Vvc Install S1

[elanplus2]

I'm doing a refresh on a S1 Elise. I split the job into 2 phases due to lack of work space and not wanting to over face myself. I've now finished the work with the front clam off so I'm now ready to do the rear.  

 

I'd like to do an engine swop as part of the rear rebuild and could do with some advice.

 

Currently engine is a standard k series with 70k on it's original head gasket.

 

I bought a B&C cylinder head some time ago with a view to having that ready for the day I had HGF.

I also have a VVC 160  engine with loom and the mems 3 ecu.

 

My options seem to be:

 

1 keep existing bottom end and use the B&C head

2 use the trophy bottom end with the B&C

3 Install the VVC 

 

I think the B&C was marketed as a "160" but there is very little information out there on this conversion so it's an unknown to me. It does come with verniers and piper cams but I thought to ask kiwi Rog to cast a critical eye over it first if I do use it.

 

Fitting the VVC as one lump seems best but I'm nervous about this due to it involving mods to the engine loom and ecu/alarm issues.

 

I'd appreciate any thoughts.

 

If anyone has fitted a VVC to a S1 I'd very much like to have a quick look at the install to reassure me it's something I can deal with. I've trawled through the forums and think I understand the issues in theory but I don't really feel confident enough to go ahead on theory alone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Alex B]

you can use a s1vvc loom and Ecu with 160 lump to make life easier.

I believe there is a couple of sensor that connect in differently other than that it's pretty straight forward.

[elanplus2]

Yeah I must have the 5as because I have the full car but don't ask me to tell you where it is or what it looks like 

[elanplus2]

Using the S1 vvc loom and ecu does sound easiest but I'm not sure if I can get hold of the kit so was thinking I'd have to use the mems and adapt everything necessary to accommodate this into the set up. 

[Alex B]

I have 2 S1 vvc ecu's and also a loom, the loom requires some repair.

[elanplus2]

A broken loom would OK if it's complete since I could check continuity and maybe replace any bad connectors or even use it as a template for making up a copy if you want to keep it.

 

Any further details on that would be good and maybe how much you might want for an ecu and the loom.if you are willing to sell.Thanks

[Alex B]

A broken loom would OK if it's complete since I could check continuity and maybe replace any bad connectors or even use it as a template for making up a copy if you want to keep it.

 

Any further details on that would be good and maybe how much you might want for an ecu and the loom.if you are willing to sell.Thanks

The loom has some damage to the alternator wiring the rest is in good nick from what I recall.

[AlanS1]

Do you know which B&C head it is? 

 

I think they did various versions. My car had the B&C Super 160 engine in. (i actually still have it nicely packed away). 

It has a fully ported head, 270 cams, vernier pulleys and the intake was bespoke. the work was carried out by Minster Motorsport.

Apparently they had a great reputation in the day?

 

I would give Kiwi a call and explain what you have.

You need to also figure out what you want to achieve. 

The B&C head will give you a very usable torque y engine and be very easy to install and quite cheap. (part of me wishes i had just left the car as it was. It would have been a lot cheaper and i could have spent more time driving it)

 

A VVC engine will give you more power, but you will have to do more research and probably cost more if you need to get extra parts for the conversion. Most people seem to remove the VVC mech and go for solid cams and then the slippery slope starts. 

[elanplus2]

Do you know which B&C head it is? 

 

I think they did various versions. My car had the B&C Super 160 engine in. (i actually still have it nicely packed away). 

It has a fully ported head, 270 cams, vernier pulleys and the intake was bespoke. the work was carried out by Minster Motorsport.

Apparently they had a great reputation in the day?

 

I would give Kiwi a call and explain what you have.

You need to also figure out what you want to achieve. 

The B&C head will give you a very usable torque y engine and be very easy to install and quite cheap. (part of me wishes i had just left the car as it was. It would have been a lot cheaper and i could have spent more time driving it)

 

A VVC engine will give you more power, but you will have to do more research and probably cost more if you need to get extra parts for the conversion. Most people seem to remove the VVC mech and go for solid cams and then the slippery slope starts. 

 

 

 

 

 

Alan, I'm not 100% sure what I've got tbh. It does have  piper verniers but i'm only assuming the cams have been changed having no way of identifying what I've got until someone tells me or I measure them and try that way.  I'm assuming they have. The head has certainly had extensive porting work done. I originally bought the full engine and box so I could check the engine number if they kept records of the engines when they did the mods. The VVC  route would work if I could get an ecu and suitable loom mentioned above.and I like that the bottom end is stronger than the standard K  Later mods, the slippery slope you mention would be possible with that engine choice. At this stage I'm mainly interested in convenience and cost. 

[MilesH]

I've got a VVC converted S1 sat in the garage if you wanted to have a look over it etc. I'm based near Cirencester - about 50 mins/1 hour from Bromsgrove

[Alex B]

Alternatively I'm based near Derby if you want to have a look, have stacks on pictures from a recent engine swap as well.