S1 Elise Motorsport replica project

[stratosboy]

Hi - I'm new on here and thought I'd post some pics of my project:
started with buying this in the summer:

lovely 99 Elise S1, high mileage and in need of a refurb, but lovely to drive.

I'd previously bought these:

which needed a lot of fettling to get a good enough finish. These are widened arched clams, about 50 mm each side at the rear and 20mm each side at front. I intend to fit 17x9 and 18x10" wheels.
Elise stripped out and parts I didn't need sold off.

Roll cage arrived: and fitted, tricky under dash, but went in and fits really well...

I'll post some more of the build later in week

[C7Steve]

Steve.

[stratosboy]

a bit more..
I've had the suspension completely refreshed and modified, using S2 uprights and hubs. All parts have been chemically cleaned and re-coated in yellow zinc passivate and then 2 coats of clear POR 15 to keep corrosion at bay.


I've fitted Nitron spherical wishbone bearings and new NTR 40 struts, A quick rack and new Elise Parts steering arms.


Rear brace bar to try to keep rear subframe from twisting. (VAG 1.8t 20v engine being tuned for 500bhp)

Brakes are: Front - new AP Caparo 4 pot calipers with 308mm AP discs and floating bells
Rears - new AP 2 pot calipers (from the front) again with 308mm AP discs and floating bells - High Spec Spot calipers for handbrake duties
Pagid RS 14 pads

[stratosboy]

these are to go in when I've sorted the OEM seat belts and Harness fittings:


also some extra gauges to know what's happening engine wise:
(who needs a heater and radio anyway?)

[stratosboy]

engine and transmission:
Engine is away at builders at present, aiming for 500bhp, with re-bore, gas flowed AGU large port head, forged internals and new TFSi crank - effectively a stroker engine. with large turbo. This will be charged cooled:

Modified inlet manifold:


and baffled sump:


transmission: VAG 02M 6 speed gearbox: (planning for Quaife LSD to be fitted next year)

and bespoke drive-shafts made specifically for the car and power output, these have GKN cv joints each end

[Ferg]

Going for it! Looks great.

[campbell]

Awesome build thread. Money no object?! Suspect you have a bit of engineering talent there

Keep it coming.

[stratosboy]

Not being modest, but no real engineering talent of mine, just interest and self-learning over the years. (I'm a recently retired NHS psychotherapist).
wouldn't say 'money no object' either, sold this: - Spyder zetec dhc S4 Elan to pay for this project and want to do it right. But thank you.

[Dominic]

Great stuff! Looking forward to seeing further progress.

Love the Elan too.

[campbell]

Smiling here. The money no object ref was a bit trigger happy, the sentiment was that you are "doing it right". Lots of attention to detail etc. Good on you.

Wish I had the time and talent to take on such a project. I too have a 99 Elise with very high miles. Had planned a major refurb when budget allowed but things have changed a bit.

Looking forward to your progress.

[van cleef]

Dear god I do like these kind of build thread....I thought I'd spent a small fortune on my S2 this year but it seems to be dwarfed by this.

How does the VAG lump compare in weigh to the original engine?

[stratosboy]

it is definitely heavier, by about 50kgs I think. but the extra power and torque will more than make up for the added lard.
Another builder near me has an S2 Exige with a VAG 2.0 TFSI engine and this comes out at exactly the same weight as the stock S2 Exige (not sure if the Toyota engine and box is particularly heavy)

[Stu160]

Looks great.

Stu

[stratosboy]

my Christmas holiday job....fitting the Laminova

[philthy]

Subscribing, loving your work so far