What Am I Going To Be Spending It All On?

[Raffe]

I have a 2000(V) series 1 VVC Elise. Family owned since new, now has 54,000 miles on it.

 

I have some money put back to get some work done on it. But I have no idea what may need doing. I'm expecting bushes etc. I am taking my Elise to a local Lotus specialist. They are going to look over it and see what's occurring.

 

Recently I have replaced: exhaust, down pipe, cat, radiator, heater matrix, reverse switch, suspension upgrade, hurricane air intake, 160 throttle body.

 

What have your guys done on your series 1? What is the usual things to expect? Track rod ends? Steering rack? Etc etc....

 

If there is not much to do, what upgrades should I be thinking about!! I use the car as a daily drive. It's not used for any track days.

 

Cheers Ash

[Martin R]

If its a daily driver, dont do it unless it needs it. I would be checking suspension bushes, ball joints, wheel bearings, track rod ends, arb bushes and drop links.

 

Most importantly of all rear tie bars. You do not want one of these to break, trust me. I would consider these are service item. Not many people ever check them. Its messy if they break. get them checked at least HTH

[fentuz]

 

Most importantly of all rear tie bars. You do not want one of these to break, trust me. I would consider these are service item. Not many people ever check them. Its messy if they break. get them checked at least HTH

Yes and yes, rear toe link is the thing to check, i broke one 4/5 yrs ago and it s not fun at all.

I know check them every trackday and if there is a tiny bit of movement, i change them (even if the movement is considered acceptable)...

[Stik]

Excuse my ignorance, but what happens if they break?

[DeanB]

The wheel is free to point wherever it wants. The suspension on that corner collapses, basically, and if there is anything to hit nearby a crash will likely result.

I have heard the s1 design was weak but Lotus improved it for the s2?

[lummo]

Mine's a 2000 (W). Things I've replaced so far are:

 

1. Dampers (I'd be surprised if it's still on the original Konis, but you never know)

2. Rear toe links

3. Steering rack.

4. Fog light switch (the fog light would come on randomly, even if the switch was off).

 

That's it.

 

Oh - apart from fitting a PRT kit. I'd do that if it hasn't been done.

[Raffe]

Thank you all for the replies.

 

My Lotus is off to the garage mid March. Will post update when I get the bill!!!

 

Cheers Ash

[fentuz]

.

I have heard the s1 design was weak but Lotus improved it for the s2?

Not sure about that, toe link joint are the same on s1 and s2 however, lotus made the joint a serviceable item in the s2 service schedule which was not the case with the s1

 

Edit same for late s1 and s2 (steel carrier)

[MilesH]

Not sure about that, toe link joint are the same on s1 and s2 however, lotus made the joint a serviceable item in the s2 service schedule which was not the case with the s1

 

Edit same for late s1 and s2 (steel carrier)

 

Agreed, I remember selling Sheldon (Stockhome) my S1 toelinks for his S2.

[Raffe]

Got my Elise back today. Apart from a rear fog switch and a front wheel bearing I was told that mechanically my car is MINT! A full check of the car was done. So I'm pleased!! I'm now using my money to retrim the interior

[Dennis]

Gas flow and big valves would be what I would be doing to a vvc