Forced Induction Poll

[slaughtr]

I waited a year and a half to work on my skills, use up much of my warranty and save money. Then I was lucky enough to have my wife run over my car and guilt her into a turbo.

[MikeW]

I'm waiting to see what develops. Eaton has some new ones for '07/'08. I'd like a supercharger with higher adiabatic efficiency. Come up with a new style Eaton or a Rotrex and I'm interested. Turn offs: piggybacks that lock out the end user. I don't want to be at the mercy of one guy who has the "rights" to program it and you're always wondering if he really knows his stuff. I'm still inclined toward a piggyback, however, so gauges still work, smog station people are unaware, and it's relatively simple.

[Bruce]

Originally Posted by MikeW

Turn offs: piggybacks that lock out the end user. I don't want to be at the mercy of one guy who has the "rights" to program it and you're always wondering if he really knows his stuff. I'm still inclined toward a piggyback, however, so gauges still work, smog station people are unaware, and it's relatively simple.

I'd buy the FF275 kit but the closest authorized Unichip tuner is 240 miles away in Dallas. Plus Casey@ ForcedFed never answered the questions I had.

[slaughtr]

Originally Posted by Bruce

I'd buy the FF275 kit but the closest authorized Unichip tuner is 240 miles away in Dallas. Plus Casey@ ForcedFed never answered the questions I had.

It's amazing that there is a Unichip tuner in Boise but not in Houston.

[Bruce]

Originally Posted by slaughtr

It's amazing that there is a Unichip tuner in Boise but not in Houston.

Yes, isn't it. But that's according to Unichip. And like MikeW said if there is one and only one in your area how do you know he's really any good? By making authorized tuner options so limited you're probably eliminating a lot of more capable tuners.

[Buz]

The folks waiting for a factory kit might be waiting forever. It will almost certainly make the Bemani system look very reasonably priced if it ever happens.

[slaughtr]

Originally Posted by Bruce

Yes, isn't it. But that's according to Unichip. And like MikeW said if there is one and only one in your area how do you know he's really any good? By making authorized tuner options so limited you're probably eliminating a lot of more capable tuners.

I know some people have flown Casey out just to tune their cars. Seems a bit bit much to me. Although I am going to have some things changed on mine to get a bit more power, truth is, it runs very well just on the tune provided by FF out of the box. We will see next tuesday.

[Bruce]

Originally Posted by slaughtr

Although I am going to have some things changed on mine to get a bit more power, truth is, it runs very well just on the tune provided by FF out of the box.

Well, no offense but with the stock FF Unichip tune you have a CEL, your dyno curve peaked at only 214 hp, the curve you posted is very erratic, and you haven't run it in hot weather.

[mark.r]

Originally Posted by Bruce

Well, no offense but with the stock FF Unichip tune you have a CEL, your dyno curve peaked at only 214 hp, the curve you posted is very erratic, and you haven't run it in hot weather.

What is the status on that CEL?

[slaughtr]

Originally Posted by Bruce

Well, no offense but with the stock FF Unichip tune you have a CEL, your dyno curve peaked at only 214 hp, the curve you posted is very erratic, and you haven't run it in hot weather.

Yeh, but other than that it's good.

[slaughtr]

Originally Posted by mark.r

What is the status on that CEL?

It will be looked at next week.

[Paul MD]

I voted 'other'...

'cos I've driven a couple of turbo'd vehicles (most recently a 225 TT) - anyway - I DON'T like the power delivery (especially if you get the lag wrong in a turn) - it either bogs down or makes one sh*t oneself.

The Elise is so well balanced as it is, I just don't feel the need - and this car is all about going around corners, not drag racing.

[lancer360]

I talked to the dealer on Monday and he explained that the issue with bringing the kit to the US is emissions. He explained that the kit forces you to relocate/switch out some of the emissions controls and that is hanging up the kit with Uncle Sam. I'm like everybody else though and I'll believe it when I see it.

[Bruce]

Originally Posted by lancer360

I talked to the dealer on Monday and he explained that the issue with bringing the kit to the US is emissions. He explained that the kit forces you to relocate/switch out some of the emissions controls

So how does the "S" pass then?

[lancer360]

The "s" does pass. This is specifically dealing with the Elise and the 2006 Exige. Apparently changing out and/or relocating emissions control components is forcing them to go back to Uncle Sam. I'm guessing that they have to go through all of the emissions control paperwork and testing again with this kit. With such a small market for it, I have a hard time believing that it is economically viable to do that, but I still have my fingers crossed!

Edit: I'm sure that the kit produces exhaust that meets the requirements since it is more or less the same parts on the Exige "s", but Uncle Sam wants there $$$ for Lotus to have to jump through all of the hoops to get it approved since it is "different".

[Bruce]

The "S" actually meets stricter standards than the 2005. The 2005 is a LEV-1 vehicle and the 2006 & 2007 are LEV-2 vehicles. All that was moved was the carbon canister.

[lancer360]

I'm sure more has to be moved on the Elise as the intercooler is supposedly forward of the right rear tire where the side scoop will blow air across it where as the intercooler on the "S" is on top. Like I said before, I'll believe it when I see it. So many of us have been told so many different stories by different dealers it is hard to know what to believe.

In the long run, I would like to get my hands on the supercharger and necessary parts to get it on the engine and then use something like the FF intercooler with a piggyback ECU or maybe the upcoming reflashed Lotus ECU that is being worked on if that pans out and somebody who is knowledgable can tune it. With the piggyback or reflash you should be able to keep the CEL off and pass emissions, hopefully.

[flyguyskt]

4500 bucks to start with a kit then goes up from there?!! to rich for my blood. plus reliability is a huge concern for me ...if i need to go faster i'll get on my mv agusta brutale and spank on your forced induction from 0 on up!

[vasracer]

This is a tough question, but fun...if you still need to get on the brakes and slow down for fast corners like at willow springs, do you need more power? Clearly more skill is needed, and everyone gets humbled when a racer passes the field in the rental car he drove to the track in...I couldn't even keep with up with the skip barber van with 6 students in it at my first skip barber school, and I was in a formula 4 dodge or something!...

But just like tennis or golf, spending more money on titanium this or that is irresistable...

anyway, short answer is when i get around willow springs and only need brakes in turn 3, then I'll get something, and by then you guys will have sorted this mess out...

Raj

[Lotusmotion]

I generally agree with Raj's comments. He and I were the only mechanically stock cars at Big Willow last Monday.

I will eventually want a forced induction upgrade and bought a n/a Exige with that upgrade in mind. Though, in the mean time I will remain patient for the following reasons:

(a) improve my track skills to the point where I can effectively put the additional power down and reduce lap times;

(b) determine if Lotus will release an "S" kit;

(c) allow field time for Force Fed, Bemani, Tri-point and any other FI systems to be thoroughly shaken down and sorted out in the event I go the aftermarket route. For the $7 grand to $13 grand cost, I'm not interested in being anyone's guinea pig!