Figured I would start a thread for this new project. Here we can answer any questions, discuss potential modifications, and just shoot the shit about our newest project car. 

For our first post let's discuss powertrain modifications. 

Turbocharge the 2ZZ or swap in a K series. Which would you use and why? 

If the options are to keep the stock engine and turbo it, or swap in a NA K20, I'd turbo the stock engine.  If there's the option of a K20 swap plus turbo, that'd be the way to go.  However, it'd be very expensive.

 Khiem.... I was all set on an NA K series when you had to start talking about the turbo again... This has me thinking HARD about 300ish WHP in the stock setup without a swap and a relatively simple turbo setup... 

 Goal is to improve on every aspect of the car without taking away it's original character. Wharever the car lands in terms of classign is where we will compete....

That said the K swap is more reasonable than people thing mainly because the OEM Elise drivetrain sells for a pretty penny to other Lotus enthusiasts wanting spares. It can offset between 50-75% of the K swap. 

I agree there certainly is appeal to boosting the stock motor, the only thing that I am pondering is thermal management and reliability on a road course. 

Double post. 

damn noobs.

Posted By kj on 10-10-2011 09:37 PM
Those Toyota engines are not easy to squeeze extra horsepower out of. There seems to be a real lack of quality aftermarket parts available, even TRD kinda skipped over this motor. It's a nice motor in stock form...

I thought TRD made a supercharger kit for it?

www.hangar111.com/lotus-elise-exige...er-kit.htm

I don't know if this sytem could be made to work on a US-spec Elise, but it might warrant investigation.

 

 One major concern is ECU tuning.  I don't think there's an easy way to tune the factory ECU.  What are the options?

 Radium engineering offers an amazing turbo kit for the 2ZZ. Huge power potential based on turbocharger selection in a SUPER clean package. 

http://store.radiumauto.com/index.p...p;parent=1

As far as supercharger kits there are a TON of them out there that can make up to 400WHP. They do work, but I am a turbo guy and having built a turbo car in the past it is more appealing to me for a # of reasons. Power potential, upgradability, efficiency etc.... Yes there are cons. but for me the pro's outweigh them!

Thanks for the offer Bob! They used a log manifold correct? I remembered the old Hass setup on the Elise from a few years back.... If turbo is our route we will be using a newer divided housing turbocharger that will require some pretty trick fabricaion at the manifold. Want to make a manifold for us?  

As for ECU options there are a few ways to go. There is a very popular tuner from the Lotus Forum that pretty much everyone uses, I would more than likely utilize his custom program at least as a baseline. 

 SEMA was a good week to check out the wares of companies offering parts for the Elise. We had some good dialog with a few manufacturers and have some better ideas for suspension as well as sorting some of the Elise's weak links. Because it is damn near winter time here in WI it will be an interesting winter baselining the Elise and getting a few things done in anticipation of spring!