Lotus....111R......britains best kept secret!!!
Discussion
Bebee said:
'it wants to get to the next bend and prove it can go around it more than I do'
Great quote!
I got bit in 2009, before then I didn't get the Lotus thing, only after dropping my TVR's did I try the Elise variants and land on the SC, I won't be without it, now six years on. I'd like other motors but along side the Elise.
Enjoy your best kept secret.
Haha I mean it....one of us has a limit....I just don't know yet who's is higher Great quote!
I got bit in 2009, before then I didn't get the Lotus thing, only after dropping my TVR's did I try the Elise variants and land on the SC, I won't be without it, now six years on. I'd like other motors but along side the Elise.
Enjoy your best kept secret.
Think I am in for the long haul too......LOVE IT!!!
Ok well I am going to go for the airbox and the remap soon - will let you know what I think as soon as I do. I am not sure on the exhaust, I had an S2000 and put a buddyclub exhaust on it....it was awful
I drove around everywhere with a drone and terrible cabin noise...It lasted a week! Would be lovely to hear one with the 2Tubular on - Do you have it?? Is it good??
I drove around everywhere with a drone and terrible cabin noise...It lasted a week! Would be lovely to hear one with the 2Tubular on - Do you have it?? Is it good??Got a Larini backbox on mine which I really like. As long as you're on constant throttle, it doesn't drone. It'll drone a bit if you back off but that's soon sorted with a prod of the right pedal 
I also enjoy the times when at least 2 people come to the windows of the flats when I start it up in the garage 
I also enjoy the times when at least 2 people come to the windows of the flats when I start it up in the garage 
AyBee said:
Got a Larini backbox on mine which I really like. As long as you're on constant throttle, it doesn't drone. It'll drone a bit if you back off but that's soon sorted with a prod of the right pedal I also enjoy the times when at least 2 people come to the windows of the flats when I start it up in the garage
I also enjoy the times when at least 2 people come to the windows of the flats when I start it up in the garage 
Sounds perfect......I know I will end up with one although I will try and convince myself its unnecessary!! Hopefully someone at the Lotus day in May at Castle Coombe has one and can hear it first hand. Have to say everyone seems very friendly who has a Lotus!
Going for a blast when I get home and very excited!!!!! jamprichf1 said:
Ok well I am going to go for the airbox and the remap soon - will let you know what I think as soon as I do. I am not sure on the exhaust, I had an S2000 and put a buddyclub exhaust on it....it was awful I drove around everywhere with a drone and terrible cabin noise...It lasted a week! Would be lovely to hear one with the 2Tubular on - Do you have it?? Is it good??
Yeah, I like it. The nice thing about 2bular is that they are pretty much built to order, so you can phone Jim Valentine up and explain what it is that you are after and he will guide you to the right solution. The downside to that is that he's one man and bloody busy, so he can be hard to get hold of and the lead time can be long. Works of art, though. I drove around everywhere with a drone and terrible cabin noise...It lasted a week! Would be lovely to hear one with the 2Tubular on - Do you have it?? Is it good??This was just the exhaust;
https://youtu.be/SElDf3sDY3I
(ignore the poncey editing and audio, I was learning some video editing software)
This was with the TRD added;
https://youtu.be/q9tQLwjeAZ0
This is a very, very boring video with just the exhaust, and was just making a point about the thing being fairly flexible just punted along in the higher gears, keeping up with the traffic, but you should get an idea of how intrusive the exhaust noise is. Elises are pretty noisy anyway, but I never found the exhaust noise annoying.
https://youtu.be/HvexB1K8v6k
jamprichf1 said:
AyBee said:
Got a Larini backbox on mine which I really like. As long as you're on constant throttle, it doesn't drone. It'll drone a bit if you back off but that's soon sorted with a prod of the right pedal I also enjoy the times when at least 2 people come to the windows of the flats when I start it up in the garage
I also enjoy the times when at least 2 people come to the windows of the flats when I start it up in the garage Sounds perfect......I know I will end up with one although I will try and convince myself its unnecessary!! Hopefully someone at the Lotus day in May at Castle Coombe has one and can hear it first hand. Have to say everyone seems very friendly who has a Lotus! Going for a blast when I get home and very excited!!!!! I had a line of TVRs back about 10 years ago and always thought the Elise was a bit girlie. Only when I tried one did I "get" it.
Bought an S1 B&C 160, then an S2 111S, then a supercharged Exige. Fantastic cars in every way and its only circumstances now that have forced me to sell it.
Cracking motors. Enjoy!
Bought an S1 B&C 160, then an S2 111S, then a supercharged Exige. Fantastic cars in every way and its only circumstances now that have forced me to sell it.
Cracking motors. Enjoy!
jamprichf1 said:
Sure they will be plenty of threads on this but how painful is a track day (in terms of killing tyres/brakes etc) - There is a Lotus day at Castle Coombe in May....should I/shouldn't I......!!!!!
Not very painful, did my first days at Combe (in a 134S) last year and each took 1mm at most off the rear tyres, brake pads and discs didn't suffer much either.
otolith said:
Yeah, I like it. The nice thing about 2bular is that they are pretty much built to order, so you can phone Jim Valentine up and explain what it is that you are after and he will guide you to the right solution. The downside to that is that he's one man and bloody busy, so he can be hard to get hold of and the lead time can be long. Works of art, though.
This was just the exhaust;
https://youtu.be/SElDf3sDY3I
(ignore the poncey editing and audio, I was learning some video editing software)
This was with the TRD added;
https://youtu.be/q9tQLwjeAZ0
This is a very, very boring video with just the exhaust, and was just making a point about the thing being fairly flexible just punted along in the higher gears, keeping up with the traffic, but you should get an idea of how intrusive the exhaust noise is. Elises are pretty noisy anyway, but I never found the exhaust noise annoying.
https://youtu.be/HvexB1K8v6k
Well fair play that does sound absolutely superb and some great video footage there from the Gopro !! You really have me thinking now! Def airbox first and go from there I reckon. Thanks heaps for the links This was just the exhaust;
https://youtu.be/SElDf3sDY3I
(ignore the poncey editing and audio, I was learning some video editing software)
This was with the TRD added;
https://youtu.be/q9tQLwjeAZ0
This is a very, very boring video with just the exhaust, and was just making a point about the thing being fairly flexible just punted along in the higher gears, keeping up with the traffic, but you should get an idea of how intrusive the exhaust noise is. Elises are pretty noisy anyway, but I never found the exhaust noise annoying.
https://youtu.be/HvexB1K8v6k
jamprichf1 said:
Sure they will be plenty of threads on this but how painful is a track day (in terms of killing tyres/brakes etc) - There is a Lotus day at Castle Coombe in May....should I/shouldn't I......!!!!!
I melted a set of rears, but they were probably only 4mm left anyway and I got the tyre pressures wrong...Other than that, light means low cost.
definitely fit the 2Bular exhaust. The standard 111R when I got mine really did sound a bit like a sewing machine. At the same time I got rid of the standard airbox and put in a Hurricane induction kit. First time I got onto second cam I actually backed off when the noise gave me a start!
the other thing with the 2Bular is to remember Mr Chapman's mantra of "just add lightness". The standard exhaust is surprisingly heavy. Jim Valentine's are stainless steel and the workmanship is brilliant. Most shops would just stick weld them together. Jim TIG welds his - as stainless pipe should be!
great colour too by the way. Happy and safe driving!
the other thing with the 2Bular is to remember Mr Chapman's mantra of "just add lightness". The standard exhaust is surprisingly heavy. Jim Valentine's are stainless steel and the workmanship is brilliant. Most shops would just stick weld them together. Jim TIG welds his - as stainless pipe should be!
great colour too by the way. Happy and safe driving!
Eight years into 111R ownership, I can only agree. One thing, do not rush into the cam change...it kills the "sensation" of speed, even if it goes no slower. I personally loved the 2nd cam kick, try one before you spend your money,
Another bg thumbs up for Jim Valentine's 2bular exhaust, awesome piece of kit, and not noisy when pottling in town, so avoids the boy racer look.
I used mine for 4 and a half years as my daily driver, roof off most days, loved every single day, even getting caught in snow, wasnt the best, but all part of the fun.
It escalates when you meet with fellow owners, we have a great group in Sussex. Then trackdays and Euro jaunts just make it fantastic.
My engine suffered oil starvation at Goodwood last year, so, new engine and supercharger installed, may as well go big or go home I say.
The supercharger means you dont rev to 8,600 anymore, but carry speed at a fairly serious lick everywhere.
Brakes are worth an upgreade to, I went with grooved EBC's and Pagid pads, and they have'nt let me down yet.
Take a week and go to the Italian Dolomites, you will not regret it, and the weather adds another angle to the roof off experience. Oh and the Italians love the cars. Number one Pass for me is the Rombo, although Stelvio is what all the talk is of as the Elise was tested there.
Enjoy what is a fabulous, and being a rarer car.
Another bg thumbs up for Jim Valentine's 2bular exhaust, awesome piece of kit, and not noisy when pottling in town, so avoids the boy racer look.
I used mine for 4 and a half years as my daily driver, roof off most days, loved every single day, even getting caught in snow, wasnt the best, but all part of the fun.
It escalates when you meet with fellow owners, we have a great group in Sussex. Then trackdays and Euro jaunts just make it fantastic.
My engine suffered oil starvation at Goodwood last year, so, new engine and supercharger installed, may as well go big or go home I say.
The supercharger means you dont rev to 8,600 anymore, but carry speed at a fairly serious lick everywhere.
Brakes are worth an upgreade to, I went with grooved EBC's and Pagid pads, and they have'nt let me down yet.
Take a week and go to the Italian Dolomites, you will not regret it, and the weather adds another angle to the roof off experience. Oh and the Italians love the cars. Number one Pass for me is the Rombo, although Stelvio is what all the talk is of as the Elise was tested there.
Enjoy what is a fabulous, and being a rarer car.
BTW there is a Lotus On Track day at Angelsey on 24th May, we will all be there if you can do it, head over to www.lotus-on-track.com
Here's my son's S2 Elise the day I picked it up for him five years ago. Has the same engine in it as my wife's MG ZS120 which she rode shotgun just in case we had any trouble with the Elise on day one. Never know driving a car for the first time so wise to have back up.
The only less than minor renewal needed on the car soon after getting it was it had a very noisy nearside front wheel bearing. They are not too expensive and was a relatively easy DIY job.
He has since obtained the cylinder head assembly from a later MG TF which is a simple few extra hp upgrade for little outlay. Mind you, the performance "as is" is adequate ...
Despite my old joints objecting to every entry-exit, that little inconvenience is soon forgotten once under way. Getting in and out of my MGF is nowhere near as demanding. Without the hood in place, both cars far easier to enter and exit.
Despite "extreme" old age, love driving these fun little cars. Here's my old MGF which was originally owned by another PH member who made me an offer I could not refuse. Needed some work all of which I completed myself. I love the sound of those screaming K-Series at full chat only a few centimetres behind you.
The only less than minor renewal needed on the car soon after getting it was it had a very noisy nearside front wheel bearing. They are not too expensive and was a relatively easy DIY job.
He has since obtained the cylinder head assembly from a later MG TF which is a simple few extra hp upgrade for little outlay. Mind you, the performance "as is" is adequate ...
Despite my old joints objecting to every entry-exit, that little inconvenience is soon forgotten once under way. Getting in and out of my MGF is nowhere near as demanding. Without the hood in place, both cars far easier to enter and exit.Despite "extreme" old age
, love driving these fun little cars. Here's my old MGF which was originally owned by another PH member who made me an offer I could not refuse. Needed some work all of which I completed myself. I love the sound of those screaming K-Series at full chat only a few centimetres behind you.
Piers is right about the reflash smoothing out the kick at the cam change point - the two torque curves aren't very close at the standard crossover point, so you get a big jump which feels exciting. Dropping it to 5700rpm means the curves are closer together. It's objectively better, but subjectively some people prefer the standard setup.
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