S3 Elise S engine mods

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Bobby
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S3 Elise S engine mods

Post by Bobby » Sun Nov 18, 2018 8:03 pm

I’ve the 220 Cup Elise, already with 2bluar full system, dyno’ed at ~240bhp with no remap. Looking for about another 20bhp. Anecdotally, smaller supercharger pulley and updated injectors would be the sensible next step, presumably then needing a remap. Sounds about right? Suggestions or experience anyone?

As a side note (can be checked next time it’s in the workshop, which won’t be long as I’ve just had an issue on track with the rev limiter kicking in at 5k!) anyone know offhand if the 220 Cup came with the TRD airbox? I’d always assumed so, so never looked to get one fitted! May have missed a trick...
"Bug" 2015 Elise 220 Cup, Toxic Green (2bular)
2009 Audi S3 (Milltek, MTM, VW Racing), Velvet Purple
Previously: 2004 Elise 111S, Aubergine Purple

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Kinger
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Re: S3 Elise S engine mods

Post by Kinger » Sun Nov 18, 2018 8:25 pm

My 220 cup didn’t have one fitted, I didn’t notice much in way of performance increase after I fitted TRD, but it sounded nicer.

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campbell
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Re: S3 Elise S engine mods

Post by campbell » Sun Nov 18, 2018 8:27 pm

Might look at this once my 2bular is on.

Does the TRD have a serviceable filter or still paper throwaway?
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robin
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Re: S3 Elise S engine mods

Post by robin » Sun Nov 18, 2018 9:41 pm

Hi Bobby,

I am pretty sure my car has the TRD air box on it - if you have a standard one and want to swap, happy to do so FOC. Given we're both at Craig's on a fairly regular basis I am sure I can arrange to have my car in when yours is there if you want to swap. Let me double check that it does actually have the TRD box fitted first though!!

Are you thinking of ECU remap also? Otherwise you might struggle to get the most out of the increased boost pressure (even with larger injectors).

Cheers,
Robin
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campbell
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Re: S3 Elise S engine mods

Post by campbell » Sun Nov 18, 2018 9:46 pm

How mappable is the ECU then - and is it Lotus or Yota?
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Bobby
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Re: S3 Elise S engine mods

Post by Bobby » Sun Nov 18, 2018 11:03 pm

Robin - thanks! Yes, the car is at Craig’s on far too regular a basis. :( The logistics might be another matter, but very generous offer! Better first check I don’t have a TRD one already ... ;)

On ECU, I’ve heard (from Craig and Jim at 2bular) that’s it’s a bugger. That may be where it all falls down. Another of the SLS guys was along at Croft today and helped me out with my engine rev limit issue; he’s had serious mapping work done with great success by Ecotune in Glasgow, who apparently know their software, but not for Lotus/Toyota. Maybe a case of custom map development, which might not be cheap. Will see what they have to say. Need to not over do-it, or it’ll put me into the bottom of the next power/weight category for next year’s SLS! :)
"Bug" 2015 Elise 220 Cup, Toxic Green (2bular)
2009 Audi S3 (Milltek, MTM, VW Racing), Velvet Purple
Previously: 2004 Elise 111S, Aubergine Purple

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Mikie711
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Re: S3 Elise S engine mods

Post by Mikie711 » Sun Nov 18, 2018 11:41 pm

If previous models are anything to go by then the ECU is a Lotus bespoke unit which they then spend a considerable time tuning the maps for each model. Not come across anyone that has managed to remap the standard ECU but others may know different.
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Re: S3 Elise S engine mods

Post by Dominic » Mon Nov 19, 2018 12:45 pm

Bobby wrote:
Sun Nov 18, 2018 11:03 pm
Robin - thanks! Yes, the car is at Craig’s on far too regular a basis. :( The logistics might be another matter, but very generous offer! Better first check I don’t have a TRD one already ... ;)

On ECU, I’ve heard (from Craig and Jim at 2bular) that’s it’s a bugger. That may be where it all falls down. Another of the SLS guys was along at Croft today and helped me out with my engine rev limit issue; he’s had serious mapping work done with great success by Ecotune in Glasgow, who apparently know their software, but not for Lotus/Toyota. Maybe a case of custom map development, which might not be cheap. Will see what they have to say. Need to not over do-it, or it’ll put me into the bottom of the next power/weight category for next year’s SLS! :)
Ecotune's rolling road has a bit of a reputation for being optimistic with it's figures.
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Bobby
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Re: S3 Elise S engine mods

Post by Bobby » Tue Nov 20, 2018 1:42 pm

Well, there’s this Komo-tec:
https://komo-tec.com/Shop/en/Elise/MK3- ... 8-2ZR.html

Basically what I was thinking of with new pulley, although looks like they didn’t need uprated injectors. I already have a 2bular full system, but no ideal if that would be compatible with their map. Proves it’s possible anyway.
"Bug" 2015 Elise 220 Cup, Toxic Green (2bular)
2009 Audi S3 (Milltek, MTM, VW Racing), Velvet Purple
Previously: 2004 Elise 111S, Aubergine Purple

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thesurfbus
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Re: S3 Elise S engine mods

Post by thesurfbus » Mon Nov 26, 2018 9:04 am

I am sure I read somewhere that PB Racing do a 300bhp kit for the S3.
My S3 came with the power pack which has a TRD Airbox and a Sports Exhaust.
Lotus Elise 220 S

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campbell
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Re: S3 Elise S engine mods

Post by campbell » Mon Nov 26, 2018 9:32 am

I will soon have a sports exhaust (Stage 3) avail if anyone is looking. Well fruity
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robin
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Re: S3 Elise S engine mods

Post by robin » Mon Nov 26, 2018 6:49 pm

Komotec and others do provide maps for ECUs. I just think that once the MIL comes on you are stuck between a rock and a hard place - Lotus will disown you with non-standard ECU map, Komotec will not be easy to hold to account (no doubt they say their mods are track only, tape over the MIL ...). No doubt they'll be even less interested when the s/c sh*t itself into your engine ... ask them what their warranty is and whether it covers track use.

Even the 265 kit isn't really going to be *that* much faster than the 220 and I think this is even more true at KH where the top speed is quite low - it's not like you'll hit 120mph in one car and 130mph in the other car. More likely if the power increase really is 30bhp = +14% then assuming your current top speed is 120mph at the end of the pit straight you'll be doing 125 and maybe that'll be worth 0.5s/lap if you're lucky (remember you'll need to brake that bit earlier too).

You might be better off spending the money on data logging and working out where to make up the time methodically.

Cheers,
Robin
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Re: S3 Elise S engine mods

Post by Mikie711 » Mon Nov 26, 2018 7:15 pm

robin wrote:
Mon Nov 26, 2018 6:49 pm
it's not like you'll hit 120mph in one car and 130mph in the other car.
Don't know about that Robin, KH is known as a power circuit and certainly up the hill it will make a difference.
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robin
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Re: S3 Elise S engine mods

Post by robin » Mon Nov 26, 2018 11:57 pm

The difference isn't much though if you do the sums...
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Bobby
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Re: S3 Elise S engine mods

Post by Bobby » Thu Nov 29, 2018 2:25 pm

Not looking for leaps-and-bounds (which may push me into next group anyhow), but from where I'm sitting 0.5 sec a lap I quite a lot! I recall one SLS round this year when 3 of us were within hundredths! 10-15% better power is just what I'm after.

Allegedly there's a programmable ECU on it's way, so that plus just buying a SC pully may be the way to go.

Can't beat improving the weak component sitting in the driver's seat, but that not mutually exclusive! ;)

I suppose the other areas to consider are suspension and transmission.

PS Robin - Craig checked and mine's got the TRD; thanks again for the kind offer though!
"Bug" 2015 Elise 220 Cup, Toxic Green (2bular)
2009 Audi S3 (Milltek, MTM, VW Racing), Velvet Purple
Previously: 2004 Elise 111S, Aubergine Purple

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