Future Lotus owner

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 9:21 pm

Maybe, might yet be persuaded by a VX220.

Anyway hello to fellow trackdayers (well only Tut really) I have met at Knockhill.

Post by **simon** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 12:24 am

Haven't met you, just passed you

Hopefully see you (in a Lotus!) at KH sometime this year.

Gareth · Post by **Gareth** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 9:43 am

I know nothing of your driving capabilities but I would of thought going from a CTR to a Honda engined Elise would be too big a jump...they are a handful standard. Different driving techniques, rear wheel drive etc etc etc

Post by **Shug** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 11:45 am

Yes G, I kinda agree on that one.

Maybe worth spending a chunk of the budget on an S1 160 or the like, better nick than it'd be with a Honda conversion done already (for the same money) Drive it for a year to get used to the handling/blow up the K series, then spend the rest of the budget (which you'll probably have added enough to spec Nitrons 'n stuff at the same time)

Plus - the Duratec and Audi options will have settled down by then.

If you go straight for a Honda, you may find yourself getting blinded by having too much power and not having to use the real strength of the car - the handling . I ran mine for ages (2 years) with 120hp and by the time I felt like I'd reached it's limits I was lapping with much more powerful cars. Now I've got 180ish, I can have real fun with cars that *should* be significantly faster.

'S how I'd do it

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 2:28 pm

I have driven a few powerfull rear wheel drive cars.

TBH I dont have the time or cash to tinker about slowling adding bits on, or is it that I am impatient? Anyway I'll take that on board. The 160 is still very much an option due to budget, I dont think I will start off as low as 120. I know I would quickly regret it.

Love the engine and gearbox in the CTR which is why I am keen on the Honda converted Elise, but maybe that will get left to a later date.

I am not looking for something nice and safe and completly unchallenging so please forgive me if I dont spend a decade graduating through the ranks of RWD ownership.

If I bin it in a field that week I get it you can all tell me 'I told you so'.

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 2:38 pm

Ok ignore all of the above

Did a quick sum (had to take me shoes and socks off to have enough digits) and maybe a 120 Elise to run about in for 6 months while I saved some cash might not be a bad idea

See what happens, might be too busy with work the way things are going at the moment.

Gareth · Post by **Gareth** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 6:01 pm

Kenny, driven a 120 before? Think of the power to weight ratio and with a set of Nitrons on, good tyres you will be quicker than most.

You were at KH on Sat right?
I debated on Scottish Elises after KH about getting more power but it was not until i watched the replay on the camcorder that I realised I could be alot quicker if I worked on gearing / braking. Even with my limited talent on track I could still hold off some Sti's and the silver EVO...the black EVO was another story though!

Post by **Shug** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 6:16 pm

Yeah - absolutely. 120 isn't much until you do the power to weight sums! The mid-engine-d-ness of the Elise (along with the short wheelbase and weight being relatively high up) means it breaks away quicker that most rear engined cars. Great fun when you get it hardwired into your brain mind you!
<---------:twisted:

Ironically, you get decent tuned cars for sometimes less than a clean standard car. Might be worth a looky - esp if you can collar one of the collective into giving it a butchers too.

Not challenging your talent at all mate - have seen you at KH a few times and you can certainly rag the arse off that CTR!

mckeann · Post by **mckeann** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 6:20 pm

i followed shugs advice and definately think thats the way to go. learn to drive the car properly in every situation before you think about touching the engine. by all means get suspension tyres and brakes to help you, but you'll get sooo much more out the car with it being underpowered compared to a scooby at knockhill. you just have to try a little harder thats all.

and also, more power makes less of a difference than you think. i've got 161bhp, and i'm lapping knockhill in 62 seconds. thats the same as tut in his 210 bhp honda.

Also, the longer you wait before tuning , the more money you'll have towards a duratech. dont tune the k, its a waste of money

Post by **Shug** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 6:27 pm

Heh, the voice of reason...

(180odd bhp K series in the back of mine - I now have clinical paranoia!)

mckeann · Post by **mckeann** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 6:30 pm

i got a dva head on mine in november, with a new exhaust, air filter and emerald. altogether cost me in the region of 3k, thats halfway towards a duratech with 30 bhp more and 40 lb ft more.

mmmm, if i new the duratech was only 3 months away, i know what i would have done. anyone wanna buy an engine

Cal · Post by **Cal** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 9:35 pm

Hey kenwood

You serious about ditching the R

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 2:51 pm

Cal wrote:You serious about ditching the R

Yep indeedy its just a case of when not if.

Though following the above advice I may look at keeping the CTR and getting an old Elise for track. As you know I was thinking about going halfers on a Pug 205 Gti track car with Graeme (my wee brother for those not in the know) but I dont really see the point when I have the CTR, its just for Graeme really.

Seeing as he is loaded I might put it off for a while and stick a bit more cash in each for an Elise.

tut · Post by **tut** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 10:00 am

Good news Kenny that you are now going to buy an Elise.

You are obviously becoming a track day tart, seen you there for all the ones that I have done this year, so if you can manage one, I do not think you will look back.

Also if you are not too concerned about an immaculate car, there are some bargains out there, including upgraded ones that sell for no more than standard ones.

tut

thinfourth · Post by **thinfourth** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 11:11 am

There is the other option and go complete trackday tart and buy a caterham. Almost useable on the road by the slightly nuts, and quicker then an elise when driven properly.

13K will get you into roadsport A area, 140bhp, 6speed box, lsd and about 500kg.

I was in the brown turd coloured one at the sidc day.