190 HP and 100% fun

Kdberan · 09-18-2013, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

Ok. I thought that was your collection. Still an impressive display of vehicles for one garage.

I've always thought owning an Elise would be cool, but never really looked at them. How reliable are they? Is there any power to be added without blowing it up? They just look like it would be a riot to fling around with the top off.

Yeah, sorry I didn't specify that the GT-R in my garage belongs to my room mate. I'm certainly not a troll who posts pictures of other people's cars and tries to pawn them off as my own. I'm fortunate for what the good Lord has provided me, no need to boast or try to win at the internet by looking like a lying idiot

I mean, its British so reliability-wise, it doesn't hold up to the naturally bulletproof nature of a porsche. But then again those little buggers can handle a good thrashing and since its so light, you don't go through pads, rotors, or tires nearly as quickly as you would expect. And replacement parts are soooo incredibly cheap compared to the costs of even the Z. New pads, rotors, and tires for less than $1k, whats not to love about that?!?

Yeah most guys looking for more power go down the supercharger route to give the car anywhere from 230-265 hp. Some turbocharge, but not as common for track cars. One guy even built a 700+hp frankenstein exige with a hybrid turbo/supercharger, utterly insane, videos on youtube. Typical bolt-ons though can get you in the 160-180 hp range at the wheels, which is a lot more than one might think when 2 of me in the car wouldn't even tip it over a ton.

The top has never been removed on mine, but I will probably do so next spring. However being 5'8, I don't struggle with getting in and out like most people complain about with the top on. So the top isn't a concern of mine, I actually prefer the look of the hardtop on anyway.

And it is exactly that, a riot! Its really a supercar version of a miata in my opinion. It has the power to not get blown away on the straights and can keep up with the cars costing 5x as much in the twisty-turnies.

Jordo! · 09-18-2013, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kdberan

I mean, its British so reliability-wise, it doesn't hold up ...

Yeah most guys looking for more power go down the supercharger route to give the car anywhere from 230-265 hp. Some turbocharge, but not as common for track cars. One guy even built a 700+hp frankenstein exige with a hybrid turbo/supercharger, utterly insane, videos on youtube.

Engine and drivetrain are by Toyota -- those are pretty stout. 2ZZ engine with Toyota shortblock and Yamaha tuned head; transaxle is essentially from a MR-S.

The 2ZZ is a great, high revving engine -- add a roots blower and it will feel like a small V-8.

The dude with the twincharged gray elise is an old buddy of mine who goes by the nick name Ronin (unless someone else built one) -- that car is an absolute monster.

The only thing to check are the so called "lift bolts", which are critical to the cam profile change, and on earlier models were prone to shearing -- Toyota corrected this problem with redesigned bolts. If yours is a later model elise, you should be fine, but its something to look into.

Anyway -- enjoy and congrats

Kdberan · 09-18-2013, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordo!

Engine and drivetrain are by Toyota -- those are pretty stout. 2ZZ engine with Toyota shortblock and Yamaha tuned head; transaxle is essentially from a MR-S.

The 2ZZ is a great, high revving engine -- add a roots blower and it will feel like a small V-8.

The dude with the twincharged gray elise is an old buddy of mine who goes by the nick name Ronin (unless someone else built one) -- that car is an absolute monster.

The only thing to check are the so called "lift bolts", which are critical to the cam profile change, and on earlier models were prone to shearing -- Toyota corrected this problem with redesigned bolts. If yours is a later model elise, you should be fine, but its something to look into.

Anyway -- enjoy and congrats

Great points! Yes, Ronin was the one I saw online, looked ridiculous. But I heard it was totaled? Rear-ended or something, idk though you would know better than me.

The lift bolt issue does tend to be more prevalent on earlier 2zz's from 00-02 celica's primarily, from what I've heard but the same bolts were used in most 05 elises. I plan on changing them just for precautionary measures and they are very inexpensive but after an initial inspection, they appear to be in like new condition, virtually no wear. So that's definitely in the cards for this winter to replace them.

Thanks!

Volk Z · 09-19-2013, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordo!

Engine and drivetrain are by Toyota -- those are pretty stout. 2ZZ engine with Toyota shortblock and Yamaha tuned head; transaxle is essentially from a MR-S.

The 2ZZ is a great, high revving engine -- add a roots blower and it will feel like a small V-8.

The dude with the twincharged gray elise is an old buddy of mine who goes by the nick name Ronin (unless someone else built one) -- that car is an absolute monster.

The only thing to check are the so called "lift bolts", which are critical to the cam profile change, and on earlier models were prone to shearing -- Toyota corrected this problem with redesigned bolts. If yours is a later model elise, you should be fine, but its something to look into.

Anyway -- enjoy and congrats

Thank you for stating this! i saw the OP say its a british car so reliability isnt great... I owned 2 Celica GTS's (2000 and 2002) same motor and transmission and it is a great feeling engine with the VVTL-I technology. THe lifters kick in at like 6000 RPMS and has a sort of turbo feel to it.

The engine and tranny are super reliable and CONGRATS OP as this is one of my favorite cars. If you did intake, exhaust and HFC's that thing would be a beast! I remember that motor taking very well to intake/exhaust modifications.

Kdberan · 09-19-2013, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Volk Z

The engine and tranny are super reliable and CONGRATS OP as this is one of my favorite cars. If you did intake, exhaust and HFC's that thing would be a beast! I remember that motor taking very well to intake/exhaust modifications.

Thanks, that's really all I'm planning on doing in the short-term for power too, intake and full exhaust.

Volk Z · 09-19-2013, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kdberan

Thanks, that's really all I'm planning on doing in the short-term for power too, intake and full exhaust.

That thing is going to be a blast to drive! Maybe some coilovers too?

ltullos · 09-19-2013, 10:58 PM

Congrats and hope you have a ball with it. I lusted after one of these for a several years and before buying my 40th AE I had a chance to test drive a flawless 2006 model. Even though I'm on the small side, I had some difficulty with ingress and there's a long list of other things you can complain about up until the moment you start it up and go. Funny how all of those little complaints just evaporate when taking a 90 at almost 50 (or at least that's the way it seemed). It was deja vu because before buying my 240Z in 74, I also test drove a Europa. That thing was overheating like crazy and had no visibility; but damn was it ever fun driving for a short stint.

If you haven't seen this already, here's a mandatory read you'll come to understand shortly if not already. Crossing the Country in a Lotus Elise from Plays with Cars. Enjoy!

09-19-2013, 10:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
ltullos Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: DFW Posts: 312 Drives: 2016 Nismo Tech MT Rep Power: 15	Congrats and hope you have a ball with it. I lusted after one of these for a several years and before buying my 40th AE I had a chance to test drive a flawless 2006 model. Even though I'm on the small side, I had some difficulty with ingress and there's a long list of other things you can complain about up until the moment you start it up and go. Funny how all of those little complaints just evaporate when taking a 90 at almost 50 (or at least that's the way it seemed). It was deja vu because before buying my 240Z in 74, I also test drove a Europa. That thing was overheating like crazy and had no visibility; but damn was it ever fun driving for a short stint. If you haven't seen this already, here's a mandatory read you'll come to understand shortly if not already. Crossing the Country in a Lotus Elise from Plays with Cars. Enjoy! Kdberan likes this.