What modification next?

[Nick J]

I have an S1 Elise in red, ive done the following mods
Stainless Steel Sports exhaust
Cat bypass
S2 Bilstein suspension
K&N induction kit

I am now considering the next mod, either
Black wheels - just for the looks no benefit other than that
Up rated brakes - Started doing track days and could do with some brakes that don't fade as easily.

What would you go for? Has anyone got any pics of a red S1 with black wheels?

Anyone got experience of uprated brakes from the standard steel discs?

Cheers Nick

[DaveR]

Hi Nick,

Just lurking in these parts at the moment and considering an Elise as an alternative to the Cerbera in the belief that I'd actually ending up driving it more often.

In my humble aesthetic opinion, silver wheels look better on red cars. In terms of track usage, after suspension (which you've done) the most important thing is brakes. You'd be amazed at the difference these can make. Having experienced a Chimaera on stock brakes that was then upgraded to grooved Tarox rotors and Mintex 1144 pads, then the jump up again to the Cerb (4-pot AP Calipers)... it's pretty much one of the biggest performance mods you can make - and not the most expensive. Make sure you pick a pad compound that works from cold though or you'll regret it day to day. I use Mintex 1144 in the Cerb and they're a very good all round option. Once you've got your stopping improved you might find 4-point harnesses a (next) very worthwhile investment too. Again, not that expensive.

P.S. love the pic in your profile!

[Stephanie Plum]

Discs would be the last bit I'd do tbh. Change the pads and uprate to braided hoses first. I like Mintex but lots of owners swear by Pagids. If you're doing more track days have you uprated your toe links?

[DaveR]

Fair point - upgrading pads will make (a lot) more difference than rotors.

As I said, I'm new to this Elise lark so only qualified to speak on a general level. What are the standard calipers like?

[TIPPER]

I'd deffo do the brakes next.
Try Mintex 1144 pads - I've got these with EBC grooved and spotted discs. I'll probably step up to Pagid RS42s next and maybe Plans Motorsport Ali discs and bells. Big difference between the Mintex 1144s and oe pads. Great feel and good stopping power on the road but very dusty. Pagids are supposed to be an even bigger improvement and less likely to fade on track.
Oddly my car's not dissimiliar to yours in spec and I've just ordered a set of Harnesses and Harness bar from Hanger 111 in view of impending first track day.

[slatess1]

Nick J said:

I have an S1 Elise in red, ive done the following mods
Stainless Steel Sports exhaust
Cat bypass
S2 Bilstein suspension
K&N induction kit

I am now considering the next mod, either
Black wheels - just for the looks no benefit other than that
Up rated brakes - Started doing track days and could do with some brakes that don't fade as easily.

What would you go for? Has anyone got any pics of a red S1 with black wheels?

Anyone got experience of uprated brakes from the standard steel discs?

Cheers Nick

Def do the brakes next, pads and braised hoses!!

[thegreenhell]

Brakes - better pads, braided hoses and new fluid. OE discs and calipers are plenty good enough for most uses.

Suspension - geo, general condition check (ball joints, TRE's, toe links), and maybe an uprated front ARB.

Cooling - Remote thermostat and all-alloy radiator may be a good idea.

Other - harness (or CG Lock) will greatly improve feedback and sense of 'oneness' with the car.

Black wheels? Look great IMO.

[Gooby]

What mod to do next?

What do you actually want from the car?

That would probably be a good start point.

[S Works]

Braided hoses & better pads.
Driver training.
Harnesses.

[Nick J]

I have considered the black wheels and while they do look good I think I will go for the brakes. From the advice on here it looks like I will get the 1144 pads and new discs all round. I am planning another track day in the new year and as I go on track I find the road less and less appealing. My car hasnt turned a wheel since the last trackday I did.

Is there a noticable difference in the drilled discs or are new standard ones ok and just uprate the pads?

Nick

[Lawrence5]

Performance wise consider 4 into 2 into 1 - gains right across the rev range. Cams cheaper than head work but work well with c/r box.

K & N drags through hot air - hurricane or ITG are better performance wise. But K & N sounds the best !

As above though 340R style geo - sticks like glue

Worth a visit.....

http://www.dyno-plot.co.uk/dyno/about.htm

[Gooby]

Nick J said:

Is there a noticable difference in the drilled discs or are new standard ones ok and just uprate the pads?

Nick

OEM discs are quite soft and wear quickly. Pagid's are a hard pad and cause the OEM discs to expire quite quickly. The aluminium bellied rotors are good combined with Pagids.

You will notice a change in feel of the brakes. I have put Pagids all round with Alu bellied rotors and braided hoses. I will have to put some great break fluid in to get the best from the set up but when cold the brakes are quite "binary" but lovely when warm.

[Nick J]

Gooby said:

Nick J said:

Is there a noticable difference in the drilled discs or are new standard ones ok and just uprate the pads?

Nick

OEM discs are quite soft and wear quickly. Pagid's are a hard pad and cause the OEM discs to expire quite quickly. The aluminium bellied rotors are good combined with Pagids.

You will notice a change in feel of the brakes. I have put Pagids all round with Alu bellied rotors and braided hoses. I will have to put some great break fluid in to get the best from the set up but when cold the brakes are quite "binary" but lovely when warm.

Cheers Gooby

The car isnt an every day car so I dont mind if they are not great when cold. So long as they last a bit longer on track thats fine by me.