What's the best induction kit for an Elise.
Discussion
I've got myself a 2002 elise type 72 with the factory upgrade 135bhp. I want a faster 0-60 without spending crazy money. Looked into a superchip, they dont do it for 2002 K-series. Already got a lotus sports exhaust on it next thing is induction kit. Thinking of the viper pipercross induction kit. I need bang for buck any thoughts?
Superb noise but no gain in performance
Manjoor said:
I've got myself a 2002 elise type 72 with the factory upgrade 135bhp. I want a faster 0-60 without spending crazy money. Looked into a superchip, they dont do it for 2002 K-series. Already got a lotus sports exhaust on it next thing is induction kit. Thinking of the viper pipercross induction kit. I need bang for buck any thoughts?
Sure to knock another second of at least . 
Going from standard 120bhp to 160bhp might just about knock 0.5 seconds of the 0-60 time. There aren't any chips for the K series engine so it's good old fashioned engine upgrades if yoyu want more power from the existing unit. DVA power, Sabre, PTP all do head upgrades and various othere bits and bobs, with DVA being the best thought of (opinion obviously).
Seriously more power then the Honda or Audi conversion is the way to go, but we're talking the best part of 10K for the engine conversion plus the other upgrades recommended.
Seriously more power then the Honda or Audi conversion is the way to go, but we're talking the best part of 10K for the engine conversion plus the other upgrades recommended.
Hi manjoor.
As you may have guessed the superchips route isn't well thought of. Over the years pretty well anything that can be done to an Elise has been done and people have had expensive experiences with chipping. As others have suggested the only way to get any real gains out of your K engine are by proper tuning. For your car the next step would be to get the head ported by someone like DVA or Sabreheads. Incidently about 160 bhp is generally regarded as the safest max power from this engine without serious (and very expensive) work. The only way to get significant gains is to get an engine transplant eg Honda, Audi or Ford duratec and your costs for these start at about £10k.
To get the most from your car for now I'd start by looking at the brakes. The cheapest upgrade would be to Mintex 1144 pads (about £100 all round) or (much better) Pagid RS42 (about £200 all round). Then check your discs. There are better alternatives to OE, Look up Eliseparts, Eliseshop, Plans Motorsport, AP to name a few. Next get your suspension sorted. Take the car to a Lotus specialist and have the geometry checked. If you plan on doing lots of trackdays then think about upgrading to Nitron dampers.
Your car is already pretty quick and the Elise was never designed as a drag racer. Getting the most from it involves optimising the already excellent basic car and then thinking about increases in power.
Re induction kits. You won't get any noticable gains from one. Nice noise but thats about all - there are some wild claims made about these.
As you may have guessed the superchips route isn't well thought of. Over the years pretty well anything that can be done to an Elise has been done and people have had expensive experiences with chipping. As others have suggested the only way to get any real gains out of your K engine are by proper tuning. For your car the next step would be to get the head ported by someone like DVA or Sabreheads. Incidently about 160 bhp is generally regarded as the safest max power from this engine without serious (and very expensive) work. The only way to get significant gains is to get an engine transplant eg Honda, Audi or Ford duratec and your costs for these start at about £10k.
To get the most from your car for now I'd start by looking at the brakes. The cheapest upgrade would be to Mintex 1144 pads (about £100 all round) or (much better) Pagid RS42 (about £200 all round). Then check your discs. There are better alternatives to OE, Look up Eliseparts, Eliseshop, Plans Motorsport, AP to name a few. Next get your suspension sorted. Take the car to a Lotus specialist and have the geometry checked. If you plan on doing lots of trackdays then think about upgrading to Nitron dampers.
Your car is already pretty quick and the Elise was never designed as a drag racer. Getting the most from it involves optimising the already excellent basic car and then thinking about increases in power.
Re induction kits. You won't get any noticable gains from one. Nice noise but thats about all - there are some wild claims made about these.
Cheers lads, it sounds like induction kits are all noise and no game. Shame I did think it was to good to be true. I'd agree the elise isn't a dragster. What the hell are these performance mod upgrade chips about are they micky mouse? for a tener I find it hard to believe you get 20bhp. or is it 20 Boll*cks Horse Phoo. Has anyone done this? check out the link below
http://search.stores.ebay.co.uk/Performance-Mod-UK...
http://search.stores.ebay.co.uk/Performance-Mod-UK...
I'll save you a tenner and let you know that those "chips" don't work at all. I haven't heard of anyone chipping a K series before, I was under the impression that the Rover ECU was unflashable? You can get a post market ECU like an Emerald and program in a better map but I don't know how much of an improvement this will be without engine mods alongside.
On a good day, with a following wind you'll get maybe 4 bhp from an induction kit, probably the maxigen one and a sports exhaust will maybe give you another 3 or 4 as well. A 52mm throttle body might give you 1 or 2 so you're looking at spending a thousand to get 10 more bhp. To go to 160 with DVA (other companies are available
) will cost you about £2000 and after that, I'd estimate each bhp gain will cost you about £100 each. As someone else has said 160ish is considered the maximum the standard engine can run reliably at, without further modification.
I think 160bhp wil give you 0-60 in about 4.9 and the 190 VHPD engine gives you 0-60 in 4.4 if speed from stationary is what you're looking for. I await correction!
On a good day, with a following wind you'll get maybe 4 bhp from an induction kit, probably the maxigen one and a sports exhaust will maybe give you another 3 or 4 as well. A 52mm throttle body might give you 1 or 2 so you're looking at spending a thousand to get 10 more bhp. To go to 160 with DVA (other companies are available
) will cost you about £2000 and after that, I'd estimate each bhp gain will cost you about £100 each. As someone else has said 160ish is considered the maximum the standard engine can run reliably at, without further modification.I think 160bhp wil give you 0-60 in about 4.9 and the 190 VHPD engine gives you 0-60 in 4.4 if speed from stationary is what you're looking for. I await correction!
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