Turbo exige

[MikeO996]

Anyone know this car?;

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/uvl/popup.jsp?cur...

I'm looking to change my 996 for something more focussed. Looking around Caterham/Elise/Exige. My target is a car that will lap in around the same time as a GT3.

Standard cars are going to be dead quick in the corners but lose out on the straights (?) so is the answer something like this one?

Is it a well known conversion with a good life expectancy or potentially a bunch of trouble.

Alternatively should I be looking for a standard Elise/ Elige and add some well chosen upgrades? (and if so what?) I was dead impressed with an Exige Cup at a trackday last year, but they're a lot more money - can you acheive the same for less?

[mrh3113]

As the advert says - it looks like its a one off.

If you want something tried and trusted that will keep up with a GT3 then someone will be along soon to point you in the direction of a SC Honda Elise.

[rob999]

I'm sure that cars been for sale for quite some time...someone will have been to look at it I'm sure and will be able to comment on it....

[Exige77]

Supercharging is the way to go on the Toyota engine. You can get 300 reliable BHP that is tried and tested. If you want more try the Supercharged Honda.

There are a few of both around. Look for a car converted by a reputable tuner like Sinclaires, Edwards boys or Maidstone sports cars. (and others)

I would never buy a one off that has no track record.

There are also a few Audi conversions out there.

Have a look on SELOC and ask teh question.

Ex77

Edited by Exige77 on Tuesday 23 February 14:31

[fatwomble]

I agree with EX77, you will need more than 250 bhp in a S2 Exige to match the performance of a GT3. I'm a bit biased, but I would think a S/C Honda'd S1 Elise or Exige would be the closest match for pace.

[cyberface]

Perhaps the advert is badly written, but 128 lb ft of torque and 250 bhp seems awfully low for a turbo'd Toyota engine... if you were going to the effort of engineering a one-off turbo conversion (and the intercooler with two fans and water injection suggests it's more than just a very low boost turbo) then surely you'd go for a hefty wedge more power than the factory 243 bhp Exige S PP?

And turbos usually give fat mid-range torque, so 128 lb ft *must* be a misprint as that's less than the standard nasp engine isn't it?

[Mr Darcy]

I know that car. It has issues. Lots and lots of issues. Think its on its 3rd engine or something like that, problems with the mapping etc etc. Its also not a one off as its running the forcefed system which in general produces more power than the Katana, Rotrex and BWR SC options.

As for the Turbo V SC arguement. There is no contest. A turbo will provide more power and more torque than any SC on the market. Lets say a Katana produces about 200-210 at the wheelsa turbo will produce about 240 - 260 at the wheels depending on your coolin goptions. There is also now plenty of turbo kits available, VF and MWR produce them. Cost is a little more but its worth it in the end.

Edited by Mr Darcy on Wednesday 24th February 11:07

[djroadboy]

You sure that's a Forcefed kit? I'm pretty sure it was a Hass turbo kit that was fitted to this car.

I don't doubt that it has issues though! Absolutely woeful power figures for a turbo conversion.

Dan

Edited by djroadboy on Wednesday 24th February 19:40

[Mr Darcy]

djroadboy said:

You sure that's a Forcefed kit? I'm pretty sure it was a Hass turbo kit that was fitted to this car.

I don't doubt that it has issues though! Absolutely woeful power figures for a turbo conversion.

Dan

Edited by djroadboy on Wednesday 24th February 19:40

You could be right there. It could well be a Hass kit. Will pop over to Pure Lotus tomorrow afternoon to have a look. Would be interesting to see it as mine is currently being turbo'd as we speak. Though mine won't be having a Hass turbo but it will be pretty much the same kind of spec as that.

[djroadboy]

I'd be surprised if its actually there to look at.

They don't seem to actually have many of the cars they advertise in stock.

Dan

[Mr Darcy]

Yeah Jay often has cars on his website that have long been sold. I got exicted about a 190 so shot down to look at it only to discover it was sold months ago.

[djroadboy]

Or they are on SOR and not actually there to view.

Dan

[Mr Fix It]

I know the mechanic who ended up making the turbo kit fit properly and have seen the car in its various stages of fitting. I think the kit was bought from the US. However, it did not fit very well, was quite badly put together was the comment I heard. So it was taken off and re-fitted.

The guy who did this was a specialist subaru mechanic in York who is one of the top in the country (I think he came 3rd in the subaru competition). He also made some bespoke bits to make it work. Anyway, the mechanic is top notch, so I would have thought it would have been fitted as well as its design would allow it to be. If you want some more info on it, please email me and I will pass on his contact details.

PS I would hazzard a guess that the torque is more than you have said as as I think it has stripped a gear or two in the past.