What is a 135?

[Milks]

So I'm maybe just 2 weeks off getting my elise and I've spotted a black 135 s2 only a few miles away from me (£13k, 25k miles) which led me to the inevitable question whats been done to the standard s2 to give the extra power, is anything else different and is it worth a look despite the fact I'm waiting for a similarly spec'd and priced 111s?

One thing that I found out recently is that the vvc engine is more prone to hgf, is this significant enough to settle for a 135?

[Paul RN]

Just look in the buyers guide thread Not sure a VVC is more prone to a HGF, just get the AA warrenty for £65 anyway.

http://www.elises.co.uk/models/s2/s135/index.html


The Upgrade Announcement - 3rd January 2002
It took ages to get there but the Sport 135 upgrade to the standard Elise S2 was finally announced on the 3rd January 2002. Initially only available on a limited number of new cars as a non-homologated upgrade. It features a ported cylinder head, the cast aluminium inlet system, introduced a stainless steel sports silencer and reprogrammed ECM to increase the power. A low restriction airbox has also been added to ensure that maximum revs can be achieved in each gear. The 135 upgrade kit gives the Elise 135hp at 6200 rpm and 175Nm of torque at 4850 rpm, 0-62 mph in 5.4 secs, 0-100 mph in 14.9 secs and a maximum speed of 129 mph.

[Paul RN]

AA breakdown & repair covers up to £475 towards your HGF, not the full cost which could be more if you trash it totally.

[NathanE]

I heard VVC is *less* prone to HGF due to it using steel dowels and a better gasket.

[DucatiGary]

when lotus sent the 135 press car out all the mags said it was the best model to buy, the kit costs 2 grand to fit to a normal S1 elise (propper lotus kit, from the likes of kelvedon motors) I was asking around about performance kits etc a while ago, honda transplant and all that but 2 of the companies said id be better of leaving the k series in it as its difficult to get a transplanted engin balanced in the right position etc etc etc.

the 2 who said keep the k series also id be better getting a 135 kit rather than a 160 kit as im using it daily.

[Paul RN]

DucatiGary said:

2 of the companies said id be better of leaving the k series in it as its difficult to get a transplanted engin balanced in the right position etc etc etc.

Err no

[S Works]

NathanE said:

I heard VVC is *less* prone to HGF due to it using steel dowels and a better gasket.

Maybe, but it's also has the potential for VVC failure which can be pretty costly to sort out too. There are scare stories from all corners if you're inclined to listen to the nay-sayers, but I know more Elises which haven't had such issues than have.

DucatiGary said:

when lotus sent the 135 press car out all the mags said it was the best model to buy, the kit costs 2 grand to fit to a normal S1 elise (propper lotus kit, from the likes of kelvedon motors) I was asking around about performance kits etc a while ago, honda transplant and all that but 2 of the companies said id be better of leaving the k series in it as its difficult to get a transplanted engin balanced in the right position etc etc etc.

the 2 who said keep the k series also id be better getting a 135 kit rather than a 160 kit as im using it daily.

The 135 kit is generally considered to be the best variant of the K series by many, I've never driven one, but I did consider getting it done to my first car. With a 4-2-1 and a decent map you can get 140+ bhp from it I believe.

As for the comments by various companies who said you can't get a transplanted engine in the right position, you might want to take that with a bit of a pinch of salt, given that they clearly have a vested interest in you buying something else from them.

Seen the results of the LOTRDC racing? The cars with Honda/Duratec power seem to be doing OK, don't they?

As for the 135 vs 160 kit and daily use, the latter is only less usable if its the boggo Lotus one. Go to see someone like Dave Andrews and get on of his kits, properly mapped using an emerald ECU and rolling road, and I'm pretty sure he'll be able to get you 160+ bhp with good reliability and excellent daily manners.