The Elise Thread

[Marv]

Windows 2000

[scotta]

Nitron street series changed drastically over the years they produced them so that may account for some of the different experiences.

Out of the box Quantum are better on lighter models, Nitron can't get the valving right for light cars but their build quality is excellent, which is why I have them on my car albeit completely custom valved to suit my setup.

I have the Lotus super sport Bilstein's on my Club Racer. I had Bilstein rebuild them and they've been custom valved for my car also. Big improvement over the standard dampers. I run them one off soft for road use and stiffen them for track. Ride is much better on the road settings than the standard setup and much stiffer on track with them turned up.

ETA - The quantum's were another good option but at the price point the nitrons were adjustable so that swung it for me.

[duncs500]

I run them one off soft for road use and stiffen them for track. Ride is much better on the road settings than the standard setup and much stiffer on track with them turned up.

Perfect setup.

[scotta]

I run them one off soft for road use and stiffen them for track. Ride is much better on the road settings than the standard setup and much stiffer on track with them turned up.

Perfect setup.

They are "NOT CHEAP" however.

https://coilovers.co.uk/products/bilste ... 5895901397

I got a great deal on them though. They were needing refurbished. I paid £250 for them and spent £650 with Bilstein refurbishing and re-valving them. Mine have Eibach springs on them as well.

[JonMad]

175 flat out in 6th

I love this chart and the detail of the rev drop between gears.
Mmm, revs...

ooh, it's online too https://www.gearboxman.co.uk/ratio-calculator/

[duncs500]

I run them one off soft for road use and stiffen them for track. Ride is much better on the road settings than the standard setup and much stiffer on track with them turned up.

Perfect setup.

They are "NOT CHEAP" however.

https://coilovers.co.uk/products/bilste ... 5895901397

I got a great deal on them though. They were needing refurbished. I paid £250 for them and spent £650 with Bilstein refurbishing and re-valving them. Mine have Eibach springs on them as well.

I don't see the point in skimping on anything TBH, I'm more likely to save up until I can afford the best component than compromise for a bit less money only to want to replace it later with something better.

[mik]

I love this chart and the detail of the rev drop between gears.
Mmm, revs...

ooh, it's online too https://www.gearboxman.co.uk/ratio-calculator/

Unfortunately it can't accomodate vehicles with fancypants different final drives on some gears.

[scotta]

Perfect setup.

They are "NOT CHEAP" however.

https://coilovers.co.uk/products/bilste ... 5895901397

I got a great deal on them though. They were needing refurbished. I paid £250 for them and spent £650 with Bilstein refurbishing and re-valving them. Mine have Eibach springs on them as well.

I don't see the point in skimping on anything TBH, I'm more likely to save up until I can afford the best component than compromise for a bit less money only to want to replace it later with something better.

Great approach Duncs.

[Matty]

Perfect setup.

They are "NOT CHEAP" however.

https://coilovers.co.uk/products/bilste ... 5895901397

I got a great deal on them though. They were needing refurbished. I paid £250 for them and spent £650 with Bilstein refurbishing and re-valving them. Mine have Eibach springs on them as well.

I don't see the point in skimping on anything TBH

Someone's been spending far too much time at HPE. That's exactly how I ended up with Spitfire toe links despite knowing it'd barely ever leave the garage

FWIW I've been bitten too many times with cheap suspension....but I'd probably draw the line at £3.5k TBH.

[duncs500]

Can't blame Dan for that one, I've always been of that view. Although of course he knows what the best bits are, but he also gives balanced advice on whether there's any benefit to a given component.

This is a car I plan to own for a long time, so I figure putting on good quality stuff is worth it. @Matty at your rate of turn over of cars, maybe not so much!

[scotta]

They are "NOT CHEAP" however.

https://coilovers.co.uk/products/bilste ... 5895901397

I got a great deal on them though. They were needing refurbished. I paid £250 for them and spent £650 with Bilstein refurbishing and re-valving them. Mine have Eibach springs on them as well.

I don't see the point in skimping on anything TBH

Someone's been spending far too much time at HPE. That's exactly how I ended up with Spitfire toe links despite knowing it'd barely ever leave the garage

FWIW I've been bitten too many times with cheap suspension....but I'd probably draw the line at £3.5k TBH.

Mine has this kit fitted.

https://allonwhite.co.uk/lotus-cars-acc ... brace-kite

[Matty]

I don't see the point in skimping on anything TBH

Someone's been spending far too much time at HPE. That's exactly how I ended up with Spitfire toe links despite knowing it'd barely ever leave the garage

FWIW I've been bitten too many times with cheap suspension....but I'd probably draw the line at £3.5k TBH.

Mine has this kit fitted.

https://allonwhite.co.uk/lotus-cars-acc ... brace-kite

Alright Scott, we get it - you've spent a few quid

[Matty]

Can't blame Dan for that one, I've always been of that view. Although of course he knows what the best bits are, but he also gives balanced advice on whether there's any benefit to a given component.

This is a car I plan to own for a long time, so I figure putting on good quality stuff is worth it. @Matty at your rate of turn over of cars, maybe not so much!

Shame I didn't still have the 4C for the Oxford meet, would have been interesting to compare the two.

[scotta]

Someone's been spending far too much time at HPE. That's exactly how I ended up with Spitfire toe links despite knowing it'd barely ever leave the garage

FWIW I've been bitten too many times with cheap suspension....but I'd probably draw the line at £3.5k TBH.

Mine has this kit fitted.

https://allonwhite.co.uk/lotus-cars-acc ... brace-kite

Alright Scott, we get it - you've spent a few quid

I didn’t. This was a nice discovery when I was chasing up a missing service stamp in the book. I spoke to allon white sports cars to clarify it had been serviced and they found some nice bits had been fitted at the service time. Emailed me the confirmation. I had noticed the brace kit on it when I’d had the undertray off but presumed that was just a standard thing on the club racer.

[jamcg]

Evo reviewing “210hp analogue Elise restomod” with tuned k-series engine

https://www.evo.co.uk/lotus/elise/20607 ... mod-driven

Someone should tell them about dan

[Jobbo]

The PH best car of the last 25 years video had an Elise as winner:
What made me post it was the comment in that video that you can't imagine an Elise with a different drivetrain. Er... Lotus themselves switched to Toyota but what about Dan's Honda engined Elises?

[240PP]

Evo reviewing “210hp analogue Elise restomod” with tuned k-series engine

https://www.evo.co.uk/lotus/elise/20607 ... mod-driven

Someone should tell them about dan

£100k and it uses the K series

[Holley]

Matt Prior of Autocar is currently running a standard 1998 Elise that's been loaned to him from a friend. Even with just 118bhp he's loving it.

Will surely be one of those cars we'll all moan about in years to come for not buying when they were £15k.

[scotta]

Matt Prior of Autocar is currently running a standard 1998 Elise that's been loaned to him from a friend. Even with just 118bhp he's loving it.

Will surely be one of those cars we'll all moan about in years to come for not buying when they were £15k.

They hit as low as £6k at one point. I paid just under £10k for my one Which i sold at mates rates for £14k. Its probably worth around £16k now.

[MikeHunt]

I recall the k series in Lotus and MGs biting through head gaskets, ignoring this was it a decent engine and can it be made reliable with updated parts? Or is the na 2zz the one to go for?