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Lotus in the Peak
28th - 30th June 2024

Rover K Series Upgrade Options


James Salt

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I've uprated the brakes, suspension and clutch. Wanting to modify the engine performance, what's the best option for a 1.8 rover k series vvc engine. The car pulls great till 100mph then fizzles out. Most popular options are cams and a clever Ecu, or save for supercharger kit? Or alternatively do I just buy an exige and keep the car as standard as possible?

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I am with Dean, leave it alone. Above 100mph the Elise suffers from its aerodynamics (as do many cars) and the amount of power increase to notice any change is massive. If you really want more you would have to go to an Exige v6. I was always impressed at the poke my 140hp s1 Elise had. My 190hp Exige is faster on the track, even with me driving, but mainly from the grip rather than the grunt.

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What tracks are you on where you can get much above 100 anyway?

 

Of course you can never have too much power....

 

Maybe change the gear ratios. I've done that on mine, but I have the 5th gear from the C ratio box, so although 1-4 should accelerate quicker, it probably means a lower top speed. The standard B4 box 5th should get a higher top speed (it's a lower ratio than the standard B6 on the S2 111S).

I've not taken mine on a track day since to see if top speed is affected much (and not risking points on the roads busted_cop.gif ).

 

It's lap time that really matters anyway, not straight-line speed.

If you don't mind going non-standard, why not the Chapman way and add lightness?

Have you got A/C? Take it out.

Lightweight battery.

Lightweight alternator.

Lightweight flywheel.

Lighter wheels.

Slicker tyres.

Etc.

of course that's ££££££.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I'm still building a monster K series with 285 cams / ITB's / Forged Rods / Forged Pistons / etc. - but once it's complete - I'll probably sell it...

 

As I've just opted for a Duratec Turbo - it will give me 250hp pretty easily and room to go up-to 300hp (if needed) with some small engine mods - I could even swap out for the 2.3 and go 400hp + but definitely overkill for my driving ability in an Elise :)

 

I've also managed to locate a reasonably priced PG1 Gearbox with Quaiffe LSD.

 

The Duratec is a great option - with an adaptor (expensive ish) £400 you can bolt the PG1 Gearbox to it - you'll also need a flywheel £300ish - depending upon how handy you are - you could fabricate the engine mount and torsion mount yourself (that's what I'm planning to do) otherwise £280ish.

 

The K is a great motor - but I just love the idea of a Duratec - decent 2.0 engine - relatively cheap, easy to tune and plenty of well trodden paths :) - keeping the Elise gearbox also helps - as you can pretty much fit it with no damage to the car or anything that's irreversible.

 

I'm still fitting the PRRT kit - as this should also help the engine. I'm looking forward to the challenge and now both clams are off - I can do a full suspension refresh too - although the car has only covered 18k miles from new (2001 K-Series S2)

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