S2 Exige 240R

[Davey S1]

Good article on this in Autocar. Gives it the big thumbs up.

I notice that the cam changeover occurs at 4000 revs instead of the 6,200 on the standard car. I wonder if the standard ECU can be changed to allow this?

[bogie]

bit pointless really on a std car - youd be on high cams with bugger all torque....theyve dropped it as it has the SC on it, its more suited.

On my SC Honda there isnt really any noticeable changeover at all - just a steady smooth increase in power from 1000-8750revs ...just shows what a good mapping job on the ECU can do

[jig]

Bogie, where is the change over on your Honda? Your's is s/c'd right? So a standard Honda would switch over at higher revs than yours?

It's the "dramatic" cam switch that I don't personally like about the Toy-motor, I'd prefer a more linear performance...

[shangani]

To Bogie

Changeover aside - how is the 300bhp elise vs your old TT coversion performance-wise? I am giving serious thought to the honda conversion with the japanese spec engine and LSD. Maybe supercharger later, but at this point I ammore likely to kill myself.

Regards

[bogie]

I cant tell when it is - it really is that transparent...its the K20A i-VTEC engine so theres no real on/off type switch over like you used to get on VTEC engines...and still do on the Toyota cars

[bogie]

its obviously much quicker ...very smooth, linear power delivery....little things like the coolant and oil temps being rock steady, low oil use, lack of paranoia of HGF

Performance wise then its much quicker over 80mph - the TT used to run out of steam around 140mph and pull about 150-55mph...now it goes off the speedo (150mph) as easy as it used to get to 130mph est top speed about 170-75mph, but I havnt had chance to get there yet

The 6 speed box takes some getting used to - its not like what youd spec for an Elise with a Quaife etc - long first, 4 close, long cruising gear etc - its just 6 gears stacked up to make the most of the engine when its in a CTR - the JDM box is even closer (a downside to it)

Because its mounted the other way around, theres much less heat soak into the cabin, instead the boot gets warmer.

[shangani]

Thanks for the reply - I have followed the forums for about a year, since getting my lotus in May 04. Nothing I have been in quite equals the drive of an elise. I kept everything standard for the first year to get properly used to the handling. Have taken the car out for a short run on Silverstone after being the race doctor for the day - well quick, but nothing like the grunt of my old m3 above about 85-90mph. Makes up on the bends though. The honda route seemed a reliable way to get the same sort of oomph. I just figure all at once ie SC honda would be too much for me. I take it that the TT conversion was a bit of a worry with potential component failure. Was my first choice, but figured (as you said) the Honda would be bullet proof. The gearbox in the honda s2000 is great, but I haven't much experience with the Type R. The linkage in the elise would be different anyway. Shortshifter? Now to work out how to raid the family coffers to the tune of 10k (is that the best going rate all in?) without the wife knowing? I feel locum work in my future. The lads at Brooke Kensington recon the SC honda lays waste to even the Noble M400.

What tyres (wheels) and suspension are you using to get the power down, and are there any issues with the back end playing around under the increased torque?

Hope you are having fun though - see lots of the world in your rear view mirror.

[bogie]

The TT conversion did expire at 65K miles (was going great until then) - the cam belt tensioner fell apart...so I made the decision to sell the old engine to help fund a Honda.

The gearbox feel is awesome - just like the S2K, its just the ratios could do with being longer to suit the SC Honda (perfect on the NA) - the linkage is adjustable for 'closeness'and far superior to the old style linkage - I have a quick shift stick and its awesome

Im running the Oz wheels, LSS, Yoko A048s, Nylatron bushes and upgraded toe links. MSC recommend the bushes and toe links for cars with the SC conversion and sticky tyres.

In the dry I get really good traction even in first gear....obviously in the wet, theres wheelspin to be had from 2K revs up in the 1st 3 gears