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Lotus in the Peak
28th - 30th June 2024

Introduction And Opinions Needed S1 Sport 190


Elisesport190

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Hello MLOC,

 

I have been lurking on here off and on for a while. Thought I should introduce myself and my car.

 

I have an Elise S1 sport 190. It has done 11,500 miles and is 1996 vintage. The car is pretty much standard apart from braided brake line and pagid blue pads.

I haven't used the car for a couple of years as I was racing in the BMW Compact Cup. But now I want to get the elise back up to spec and use it more on track.

 

2123_57528503124_6363_n.jpg

 

I would like to modify it to improve handling (see youtube @2:30 http://youtu.be/EiSslFSAw68) it's not very predicatble on the limit but the tyres are toyo R1-R's so I think changing to Yoko A048's might help. The suspension is bilstein with 340r springs.

 

I am thinking of adding a full cage, and could do with a seat that sits right on the deck and is HANS compatible, as headroom is an issue even though I'm only 6ft tall.

 

I would like opinions on body mods - front splitter, rear diffuser, and possibly a wing? http://www.eliseparts.com/products/show/15/73/exige-style-spoiler/ however, I am aware that my car is pretty rare (only 5 on the road?) and I am a bit concerned about messing it up/devalueing it.

 

I'm not sure if it ever had the toe links changed as I understand they can be an issue.

 

Another idea is to get the ecu changed for the DVA? one. Should I get the head gasket replaced as preventative action? been ok so far, as I always make sure the car is up to temp before any load.

 

Any other advise appreciated.

 

Thanks.

Steve (Nottingham)

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Goodness me! All this time and only now do I discover an s1 190 in Nottingham, right under my nose!

 

Welcome to MLOC.

 

Martin R is a good man for advice on the 190 engine. He will be along soon i'm sure.

I would want the toe links upgraded - Eliseparts and others do kits. Other than that why not just have it serviced and checked over by a good specialist (I only use Gav at Unit4 Vehicle Services in Burton on Trent) and start using it?

 

I seem to remember someone does a kit that tips the back of the seat down a bit yo free up headroom - is it Hangar 111?

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What is the current spec? from memory, the 190 were custom made to order. Some had racing seats, roll cages some didn't.

 

From the picture, yours has race seats an Aframe roll cage. If genuine, a safety device E013 with petty bar (can't see that on the picture).

Miles (a giant to my standard) had some custom fixed mounted for tillet race seats so he could put right down on the chassis.

 

What is the toe link spec? is it the original Lotus sport version as described in the XA section of the manual? if not, eliseparts did a copy which, in my opinion, is easier to maintain, that the elise-shop/spitfire version.

 

Are the shock absorbers S2 bilsteins (yellow) or S1 lotus sport Konis (Yellow), either way, you might need something a little stiffer; nitron, quantum, Gaz have some solutions depending of your budget. You might want to check the front antiroll bar. Lotus sport had an adjustable 1" diameter which is different to the exige adjustable with std diameter. EP has a 7/8" adjustable which was developed by Scuffman, Randy and EP for racing. It seems a good halfway solution. The 1" seems too stiff and the mount bend. I read good review here and mainland about the pilbeam ARB but the cost is pretty high.

 

R1R is not far behing A048, the only time I felt they were was on a very hot summer day, the smaller rubber block were heating up to much....

 

 

Have a look at the motorsport section: https://www.dropbox.com/s/8d2kkyj1q1tq0dt/Lotus_eliseS1_service_manual_XA_only.pdf

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Steve, welcome to MLOC. A fantastic and rare car you have. I would change the toe links for the uprated items and put some decent tyres on it. If you do go down the Emerald ecu route, fitting some verniers will help its behaviour. keep anything you change off it so you can return it to standard if you do ever sell it.

 

If it were mine i would keep it as standard as possible. Im sure im not alone and would enjoy a few more pics :)

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Right that's it! You and your father-in-law NEED to bring those two beauties to Chatsworth in July (see MLOC@Chatsworth 2014 threads). I will not take no for an answer!

 

You may also like to pop along to Blyton on Saturday March 8th for the Lotus on Track trackday. Quite a few of us from here are going. It's only at Gainsborough.

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unfortunately i'm in london on the 8th march. but chatsworth is possible for me. the 340r live in france at the mo, it was ordered as a lhd car, its been there 10 years and still on uk plates, never driven, and as you can imagine the battery needs replacing. Clam off job!

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That's got to be one of the best S1's out there, Personally I would keep it as near factory spec as possible, especially with regard to any body mods.

Great car, as Dean said, make sure you bring that and the 340R to Chatsworth!

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