S1 Elise, getting more power out?
Discussion
I have a s1 118 BHP and was thinking of getting a little more BHP out of it. I currently have
K and N induction kit with cold air feed
Chris Neil SS sports exhaust
Cat bypass
I am thinking of getting the 111 throttle body with metal plenum chamber
Is the manifold on the 111 different to the standard or are they the same?
Will I need a remap to get any effect out of the upgrades? and where from?
from what I have read this will make it similar to the 135, but does anyone know what else I might need for this sort of power increase?
Is there anything else that I can do for relatively little money?
Thanks Nick
K and N induction kit with cold air feed
Chris Neil SS sports exhaust
Cat bypass
I am thinking of getting the 111 throttle body with metal plenum chamber
Is the manifold on the 111 different to the standard or are they the same?
Will I need a remap to get any effect out of the upgrades? and where from?
from what I have read this will make it similar to the 135, but does anyone know what else I might need for this sort of power increase?
Is there anything else that I can do for relatively little money?
Thanks Nick
I really wouldn't bother! You will not get much out of it. Either buy a 111S or 160 or exige.
The only worthwhile thing you could do is fit a close ratio gearbox,which comes on the 111S. Also fit the 111S seats.
Other than that, S2 suspension and some good tyres. I have Yoko A038 as I only drive in the dry; if it rains heavily whilst out, I would pull up and get a tow truck out. For all weathers the Yoko AD
Francelise
The only worthwhile thing you could do is fit a close ratio gearbox,which comes on the 111S. Also fit the 111S seats.
Other than that, S2 suspension and some good tyres. I have Yoko A038 as I only drive in the dry; if it rains heavily whilst out, I would pull up and get a tow truck out. For all weathers the Yoko AD
Francelise
you could fit a short shift gear lever , obviously no hp gain but will give you a much racier feel to the gear change , a very popular mod.
you will not find them cheaper than here
www.allytat.co.uk
you will not find them cheaper than here
www.allytat.co.uk
What francelise said... basically, your best bet is to do mods that improve handling, then learn/practise techniques which allow you to get the most out of what you have. One thing I've learned in 4 years of Lotus ownership, is that there's always more you can get out of the car by improving the driver, without spending a penny on mods!
IMO the 118bhp Elise is plenty quick enough for driving on the road. About six months after I got mine I started thinking I wanted more power but after cosmetic improvements (new interior and sorting out a few things, fitted a c/r box - big improvement to the useability of the power you already have.
Brakes have been uprated to fast road spec (EBC grooved/spooted discs and Mintex 1144 pads) and I recently fitted Nitron dampers and stiffer springs (car is becoming track orientated). Next up will be a further brake upgrade and then maybe some more power.
Sure todays hot hatches will keep up with an S1 in a straight line but racing on the road is a no-no and anyway where can you safely use a faster car today?
BTW (also IMO) track tryes (like Yoko A48 or Toyo 888) are a complete waste of money on the road. You can't really safely fully exploit a decent road tyre, let alone use the extra grip these tyres offer.
Brakes have been uprated to fast road spec (EBC grooved/spooted discs and Mintex 1144 pads) and I recently fitted Nitron dampers and stiffer springs (car is becoming track orientated). Next up will be a further brake upgrade and then maybe some more power.
Sure todays hot hatches will keep up with an S1 in a straight line but racing on the road is a no-no and anyway where can you safely use a faster car today?
BTW (also IMO) track tryes (like Yoko A48 or Toyo 888) are a complete waste of money on the road. You can't really safely fully exploit a decent road tyre, let alone use the extra grip these tyres offer.
What tyres then?
If my A038 save me once as I over cook it, they are worth every penny.
I would be interested to know of a tyre. In France it is the C-drive Lotus say is the only one to fit to S1. My mate bought a set and cost £75 less than mine. As I do 5K a year I thought stick with what I like. The C-Drive were good too but the A038...
...look awesome!
If my A038 save me once as I over cook it, they are worth every penny.
I would be interested to know of a tyre. In France it is the C-drive Lotus say is the only one to fit to S1. My mate bought a set and cost £75 less than mine. As I do 5K a year I thought stick with what I like. The C-Drive were good too but the A038...
...look awesome!
TIPPER said:
IMO the 118bhp Elise is plenty quick enough for driving on the road. About six months after I got mine I started thinking I wanted more power but after cosmetic improvements (new interior and sorting out a few things, fitted a c/r box - big improvement to the useability of the power you already have.
Brakes have been uprated to fast road spec (EBC grooved/spooted discs and Mintex 1144 pads) and I recently fitted Nitron dampers and stiffer springs (car is becoming track orientated). Next up will be a further brake upgrade and then maybe some more power.
Sure todays hot hatches will keep up with an S1 in a straight line but racing on the road is a no-no and anyway where can you safely use a faster car today?
BTW (also IMO) track tryes (like Yoko A48 or Toyo 888) are a complete waste of money on the road. You can't really safely fully exploit a decent road tyre, let alone use the extra grip these tyres offer.
Brakes have been uprated to fast road spec (EBC grooved/spooted discs and Mintex 1144 pads) and I recently fitted Nitron dampers and stiffer springs (car is becoming track orientated). Next up will be a further brake upgrade and then maybe some more power.
Sure todays hot hatches will keep up with an S1 in a straight line but racing on the road is a no-no and anyway where can you safely use a faster car today?
BTW (also IMO) track tryes (like Yoko A48 or Toyo 888) are a complete waste of money on the road. You can't really safely fully exploit a decent road tyre, let alone use the extra grip these tyres offer.
Nick J said:
I have a s1 118 BHP and was thinking of getting a little more BHP out of it. I currently have
K and N induction kit with cold air feed
Chris Neil SS sports exhaust
Cat bypass
I am thinking of getting the 111 throttle body with metal plenum chamber
Is the manifold on the 111 different to the standard or are they the same?
Will I need a remap to get any effect out of the upgrades? and where from?
from what I have read this will make it similar to the 135, but does anyone know what else I might need for this sort of power increase?
Is there anything else that I can do for relatively little money?
Thanks Nick
In answer to you questions:-K and N induction kit with cold air feed
Chris Neil SS sports exhaust
Cat bypass
I am thinking of getting the 111 throttle body with metal plenum chamber
Is the manifold on the 111 different to the standard or are they the same?
Will I need a remap to get any effect out of the upgrades? and where from?
from what I have read this will make it similar to the 135, but does anyone know what else I might need for this sort of power increase?
Is there anything else that I can do for relatively little money?
Thanks Nick
52mm throtle body will fit no prob.
yes a vvc plenum will fit with a small amout of feteling
To the best of my knowledge you cant re map a S1 ECU
The 135 also has a lot of head work done
To be honest you wont feel any fantastic power increas from doing all that but it does seem to be a better drive, more responsive mid range and better pick up.
Russ H said:
A great driver cant make the car go faster in a straight line and a 118bhp
Elise can easily get left behind by 'lesser' cars these days.
Russ
A great driver wouldn't buy an S1 Elise to go fast in a straight line, nor I suspect would he be worried about being 'left behind by lesser cars'.Elise can easily get left behind by 'lesser' cars these days.
Russ
Francelise said:
What tyres then?
If my A038 save me once as I over cook it, they are worth every penny.
I would be interested to know of a tyre. In France it is the C-drive Lotus say is the only one to fit to S1. My mate bought a set and cost £75 less than mine. As I do 5K a year I thought stick with what I like. The C-Drive were good too but the A038...
...look awesome!
If you're happy with your tyres then fine. Just my point of view - also semi-slicks aren't that clever in standing water.
For the road and occasional track use then the Yoko Advan (Eliseparts sell them) is great for the S1.
The C drives aren't really designed as a sports tyre (despite Lotus' recommendation). My understanding is that it gives the S1 a similiar character to that it had on the Pirelli P zeros - less ultimate grip than you can get but more playful.
FWIW, I'm running Toyo T1-R which are great grip wise but you do lose out a little in feel and sharpness. Certainly driving along dirty and wet country roads through snow flurries yesterday I was very secure. The T1-Rs don't stand up well to track use though. Toyo do have an interesting new tyre (not sure if its available in france yet) which is coming out in the UK later this year. Its the R1-R and is a sort of half way house between the T1-R and the 888 (Toyos version of the OA48/38). I'm not sure how this all fits in with homologation requirements (if any) in France. As you probably know we can choose what we want for after market tyres.
If my A038 save me once as I over cook it, they are worth every penny.
I would be interested to know of a tyre. In France it is the C-drive Lotus say is the only one to fit to S1. My mate bought a set and cost £75 less than mine. As I do 5K a year I thought stick with what I like. The C-Drive were good too but the A038...
...look awesome!
If you're happy with your tyres then fine. Just my point of view - also semi-slicks aren't that clever in standing water.
For the road and occasional track use then the Yoko Advan (Eliseparts sell them) is great for the S1.
The C drives aren't really designed as a sports tyre (despite Lotus' recommendation). My understanding is that it gives the S1 a similiar character to that it had on the Pirelli P zeros - less ultimate grip than you can get but more playful.
FWIW, I'm running Toyo T1-R which are great grip wise but you do lose out a little in feel and sharpness. Certainly driving along dirty and wet country roads through snow flurries yesterday I was very secure. The T1-Rs don't stand up well to track use though. Toyo do have an interesting new tyre (not sure if its available in france yet) which is coming out in the UK later this year. Its the R1-R and is a sort of half way house between the T1-R and the 888 (Toyos version of the OA48/38). I'm not sure how this all fits in with homologation requirements (if any) in France. As you probably know we can choose what we want for after market tyres.
TIPPER said:
IMO the 118bhp Elise is plenty quick enough for driving on the road. About six months after I got mine I started thinking I wanted more power but after cosmetic improvements (new interior and sorting out a few things, fitted a c/r box - big improvement to the useability of the power you already have.
Brakes have been uprated to fast road spec (EBC grooved/spooted discs and Mintex 1144 pads) and I recently fitted Nitron dampers and stiffer springs (car is becoming track orientated). Next up will be a further brake upgrade and then maybe some more power.
Sure todays hot hatches will keep up with an S1 in a straight line but racing on the road is a no-no and anyway where can you safely use a faster car today?
BTW (also IMO) track tryes (like Yoko A48 or Toyo 888) are a complete waste of money on the road. You can't really safely fully exploit a decent road tyre, let alone use the extra grip these tyres offer.
Brakes have been uprated to fast road spec (EBC grooved/spooted discs and Mintex 1144 pads) and I recently fitted Nitron dampers and stiffer springs (car is becoming track orientated). Next up will be a further brake upgrade and then maybe some more power.
Sure todays hot hatches will keep up with an S1 in a straight line but racing on the road is a no-no and anyway where can you safely use a faster car today?
BTW (also IMO) track tryes (like Yoko A48 or Toyo 888) are a complete waste of money on the road. You can't really safely fully exploit a decent road tyre, let alone use the extra grip these tyres offer.
rfoster said:
chris7676 said:
Wouldnt a VVC engine conversion be the cheapest and most effective and reliable solution ?
Nope - selling the car and buying a 111S would be more cost effective!...or a Sport 160.
...or an Exige.
...or a 340R with Supercharged Honda engine.
Mmmm...
ptp170 said:
Interesting article that and really demonstrates the importance of seeing a power/torque as opposed to just looking at headline figures.Back to the original question. As other's have said, economically, you're often better selling and replacing with a more powerful model but then cars often have a lot of personal value and also, what value can be put on knowing how your car has been maintained over the last few years, so I'd say if you're happy to do it, go for it.
As other's have mentioned, the C/R gearbox is probably the best thing you could do, because it'll feel like a decent bhp increase and give real gains in acceleration, obviuously at the expense of some top end civility.
Beyond that, I think I'd speak to someone like DVA and consider a little light head work, maybe some cams, verniers and an Emerald. That would yield a decent power increase, and a revvier but still very tractable engine without going berserk cost wise.
rfoster said:
chris7676 said:
Wouldnt a VVC engine conversion be the cheapest and most effective and reliable solution ?
Nope - selling the car and buying a 111S would be more cost effective!...or a Sport 160.
...or an Exige.
...or a 340R with Supercharged Honda engine.
Mmmm...
ptp170 said:
Very interesting.But isn't a standard engines output 118bhp or is this a minimum quoted figure and 126 is more likely?
And, if I'm reading this article correctly, he's gained 12bhp just switching ECU, how much is that?
chris_w said:
ptp170 said:
Very interesting.But isn't a standard engines output 118bhp or is this a minimum quoted figure and 126 is more likely?
And, if I'm reading this article correctly, he's gained 12bhp just switching ECU, how much is that?
The ECU thing, a few things to consider, firstly the standard is desinged to work with all standard engines and accomodate design tolerances. It also must comply with all emissions regulations and MPG targets. It may also require the ability for a car to run in some very extreme climates and varying fuel qualities. A proper remap focuses on a single engine and the conditions it will operate in and optimises the map accordingly.
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