Lotus 3 Eleven

[baronbennyt]

Komo-tec and Hangar 111 have confirmed that if my 3-Eleven has their 475bhp engine upgrade installed then the clutch and ‘box need no modification since the former is from the Evora 400 and latter already has an oil cooler.

Now, I just need to make a decision on the Komo-tec brake disc upgrade...

[baronbennyt]

My 2018 track days:

- Friday 20 April / Lotus Club / Castle Combe
- Thursday 10 May / B&C / Castle Combe
- Friday 1 June / Goodwood own
- Friday 6 July / Goodwood own
- Thursday 19 July / Porsche Club / Castle Combe
- Monday 27 & Tuesday 28 August / DN / Nurbugring
- Thursday 27 & Friday 28 September / DN / Nurbugring
- Saturday 29 September/ Goodwood own

Now I just need to decide whether I take the “scalpel” (Lotus) or the “hammer” (Jaguar)...

[baronbennyt]

I can't wait to collect the Lotus 3-Eleven from its winter storage on 3rd March. It's been an excruciating wait for the winter to pass so I can jump in the lightweight again. Weekend blasts and track days already planned for the summer. Also, the possibility of some tasty modifications by Lotus specialists Komo-tec/Hangar 111. Watch this space...!

[baronbennyt]

Okay, looks like I’m going for the Komo-tec 475bhp engine upgrade for my 3-Eleven. To be installed by Hangar 111.

From the Komo-tec website:

Phase Eleven-475

Performance Data Eleven-475: approx. 475 hp / 490 Nm

Performance Data Series: approx. 416 hp / 410 Nm (factory data)

The 3-Eleven is supplied with 416 hp (factory data) 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.

[baronbennyt]

dom9 said:

That'll shift... more!

How's the leg?

Gone from two crutches to one. Two steps forward, one step back! I collect the Lotus from storage on 3rd March. Hope I can operate a clutch by then.

[baronbennyt]

Hope you're on the mend soon. I broke a rib karting a few years' ago and haven't been in one since. Track days in the Lotus on the other hand...

[baronbennyt]

It took a drive in my brother's 2-Eleven in 2016 (from Goodwood to my home in Surrey) to get me totally hooked on the lightweight concept from Hethel. After years of owning heavyweight sports GT cars (like the Aston V12 Vantage pictured), the Lotus was a revelation! Unless Lotus comes out with a 4-Eleven, my 3-Eleven is a keeper; it's simply awesome! Sadly, my brother had to sell his 2-Eleven JPS because he just didn't get the time to use it as much as he would have liked, and living in London didn't help. I should have bought it off him...

[baronbennyt]

Just put the deposit down with Hangar 111 (UK Lotus specialists) to fit the Komo-tec (German Lotus specialists) 475bhp engine upgrade and Performance Friction big brake kit to the 3-Eleven. Woop-woop.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbzyhEAgRbA&fe...

[baronbennyt]

[quote=Lagerlout]I've owned Benny's brother old 2-11 for a couple of years now. Scott Walker made it for himself when he worked at Bell & Colville. Love it to bits!

It’s looking great. Really glad it’s found such a good home. A truly special car

[baronbennyt]

So, the first track day of the year in the Lotus 3-Eleven at Castle Combe with 'Lotus on Track' last week did not start well: having returned home the night before the track day after a long business trip I found there was no life in the car. It quickly became apparent that the battery had died after I failed to click the kill switch before I left the country. But those nice chaps at Lotus Bell & Colvill (B&C) in West Horsely, Surrey sent round a technician who quickly identified a small button behind the battery that woke it from its hibernation. Phew!

The 3-Eleven had also been treated to its first annual service recently at B&C who fitted new rear tyres (Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2) and front brake pads. The Lotus had been a bit wayward at its final track day of the year at Bedford last September so the new boots were definitely needed. And the result? Well, I've got to know the 3-Eleven pretty well now having done almost 4,000 miles in it and enjoyed many track days, so at a warm Castle Combe we were both in our element. Probably the fastest I have driven it to date, but there's still plenty more to come from the lightweight if not the driver...

If you have a Lotus and are thinking of taking it on a track day for the first time then I couldn't recommend 'Lotus on Track' enough. Everyone drove quickly but courteously and the atmosphere was very relaxed and friendly.

Everything was perfect on the day then until this idiot ran the car dry trying to get to the nearest petrol station having left it too late on the circuit. Live and learn...next track day will be on 10th May. Bring it on!

[baronbennyt]

The Lotus 3-Eleven is now down to receive this Hangar 111 (Komo-tec) engine upgrade in October: 455-465bhp versus 405-410bhp and 395lbs/ft versus 315lbs/ft.

[baronbennyt]

At Goodwood motor circuit yesterday. Noise reading (static) was 100db at 4,800rpm. The track day was 105db. I received one warning for noise on the drive-by test along the start/finish straight in the first session. Had to drop the change-up point from 7,000rpm to 6,000rpm to comply. Grrr!

[baronbennyt]

After almost 2 years and over 5,000 grin-inducing miles I've decided to sell the 3-Eleven (and Jaguar XKR-S GT) to Lucas at The Octane Collection / Millennium Heroes. Hopefully the Lotus will find a good home.

You can see the 3-Eleven advertised here:
http://www.millenniumheroes.com/cars/lotus-3-eleve...

[baronbennyt]

Altrezia said:

Gorgeous and a shame to see it going. What are you replacing it with?

I wish I had the budget for such a thing

I know, it was a bit gut-wrenching to see it go but I have to downsize to one car due to a house move. I've just posted it's successor - a Ferrari 599 GTB. Very different!

[baronbennyt]

griffchris said:

Thread resurrection - Ben not sure if you will see this (you don't accept DMs) but I wanted to ask a question about the KomoTec 475 upgrade that you had planned - as someone who likes a trackday, what did Hangar111 have to say about static/driveby with the upgrade? - did you expect this to give you any problems? I'd be really grateful for any insight you can give.
Thanks
Chris

Hi Chris, three of my petrolhead friends have a Lotus 3-Eleven! One of them has recently upgraded to the full Hangar 111 / Komo-tec 475 package. I will ask him for all his feedback. It's best to DM me on my Instagram account @baronbennyt.