Doing a custom turbo

[Lotuson74-2]

Whare to start? Distilled water & waterwetter, little coolant - Exactly what I have always done, I believe this evans product will be an improvement. I will let you all know. . .
Manifold a poor design? You have not seen its inside, I have & I have complete confidence. Of coarse I know of "Ronin" a friend of mine has been in that ahh... beast?... lunacy?... lets just say VERY OVERWHELMINGLY FAST elise. My intention is to take the chassis, tranny (I may also have a completely new shifter) & the suspension to its limits with reasonable mods. and within reasonable cost constraints. I will test, go slow & repeat results until I succeed. What that level will be - Stay tuned...
Noboby died or injured, just name died (unable to obtain my password to Lotuson74 - so... Lotuson74-2) Brillaint huh? I can't spell worth a darn!!!!

[Minnis]

hmm hydra ems, GT28/60RS, sounds familiar...
Perrin Performance - Lotus Elise Turbo Kit Bulid

I only notice because that's what I'm saving up to do. Hopefully with dyno time should be able to do it for under 5k. Good luck, looks like you have the hard parts over.

[Lotuson74-2]

Originally Posted by Minnis

hmm hydra ems, GT28/60RS, sounds familiar...
Perrin Performance - Lotus Elise Turbo Kit Bulid

I only notice because that's what I'm saving up to do. Hopefully with dyno time should be able to do it for under 5k. Good luck, looks like you have the hard parts over.

Yup. That is in fact why we contacted Hydra. We are at that stage & saw his post (thankyou!) Seems like a fantastic company & look foward to working with them!
I believe our manifold, intercooler, injectors & coolant will allow for a bit more power and safty, But Perrin did have the right idea!

[usurbrain]

hmmm the Perrin kit looks good with a nice manifold, external wastegate, & standalone. Looks like it only made 265rwhp. How are you going to make more? Your manifold looks like a log style, so what different in the internal oh it?

[Lotuson74-2]

Originally Posted by usurbrain

hmmm the Perrin kit looks good with a nice manifold, external wastegate, & standalone. Looks like it only made 265rwhp. How are you going to make more? Your manifold looks like a log style, so what different in the internal oh it?

Dimensions, taper for flow & pulse, coatings. It is more of an intercooler issue & not quite sure of their "mods" to the injectors? I am a ridiculous perfectionist (to a fault) so tuning may play an issue. I also feel the coolant might allow more aggressive timing/AFR.
Having a drink, so time to stop typing. It is possible that I may end up at 255hp. I trully hope to achieve 280 to 290 under track use safely. No bragging, only trying.
Thanks for the support in my effort!

[bamcoc5]

Any up dates?

[kverges]

Custom?

This is the Hass, now Turbokits setup in terms of manifold, turbo, intercooler and downpipe at the very least. Only problem is you did not do the manifold correctly and it will warp and pull the studs near ports 1 & 4 out.

Here is what I did over 2 years ago:

<a href="http://s74.photobucket.com/albums/i243/kverges/?action=view&current=IMG_0407.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i243/kverges/IMG_0407.jpg" border="0" alt="rear view with CAI"></a>

Look closely at the larger stud near port 4 - I had to drill, tap and helicoil that hole after using the manifold you are using. If you bought it from Turbokits I am disappointed, as I told them exactly how to do it the way depicted below and they sent me a prototype that works fine.

and here is the way the manifold needs to be done:

<a href="http://s74.photobucket.com/albums/i243/kverges/?action=view&current=IMG_0413.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i243/kverges/IMG_0413.jpg" border="0" alt="Manifold"></a>

Search my username for other tips unless you really enjoy re-doing things that have been done before.

[Lotus F1]

LOL.. Exactly what i thought from the pics... That is a Hass setup. Very confusing post. I think someone is pulling someones leg here lol

BTW.. Turbokit's did indeed fix them as I have one with the proper slits in the manifold.

[Lotuson74-2]

Massive update finally comming tomarrow. Car is together and has run to check for leaks or other issues (none were found) The ecu is a stand alone by EFI LOCALLY HERE IN So Cal. More costly and involved than hoped for but we got it all worked out and it is a very clean job
Too late now, need rest - will explain tomarrow but I am very excited.

[DWebb]

Ok,

I can't wait to see it.

[Lotuson74-2]

I will be out of town for about 10-12 days (sorry family matters) so my update with pictures and facts on the kit will have to waite untill I get back. This kit will also cost well under 12k.

[fishguy]

Originally Posted by lotuson74

The full kit price is expected to be just $5,500.

Originally Posted by lotuson74

Pricing is in fact set.

this was stated in feb, before the kit was even done and tested


now you are saying that after the kit has been built its $12,000.


I guess this is why people build something, test it, and THEN market it at a price point, not the other way around.

horrible business model.

[Lotuson74-2]

She lives. Here is a short video of the first start.

YouTube - 2005 Lotus Elise Intercooled Turbo First Start Up!

I will will explain much more later tonight or tomarrow. Yes, it does sound a bit ill but it is untuned & running an A/F ratio of about 9.5!
Enjoy. . .

[dereklburt]

Originally Posted by fishguy

this was stated in feb, before the kit was even done and tested


now you are saying that after the kit has been built its $12,000.


I guess this is why people build something, test it, and THEN market it at a price point, not the other way around.

horrible business model.

I was wondering when he quoted a price of $5500 to start with. Honestly, I started to worry about the price on my used kit even though I felt it was a real good deal. I guess my turbo kit still isn't such a bad deal at $2700.(sure beats $12,000) It doesn't include the piggy back but I would recommend using a stand alone anyway.

At least I know that the kinks are worked out of mine. I think with the turbo being used 300hp is overestimating but there is also a big difference between wheel horsepower and crank hp. Mine made 242whp with the stock pistons and the GT28RS turbo (using a piggy back at the time). I am also pretty sure that my manifold will out flow the log manifold used in this kit. With the GT2871R like mine has now, you should be able to get closer to the original 300hp figure with stock compression but I still think that you would be closer to 285-290whp even with the bigger turbo.

Originally I have to say that $5500 seemed like a pretty good deal but $12,000 is pricey and especially since the log manifold reminds me a lot of the Hass design.

[dereklburt]

Also, Where are the intercooler fans?? I thought that was originally mentioned.

[Elise 323]

Very enticing post for a $12K performance conversion. The Yota motor now sounds like a Briggs lawn mower and smokes like a diesel. Can't wait to hear how long the rings last at 9:1 AFR at idle.

[Lotuson74-2]

I am a bit dissappointed in some of the negative talk here. A quick read of my posts would clear up some of the incorrect things said here recently. Here are some more pictures followed by some clarification for everyone.
First let me point out that I was doing this for myself & NOT to develop a kit for sale (I have had too many bad experiances with other peoples products and work over the years, I am not saying that everyone's products are bad. It was just time to do it myself.)
The company who's name the kit will be marketed under & who developed it with me had a serious problem with a rogue employee (who is now gone) whom made many claims & put the price in writing to me under the company name at $5,500. I could be a jerk and try to force them to honor that contract but, I don't treat people like that! Instead, I chose to continue to work with them to finish the project to the best of our ability. Fishguy - I said the kit will NOT cost $12,000! please quote me correctly as final pricing will take some time to settle on. I am also considering making a heat shield/air channel to protect the intercooler from engine & trans. heat. It would also direct air form the intercooler up through the vented engine cover. Therefore, I do not believe the fans will be needed. If they are needed, I will add them. I further stated that I really don't know what the safe hp. #'s will be on 91 pump fuel (I am of the current opinion that it will fall in the range of 245 - 260 whp. with a very strong & fast spooling low end.) There was a mention about my manifold & problems with it cracking and pulling bolts out, look closely at the pics. earlier in the thread, I was aware of the problem and appropriate modifications were made. Also, many of you expressed concearn for the "log" style manifold, I believe in many ways that it is superior ie; packaging, cost, shorter distance for gasses to get to the turbo (better responce), better control of exhaust pulses for greater velocity. I don't want to argue & I could be wrong, good thing is - some one is testing it. I mentioned too that I use a stand alone ecu that will come with 2 maps, one street, one for track with race fuel. (the tuners will be back from SEMA soon so that I can get that A/F where it belongs 40:2.8) The ecu is also user configureable via laptop.
About the kit, I am a perfectionist and I absolutely will make sure it is safe on the stock motor as delivered. It will be easy to install, everything will fit properly & come with EVERYTHING you will need to complete the install as shown on my car. I will offer "options" for the kit like: LSD's, clutches, oil pan options, ect. Soon you will get dyno runs and driving impressions, next will come a price and availability.
Wish me good luck because if I got it right, we all win!
I welcome constructive comments & insight and will be happy to awncer any questions you may have.

[fishguy]

Originally Posted by Lotuson74-2

. Fishguy - I said the kit will NOT cost $12,000! please quote me correctly as final pricing will take some time to settle on.

read post #1 that you wrote "$5,500 for the kit"
then read post 12 that you wrote "pricing is in fact set"

your marketing is pathetic to say the least. you state the price for something not yet built, start to market it, and then try tos ell it before its even tested, and known what it actaully costs, and if it even works.

on the subject of it working, the video you posted was pathetic. it showed your product in a bad way. it sounded like when spark plug wires are put on the wrong plug.

you made that video, and posted it ............why? to sell your product?
i dont think it will make people line up to get one.

best wishes on the business venture.

I would also include $1056 to your cost to market it, since that what the new regime here dictates for people selling stuff as a business.

[MaineLotus]

Re: the video, is the engine running on all four cylinders? It sounds VERY rough, as though it's running on two cylinders. I know it is exciting to hear it run for the first time, but I wouldn't advertise that video to the general public.

[Lotuson74-2]

fishguy, you are pathetic & I explained the situation on my latest post. I was not trying to market anything so just keep shut or better still - show up at one of my track days!
Yes it is on all 4 cylendars & again as stated it is NOT tuned at all and it was recorded with a cell phone. Also the video was slowed from under the car to give you a better look at it and that makes it sound even worse. It will sound fantastic when tuned. P.S. sparkplug lead #9 was put on my left toe because it feels good to me. But serously, it likely was missfiring/fouling plugs during that short video with that tune. I did PM Randy about advertizing on this board quite a while ago (thanks for the pricing info. though fish) I will be PM him again soon. The video was posted to show the progess not to impress anyone with the sound of it untuned.