Performance Enhancements

Performance Changes

Performance increases are very approximate but are indicated to give some idea of the benefit. The changes listed below are a logical progression of cost and requirement.

• Exhaust backbox/silencer (2->5bhp)
• Air filter (2->5bhp)
• Sports cat(catalytic convertor) / CRP (Cat Replacement Pipe) (2->5bhp)
• Exhaust headers (2->5bhp peak power, but with significant mid-range power improvement)
• Cylinder head work / cam change (variable, but can be taken to approx 160bhp with other standard components)
• Replacement ECU (variable gains, ultimately required to control high spec engines)
• Individual throttle bodies (variable gains and again required to get smooth idle control on high spec engines)
• Strengthened piston/rods and/or capacity increase to 1.9litres (required for high revs and higher power outputs, e.g. c.175bhp+)
• Engine transplant (variety of options including 2litre or 2.3litre Ford Duratecs (190bhp through to 220bhp, although higher outputs possible but untested), 1.8litre Audi Turbo (200bhp to 300bhp) and 2.0litre Honda Vtec in normally aspirated (c.200bhp) or supercharged (c.300bhp). Supercharging the K-series has been historically possible (to around the 260bhp mark) but expensive.
• Toyota engined Elises have now got factory and aftermarket supercharger options.

250 bhp turbo Audi ~ £8K 220 bhp n/a Honda ~ £10K 300bhp+ turbo Audi ~ £10.5K 300bhp s/c Honda ~ £13K

All approx. value installed, to include 6-speed gearbox bundled with engine.

There are other variants: a Ford Duratec can go to 2.3l & 260bhp but nobody's fitting them at the moment, and you can fit a Honda 2.4 block in there too.

To that, you really should add uprated brakes. Suspension will need modifying to compensate for the increased engine weight, so stiffer rear springs at least, or just get Ohlins or Nitron fitted while it's in bits. So budget another £2K for that lot.

Alternatively, get your K-series fettled. Go from 120 > 160bhp for relatively little money and retain plenum-type induction. Get new cams, induction & exhaust plus a head port, valves & polish for around £2.5K (less if you've already got some of those bits). Emerald ECU and d2h throttle bodies another £2.5K, to get over 180 bhp. Beyond that, you'll need forged bottom end bits for another £2.5K fitted. Factor in competition clutch, lightened flywheel, oil cooler & remote stat along the way. Good thing about the K-series route is you can do a bit at a time - who has £10K lying around all in one go?