Basic elise tuning?
Discussion
Hi guys.
I have been giving some thought to buying an Elise recently. I have always wanted one and now that I can afford it I'm beginning to become obsessive over which model to go for.
I have been considering the various different models of S2 and have decided that the one I think I want is the 111s. I want it for the extra power, refinements (I'll use it everyday) and better cruising ability. However, I am tempted to buy a basic S2 and spend some money on tuning parts. Now I know that engine tuning should be the last thing to consider but I need to decide on whether to plump up the extra cash for a more powerful 111s or tune a standard S2. I will obviously be upgrading other brake and suspension parts but I just want to concentrate on the engine in this post.
If I go for a standard S2 with the following tuning parts what sort of gains will I have?
-52mm throttle body.
-sports exhaust
-de-cat pipe
-hurricane or 57i induction kit
I realise these parts will result in only a small increase in power and the two cars may end up with very different characters. I could also consider a sport 135 but these seem to be very closley priced to the 111s at present.
The only other consideration is whether to go for NA VX220 and do some basic mods to that also.
Thanks Matt
I have been giving some thought to buying an Elise recently. I have always wanted one and now that I can afford it I'm beginning to become obsessive over which model to go for.
I have been considering the various different models of S2 and have decided that the one I think I want is the 111s. I want it for the extra power, refinements (I'll use it everyday) and better cruising ability. However, I am tempted to buy a basic S2 and spend some money on tuning parts. Now I know that engine tuning should be the last thing to consider but I need to decide on whether to plump up the extra cash for a more powerful 111s or tune a standard S2. I will obviously be upgrading other brake and suspension parts but I just want to concentrate on the engine in this post.
If I go for a standard S2 with the following tuning parts what sort of gains will I have?
-52mm throttle body.
-sports exhaust
-de-cat pipe
-hurricane or 57i induction kit
I realise these parts will result in only a small increase in power and the two cars may end up with very different characters. I could also consider a sport 135 but these seem to be very closley priced to the 111s at present.
The only other consideration is whether to go for NA VX220 and do some basic mods to that also.
Thanks Matt
A 120 bhp car with those mods isn't going to make anthing like the 156 bhp of the S2 111S.
Get a 111S, most will have a sports exhaust and induction of some sort anyway. Not sure which throttle body the 111S has but I do know that a de-cat pipe isn't a good idea on the VVC engine (you may well lose power).
Get a 111S, most will have a sports exhaust and induction of some sort anyway. Not sure which throttle body the 111S has but I do know that a de-cat pipe isn't a good idea on the VVC engine (you may well lose power).
As Clarkson once said on Top Gear many moons ago..................."If you want a faster car, buy a fast car in the first place".....
I would have a proper think about what you want to achieve with the car performance-wise, because the bills can stack up BIG TIME if you dilly and dally. I had dreams of a Honda install in a couple of years, but for my level of ability and the mileage I cover it would be a waste of £9K+. So instead I'll probably get the DVA 175bhp kit, which will sort of the rough engine issues and get a little more power. If you can see yourself doing an engine transplant in the future, leave the k series alone or just mess around with hurricane etc. Don't look at cams, porting etc. If however you think the car is a 'keeper' then spend away and enjoy it. I would also say, get the throttle body hurricane de-cat etc for lots of noise, not any noticeable power...
I would have a proper think about what you want to achieve with the car performance-wise, because the bills can stack up BIG TIME if you dilly and dally. I had dreams of a Honda install in a couple of years, but for my level of ability and the mileage I cover it would be a waste of £9K+. So instead I'll probably get the DVA 175bhp kit, which will sort of the rough engine issues and get a little more power. If you can see yourself doing an engine transplant in the future, leave the k series alone or just mess around with hurricane etc. Don't look at cams, porting etc. If however you think the car is a 'keeper' then spend away and enjoy it. I would also say, get the throttle body hurricane de-cat etc for lots of noise, not any noticeable power...
mat59 said:
Hi guys.
I have been giving some thought to buying an Elise recently. I have always wanted one and now that I can afford it I'm beginning to become obsessive over which model to go for.
I have been considering the various different models of S2 and have decided that the one I think I want is the 111s. I want it for the extra power, refinements (I'll use it everyday) and better cruising ability. However, I am tempted to buy a basic S2 and spend some money on tuning parts. Now I know that engine tuning should be the last thing to consider but I need to decide on whether to plump up the extra cash for a more powerful 111s or tune a standard S2. I will obviously be upgrading other brake and suspension parts but I just want to concentrate on the engine in this post.
If I go for a standard S2 with the following tuning parts what sort of gains will I have?
-52mm throttle body.
-sports exhaust
-de-cat pipe
-hurricane or 57i induction kit
I realise these parts will result in only a small increase in power and the two cars may end up with very different characters. I could also consider a sport 135 but these seem to be very closley priced to the 111s at present.
The only other consideration is whether to go for NA VX220 and do some basic mods to that also.
Thanks Matt
Like the others say here, I would spend the money on a faster car. If you do the mods you will get pretty much 0 increase in BHP. It will sound a lot better though!I have been giving some thought to buying an Elise recently. I have always wanted one and now that I can afford it I'm beginning to become obsessive over which model to go for.
I have been considering the various different models of S2 and have decided that the one I think I want is the 111s. I want it for the extra power, refinements (I'll use it everyday) and better cruising ability. However, I am tempted to buy a basic S2 and spend some money on tuning parts. Now I know that engine tuning should be the last thing to consider but I need to decide on whether to plump up the extra cash for a more powerful 111s or tune a standard S2. I will obviously be upgrading other brake and suspension parts but I just want to concentrate on the engine in this post.
If I go for a standard S2 with the following tuning parts what sort of gains will I have?
-52mm throttle body.
-sports exhaust
-de-cat pipe
-hurricane or 57i induction kit
I realise these parts will result in only a small increase in power and the two cars may end up with very different characters. I could also consider a sport 135 but these seem to be very closley priced to the 111s at present.
The only other consideration is whether to go for NA VX220 and do some basic mods to that also.
Thanks Matt
I ran a standard S2 about four back and recently came back to the Elise this summer and bought a 111s.
If anyone asks me how the two feel back to back I just answer that it's all in the gearing. The standard is low power/high revs and the 111s is high power/low revs.
The standard 120 will have you up at 6000rpm on each gear change to the point that you feel you are short shifting compared with the 111s 160 which uses its extra power lower down with longer (but not sedate) shifts.
If your daily journey is motorway/dualled then the 111s will be far more comfortable. If however you're on country roads then the standard is far more fun (in my opinion)
With the premium on the 111s, I'd go for the standard and spend some money on it.
If anyone asks me how the two feel back to back I just answer that it's all in the gearing. The standard is low power/high revs and the 111s is high power/low revs.
The standard 120 will have you up at 6000rpm on each gear change to the point that you feel you are short shifting compared with the 111s 160 which uses its extra power lower down with longer (but not sedate) shifts.
If your daily journey is motorway/dualled then the 111s will be far more comfortable. If however you're on country roads then the standard is far more fun (in my opinion)
With the premium on the 111s, I'd go for the standard and spend some money on it.
Hollywood Wheels said:
As Clarkson once said on Top Gear many moons ago..................."If you want a faster car, buy a fast car in the first place".....
I would have a proper think about what you want to achieve with the car performance-wise, because the bills can stack up BIG TIME if you dilly and dally. I had dreams of a Honda install in a couple of years, but for my level of ability and the mileage I cover it would be a waste of £9K+. So instead I'll probably get the DVA 175bhp kit, which will sort of the rough engine issues and get a little more power. If you can see yourself doing an engine transplant in the future, leave the k series alone or just mess around with hurricane etc. Don't look at cams, porting etc. If however you think the car is a 'keeper' then spend away and enjoy it. I would also say, get the throttle body hurricane de-cat etc for lots of noise, not any noticeable power...
Thanks for all of the advice so far. I take it you mean that I should buy the 111s as it is already a fast car? I have always considered it to be reasnably quick in a straight line (0-100 in under 15 secs). I would have a proper think about what you want to achieve with the car performance-wise, because the bills can stack up BIG TIME if you dilly and dally. I had dreams of a Honda install in a couple of years, but for my level of ability and the mileage I cover it would be a waste of £9K+. So instead I'll probably get the DVA 175bhp kit, which will sort of the rough engine issues and get a little more power. If you can see yourself doing an engine transplant in the future, leave the k series alone or just mess around with hurricane etc. Don't look at cams, porting etc. If however you think the car is a 'keeper' then spend away and enjoy it. I would also say, get the throttle body hurricane de-cat etc for lots of noise, not any noticeable power...
I'm not alfter ultimate power, if i was i would not be after an elise. However, it's nice to have some power to play with. I currently have a Eunos rs-limited that is very rewarding to drive but ultimately a bit slow. I used to have Fiat coupe 20v turbo that wasn't very entertaining in the corners but was as quick as I ever needed. I presume that a 111s would do both and be much more enjoyable.
Matt
Don't think it's just a case of 120bhp - 155bhp. The standard car has a close ratio gearbox that does lower the gap noticeably.
The gearing of the 111s from 3rd to 4th to 5th is frankly absurd for a performance car.
If you do get a 111s, seriously consider a CR gearbox. It'll absolutely fly through the gears then.
The gearing of the 111s from 3rd to 4th to 5th is frankly absurd for a performance car.
If you do get a 111s, seriously consider a CR gearbox. It'll absolutely fly through the gears then.
I have a standard car. This week I am having the HG done so while Im at it, having the head ported and a set of Piper 633's installed. I also have an induction kit plus a stainless exhaust. All the mods have been second hand including the cams, and have cost me just under £300. The fitting of the cams and the port is being done along with the HG which I think will be about £600. So, I will have spent under £1000 and will hopefully have somewhere around 140-150bhp. I will let you know next week if its been worth doing!
MJK 24 said:
The gearing of the 111s from 3rd to 4th to 5th is frankly absurd for a performance car.
Well yes but it'll hit the national speed limit in 2nd so for road driving it really doesn't matter. On the track I could see the gearbox being an issue though. The ratios aren't quite as high as you'd think from the gear box stats because the 111S has a lower final drive ratio (I think).Edited by kambites on Monday 17th December 09:34
MJK 24 said:
Don't think it's just a case of 120bhp - 155bhp. The standard car has a close ratio gearbox that does lower the gap noticeably.
The gearing of the 111s from 3rd to 4th to 5th is frankly absurd for a performance car.
If you do get a 111s, seriously consider a CR gearbox. It'll absolutely fly through the gears then.
Just to give an idea on this: I put an C/R box in my S1 to replace the standard box. The difference is quiet making . Its so much easier to keep the engine in its sweet spot over 4k rpm making for more enjoyable spirited road drives. I reckon it may also have knocked as much as 2 seconds off the 0-100 time.The gearing of the 111s from 3rd to 4th to 5th is frankly absurd for a performance car.
If you do get a 111s, seriously consider a CR gearbox. It'll absolutely fly through the gears then.
MJK 24 said:
The gearing of the 111s from 3rd to 4th to 5th is frankly absurd for a performance car.
The impact of replacing a WR G6BP with a CR B4BP gearbox to my S2 111S VVC has had zero impact on performance box measured 0-60, 0-100 and any trackday, qualify or race laptimes you care to mention. Yes it "feels" faster, as it runs 500 rpm higher for a given speed in 3rd, 4th and 5th gear but is actually not.hbaumhardt said:
MJK 24 said:
The gearing of the 111s from 3rd to 4th to 5th is frankly absurd for a performance car.
The impact of replacing a WR G6BP with a CR B4BP gearbox to my S2 111S VVC has had zero impact on performance box measured 0-60, 0-100 and any trackday, qualify or race laptimes you care to mention. Yes it "feels" faster, as it runs 500 rpm higher for a given speed in 3rd, 4th and 5th gear but is actually not.
Of course the engines torque comes into play here. On my VVC with a flatish torque curve from 4k rpm onwards the WR gearbox upchange always landed above the 4k rpm point so it was fine. On an engine where torque peaks later you may get better acceleration if the the additional 500 rpm on upchange gives better torque.
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