Motorsport Elise

[RC Developments]

Thought I would post a few recent pics and spec list of our original 1999 Motorsport Elise that has been developed over the years at JDR. The cars races in the Lotus Cup UK open class where we have found ourselves up against more powerful machinery like the V6 Exige's and Europa.

Basic run down of the spec is;

- 2.3L Ford Duratec race engine
- Hewland EGT gearbox with geartronics paddleshift system (Auto upshifts!)
- JDR designed and built engine mounting/adaptor plate and dry sump system
- Specialist components ECU
- New Motec colour dash, pdm power control unit and can panel
- JDR desgined aero package in keeping with Lotus Cup regs
- 2 way Quantum dampers
- All the usual bit and bobs such as quick fill refuelling, air jacks etc.

[danwebster]

Nice....lets see more!

[S2john]

Very nice

[chuntington101]

Very nice. How much power is the Duratec putting out?

[will_968]

Am I correct to think the regulation in the open class is 285 bhp/tonne max power to weight ratio? If so, how do they calculate bhp from power at wheels? The reg says it's with driver; is it also with fuel and if so, is it a minimum weight the car must be at the end of the race?

Reason I ask is I also have a Motorsport Elise, but still run the Rover K-series. I wonder how I'd fare P2W wise in that class at 780kg for car and driver (empty fuel tank) and about 205bhp measured at the wheels?

[RC Developments]

will_968 said:

Am I correct to think the regulation in the open class is 285 bhp/tonne max power to weight ratio? If so, how do they calculate bhp from power at wheels? The reg says it's with driver; is it also with fuel and if so, is it a minimum weight the car must be at the end of the race?

Reason I ask is I also have a Motorsport Elise, but still run the Rover K-series. I wonder how I'd fare P2W wise in that class at 780kg for car and driver (empty fuel tank) and about 205bhp measured at the wheels?

Will, yes that is correct. Power is tested on a hub dynapack at Tdi in Thurrock. The weight has to be a total including driver that you will be at the end of the race.
We have moved to a fly-by wire throttle system this year, the main advantage being is that we can reduce throttle opening at the top rpm range to cap power but can still make very good torque and power lower in the rev range. I am sure you would do ok still with the K-series but in my opinion the Duratec is far easier to run and maintain.

[RC Developments]

chuntington101 said:

Very nice. How much power is the Duratec putting out?

Due to the way the championship works with power to weight ratio we cannot run anywhere near maximum power so not really enough!

[chuntington101]

RC Developments said:

chuntington101 said:

Very nice. How much power is the Duratec putting out?

Due to the way the championship works with power to weight ratio we cannot run anywhere near maximum power so not really enough!

Time for a little boost maybe?

[RC Developments]

chuntington101 said:

RC Developments said:

chuntington101 said:

Very nice. How much power is the Duratec putting out?

Due to the way the championship works with power to weight ratio we cannot run anywhere near maximum power so not really enough!

Time for a little boost maybe?

Have to be N/A for the open class unfortunately

[will_968]

RC Developments said:

chuntington101 said:

RC Developments said:

chuntington101 said:

Very nice. How much power is the Duratec putting out?

Due to the way the championship works with power to weight ratio we cannot run anywhere near maximum power so not really enough!

Time for a little boost maybe?

Have to be N/A for the open class unfortunately

Also, if I understand RC's point correctly, his engine already has the ability to make more power than the regs allow. The regs are 285 bhp/ton as measured at the wheels and weight measured at end of race, including driver. He could be somewhere north of that already if the regs allowed. Hence, he instead has a tune which gives his peak allowable bhp for as much of the rev range as possible and also looks to maximize torque. (At least that's what I'd do!).

[will_968]

What is the regulation on what engines can be swapped into the car? Class I run in out in China says we have to have the original engine the car came with - hence I'm still K-series. How does it work over there?

[RC Developments]

will_968 said:

What is the regulation on what engines can be swapped into the car? Class I run in out in China says we have to have the original engine the car came with - hence I'm still K-series. How does it work over there?

That is exactly right Will with regards to power output. For the open class here you can run any engine under 2.3ltr. If you stay with the original engine you can have forced induction.. On a K-series however that would take a lot of development to get working reliably for 1hr+races

[turbotoaster]

RC Developments said:

That is exactly right Will with regards to power output. For the open class here you can run any engine under 2.3ltr. If you stay with the original engine you can have forced induction.. On a K-series however that would take a lot of development to get working reliably for 1hr+races

Now thats an interesting second sentence for the future with my car

[RC Developments]

turbotoaster said:

RC Developments said:

That is exactly right Will with regards to power output. For the open class here you can run any engine under 2.3ltr. If you stay with the original engine you can have forced induction.. On a K-series however that would take a lot of development to get working reliably for 1hr+races

Now thats an interesting second sentence for the future with my car

That rule may or may not change for 2015 with the new championship organisers. The Elise may have a rest year in 2015 while the owners concentrate on their NSX.

[turbotoaster]

if that changes what happens to randys europa, or all the 211s or even the v6s........or do you think they will tweak the rules to say forced induction is allowed if it come that way from factory?

[RC Developments]

Forced induction has always been allowed if produced from the factory. Is only the open class that has so far allowed N/A engines to be made forced induction on the original engine.

Randy's car, well that is a difficult one that the organisers have to make a decision on!

[sdd]

Think Randy is off to race elsewhere.

Forced induction is allowed in the regs if the car was forced induction from the factory. Other cars outside the spec maybe admitted if they are in the spirit of the rules. I'm sure the turbotoastermobile would be ok other than some of the aero.......