Lotus 3 Eleven
Discussion
CTE said:
Ben, great and brave choice of car. This and other things is inspiring me to look at something like your car. I too am lucky enough to own a 12c...how do you compare the performance of the two?...my guess is initial acceleration and responsiveness of the 311 will be quicker, but once the 12c is in its stride...big track like Silverstone required, then it will walk away...although maybe not in outright cornering speed due to the aero in the 311? I can imagine that because it is open topped that the senses are overloaded?
Yes CTE, you are spot on with your hypothesis. The 3-Eleven is stronger on initial acceleration (thanks to its lightweight and that supercharger) and quicker around tighter circuits like Castle Combe, for example. On longer circuits like Silverstone or Spa the 12C feels quite a bit faster due to its formidable mid-range torque and top end power. The Lotus gives you the impression (and confidence) that it can lap forever however, whereas, even with carbon brakes, the McLaren's weight (hardly a heavyweight though significantly 300kg+ up on the 311) starts to tell. They are a perfect complimentary combination! The 311 though is the only performance car I've ever owned that I will get up super early on a dry Sunday morning and go for a long country blast, just for the hell of it. I don't do that in the 12C. At 1/10 or 10/10ths you're grinning like a cheshire cat in the Lotus - it's sensory overload! An open cockpit mini Le Mans racer experience you just don't get anywhere else. The car is a keeper. Well, until the time I can't physically get in and out of it anymore!
The 3-Eleven is currently at Lotus Bell & Colvill in Surrey having the following done:
- Check brake discs and pads (I may have over heated them with sustained lapping at a Castle Combe track day
)
- Check rear wing (the struts need tightening since there is some vibration above 120mph)
- Reset the passenger side carbon bucket seat padding
- Fit alcantara steering wheel (current one is leather)
- Fit front end winglets
- Fit remaining PPF to roll hoop
- Perform full post track day inspection
Looking forward to picking it up next Monday, hopefully fully fit again.
- Check brake discs and pads (I may have over heated them with sustained lapping at a Castle Combe track day
)- Check rear wing (the struts need tightening since there is some vibration above 120mph)
- Reset the passenger side carbon bucket seat padding
- Fit alcantara steering wheel (current one is leather)
- Fit front end winglets
- Fit remaining PPF to roll hoop
- Perform full post track day inspection
Looking forward to picking it up next Monday, hopefully fully fit again.
I'm starting to get to grips with the Lotus on-circuit now. I look it to a Goodwood own track day on Friday and was relieved the weather stayed sunny and dry all day. There was an exciting mix on cars on the day, including a number of Porsche Cayman GT4s, a 991 GT3 and a McLaren 12C. The highlights for me were getting the 3-Eleven's tail our under power through Lavant Corner; staying ahead of a mad 700bhp Subaru Impreza (just); and, trying to keep up with a young race driver in a Goodwood prepared BMW M4. That last one really brought it home to me the difference between a competent track day-goer (which I think I am now, after 10 years) and a professional. Just as well to stick to the day job!
Spent the whole of Sunday morning getting down and dirty cleaning the 3-Eleven after its track days at Castle Combe and Goodwood before taking it to an excellent local meet in Cobham. This was followed-up with a hugely rewarding drive through the Surrey Hills taking in Ryka's Cafe near Dorking - a bikers' hang-out but they all seemed appreciative of the car's lightweight ethos.
The Lotus is relatively easy to clean below the waist but above it it's a bloody nightmare trying to prevent soapy suds poring into the cockpit! Track day rubber marks are also a real pain to get rid of. Much elbow grease needed, although the PPF helps; definitely worth the investment.
The Lotus is relatively easy to clean below the waist but above it it's a bloody nightmare trying to prevent soapy suds poring into the cockpit! Track day rubber marks are also a real pain to get rid of. Much elbow grease needed, although the PPF helps; definitely worth the investment.
I'm seriously tempted to upgrade the 3 Eleven's engine output from 410bhp to 475bhp (same power as the race version) by Komo-tec via Hangar 111, once the official warranty expires in April next year.
Further details of the upgrade:
To provide the car with more appropriate dynamics we have developed the Phase 1 311-475.
Kit contents:
- Sports-Airfilter
- Sports Manifold
- Sport HJS-Catalyst 20cpsi
- Software-Upgrade
Result:
- 475 hp and 495 Nm torque
CAUTION: Kit requires the use of fuel Super Plus Fuel ROZ98 (or higher quality).
Further details of the upgrade:
To provide the car with more appropriate dynamics we have developed the Phase 1 311-475.
Kit contents:
- Sports-Airfilter
- Sports Manifold
- Sport HJS-Catalyst 20cpsi
- Software-Upgrade
Result:
- 475 hp and 495 Nm torque
CAUTION: Kit requires the use of fuel Super Plus Fuel ROZ98 (or higher quality).
A couple of nice shots of the Lotus 3-Eleven at the last EVO Magazine track day at Bedford Autodrome: I was limited to 5,000rpm due to noise limits (the car produces peak power 410bhp at 7,000rpm) and the car was sliding around more than usual (a few twitchy moments) but what a blast!
stevebroad said:
Very nice toy.
You can't have too much power :-)
One question. In the spec list you quote a dry weight of 925Kg. Is that correct?
I believe this is the dry weigh yes, but I stand open to correction. It's heavier than you might have expected (certainly when compared to a 2-Eleven) but I assume the Toyota sourced V6 lump weighs a fair bit. Still, power to weight is pretty spectacular an it's plenty quick enough! You can't have too much power :-)
One question. In the spec list you quote a dry weight of 925Kg. Is that correct?
I'm thinking of upgrading the 3-Eleven's power output to 475hp via the Komo-Tec “Phase Eleven-475-Kit”:
Komo-Tec literature - The 3-Eleven is supplied with 416hp factory spec. In order to give the 3-Eleven a better performance, we have developed the Upgrade “Phase Eleven-475-Kit”. We were able to increase the maximum output by approx. 60 hp by the use of stainless-steel manifolds with an optimized flow, an HJS-200-cpsi Sports-Catalyst and a K&N Sports-Airfilter with increased output in conjunction with an optimized ECU-Software. This gets the engine significantly more power and the additional torque is much stronger than before.
Key Benefits:
- good price-performance-ratio
- easy to refit (collectors – Limited Edition Status)
- increased torque (+80 Nm) and power (+60 hp) to the standard vehicle
Phase Eleven-475 consisting of:
- K&N Sport-Airfilter
- Stainless steel manifold with optimized pipe lengths
- 200cpsi Sports-Catalyst HJS (Main Catalyst)
- Optimization ECU-Software Eleven-475 (ignition, injection characteristics and camshaft phase adjustment)
- Eleven-475 Decalset
Because you can never have enough horsepower...right?
Komo-Tec literature - The 3-Eleven is supplied with 416hp factory spec. In order to give the 3-Eleven a better performance, we have developed the Upgrade “Phase Eleven-475-Kit”. We were able to increase the maximum output by approx. 60 hp by the use of stainless-steel manifolds with an optimized flow, an HJS-200-cpsi Sports-Catalyst and a K&N Sports-Airfilter with increased output in conjunction with an optimized ECU-Software. This gets the engine significantly more power and the additional torque is much stronger than before.
Key Benefits:
- good price-performance-ratio
- easy to refit (collectors – Limited Edition Status)
- increased torque (+80 Nm) and power (+60 hp) to the standard vehicle
Phase Eleven-475 consisting of:
- K&N Sport-Airfilter
- Stainless steel manifold with optimized pipe lengths
- 200cpsi Sports-Catalyst HJS (Main Catalyst)
- Optimization ECU-Software Eleven-475 (ignition, injection characteristics and camshaft phase adjustment)
- Eleven-475 Decalset
Because you can never have enough horsepower...right?
magooagain said:
Nice availiable upgrade. But like all upgrades they will put pressure on other components.
Maybe that a clutch upgrade might be needed at some point .
Indeed, if I did go ahead with the engine modifications I'd take advice from Hangar 111 (the UK suppliers of Komo-Tec) as to which other components would need upgrading, like the clutch and cooling. Maybe that a clutch upgrade might be needed at some point .
GFWilliams said:
What gearbox is it running? Komo-tec said to me that 460hp was the max the manual box could handle safely and Lotus now say it's 430hp... My clutch went immediately with 460hp so I suggest upgrading the clutch to the Evora 400 clutch if the 3-eleven clutch hasn't already been changed to that.
Thanks, I'll certainly check the situation with the clutch if I move ahead with the engine upgrade. The long winter months are usually terrible for my bank balance because it's during this time that I put my pride and joys in hibernation and start thinking about the year ahead: potential new toys or modifications to existing ones.
And so to the Lotus 3-Eleven....
Since I plan a few more track days next year (both home and abroad), I'm considering the following upgrades:
- Tyres: Avon ZZR track tyre
- Brakes: Komo-tec Ko-Bra4 braking system
- Power: Komo-tec Phase Eleven-475bhp-Kit
- Clutch and 'Box: Komo-tec lightweight flywheel and clutch with gearbox cooler kit
- Exhaust: signature QT Exhaust from Hangar 111 (since I'm struggling to get the car to pass noise testing at some circuits)
I'm looking for increased performance, certainly, but also usability, reliability and potential reversibility.
If I go ahead, and it's a big if, I would look to Hangar 111 to carry out the work.
Alternatively, I could save the car's originality and my bank balance a hammering by leaving the car well alone!
Any thoughts, views, and/or experiences welcomed...
And so to the Lotus 3-Eleven....
Since I plan a few more track days next year (both home and abroad), I'm considering the following upgrades:
- Tyres: Avon ZZR track tyre
- Brakes: Komo-tec Ko-Bra4 braking system
- Power: Komo-tec Phase Eleven-475bhp-Kit
- Clutch and 'Box: Komo-tec lightweight flywheel and clutch with gearbox cooler kit
- Exhaust: signature QT Exhaust from Hangar 111 (since I'm struggling to get the car to pass noise testing at some circuits)
I'm looking for increased performance, certainly, but also usability, reliability and potential reversibility.
If I go ahead, and it's a big if, I would look to Hangar 111 to carry out the work.
Alternatively, I could save the car's originality and my bank balance a hammering by leaving the car well alone!
Any thoughts, views, and/or experiences welcomed...
GFWilliams said:
There are positives and negatives to all of the upgrades apart from the brakes and gearbox cooler, which both only have positives IMO.
With the power kit it will change the dynamic of the car, it’s a lot more savage and harder to drive it on the limit well. More of a challenge which is good.
The flywheel and clutch aren’t very nice to use, if you’re going to change, change to the Evora 400 one.
With the exhaust, I had one on order, but H111 won’t tell me what the internals are doing, just assuring me that it’s been flow bench tested and it’s fine. I like to know what components I’m putting on my car, don’t want a “magic” silencer.
Thanks indeed for the great feedback, I’ve been reading you’re posts with great interest. With the power kit it will change the dynamic of the car, it’s a lot more savage and harder to drive it on the limit well. More of a challenge which is good.
The flywheel and clutch aren’t very nice to use, if you’re going to change, change to the Evora 400 one.
With the exhaust, I had one on order, but H111 won’t tell me what the internals are doing, just assuring me that it’s been flow bench tested and it’s fine. I like to know what components I’m putting on my car, don’t want a “magic” silencer.
How have you found the upgraded power and, separately, brakes in more detail?
Also, what is your concern re the QT Exhaust, that it sucks away power or that the components aren’t top quality?
GFWilliams said:
With the power, it took my car from being a car where you could push hard quite easily and constantly be on the limits in a nice smooth manner to a bit of a monster which you have to respect a bit. It's a lovely linear power and torque delivery and the car has no trouble getting the power down, but it's a totally different beast to standard.
With the brakes, they're awesome in every way, much more powerful than even the new Cup 430 brakes. My advice is do the front brakes then add performance friction pads on the rear. I don't feel the need for more powerful brakes on the rear.
Pop me a pm and we can talk more about the exhaust... Also, you're pretty local, if you want to have a go in my car let me know.
Thanks, that’s very kind of you; I really appreciate it. With the brakes, they're awesome in every way, much more powerful than even the new Cup 430 brakes. My advice is do the front brakes then add performance friction pads on the rear. I don't feel the need for more powerful brakes on the rear.
Pop me a pm and we can talk more about the exhaust... Also, you're pretty local, if you want to have a go in my car let me know.
Edited by GFWilliams on Thursday 7th December 20:49
I managed to break my ankle last weekend so will probably drop you a line after New Year if that’s okay?
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