Lotus 3 Eleven

[dom9]

We shall see - just landed in the Bahamas so we'll see how quick Mrs9 empties my wallet but I'd love to keep it forever!

[baronbennyt]

I'm seriously tempted to upgrade the 3 Eleven's engine output from 410bhp to 475bhp (same power as the race version) by Komo-tec via Hangar 111, once the official warranty expires in April next year.

Further details of the upgrade:

To provide the car with more appropriate dynamics we have developed the Phase 1 311-475.

Kit contents:

- Sports-Airfilter
- Sports Manifold
- Sport HJS-Catalyst 20cpsi
- Software-Upgrade

Result:

- 475 hp and 495 Nm torque

CAUTION: Kit requires the use of fuel Super Plus Fuel ROZ98 (or higher quality).

[Smitters]

That's an alarming hike in power! Sounds excellent.

[baronbennyt]

A couple of nice shots of the Lotus 3-Eleven at the last EVO Magazine track day at Bedford Autodrome: I was limited to 5,000rpm due to noise limits (the car produces peak power 410bhp at 7,000rpm) and the car was sliding around more than usual (a few twitchy moments) but what a blast!

[stevebroad]

Very nice toy.

You can't have too much power :-)

One question. In the spec list you quote a dry weight of 925Kg. Is that correct?

[baronbennyt]

stevebroad said:

Very nice toy.

You can't have too much power :-)

One question. In the spec list you quote a dry weight of 925Kg. Is that correct?

I believe this is the dry weigh yes, but I stand open to correction. It's heavier than you might have expected (certainly when compared to a 2-Eleven) but I assume the Toyota sourced V6 lump weighs a fair bit. Still, power to weight is pretty spectacular an it's plenty quick enough!

[bakedballoon]

baronbennyt said:

The 3-Eleven is actually pretty useable on the road.

Following your concerns about the Eurotunnel, how does it in fact manage with speed bumps and ramps (e.g. ferry)?

Edited by bakedballoon on Wednesday 18th October 09:02

[baronbennyt]

I'm thinking of upgrading the 3-Eleven's power output to 475hp via the Komo-Tec “Phase Eleven-475-Kit”:

Komo-Tec literature - The 3-Eleven is supplied with 416hp factory spec. In order to give the 3-Eleven a better performance, we have developed the Upgrade “Phase Eleven-475-Kit”. We were able to increase the maximum output by approx. 60 hp by the use of stainless-steel manifolds with an optimized flow, an HJS-200-cpsi Sports-Catalyst and a K&N Sports-Airfilter with increased output in conjunction with an optimized ECU-Software. This gets the engine significantly more power and the additional torque is much stronger than before.

Key Benefits:

- good price-performance-ratio
- easy to refit (collectors – Limited Edition Status)
- increased torque (+80 Nm) and power (+60 hp) to the standard vehicle

Phase Eleven-475 consisting of:

- K&N Sport-Airfilter
- Stainless steel manifold with optimized pipe lengths
- 200cpsi Sports-Catalyst HJS (Main Catalyst)
- Optimization ECU-Software Eleven-475 (ignition, injection characteristics and camshaft phase adjustment)
- Eleven-475 Decalset

Because you can never have enough horsepower...right?

[magooagain]

Nice availiable upgrade. But like all upgrades they will put pressure on other components.

Maybe that a clutch upgrade might be needed at some point .

[baronbennyt]

magooagain said:

Nice availiable upgrade. But like all upgrades they will put pressure on other components.

Maybe that a clutch upgrade might be needed at some point .

Indeed, if I did go ahead with the engine modifications I'd take advice from Hangar 111 (the UK suppliers of Komo-Tec) as to which other components would need upgrading, like the clutch and cooling.

[GFWilliams]

What gearbox is it running? Komo-tec said to me that 460hp was the max the manual box could handle safely and Lotus now say it's 430hp... My clutch went immediately with 460hp so I suggest upgrading the clutch to the Evora 400 clutch if the 3-eleven clutch hasn't already been changed to that.

[baronbennyt]

GFWilliams said:

What gearbox is it running? Komo-tec said to me that 460hp was the max the manual box could handle safely and Lotus now say it's 430hp... My clutch went immediately with 460hp so I suggest upgrading the clutch to the Evora 400 clutch if the 3-eleven clutch hasn't already been changed to that.

Thanks, I'll certainly check the situation with the clutch if I move ahead with the engine upgrade.

[over steer]

baronbennyt said:

Thanks, I'll certainly check the situation with the clutch if I move ahead with the engine upgrade.

Should you opt to change it, I would recommend you avoid the ACT clutch which is somehow the replacement clutch of choice. It judders terribly and only gets worse with age.

[baronbennyt]

The long winter months are usually terrible for my bank balance because it's during this time that I put my pride and joys in hibernation and start thinking about the year ahead: potential new toys or modifications to existing ones.

And so to the Lotus 3-Eleven....

Since I plan a few more track days next year (both home and abroad), I'm considering the following upgrades:

- Tyres: Avon ZZR track tyre
- Brakes: Komo-tec Ko-Bra4 braking system
- Power: Komo-tec Phase Eleven-475bhp-Kit
- Clutch and 'Box: Komo-tec lightweight flywheel and clutch with gearbox cooler kit
- Exhaust: signature QT Exhaust from Hangar 111 (since I'm struggling to get the car to pass noise testing at some circuits)

I'm looking for increased performance, certainly, but also usability, reliability and potential reversibility.

If I go ahead, and it's a big if, I would look to Hangar 111 to carry out the work.

Alternatively, I could save the car's originality and my bank balance a hammering by leaving the car well alone!

Any thoughts, views, and/or experiences welcomed...

[GFWilliams]

There are positives and negatives to all of the upgrades apart from the brakes and gearbox cooler, which both only have positives IMO.

With the power kit it will change the dynamic of the car, it’s a lot more savage and harder to drive it on the limit well. More of a challenge which is good.

The flywheel and clutch aren’t very nice to use, if you’re going to change, change to the Evora 400 one.

With the exhaust, I had one on order, but H111 won’t tell me what the internals are doing, just assuring me that it’s been flow bench tested and it’s fine. I like to know what components I’m putting on my car, don’t want a “magic” silencer.

[baronbennyt]

GFWilliams said:

There are positives and negatives to all of the upgrades apart from the brakes and gearbox cooler, which both only have positives IMO.

With the power kit it will change the dynamic of the car, it’s a lot more savage and harder to drive it on the limit well. More of a challenge which is good.

The flywheel and clutch aren’t very nice to use, if you’re going to change, change to the Evora 400 one.

With the exhaust, I had one on order, but H111 won’t tell me what the internals are doing, just assuring me that it’s been flow bench tested and it’s fine. I like to know what components I’m putting on my car, don’t want a “magic” silencer.

Thanks indeed for the great feedback, I’ve been reading you’re posts with great interest.

How have you found the upgraded power and, separately, brakes in more detail?

Also, what is your concern re the QT Exhaust, that it sucks away power or that the components aren’t top quality?

[GFWilliams]

baronbennyt said:

Thanks indeed for the great feedback, I’ve been reading you’re posts with great interest.

How have you found the upgraded power and, separately, brakes in more detail?

Also, what is your concern re the QT Exhaust, that it sucks away power or that the components aren’t top quality?

With the power, it took my car from being a car where you could push hard quite easily and constantly be on the limits in a nice smooth manner to a bit of a monster which you have to respect a bit. It's a lovely linear power and torque delivery and the car has no trouble getting the power down, but it's a totally different beast to standard.

With the brakes, they're awesome in every way, much more powerful than even the new Cup 430 brakes. My advice is do the front brakes then add performance friction pads on the rear. I don't feel the need for more powerful brakes on the rear.

Pop me a pm and we can talk more about the exhaust... Also, you're pretty local, if you want to have a go in my car let me know.

Edited by GFWilliams on Thursday 7th December 20:49

[baronbennyt]

GFWilliams said:

With the power, it took my car from being a car where you could push hard quite easily and constantly be on the limits in a nice smooth manner to a bit of a monster which you have to respect a bit. It's a lovely linear power and torque delivery and the car has no trouble getting the power down, but it's a totally different beast to standard.

With the brakes, they're awesome in every way, much more powerful than even the new Cup 430 brakes. My advice is do the front brakes then add performance friction pads on the rear. I don't feel the need for more powerful brakes on the rear.

Pop me a pm and we can talk more about the exhaust... Also, you're pretty local, if you want to have a go in my car let me know.

Edited by GFWilliams on Thursday 7th December 20:49

Thanks, that’s very kind of you; I really appreciate it.

I managed to break my ankle last weekend so will probably drop you a line after New Year if that’s okay?

[GFWilliams]

Any time, hope you have a quick recovery!

[baronbennyt]

Having taken a lot of good advice I've narrowed my thinking to the following brake and engine upgrades for the 3-Eleven, sometime next year:

- Ko-Bra4 braking system



- Phase Eleven-475 Upgrade (plus gearbox upgrade if necessary)