
what car thread - Lotus Edition
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Re: what car thread - Lotus Edition
I had a VHPD K in my first Caterham. It was ballistic in a 7, but probably not as fast as your M2 in an Elise. It is however one of the best sounding four cylinder engines I've experienced, tonnes of character all across the rev range. Not sure I've said anything anyone else hasn't already mentioned, but always ready to bang on about how good that engine sounds 

- integrale_evo
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Re: what car thread - Lotus Edition
All the 16v Ks sound better than they have any right to for a simple 4pot. Kind of like a smoother Ford BDA.
Obviously takes an exhaust and some throttlebodies to properly release it.
Obviously takes an exhaust and some throttlebodies to properly release it.
Cheers, Harry
- Rich B
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Re: what car thread - Lotus Edition
Ive been driving a 150bhp van for the last few months - my “fast” scale has been reset!speedingfine wrote: Sat Jan 18, 2025 10:56 am I had a VHPD K in my first Caterham. It was ballistic in a 7, but probably not as fast as your M2 in an Elise. It is however one of the best sounding four cylinder engines I've experienced, tonnes of character all across the rev range. Not sure I've said anything anyone else hasn't already mentioned, but always ready to bang on about how good that engine sounds![]()
Re: what car thread - Lotus Edition
integrale_evo wrote: Sat Jan 18, 2025 11:10 am All the 16v Ks sound better than they have any right to for a simple 4pot. Kind of like a smoother Ford BDA.
Obviously takes an exhaust and some throttlebodies to properly release it.
K-series sounds on full chat - this is with just an intake, bigger throttle body, decat and an exhaust. Still sounds great. The VHPD would I imagine be even angrier.
Re: what car thread - Lotus Edition
Sorry didn't mean to by cryptic!
The VHPD isn't a great engine by modern standards, the pistons were old pot style design and as such had to have loads of clearance in the bores so they rattle like a diesel when cold. They don't do a great deal of torque so they feel gutless low down and just as they start to pull at the top they run out of puff.
They do make a great noise but the road manners and performance won't be worth it in the end, in my humble opinion!
Its also on the worst induction setup you can put on them, the nasty swan necked manifold and KV6 throttle bodies, which were only fitted to the early VHPD's until the nice titan throttle bodies were made.
I don't think that car is worth 25 grand, not even close.
Re: what car thread - Lotus Edition
This looks nice and leaves plenty in the pot to fettle it with.
https://classifieds.seloc.org/ads/lotus-elise-s1-2/
https://classifieds.seloc.org/ads/lotus-elise-s1-2/
Re: what car thread - Lotus Edition
Several suggestions for that car already. Rich is allergic to Glasgow unfortunately. 

- Rich B
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Re: what car thread - Lotus Edition
ive been chatting with the guy earlier today (and over the last month or so) - he’s been too frozen to get some decent photos for me - that one is still my favourite though so i expect i’ll find a way to get to see it.mik wrote: Sat Jan 18, 2025 5:23 pm Several suggestions for that car already. Rich is allergic to Glasgow unfortunately.![]()
- Rich B
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Re: what car thread - Lotus Edition
thanks Dan, appreciate the real life experience!dan wrote: Sat Jan 18, 2025 5:01 pmSorry didn't mean to by cryptic!
The VHPD isn't a great engine by modern standards, the pistons were old pot style design and as such had to have loads of clearance in the bores so they rattle like a diesel when cold. They don't do a great deal of torque so they feel gutless low down and just as they start to pull at the top they run out of puff.
They do make a great noise but the road manners and performance won't be worth it in the end, in my humble opinion!
Its also on the worst induction setup you can put on them, the nasty swan necked manifold and KV6 throttle bodies, which were only fitted to the early VHPD's until the nice titan throttle bodies were made.
I don't think that car is worth 25 grand, not even close.
Re: what car thread - Lotus Edition
That looks more like it. Then take it to Dan when budget allows.dan wrote: Sat Jan 18, 2025 5:02 pm This looks nice and leaves plenty in the pot to fettle it with.
https://classifieds.seloc.org/ads/lotus-elise-s1-2/
The things that have been done look like they were done properly.
Re: what car thread - Lotus Edition
I was wondering if you were still considering when I went past it after the christmas break.Rich B wrote: Sat Jan 18, 2025 6:11 pmive been chatting with the guy earlier today (and over the last month or so) - he’s been too frozen to get some decent photos for me - that one is still my favourite though so i expect i’ll find a way to get to see it.mik wrote: Sat Jan 18, 2025 5:23 pm Several suggestions for that car already. Rich is allergic to Glasgow unfortunately.![]()
An absolute unit
Re: what car thread - Lotus Edition
Rich B wrote: Sat Jan 18, 2025 6:11 pm ive been chatting with the guy earlier today (and over the last month or so) - he’s been too frozen to get some decent photos for me - that one is still my favourite though so i expect i’ll find a way to get to see it.

?
Oui, je suis un motard.
- Rich B
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Re: what car thread - Lotus Edition
Well yes! I don’t know if you’re still over in Vietnam, but it’s been a “little bit chilly” over here!
Re: what car thread - Lotus Edition
OK nobody loves Misha vids, but this one has relevance.
Similar spec to ScottA’s (except he had good tyres on).
Similar spec to ScottA’s (except he had good tyres on).
Re: what car thread - Lotus Edition
Whenever I see a new post on this thread, I hope Rich has finally been to see one and buy it.
Come on, Rich - this is the best time of year to buy. In a month the sun will be coming out and prices will start to climb.
Come on, Rich - this is the best time of year to buy. In a month the sun will be coming out and prices will start to climb.
- Rich B
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Re: what car thread - Lotus Edition
Looks absolutely planted, barely any steering corrections - just steer where you want and it’s goes there.
- Rich B
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Re: what car thread - Lotus Edition
I totally agree! I’ve always said it might take a while - but even i’m bored of this thread not having a nice new car finale!Jobbo wrote: Fri Jan 24, 2025 10:18 am Whenever I see a new post on this thread, I hope Rich has finally been to see one and buy it.
Come on, Rich - this is the best time of year to buy. In a month the sun will be coming out and prices will start to climb.
i’ll step it up asap!
- Sundayjumper
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Re: what car thread - Lotus Edition
I'm more surprised you've not got fed up of daily driving a van yet !
- Rich B
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Re: what car thread - Lotus Edition
i love my van to be fair. Most of my daily journeys are sat in traffic these days and my van is bloody nice insideSundayjumper wrote: Fri Jan 24, 2025 11:34 am I'm more surprised you've not got fed up of daily driving a van yet !


I’ve constantly got a bike or two in the back, so it does that job beautifully. Also, the wife and boy love it too because he has the back middle seat with a great view forward and she can be nosey looking at posh houses over the fences!
Basically, no regrets with the van so far!