Discussion
I should have really documented this from the start, unfortunately I never did so I'll try and remember what was what throughout...
Anyway, coming from a decent bunch of hot hatch's in September 2009 I decided it was the time for something really silly, stupid & impractical. I had looked at one a few years previous and it must be said, wasn't blown away by it. Wasn't overly keen on the looks and at the time, it seemed a bit silly. Fast forward a few years and it seemed the perfect time to purchase one.
I sold my DC2 Integra and then the same day took at 200 mile journey North to look at one that looked very good, and at a good price on PH in Bradford. Put a deposit down, drove back and went to pick it up next weekend.
I do remember that drive back very well, even though on paper it was probably about the same pace as the DC2 it just seemed silly rapid, and although the engine was no where near as manic as the VTEC unit the was torque everywhere and it just seemed to surge forwards. Obviously, handling was sublime, and feedback immense but I was, and still am amazed at how good the gearshift is in it when people moan about how naff the shift is in a Elise.
Photo of how it was when I got it. Completely standard apart from a VSE backbox...
Anyway, over the next year from what I remember there were a few changes made. Gaz coilovers where put on it, Team Dymamics wheels and took it on a few airfield days. Probably taken about a year later..
Again, can't really remember what went on the next year apart from numerous niggly electrical issues...
Think the front end was respray during this year, can't remember which and also some bubling around the doors was also looked at, although that returned which was again to be addressed at a later stage.. I think, during this year my old major gripe with the car was also sorted which was with harnesses. I hated the seatbelts as I found they did not hold you in the seat at all and found the harnesses much, much better. Also during this year took it on track at Anglesey with the VX220 bunch and absolutely loved it...thought I new the car fairly well but just comes alive on a track.
Fast forwards to this year and this was really an expensive one. My old Gaz coilovers decided they'd had enough, and I was offered a new set of Gaz Golds at a very discounted rate so got them fitted.
Also, at the start of the year decided to bite the bullet and get it supercharged... There are Joe & Lee on the VX forum that are doing the conversions for a very competetive rate, and to exactly the same as what Courtneys' would do. Although, most people would also go for an upgraded exhaust I, well, can't really justify it right now. Wasn't really to sure what power it would make but it made 247.9bhp and 210 lb/ft torque. Obviously, this would rise with a proper system but very happy with that output.
Only downside is the noise, idle is fine, crusing is fine but put your foot down and it is ferociously loud (And also pretty damn rapid!
) . I used BOT's noise meter and it registered 118db in the cabin...
Took it on track again at Anglesey again this, again fantastic. Only problem was this took its abuse on the clutch which was pretty much on its last legs anyway. Someone was selling a clutch & lightweight flywheel on VX forum for a very good price so purchased this and duly fitted it and I really can't believe how easy it now revs', bliping the throttle on downchanges has now become so much easier!
Not really sure what I have planned for it next, but I'm sure there will be something...
Anyway, coming from a decent bunch of hot hatch's in September 2009 I decided it was the time for something really silly, stupid & impractical. I had looked at one a few years previous and it must be said, wasn't blown away by it. Wasn't overly keen on the looks and at the time, it seemed a bit silly. Fast forward a few years and it seemed the perfect time to purchase one.
I sold my DC2 Integra and then the same day took at 200 mile journey North to look at one that looked very good, and at a good price on PH in Bradford. Put a deposit down, drove back and went to pick it up next weekend.
I do remember that drive back very well, even though on paper it was probably about the same pace as the DC2 it just seemed silly rapid, and although the engine was no where near as manic as the VTEC unit the was torque everywhere and it just seemed to surge forwards. Obviously, handling was sublime, and feedback immense but I was, and still am amazed at how good the gearshift is in it when people moan about how naff the shift is in a Elise.
Photo of how it was when I got it. Completely standard apart from a VSE backbox...
Anyway, over the next year from what I remember there were a few changes made. Gaz coilovers where put on it, Team Dymamics wheels and took it on a few airfield days. Probably taken about a year later..
Again, can't really remember what went on the next year apart from numerous niggly electrical issues...
Think the front end was respray during this year, can't remember which and also some bubling around the doors was also looked at, although that returned which was again to be addressed at a later stage.. I think, during this year my old major gripe with the car was also sorted which was with harnesses. I hated the seatbelts as I found they did not hold you in the seat at all and found the harnesses much, much better. Also during this year took it on track at Anglesey with the VX220 bunch and absolutely loved it...thought I new the car fairly well but just comes alive on a track.
Fast forwards to this year and this was really an expensive one. My old Gaz coilovers decided they'd had enough, and I was offered a new set of Gaz Golds at a very discounted rate so got them fitted.
Also, at the start of the year decided to bite the bullet and get it supercharged... There are Joe & Lee on the VX forum that are doing the conversions for a very competetive rate, and to exactly the same as what Courtneys' would do. Although, most people would also go for an upgraded exhaust I, well, can't really justify it right now. Wasn't really to sure what power it would make but it made 247.9bhp and 210 lb/ft torque. Obviously, this would rise with a proper system but very happy with that output.
Only downside is the noise, idle is fine, crusing is fine but put your foot down and it is ferociously loud (And also pretty damn rapid!
) . I used BOT's noise meter and it registered 118db in the cabin...Took it on track again at Anglesey again this, again fantastic. Only problem was this took its abuse on the clutch which was pretty much on its last legs anyway. Someone was selling a clutch & lightweight flywheel on VX forum for a very good price so purchased this and duly fitted it and I really can't believe how easy it now revs', bliping the throttle on downchanges has now become so much easier!
Not really sure what I have planned for it next, but I'm sure there will be something...
Edited by tommobot on Tuesday 7th August 12:34
Edited by tommobot on Tuesday 4th June 11:58
gofasterrosssco said:
Tom, I'm pretty sure its 210 lb/ft rather than 210nm.. Thats SC Elise torque.. 
I sold you the clutch / flywheel BTW!
Ah, that sound a bit better. Always getting bit confused with measurements of torque.I sold you the clutch / flywheel BTW!
Thanks again for the clutch & flywheel, fitting was a relative doddle'ish' and although the lightened flywheel was heavy I couldn't believe how weighty the standard item was in comparison...its seriously heavy!
I think they've just bumped there prices up to £3500 but with a brand new charger included. I think you can roughly get the parts for less but for piece of mind of not cocking something up figured to get them to do it. I figured that the car was probably worth about 7k or 7.5k so its still cheaper than a similar spec turbo and fuel consumption doesn't seem much worse, if at all any than a friend with a totally standard turbo.
And its still got the same very smooth linear power delivery that the N/A had, just much, much much more of it!
And its still got the same very smooth linear power delivery that the N/A had, just much, much much more of it!
tommobot said:
I think they've just bumped there prices up to £3500 but with a brand new charger included. I think you can roughly get the parts for less but for piece of mind of not cocking something up figured to get them to do it. I figured that the car was probably worth about 7k or 7.5k so its still cheaper than a similar spec turbo and fuel consumption doesn't seem much worse, if at all any than a friend with a totally standard turbo.
And its still got the same very smooth linear power delivery that the N/A had, just much, much much more of it!
Sounds perfect!And its still got the same very smooth linear power delivery that the N/A had, just much, much much more of it!
Is that with some kind of charge/intercooler too?
I noticed Courtney have 2 states of tune and the RR figures show yours as the higher horsepower package which is around £5k from them!
Yep, chargecooler mounted in the front, sitting below the radiator. That was also included in the price. Since the front clam was off, and the radiator was being removed and was still on the original I had it replaced with a larger radiator as well.
With a proper, full exhaust system it should easily break 250bhp if not up to 260bhp if lucky, the torque would also rise dramatically. I use it everyday and you really don't need to go above 4000rpm to make swift progress, its so delightfully effortless!
With a proper, full exhaust system it should easily break 250bhp if not up to 260bhp if lucky, the torque would also rise dramatically. I use it everyday and you really don't need to go above 4000rpm to make swift progress, its so delightfully effortless!
Thats not mine but its 95% the same, bar a few different colours here and there.
I think the turbo, as standard has slightly softer suspension as the engine is a heavier than the NA. Few subtle interior differences aswell and the Turbos' should all have remote central locking aswell. Also, the boot is slighty smaller on the Turbo model aswell.
FlashBastd said:
Engine and styling aside, are there any chassis / other mechanical differences between a 2.2 and a T?
Relatively little overall. A few exterior tweaks such as engine bay air scoops / splitters, all of which can be retro-fitted. The suspension is the same, except for different spring and damper rates (the turbo is slightly softer), although many have aftermarket suspension anyway and geometry set-ups (Exige / 340R settings are quite popular).The largest difference is weight - the NA uses a lighter, all alloy engine, where as the Turbo uses a older iron blocked engine, and of course has the addition of turbo components, meaning a weight difference of 50-60kgs (~870kg vs.930kg). Saying that, the SC conversion adds ~25-30kg, but its not really that noticable (from 870kg to 900kg).
Its the bump in almost linear torque (~200lb/ft @ ~2k rpm all the way up) that takes its from quite a quick car normally, to very quick car..
Very nice VX
You should have kept the ITR, one of the best two car garages for the money (IMO).
Here are my two
Unfortunately if I ever did want to super charge the VX I would have to sell the ITR.
Got a brand new set of Anthracite TD's to go on the VX on Saturday, should match the ITR nicely
You should have kept the ITR, one of the best two car garages for the money (IMO).
Here are my two
Unfortunately if I ever did want to super charge the VX I would have to sell the ITR.
Got a brand new set of Anthracite TD's to go on the VX on Saturday, should match the ITR nicely
So, time for a bit of an update. Few changes have been made visually, and few upgrades beneath the skin.
First and foremost,
Finnally got hold of a Turbo rear spoiler, think it finishes off the rear end rather nicely. I think in retrospect, I'd have rather kept the standard NA vents inplace of the Turbo ears, as I've need managed to achieve a particually good fit, and it looks like a turbo now bar the silver lights, which is no bad thing but meh...
Next thing along, was that over winter I (with help of a few chums) stripped suspension completely down, all the wishbones were powdercoated and new ball joints, bushes (Superpro) droplinks, track rod ends, upgraded hub carrier bolts.
Whilst it was all striped down and both clams off seemed like a good time to install Braided Hoses so some nice shiny 'HEL' ones were put on. Bit of a pig of a job as you have to dremel away to increase the size of the access hole to make it remotely physically possible to do!
Not difficult as such, just time consuming and hard work and very, very frustrating at times. But, all put back together, checked over by Specialist garage and bar one conical spacer being upside down was given a clean bill of health which was a releif!
Think I put aside about 2 weeks to do it over christmas, and be sorted by just after new year. It was infact I think mid February when it was back on the road.
Whilst it was off the road I was lucky to get hold of a Turbo back box from a freind with a Turbo who'd upgraded to a Miltek system. The back box is frankly massive in comparison to the VSE I've been running and the VSE is very loud. So loud infact that I'm pretty sure it would break every trackday noise limit in the country.
With the Turbo box on though it is remarkably silent, very, very quiet. I'm pretty sure it would probably be under 100db, using a noise meter rented from BoT and with a freind standing at roadside it measured around 115db and about 105db at idle.
As good as it is though, its not fun so the VSE has gone back on, its loud, stupid and childish and pops and bangs all over the shop. But, I do love it. But its quite nice to have the Turbo one as backup and its probably 'only' an afternoons work to swap them over.
When it went back together, with both the clams on in typical VX tradition on the first attmept at opening the front bonnet the cable snapped, and the rear mech broke for the boot. Urgh. So, the rear one was fixed which was painful and fiddly, but the front, as it is a stupid system that never really worked to well, and every time you opened it you questioned to yourself whether it was going to break!
So decision was made to fit aerocatches. Wasn't 100% sure at first. And cutting big holes in a perfectly good bonnet is a bit disconserting. However, they fitted easily line up very well and have now compeltely come round to them. I'm sure some people will disagree but I actually think they look rather good. The mechanism is rather good, feels very well made and they even are lockable for extra security.
Somewhere along the way, when it was all back together I finnaly got some Plastidip, and blackened both the rear badges which is something I'd been wanting to do for ages! Looks alright on the photos, but close up its a bit, frankly gash. But thats probably my poor efforts and I'll give it another go sometime...
The next thing, is probably the smallest thing i've done in ages, but it really does seem to have made a massive difference.
Basically, anybody who has a VX (more notably a 2.2) will tell you the ABS is horsew
k. It cuts in far to early. But, on the road its quite nice to have the security if you ever do need it hence why I've never completlely disconnected it.
My main problem was though, that - I'm not entirely sure here so bear with me - but the servo for the brakes is served by a vacumm - as I said i'm not entirely sure, but I do know if you spank it and then jump on to the brakes the pedal is rock solid - almost like ABS kicking in, but it isnt. If you come off the brakes and re-apply all is ok.
But more and more recently, the pedal has been going rock solid without jumping straight off the throttle and onto the brakes. Tbh, its very disconserting as you really did have to be cautious as you didn't know when may happen as such, although it got to a stage when I could take a pretty good guess, although as said above, coming off the brakes and reapplying would sort it.
When on track, or airfield, you could disconnect ABS and it never would happen
Anyway, below shows my 'temporary' fix which actually seems to have worked. As you can see the hose (this goes down the sill and to the front of the car and attaches to the servo) is slightly frayed and the ends just before the 1 way valve where also slightly frayed. Ideally, and next time both or even 1 clam comes of I'll try and replace entire hose. Anyway, all i've done is put 2 small clamps on each side of the valve and it really does seem to have worked!
Had some new RSR's fitted few days ago, so took car for a nice run to get them run in, and well I was gobsmacked. Car feels fantastic, and brakes where also brillaint. Not once did stupid firm pedal appear and it was a 'good' run out
So, the car is back in the good books. I always love it, but today, cripes....properly, properly back in love with the stupid thing again!
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First and foremost,
Finnally got hold of a Turbo rear spoiler, think it finishes off the rear end rather nicely. I think in retrospect, I'd have rather kept the standard NA vents inplace of the Turbo ears, as I've need managed to achieve a particually good fit, and it looks like a turbo now bar the silver lights, which is no bad thing but meh...
Next thing along, was that over winter I (with help of a few chums) stripped suspension completely down, all the wishbones were powdercoated and new ball joints, bushes (Superpro) droplinks, track rod ends, upgraded hub carrier bolts.
Whilst it was all striped down and both clams off seemed like a good time to install Braided Hoses so some nice shiny 'HEL' ones were put on. Bit of a pig of a job as you have to dremel away to increase the size of the access hole to make it remotely physically possible to do!
Not difficult as such, just time consuming and hard work and very, very frustrating at times. But, all put back together, checked over by Specialist garage and bar one conical spacer being upside down was given a clean bill of health which was a releif!
Think I put aside about 2 weeks to do it over christmas, and be sorted by just after new year. It was infact I think mid February when it was back on the road.
Whilst it was off the road I was lucky to get hold of a Turbo back box from a freind with a Turbo who'd upgraded to a Miltek system. The back box is frankly massive in comparison to the VSE I've been running and the VSE is very loud. So loud infact that I'm pretty sure it would break every trackday noise limit in the country.
With the Turbo box on though it is remarkably silent, very, very quiet. I'm pretty sure it would probably be under 100db, using a noise meter rented from BoT and with a freind standing at roadside it measured around 115db and about 105db at idle.
As good as it is though, its not fun so the VSE has gone back on, its loud, stupid and childish and pops and bangs all over the shop. But, I do love it. But its quite nice to have the Turbo one as backup and its probably 'only' an afternoons work to swap them over.
When it went back together, with both the clams on in typical VX tradition on the first attmept at opening the front bonnet the cable snapped, and the rear mech broke for the boot. Urgh. So, the rear one was fixed which was painful and fiddly, but the front, as it is a stupid system that never really worked to well, and every time you opened it you questioned to yourself whether it was going to break!
So decision was made to fit aerocatches. Wasn't 100% sure at first. And cutting big holes in a perfectly good bonnet is a bit disconserting. However, they fitted easily line up very well and have now compeltely come round to them. I'm sure some people will disagree but I actually think they look rather good. The mechanism is rather good, feels very well made and they even are lockable for extra security.
Somewhere along the way, when it was all back together I finnaly got some Plastidip, and blackened both the rear badges which is something I'd been wanting to do for ages! Looks alright on the photos, but close up its a bit, frankly gash. But thats probably my poor efforts and I'll give it another go sometime...
The next thing, is probably the smallest thing i've done in ages, but it really does seem to have made a massive difference.
Basically, anybody who has a VX (more notably a 2.2) will tell you the ABS is horsew
k. It cuts in far to early. But, on the road its quite nice to have the security if you ever do need it hence why I've never completlely disconnected it. My main problem was though, that - I'm not entirely sure here so bear with me - but the servo for the brakes is served by a vacumm - as I said i'm not entirely sure, but I do know if you spank it and then jump on to the brakes the pedal is rock solid - almost like ABS kicking in, but it isnt. If you come off the brakes and re-apply all is ok.
But more and more recently, the pedal has been going rock solid without jumping straight off the throttle and onto the brakes. Tbh, its very disconserting as you really did have to be cautious as you didn't know when may happen as such, although it got to a stage when I could take a pretty good guess, although as said above, coming off the brakes and reapplying would sort it.
When on track, or airfield, you could disconnect ABS and it never would happen
Anyway, below shows my 'temporary' fix which actually seems to have worked. As you can see the hose (this goes down the sill and to the front of the car and attaches to the servo) is slightly frayed and the ends just before the 1 way valve where also slightly frayed. Ideally, and next time both or even 1 clam comes of I'll try and replace entire hose. Anyway, all i've done is put 2 small clamps on each side of the valve and it really does seem to have worked!
Had some new RSR's fitted few days ago, so took car for a nice run to get them run in, and well I was gobsmacked. Car feels fantastic, and brakes where also brillaint. Not once did stupid firm pedal appear and it was a 'good' run out
So, the car is back in the good books. I always love it, but today, cripes....properly, properly back in love with the stupid thing again!
[/URL][/URL]Edited by tommobot on Tuesday 4th June 11:57
So...
Bit of a mega bump...
The purchase of a cheap Saab, allowed me to get really silly with the VX, and have some fun..
Before anyone moans all the original bodywork is untouched, and the new bits were all damaged / repaired...
I'll let the photos to do the talking...
Not to everyone's taste, and still needs alot of tidying, but for the most part will do for this year..
Bit of a mega bump...
The purchase of a cheap Saab, allowed me to get really silly with the VX, and have some fun..
Before anyone moans all the original bodywork is untouched, and the new bits were all damaged / repaired...
I'll let the photos to do the talking...
Not to everyone's taste, and still needs alot of tidying, but for the most part will do for this year..
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