Running-in and fuel

[ballistic]

Will be getting my new 111s next-week, can't wait.
What's the advice for correct running-in, and will be there be any benefit from using SUL or Optimax fuel as opposed to 95Ron?

[lavaman]

Nice one! I've just gone over 1000 miles today in the 111S, I'll put another 100 miles before the 1st service this Tuesday.

When I collected my car, I was told to keep it under 3000rpm for the first 600 miles and then under 4000rpm for another 600 miles until the first oil change.

On the subject of fuel, although you can put in 95Octane Unleaded, Super Unleaded or Optimax, I was told that Optimax was the best fuel for the 111S. I filled it up with Optimax for the first 2 fuel stops and then decided to put normal Unleaded but felt that the car was more responsive and a little bit faster with Optimax so the car has been fed with Optimax since.

What colour is your 111S BTW?

[Gargamel]

fuel makes no difference to the elise - it is set for 95ron fuel - and whilst optimax is a better fuel in terms of burning better or cleaner - there is no performance advantage in a k series engine.

[135sport]

Is that all K-series?

I thought it was more to do with the engine management system and sensors (NOC? or somehting).

Does not the new 111s use a non-Rover management system?

[Gargamel]

hmm - good question - I thought is it was down to the ignition timing. and that all k series were set for 95 ron

but I am prepared to concede I may be talking out my elbow. It was certainly true for mk1 cars

not sure on mk2 ?

[Captain Muppet]

Depends how the ignition timing is set: if the advance is limited by signals from the knock sensor then higher octane fuel (like Optimax) will reduce knock and you will get more power. On the other hand if they just map the engine to run knock safe on 95 ron you'll see no difference. The S2 has Lotus's own ECU - you'd expect them to have used the knock sensor as long as one is fitted (I've just asked a mate with a 1.8 K series and he says it does have a knock sensor).

[Arno]

quote:
(I've just asked a mate with a 1.8 K series and he says it does have a knock sensor).

No it doesn't.

And Lotus' own K4 ECU on the S2 doesn't use a knock sensor either.

Running anything over 95RON in a standard K series is wasted from a performance viewpoint.

Bye, Arno.

[Captain Muppet]

quote:

quote:
(I've just asked a mate with a 1.8 K series and he says it does have a knock sensor).

No it doesn't.

And Lotus' own K4 ECU on the S2 doesn't use a knock sensor either.

Running anything over 95RON in a standard K series is wasted from a performance viewpoint.

Bye, Arno.

Yep - just checked, no knock sensor on the K - no point using anything other than 95RON.

[135sport]

Does anyone (after market) and has anyone fitted a knock sensor to the K-series?

And I suppose, does anyone / has anyone fitted an aftermarket management system to make use of the knock sensor?

Are there any real gains to be made?

[Captain Muppet]

quote:
Does anyone (after market) and has anyone fitted a knock sensor to the K-series?

And I suppose, does anyone / has anyone fitted an aftermarket management system to make use of the knock sensor?

Are there any real gains to be made?

Yes, there are gains to be made (2-3%). There's no need to fit a knock sensor if you're willing to always use super unleaded 97RON - then you can get a aftermarket EMS/chip and get it mapped to suit the higher octane fuel. That said it's probably more fun and less hassle to get the same or greater increase from a sports exhaust and air filter.