Joined the S1 Elise Club - and a question about tuning

[conanius]

Hi Folks,

Finally at the ripe age of 41 I've done what I should have done at 21. I've purchase an early 'green glue' S1 that is *well loved* in terms of use (145k miles!). I've had plenty of what I think were drivers cars, but this is totally next level. I love it.

However, its had lots of love over the years, including an engine rebuild to sport 135 spec (By a former owner who was initially a Porsche and then Lotus engineer), gearbox rebuild, interior redone by Allon White, new steering rack, S2 Bilsteins (etc etc etc). The front has had a clam off respray, the rest has.... patina, but its for using not looking at in a gallery. Liberating, is how i would describe the paintwork.

If I was particularly harsh, I'd say it lacks some punch up top. Its running on a stock ECU, so I am tempted (eventually) to make a push for more power. I'd love to keep to the 1.8 K series and not jump into a K20, so my head is thinking ITBs, Cams, Pulleys, ECU (I wonder if head work and pistons/rods etc is maybe too far...?) but the key thing is I want to keep being able to use it day to day if I so wish (Read - not just a track car). That said there is something inmy head that says being able to pull all the way up to 8k would be hilarious fun.

Has anyone trod this path, and if so who should I be talking to about building a plan?

[SamG40]

There are two ways to get to 135 on them, the factory 135's had head porting but the MGTF had 135 cams that just drop in and you get 135. I started off with a set of those originally which did make it breathe better. After that I had the head ported by Roger at Sabre heads and I've dropped some Piper 633 cams in. Along with a 4 branch manifold it pulls very well and revs higher and freerer than before. It goes very well in that spec for a relatively small outlay, I've got an Emerald to put on at some point when I can book it in with a mapper. It still behaves itself low down and drives well in traffic in that spec too which is nice so I'm not going any further than that but it depends what you want to use it for/how deep your pockets are as ever. Loads of info on past threads on SELOC if you've not ventured on there yet.

[Tickle]

Get over to SELOC. Dave Andrews DVA or Kiwi Rog are renowned K Series tuners. Also consider a close ratio gearbox, providing you aren't doing much motorway miles, I'd imagine it would be tiresome!
135 bhp and short box is a great combo, the Sport 135 is often considered a sweet spot for S1.

[conanius]

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like a sensible plan.

This will quickly turn into 'whilst you're in there' but I wonder if I'm having the gearbox split apart I should take the chance to put a quaife ATB differential in there, a lighter flywheel (I've read somewhere 3-4 kilos is the sweet spot?) and a new AP Racing clutch.

I'm on SELOC as of the other day, so will have a read there, but recommendations for a gearbox magician - ideally in the Gloucestershire (ish) area would be cool

[John D.]

You're not far from HPE Automotive. He does K-Series as well as the Honda stuff.

Definitely have a look on SELOC.

I got my green glue S1 with plenty of miles and patina on my 41st birthday. Best present I've ever bought myself.

[jimmy7]

My S1 is along the lines of what you described....

ITB's
285 Cams
Forged pistons
Emerald ECU
LSD
Close Ratio box
etc
etc

Its makes around 185bhp and rev's to 7400 - needs a better head for much more.

Great fun and plenty of performance. My understanding is that beyond 7k rpm and 160bhp ish the standard rod/pistons arent really up for it, so starts to get bit more full on in terms of a upgrade.

[popegregory]

John D. said:

You're not far from HPE Automotive. He does K-Series as well as the Honda stuff.

Second this part, Dan knows these cars backwards

[conanius]

John D. said:

You're not far from HPE Automotive. He does K-Series as well as the Honda stuff.

Definitely have a look on SELOC.

I got my green glue S1 with plenty of miles and patina on my 41st birthday. Best present I've ever bought myself.

Cool, thanks !

jimmy7 said:

My S1 is along the lines of what you described....

ITB's
285 Cams
Forged pistons
Emerald ECU
LSD
Close Ratio box
etc
etc

Its makes around 185bhp and rev's to 7400 - needs a better head for much more.

Great fun and plenty of performance. My understanding is that beyond 7k rpm and 160bhp ish the standard rod/pistons arent really up for it, so starts to get bit more full on in terms of a upgrade.

That sounds absolutely beautiful. I bet it feels fantastic.

I wonder if I start with the gearbox (B4BP rebuild - which I believe is both close ratio and shorter final drive - with Quaiffe ATB), Flywheel and Clutch and the shifter upgrade (any recommendations on this gratefully received !) I can be sure I'm making the most of what is already there.

Then from there I can ponder next steps - thanks folks.