Alez
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 posted on 4/4/06 at 09:09 AM |
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Elise engine conversion??
OK guys, so I really want an Elise but I have a few problems: I want a lot more power, I don't like Rover K engines (I favour japs anytime), and
I can't affort an Exige.
I was wondering if I could buy a S1 Elise (around 16000 GBP, personally I like the looks better than the S2), put its engine in the bin and have
something else fitted by a specialist, like some VTec (S2000, Type-R?), a Flyingmiata jobbie (the engine of a MX-5, turboed to 250 bhp), even a rotary
or something like that (16000 GBP is for a high mileage S1 which is fine for the purpose). I'm not too worried about little torque, I understand
the S1 weighs something like 750 kg?
I would like to know how stupid or otherwise this idea is money-wise, as I'm clueless as for cost involved. Could anyone make some rough guess
of the cost for this, and make a wise (cost-effective) engine choice for such conversion? I'd like something in the region of 200-250 BHP at the
flywheel (250 would be fantastic, but 200 would be just fine) and it must be reliable, not needing periodic engine rebuilds or anything like that.
I just want to know if I can afford this at all so any rough estimate, comments on engine conversion or anything are most welcome.
Thanks!
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stevebubs
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| posted on 4/4/06 at 09:16 AM |
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IIRC, there was a 400bhp conversion for the S1 elise available. Was a very complete solution - included new clam shells, uprated brakes and hubs (move
to 5 rather than 4 stud).
Trouble was it cost about £15k...
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stevebubs
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| posted on 4/4/06 at 09:16 AM |
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A few places have fitted hayabusa Turbo engines...
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ned
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| posted on 4/4/06 at 09:19 AM |
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I've seen/heard of hyabusa and civic type-r engine conversions.
the new elise uses a toyata engine i gather, there must be a changeover point so perhaps worth investigating if you could convert to the later toyota
engine with oem parts..
Ned.
beware, I've got yellow skin
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NigeEss
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| posted on 4/4/06 at 09:20 AM |
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Try Zcars, they do bike and vtec conversions for a lot of cars inc Elise.
The bloke that runs the place (Chris IIRC) is very helpful. My mate has one of his twin engined Tigers and it's VERY impressive.
Here's the website
Zcars
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tadltd
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| posted on 4/4/06 at 09:48 AM |
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There's also an Audi turbo conversion available (225bhp standard, which can easily be upgraded).
Best Regards,
Steve.
www.turnerautosport.com
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Alez
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| posted on 4/4/06 at 09:55 AM |
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Thank you everyone for providing these useful replies to investigate. The 400 BHP conversion is totally out of what I can afford. I'll be
searching for those Civic Type-R and Audi turbo conversions mentioned by Ned now that I know they exist, any pointers welcome 
I just had a look to the ZCars website (I knew they were the guys for anything Hayabusa but didn't know they made car engined cars too) only to
find about the new Mini they just developed.. now I want that one too  Anyway, they don't advertise a car engine conversion for the Elise (but
a Hayabusa conversion) but I'm sure they can offer something nice when I contact them.
Cheers guys.
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hobbsy
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| posted on 4/4/06 at 10:01 AM |
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Yep I've had a ride in a Audi 1.8 Turbo Elise
I must take this opportunity to thank Bernard Scouse (who does the Audi turbo conversion - see http://www.auto-teknix.co.uk/).
I _seriously_ considered one of these but ultimately ended up going down the BEC route (purchase price and insurance lower, and if you have a prang
more chance of a cheap repair).
I did promise to post to SELOC or similar but I was really busy with work and completely forgot.
It went REALLY well, great grip off the line (as its mid mounted), excellent around the twisties. Bags of torque (nearly peak torque at not much over
2k on those engines - until you start fitting bigger turbos etc). Bernard can drive really well.
Good engine choice as fairly cheap plus strong and lots of scope for cheap tuning as its turboed.
If you want to go the other way there is a Honda Civic Type-R engined Elise for sale on www.racedandrallied.com £15k if I remember right.
£16k sounds like a lot for an S1 Elise but I guess you are in Spain. You could get one for half that here. But bear in mind any engine conversion
is going to cost the thick end of £10k on top of that if you want it to be a drive in drive out conversion. And probably still half of that if you do
most of it yourself.
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shortie
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| posted on 4/4/06 at 10:01 AM |
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Look at www.seloc.org and you should find loads of info on Toyota conversions and Honda conversions and various other options
including turbo technics conversions, all the info you could ever want!
HTH,
Rich.
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zilspeed
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| posted on 4/4/06 at 10:18 AM |
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I know someone with a Civic type R engine conversion. Really really goes like the wind and sounds utterly fantastic intot he bargain.
Not cheap though...
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flak monkey
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| posted on 4/4/06 at 10:19 AM |
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The new elise has a Toyota 2ZZ-GE engine and is 190bhp in standard form. Ought to be enough for most....
I went out for a trip in an old bog standard one (118bhp) and that wasnt exactly slow! 
David
Sera
http://www.motosera.com
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andyharding
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| posted on 4/4/06 at 10:24 AM |
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I have a Corolla with the 190BHP engine in that is fitted to the later Elise. Well until tomorrow when I trade it in for a Celica.
Back to the point...
It's nuts. In a mid engined rwd car it should be scarier than a BEC Locost.
In the Corolla in 2nd gear on a damp road when you hit 6200RPM the wheels start spinning and the TRC and ESP all kick in. Stays like that until the
8200RPM redline!!!
Fun enough in an old mans car that weighs a ton!
Are you a Mac user or a retard?
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Paul G
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| posted on 4/4/06 at 10:24 AM |
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I used to have an elise and my mates got one with a duratec in (very very fast!), the main conversions are honda type r engine, duratec and audi
engines - all are the type of engines the elise should have had in the first place.
ask on here for more info:
http://www.british-cars.co.uk/cgi-bin/gen5?runprog=lotusbbs&access=&mode=tlist&subject=2001
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Alez
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| posted on 4/4/06 at 12:33 PM |
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Wow, thanks for the Auto Teknix, Seloc and Raced and Rallied and pointers!! I CAN afford it!! Yippeeee!!
EDIT: or maybe not Note to self: I must remember that 1 € is a lot less than 1 GBP and translate accordingly.
Andy, I now drive a BEC Locost and I'm fine with the nuts factor 
Thanks for the forum link Paul
Cheers,
Alex
[Edited on 4/4/06 by Alez]
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Alez
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| posted on 4/4/06 at 12:40 PM |
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..nearly peak torque at not much over 2k on those engines..
Hmmmm, that sounds GOOD, I already have the amount of screaming I need from the BEC..
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Alez
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| posted on 4/4/06 at 02:34 PM |
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200 BHP Civic Type-R conversion:
http://www.blinkmotorsport.com/cgi-bin/site.pl?honda
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hobbsy
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| posted on 4/4/06 at 02:41 PM |
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You've probably already found it but this is the Honda Civic-R Elise with the conversion that you linked to above:
http://www.racedandrallied.com/detail.php?siteid=63&show_still=1
£15k, miles are a little high maybe, but the conversion is already done for you...
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flak monkey
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| posted on 4/4/06 at 02:43 PM |
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But my question would be why bother?
If you are talking of spending the best part of £20k on something only to rip the engine out and spend another £6-7k on a complete engine comversion.
Why not shell out the £25-28k in one go an get a year old S2 111R with the 190bhp toyota engine in out of the factory?
At least then its set up the way lotus intended it. Lets face it lotus make some of the best handling cars, swapping around parts of them, especially
lumps like an engine will upset the balance from the way it was intended.
David
[Edited on 4/4/06 by flak monkey]
Sera
http://www.motosera.com
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Alez
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| posted on 4/4/06 at 02:57 PM |
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Thank you Hobbsy, can't be missed
David, 25-28 k is almost twice the money of other solutions discussed here.. for example there's this ad for a 200 bhp VTec Elise, Lotus may
make the best handling cars but I think we all like the VTec engine way better than any Toyota.
And for a LITTLE more than those 15 k (quite a lot less than 25-28 k) you can have 250 BHP at the wheels from the Audi conversion. Although this one
may upset the balance a bit more than the VTec (the website claims 50 kg weight increase, but with the engine sitting slightly more to the front).
In short, I'm not sure I can spend 15 k, but I'm sure I can't spend 25 k!!!
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Hammerhead
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| posted on 4/4/06 at 03:39 PM |
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you can get 250bhp from a k series.
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flak monkey
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| posted on 4/4/06 at 04:11 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Alez
Thank you Hobbsy, can't be missed
David, 25-28 k is almost twice the money of other solutions discussed here.. for example there's this ad for a 200 bhp VTec Elise, Lotus may
make the best handling cars but I think we all like the VTec engine way better than any Toyota.
And for a LITTLE more than those 15 k (quite a lot less than 25-28 k) you can have 250 BHP at the wheels from the Audi conversion. Although this one
may upset the balance a bit more than the VTec (the website claims 50 kg weight increase, but with the engine sitting slightly more to the front).
In short, I'm not sure I can spend 15 k, but I'm sure I can't spend 25 k!!!
Fair enough Whatever you decide to do, it will leave you with a stonking car which will make others green with envy  
Sera
http://www.motosera.com
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