S1 Elise Honda
Discussion
I've owned this car for 7 months now. Second S1 Elise I've owned (previously had a S1 Sport 160 15yrs ago). I originally set out to get a S1 or S2 K Series Elise with around 160bhp. Saw this for sale and the man-maths led to some budget creep. I'd always wanted to try a K20 after all....
Spec:
Honda K20A engine
Honda JDM close ratio gearbox
Honda JDM limited slip differential
HPE Automotive billet engine mounts
HPE Automotive engine wiring harness
HPE Automotive drive flanges
HPE Automotive gear shifter
HPE Automotive silencer
Hondata K100 engine management
Nitron NTR suspension
Updated rear toe links
Eliseparts aluminium belled discs
Pagid RS14 pads
Braided brake lines
Yokohama AD08RS tyres
Rota Slipstream wheels
Tillet B5 carbon seats
Schroth 4 point harnesses
Eliseparts aluminium radiator
Braided clutch hose
Acuity Hall TPS
What attracted me to this car in particular was the fact it had a few nice parts from HPE Automotive, and had been recently overhauled by them. This gave me confidence it would be well engineered and hopefully reliable. The shifter in particular is a work of art.
There has been a couple of issues:
- Honda OEM throttle position sensor failed. Replaced by an aftermarket Acuity Hall TPS that transformed how the car drove at small throttle openings; so much smoother a nice to use.
- Cam cover gasket failed and car dropped on to 3 cylinders (thought I'd managed to break a K20 at this point!).
Other things I've done is fit a set of Rota Slipstream alloys (the Victorys' it came with need a refurb, I fancied a change, and the Rotas' are marginally lighter) and a steering wheel spacer.
Honda conversion was originally done by Stark over 15 years ago. Previous owner used it predominantly for track days so its a bit rough around the edges, but drives really well. I've done lots of b-road blasting on Sunday mornings and summer evenings, and a couple of trips to Wales. Going to get it on track this year.
Its pretty raw with vibes from the stiffer engine mounts at 3k rpm being something to drive around (pay off being razor sharp throttle response), and the K20 seems far louder than the K-Series in my previous Elise. I wanted something that was an event to drive though.
Spec:
Honda K20A engine
Honda JDM close ratio gearbox
Honda JDM limited slip differential
HPE Automotive billet engine mounts
HPE Automotive engine wiring harness
HPE Automotive drive flanges
HPE Automotive gear shifter
HPE Automotive silencer
Hondata K100 engine management
Nitron NTR suspension
Updated rear toe links
Eliseparts aluminium belled discs
Pagid RS14 pads
Braided brake lines
Yokohama AD08RS tyres
Rota Slipstream wheels
Tillet B5 carbon seats
Schroth 4 point harnesses
Eliseparts aluminium radiator
Braided clutch hose
Acuity Hall TPS
What attracted me to this car in particular was the fact it had a few nice parts from HPE Automotive, and had been recently overhauled by them. This gave me confidence it would be well engineered and hopefully reliable. The shifter in particular is a work of art.
There has been a couple of issues:
- Honda OEM throttle position sensor failed. Replaced by an aftermarket Acuity Hall TPS that transformed how the car drove at small throttle openings; so much smoother a nice to use.
- Cam cover gasket failed and car dropped on to 3 cylinders (thought I'd managed to break a K20 at this point!).
Other things I've done is fit a set of Rota Slipstream alloys (the Victorys' it came with need a refurb, I fancied a change, and the Rotas' are marginally lighter) and a steering wheel spacer.
Honda conversion was originally done by Stark over 15 years ago. Previous owner used it predominantly for track days so its a bit rough around the edges, but drives really well. I've done lots of b-road blasting on Sunday mornings and summer evenings, and a couple of trips to Wales. Going to get it on track this year.
Its pretty raw with vibes from the stiffer engine mounts at 3k rpm being something to drive around (pay off being razor sharp throttle response), and the K20 seems far louder than the K-Series in my previous Elise. I wanted something that was an event to drive though.
DanielSan said:
That is superb! You were unlucky with the cam cover gasket dropping it to 3 cylinders though. They're a common thing to start leaking a bit on the K series engines but never heard of anyone having an issue that extreme.
Love the classic Scooby also
Yeah, I was rather expecting the engine to be pretty bullet proof in stock tune. Love the classic Scooby also
Scooby belongs to a friend of mine from here that I often drive with. Was great fun following it around Wales. It's heavily modified, around 400bhp I think.
Lovely car OP, 'right up my strada' - always hoped to see one of these for sale as I want one, however at the age now where starting to convert one myself would be prohibitive.
Was interested to see how 'vibey' the car would be with a solid-mounted K20 in it, I had an old Civic 15-or-so years ago that a friend of mine swapped a K20 engine and gearbox in to, all that were available at the time were cheap solid engine mounts and at traffic lights it vibrated like nothing else! Seemed to provide some sort of perverse enjoyment to the GF I usually had 'riding shotgun' at the time mind you...
Looking forward to seeing further updates from you on the car!
Was interested to see how 'vibey' the car would be with a solid-mounted K20 in it, I had an old Civic 15-or-so years ago that a friend of mine swapped a K20 engine and gearbox in to, all that were available at the time were cheap solid engine mounts and at traffic lights it vibrated like nothing else! Seemed to provide some sort of perverse enjoyment to the GF I usually had 'riding shotgun' at the time mind you...
Looking forward to seeing further updates from you on the car!
CKY said:
Lovely car OP, 'right up my strada' - always hoped to see one of these for sale as I want one, however at the age now where starting to convert one myself would be prohibitive.
Was interested to see how 'vibey' the car would be with a solid-mounted K20 in it, I had an old Civic 15-or-so years ago that a friend of mine swapped a K20 engine and gearbox in to, all that were available at the time were cheap solid engine mounts and at traffic lights it vibrated like nothing else! Seemed to provide some sort of perverse enjoyment to the GF I usually had 'riding shotgun' at the time mind you...
Looking forward to seeing further updates from you on the car!
+1 Was interested to see how 'vibey' the car would be with a solid-mounted K20 in it, I had an old Civic 15-or-so years ago that a friend of mine swapped a K20 engine and gearbox in to, all that were available at the time were cheap solid engine mounts and at traffic lights it vibrated like nothing else! Seemed to provide some sort of perverse enjoyment to the GF I usually had 'riding shotgun' at the time mind you...
Looking forward to seeing further updates from you on the car!
Still love the Honda Elise/Exiges. Really are a sweet spot for that car and remember when Maidstone sports cars first produced the first non-home garage ones.
Such a mega car, and in supercharged form supercar rapid.
Also have been out in a few Audi’d S1’s (including Wayne from Pro-Alloy (RIP) around a track and they are brutal cars too. Doesn’t suit the Elise quite as much as the vtec cars but still a phenomenal bit of kit.
Such a mega car, and in supercharged form supercar rapid.
Also have been out in a few Audi’d S1’s (including Wayne from Pro-Alloy (RIP) around a track and they are brutal cars too. Doesn’t suit the Elise quite as much as the vtec cars but still a phenomenal bit of kit.
CKY said:
Lovely car OP, 'right up my strada' - always hoped to see one of these for sale as I want one, however at the age now where starting to convert one myself would be prohibitive.
Was interested to see how 'vibey' the car would be with a solid-mounted K20 in it, I had an old Civic 15-or-so years ago that a friend of mine swapped a K20 engine and gearbox in to, all that were available at the time were cheap solid engine mounts and at traffic lights it vibrated like nothing else! Seemed to provide some sort of perverse enjoyment to the GF I usually had 'riding shotgun' at the time mind you...
Looking forward to seeing further updates from you on the car!
Fortunately its not bad at idle, so sitting in traffic is fine. I tend to cruise in 5th in 30 limits as that keeps the revs below the 3k where its probably worst. It easily pulls 5th at low speed. An S1 Elise is never going to be the last word in NVH, but I can see that engine mounts like these won't be for everyone. I'm happy to put up with it as its fine in most of the rev range, and these particular mounts are designed to solve a common issue with Honda conversions where the engine is positioned such that it leads to driveshaft/CV boot failures.Was interested to see how 'vibey' the car would be with a solid-mounted K20 in it, I had an old Civic 15-or-so years ago that a friend of mine swapped a K20 engine and gearbox in to, all that were available at the time were cheap solid engine mounts and at traffic lights it vibrated like nothing else! Seemed to provide some sort of perverse enjoyment to the GF I usually had 'riding shotgun' at the time mind you...
Looking forward to seeing further updates from you on the car!
These are what is fitted:
https://www.hpeauto.co.uk/shop/p/xdnts8h6um1jmejix...
Reading that now I see it can come with a road of track spec bush. I don't know which I have.
John D. said:
Scooby belongs to a friend of mine from here that I often drive with. Was great fun following it around Wales. It's heavily modified, around 400bhp I think.
395 On paper a very different car to an Elise, but both are similar in offering a raw mechanical connection. And the paintwork on the Scoob is also pretty rough, meaning I can enjoy it fully without worry.
jwwbowe said:
Brilliant, the wheels really suit it too. Having had a S2000 totally get why a VTEC is well suited to an Elise. Bet it is great on Welsh roads 
Speaking g from experience, Being an ex s2000 owner does not prepare you for a Honda S1. The induction noise through the air scope behind you whilst it propels such a small amount of mass is like nothing else I have experienced. Had a nice trip to Donington Park on Friday. First car track day I've done for 12yrs or so. Never been to Donington before either, so I was grateful it wasn't wet.
Car performed well aside from one thing. Seemed to be bogging down a bit out of 3rd and 4th gear corners which was odd. Was like a very pronounced Vtec step which I've never experienced on the road. Needs some investigation.
Braking performance and feel was amazing. I've never driven something so easy to rotate into a corner either. Good fun without it feeling too edgy.
Car performed well aside from one thing. Seemed to be bogging down a bit out of 3rd and 4th gear corners which was odd. Was like a very pronounced Vtec step which I've never experienced on the road. Needs some investigation.
Braking performance and feel was amazing. I've never driven something so easy to rotate into a corner either. Good fun without it feeling too edgy.
John D. said:
Car performed well aside from one thing. Seemed to be bogging down a bit out of 3rd and 4th gear corners which was odd. Was like a very pronounced Vtec step which I've never experienced on the road. Needs some investigation.
Is the sump baffled?? And what were the oil levels like? Civics can struggle with the same issue at some higher speed corners. Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff