Duratec Conversions for Elise

[tut]

As long as you do not want to carry anything in the boot.

A weekends camping gear and still dick it.

tut

[ABZ-Elise]

I do not understand those figures Rich.

£10K to fix a HGF on a Honda?

tut

Train of thought - Existing Rover, £800 (variable dependant on what else needs sorted, like liner heights) to fix when it pops an HG versus dump the K series and replace with Ford or Honda.

I don't think he was comparing the cost of fixing an HG on each engine

Exactly

Rob

Thing is you're not going to just do a conversion just because the K blows a gasket. You're going to get an engine conversion to get more power. Getting 200bhp out a K is expensive (about the same as a DIY duratec conversion if done right) and it could blow up shortly after. The Honda or duratec are eaiser tune and cheaper to tune. I wouldn't mind giving the Duratec a go, I quite like the standard gearbox.

Is the engine used in the Mazda 6 MPS turbo thingy a turbo'd version of the 2.3 duratec? If it was that would be a laugh to throw in the back of an Elise...260bhp and 280lb/ft of torque...gearbox wouldn't like it very much tho.

Kev.

[BiggestNizzy]

Is the engine used in the Mazda 6 MPS turbo thingy a turbo'd version of the 2.3 duratec? If it was that would be a laugh to throw in the back of an Elise...260bhp and 280lb/ft of torque...gearbox wouldn't like it very much tho.

Kev.

The Duratecs are "based" on the mazda engines although I don't know exactly what that means, I imagine the Mazda units where designed to fit ford bits as Ford saved Mazda 10+ years ago (although now Mazda are on a buy back) it could be the same, but it could have different bolt holes etc for mounting gearbox etc.

[David]

Is the engine used in the Mazda 6 MPS turbo thingy a turbo'd version of the 2.3 duratec? If it was that would be a laugh to throw in the back of an Elise...260bhp and 280lb/ft of torque...gearbox wouldn't like it very much tho.

Kev.

The Duratecs are "based" on the Mazda engines although I don't know exactly what that means, I imagine the Mazda units where designed to fit ford bits as Ford saved Mazda 10+ years ago (although now Mazda are on a buy back) it could be the same, but it could have different bolt holes etc for mounting gearbox etc.

The Duratec HE (the one we're talking about) was designed by Mazda and the adopted by Ford as a universal engine suitable for world markets. Whether this was the intention of Mazda I'm not sure, but it was developed in to a low cost/large volume project by Ford and as a result the basic engine doesn't change much.

[campbell]

There are a number of S1s running around at 80k+ miles with plenty life left in them yet. [he says touching wood...]

Albeit in at least two cases they have had "preventive" maintenance with cylinder head changes ahead of that mileage.

If the Duratec conversion proves itself, things could certainly get interesting.

[fd]

If you thrash the nuts of a K it will easily last 80K before you start getting in to wear issues, I changed the short block on my engine at about 80K due to piston wear and excessive oil consumption, and it had been round KH thousands of times . . . I think in normal driving a K will last plenty more miles over that . . . It is always more cost effective to just stick with the K, unless you are after more power, but really for mostly road driving, 150-160 is plenty . . .

Fd

[campbell]

I certainly really really really like my ~150PS K. Great balance of power and tractability, and still returning 40mpg on combined commute from home to Leith and back Would totally recommend this to anyone with a standard "120bhp" K looking for the next stage.

Detecting the slightest puff of oil smoke when starting, I think, but oil consumption itself is tiny so presuming no worry required. But closer monitoring will be important as I guess this *might* be the start of similar wear to what you describe from your old block, Fergus. Of course mine never got the pleasure of KH to the extent yours did!

[tut]

Trying not to be biased by owning two Elises with Honda engines, but if I was starting again I would still stick with them. With mega ton miles between them they have never missed a beat, despite monumental missed gear changes downward, and there is no substitute for changing gear at 8,600rpm on the track and hearing that exhaust howl.

Then the other extreme of a road run in 6th gear for most of the day. We have an Audi TT with 280hp, ie the same as the Elise conversion, loads of torque, but just not the same. Not driven the Duratec, but if it beats it on price, I can not imagine that the engine is superior.

tut

[Corranga]

Bear in mind - an HGF fix is around £800

Or about £200-250 less than that!

Dan

Ok -mine was around £1100 TBH!

'bout 2.5k here...

Ok so it went in with hgf and come out with a different engine, sls stage 1a, s2 bilsteins and a new clutch...

I've never experienced anything else, but I love my K. Lots of fun and 40mpg... The vauxhall plant in the vx does seem to have a lot more low down grunt (or is it just that everything is lower down the rev range in the vx...!)

Chris

[Fluoxetine]

I certainly really really really like my ~150PS K. Great balance of power and tractability, and still returning 40mpg on combined commute from home to Leith and back Would totally recommend this to anyone with a standard "120bhp" K looking for the next stage.

Yep, enjoyed driving your car round Donington - The engine felt really strong, and the car was good fun to drive as a result...

My old S1 had the PTP165 kit, which probably cost a similar amount to a DIY Duratec to fit...You had to rev the pants off it to pull away from 135bhp cars in a straight line, and the low speed mapping on the EFI ECU was shocking...

Wouldn't mind a drive in an S1 Duratec... Maybe an option for the future, when I get another Elise...

[Gourlay83]

Although im still a Honda Man i have been looking at the FORD conversion and it does look good.

Anyone know what you actually get in the kit ?

Alan

[tut]

Bits that fit around a Ford engine.

tut

[Fluoxetine]

Although im still a Honda Man i have been looking at the FORD conversion and it does look good.

Anyone know what you actually get in the kit ?

Alan

Shug did mention on the first page, but basically:

ECU / Alternator / TB's / Fuel Lines & Filter / Manifold / Engine Mounts / Adapter plate for the gearbox / Fly Wheel / Silicone hoses...

http://www.sinclairemotorsport.com/upgr ... ratec.html

£3.7k plus VAT for the DIY option - You'll need to add a 2 litre Duratec engine to that, but they can be had for £6-800, apparently...

Can be done for sub-£5k if you're handy with the spanners - Uses the cheap & cheerful PG1 box...doesn't have the drive shaft issues the Honda can suffer from...And is easily reversible, if need be...

You wouldn't have the ultimate grunt of a Honda, with 'only' 190bhp to play with...But it's a torquey beast, so unlikely to make that much odds on the road...

[roadboy]

[And is easily reversible, if need be...

This is being said a lot but people don't seem to realise... so can the Honda. At least the ones that are done properly and don't butcher the chassis/subframe/loom.

Dan

[Scotty C]

have you sold one to colin yet