Elise S1 for Track days
Discussion
Mine was bog standard when I got it in all regards except the engine - still on the old red konis etc.
It was fine - I've spent plenty of cash getting it more how I want since then but I didn't really have to, the car was just as much fun without the new bits.
The only thing I'd really say is if it's an early S1 then check it's not on MMCs as the first thing I did was to replace mine for steel discs. If you've got steel discs then I'd say just get yourself a set of Mintex 1144 front pads, flush through some semi-decent brake fluid and it should run happily all day on track. There are better pads (I run Pagid blues now), but it sounds like you want to keep it cheap and they'll do the job just fine while you work out how you're going to spend your money. (I've got a spare nearly-new set in the garage if you want to make me an offer, as it happens)
Other than that, just make sure it's all nicely serviced and in good order and you'll be fine.
HTH
ETA - if you've yet to buy your car then choose one with all the upgrades you want already on it. It will be loads cheaper than putting them on yourself, and you can easily pick up a very nice car with a few choice mods for £8k nowadays.
It was fine - I've spent plenty of cash getting it more how I want since then but I didn't really have to, the car was just as much fun without the new bits.
The only thing I'd really say is if it's an early S1 then check it's not on MMCs as the first thing I did was to replace mine for steel discs. If you've got steel discs then I'd say just get yourself a set of Mintex 1144 front pads, flush through some semi-decent brake fluid and it should run happily all day on track. There are better pads (I run Pagid blues now), but it sounds like you want to keep it cheap and they'll do the job just fine while you work out how you're going to spend your money. (I've got a spare nearly-new set in the garage if you want to make me an offer, as it happens)
Other than that, just make sure it's all nicely serviced and in good order and you'll be fine.
HTH
ETA - if you've yet to buy your car then choose one with all the upgrades you want already on it. It will be loads cheaper than putting them on yourself, and you can easily pick up a very nice car with a few choice mods for £8k nowadays.
Edited by Birdthom on Monday 2nd February 23:22
They are ok standard, but you will soon find out all the weak points in the car.
Make sure the brakes have plently on them, same with the tyres. Make sure the oil is new(ish) and is decent grade. Millars is good stuff. Change the brake fluid. Discs should be fine but worth checking.
The weak point for a standrard car is really the tyres, if they are the Pirellis then they are known for not being the best, Toyo T1R are a good budget tyre. The Koni (red) shockers are quite poor and are known for failing, mine burst on track, but they were quite old. Just make sure you warm the car up fully and cool down properly as the K series is relatively weak and prone to HGF.
Having said all that, the car is fine on track and out the box is quicker than most.
HTH Nick
Make sure the brakes have plently on them, same with the tyres. Make sure the oil is new(ish) and is decent grade. Millars is good stuff. Change the brake fluid. Discs should be fine but worth checking.
The weak point for a standrard car is really the tyres, if they are the Pirellis then they are known for not being the best, Toyo T1R are a good budget tyre. The Koni (red) shockers are quite poor and are known for failing, mine burst on track, but they were quite old. Just make sure you warm the car up fully and cool down properly as the K series is relatively weak and prone to HGF.
Having said all that, the car is fine on track and out the box is quicker than most.
HTH Nick
My car is basically standard, although its a 160 so it has an oil cooler as standard.
I did 8 trackdays in it last year and it copes just fine - after the first trackday I did change to braided brake hoses as the pedal would go soft after 10 - 15mins hard use on track. Since then the pedal stays hard all day long.
The standard S1 suspension is fairly soft but will cope fine on track. Again I eventually upgraded my dampers to adjustable types.
I've used a variety of brake pads but eventually stuck to standard unipart items - at 25 quid a set it brings the cost of doing trackdays down considerably, and they work just fine.
I did 8 trackdays in it last year and it copes just fine - after the first trackday I did change to braided brake hoses as the pedal would go soft after 10 - 15mins hard use on track. Since then the pedal stays hard all day long.
The standard S1 suspension is fairly soft but will cope fine on track. Again I eventually upgraded my dampers to adjustable types.
I've used a variety of brake pads but eventually stuck to standard unipart items - at 25 quid a set it brings the cost of doing trackdays down considerably, and they work just fine.
+ great cars.
Did 17 td's in a completely bog standard one before swopping it for a caterham. Still really miss the Elise and will have another one day.
The only expensive thing about it was that I used Lotus for the servicing work which adds up. Use a specialist who knows what you need for track days and you won't go far wrong.
If you start increasing the power and / or running sticky tyres you will find areas that need uprating but I reckoned I found out more about driving on track in that car than any other.
Enjoy.
Did 17 td's in a completely bog standard one before swopping it for a caterham. Still really miss the Elise and will have another one day.
The only expensive thing about it was that I used Lotus for the servicing work which adds up. Use a specialist who knows what you need for track days and you won't go far wrong.
If you start increasing the power and / or running sticky tyres you will find areas that need uprating but I reckoned I found out more about driving on track in that car than any other.
Enjoy.
Nick J said:
They are ok standard, but you will soon find out all the weak points in the car.
Make sure the brakes have plently on them, same with the tyres. Make sure the oil is new(ish) and is decent grade. Millars is good stuff. Change the brake fluid. Discs should be fine but worth checking.
The weak point for a standrard car is really the tyres, if they are the Pirellis then they are known for not being the best, Toyo T1R are a good budget tyre. The Koni (red) shockers are quite poor and are known for failing, mine burst on track, but they were quite old. Just make sure you warm the car up fully and cool down properly as the K series is relatively weak and prone to HGF.
Having said all that, the car is fine on track and out the box is quicker than most.
HTH Nick
Nick, were you at Oulton on saturday? I remember your car from a trackday i was at last feb (I was in a red ST at the time) and I think I saw your car in the paddock last sat.Make sure the brakes have plently on them, same with the tyres. Make sure the oil is new(ish) and is decent grade. Millars is good stuff. Change the brake fluid. Discs should be fine but worth checking.
The weak point for a standrard car is really the tyres, if they are the Pirellis then they are known for not being the best, Toyo T1R are a good budget tyre. The Koni (red) shockers are quite poor and are known for failing, mine burst on track, but they were quite old. Just make sure you warm the car up fully and cool down properly as the K series is relatively weak and prone to HGF.
Having said all that, the car is fine on track and out the box is quicker than most.
HTH Nick
To the OP, judging by the pace of Nick's "standard" car (i seem to recall you saying at the time, Nick) then it will be more than up to embarrasing more exotic machinery on track
Tim,
If you do get an Elise or any Lotus for that matter, it`s worth joining Lotus On Track http://www.lotus-on-track.com/
Just wish i could afford to run another Lotus or sell the Elan but i`d never get my money back on what i`ve spent on her
Hope to see you on track
If you do get an Elise or any Lotus for that matter, it`s worth joining Lotus On Track http://www.lotus-on-track.com/
Just wish i could afford to run another Lotus or sell the Elan but i`d never get my money back on what i`ve spent on her
Hope to see you on track
I did several track days in mine when I had it.
It stood up to everything I threw at it and never complained. Std brakes coped well. Guy that bought it off me turned it into a hillclimber and said he found no issues with engine or any components when he took it all apart.
You might feel you need more power after a while, as it gets a bit lots on long straights, but more than makes up for it round the corners.
Do it, it's a great fun car to own !
It stood up to everything I threw at it and never complained. Std brakes coped well. Guy that bought it off me turned it into a hillclimber and said he found no issues with engine or any components when he took it all apart.
You might feel you need more power after a while, as it gets a bit lots on long straights, but more than makes up for it round the corners.
Do it, it's a great fun car to own !
Had my stock early Elise on track 2 weeks ago round Bedford held up very well. Specially considering running very worn out red koni shocks and 1 of the rears is seized up (on my to do list), still handled very well, my only upgrade was pagid brake pads (stock steel discs) and these held up well too. Was running the budget Khumo tyres which went off slightly after 30 minutes plus continues use but not really a problem.
Overall I think they make great track day cars even the cheaper older examples can hold their own against most other cars.
Overall I think they make great track day cars even the cheaper older examples can hold their own against most other cars.
snorkel sucker said:
Nick J said:
They are ok standard, but you will soon find out all the weak points in the car.
Make sure the brakes have plently on them, same with the tyres. Make sure the oil is new(ish) and is decent grade. Millars is good stuff. Change the brake fluid. Discs should be fine but worth checking.
The weak point for a standrard car is really the tyres, if they are the Pirellis then they are known for not being the best, Toyo T1R are a good budget tyre. The Koni (red) shockers are quite poor and are known for failing, mine burst on track, but they were quite old. Just make sure you warm the car up fully and cool down properly as the K series is relatively weak and prone to HGF.
Having said all that, the car is fine on track and out the box is quicker than most.
HTH Nick
Nick, were you at Oulton on saturday? I remember your car from a trackday i was at last feb (I was in a red ST at the time) and I think I saw your car in the paddock last sat.Make sure the brakes have plently on them, same with the tyres. Make sure the oil is new(ish) and is decent grade. Millars is good stuff. Change the brake fluid. Discs should be fine but worth checking.
The weak point for a standrard car is really the tyres, if they are the Pirellis then they are known for not being the best, Toyo T1R are a good budget tyre. The Koni (red) shockers are quite poor and are known for failing, mine burst on track, but they were quite old. Just make sure you warm the car up fully and cool down properly as the K series is relatively weak and prone to HGF.
Having said all that, the car is fine on track and out the box is quicker than most.
HTH Nick
To the OP, judging by the pace of Nick's "standard" car (i seem to recall you saying at the time, Nick) then it will be more than up to embarrasing more exotic machinery on track
I remember your ST, looked good with the black wheels.
You still doing Trackdays?
Forum | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff