Stark R S1 Elise

[craignicol]

Anybody had any dealings with Stark?

They offer a built Elise R with all the right bits on it for 26,800.....expensive but you end up with a really nice spec'd car!

Whats people thoughts?

[Jacobite]

HI Craig
Alan (Gourley83) built up his car useing a stark kit so hes your man to ask on here,
The time I spoke with James at his unit in Newcastle picking his brains before I bought the S/C car he was helpfull and informatine and his Scandle Green demo car looked wicked
there is an article in this months Practicical Performance Car written by James Winstanley (of Stark)about putting a Type R engine in an Elise ~ havent got around to reading it fully yet but it should give you a bit of insite
cheers Hamish

[tut]

They are certainly excellent to deal with, had a fair amount of help from James.

As you say, it does sound expensive compared to buying an S1 and fitting a Honda using their kit, but it looks as if you will end up with a virtually new car.

tut

[Gourlay83]

How Much !

Knock £10K of of that and you can have mine, same spec but Burnt Orange and with a Kpro.

I don't think James does the fully built option anymore but best to speak to him direct. Your clearly paying for people time which is understandable but I can't see how an S1 can be worth that. I'm very happy with the Stark Kit, infact using it another build (check technical - 340R Colin's Honda Conversion, loads of pictures of all the mounts etc) with a few others in the pipe line.

There is other options like ask an installer to convert the car for you, costs £££££ though.

If your not willing to roll your sleeves up now and again I don't think an S1 is the best option. S1 Honda's are great but require a little more maintenance IMO. Wheel Bearings take a roasting (mine lasted 5K) and the vibration will test all your trim fixings

S2's have better Driveshaft/Wheel Bearings and a little better built for the extra power but you have to drive an S2 GAY.

Welcome to pop round for a look at mine, one built and one being built

Alan

[craignicol]

It does sound uber expensive doesn't it?
Looks really appealing though, a walk-in, drive-out service where you are then sitting in a 'brand new' car.
I did speak to James and your correct Alan, he isn't doing that service anymore. (No much wonder at 26,800 a peice!)

Don't get me wrong, the month to month maintenance wouldn't be an issue however don't feel up to doing an engine tranplant just yet.
A look at yours would be good at some point, I'll PM when I'm free at some point, it will perhaps fill me with a little more confidence.

Cheers
Craig

[Great Pretender]

Like Alan says though, £26k is a lot of cash when I'm sure you could pay a competent mechanic to do the install and buy all the bits for significantly less.

I'm currently thinking of doing the same incidentally.