be argued with...and if you kill it there are loads more going to be appearing in wreckers than any of the other popular conversions.

[Sharkie]

Hello,
My name is Neil Trama (Neil Trama Engineering). I am a race engine builder and race engineer and a very long term (32 years) watercooled VW enthusiast.

Most of my work these days is on Lotus cars, so I feel I am qualified to offer the opinion that the Audi/VW powerplant idea is far from the best solution for serious Lotus performance, from a cost and weight viewpoint.

The best solution is to buy a 2ZZ-GE powered Elise 111R or Series 2 Exige. The best value for money is a N/A version then to supercharge or turbocharge it.

As an example. To convert a S1 Elise to Honda power, this being a well established conversion with "off the shelf" parts, will cost you $22000 for the N/A version on top of the car purchase. It follows that to custom fit an Audi/VW power unit is likely to cost near double that because of the need to design/fabricate components. Anyone who suggests less can't have seriously thought it through.

On the other hand we have now developed supercaharged 2ZZ-GE engines with over 370 BHP and turbo engines with over 500 BHP. As an example Mark O'Connor's Exige won the last round of the 2009 Dutton Rally Series outright having won the 800m sprint beating the next fastest car (A GT2 Porsche) by 0.7 seconds and the R35 Nissan GTR by 1.5 seconds.

Neil

Thanks for this input Neil, it is good to know .... and since my more recent plans have likely changed .... this (or something like this) is on the cards again .....

Trackspec 2005 Elises are for sale $25K on carsales but they have the Rover K series in them .... which will require an engine upgrade.

Maybe an early Boxster with a turbokit from these guys as an alternative ..... http://www.turbo-kits.com/

... Audi being a close 2nd ....

Thanks Ian, any more info on this? which Audi engines?

[IanJ]

1.8T

http://www.auto-teknix.co.uk/

Auto teknix used to be the guys to go to in the UK for this.

Scuffers (UK Elise racer) did the early work on VTEC conversions and I believe there is a dealer here in Aus that fits these.

http://hondaelise.com/

No links to duratec but I'm sure will help

[Kiel_GTI]

how about looking northward for a track car, ie japan.

pretty sure you could pick up a low km track car for cheap.

[Sharkie]

how about looking northward for a track car, ie japan.

pretty sure you could pick up a low km track car for cheap.

Yeah, been considering a 1.8 MX5 as well ... the others (S13-15, EVOs Subs and Skylines) are getting too old now and the continued running costs are not worth it IMO.

MX5 is great but lacks power .... (this can be fixed I know)

BUT ... In any case almost nothing touches a Elise/Exige for handling around the track and all it needs is more power .....

Honda powered option actually looks quite good ..... still to finish researching the VAG powered option though.

[IanJ]

I have to agree with you Sharkie. But I guess it all comes down to how deep your pockets are. Ariel Atom or XBow may work out more cost effective

[Sharkie]

In discussions with a colleague this arvo, he suggested a 350Z .....

Looked it up and a 350Z Track 2004 model with Nismo suspension could be had for as low as $26K .....

3.5l V6, front engined, rwd, not too bad an option i thought .... will look further into these I think ...

[IanJ]

Some good tuning options. Check out the supercharger kits