VF stage2 kit, talk me into one... - LotusTalk

Darth G-F · 05-10-2009, 06:40 AM

I currently have the Katana kit with the updated tune by Charlie. This car makes around 225rwhp. So far it has been completely reliable and have nothing bad to say about it. I'd even argue that the car drives better than stock.

I am now considering the VF stage2. I wonder how many people have installed it? How does it drive? How does it compare to the Katana? How's drivability?

Basically I would like to hear fom current stage 2 owners.

Jean · 05-10-2009, 12:21 PM

Well, I am a VF stage II owner. I ordered the kit at the end of March but I didn't receive anything yet...Hopefully it will be here on Monday or Tuesday...
I'll install it as soon as I can and will let you know what I think about it. You will be welcome to take a ride...
Concerning the ECU reflash, Charlie called me when he received my ECU and ship it back to me two days after...!

Matt in Houston · 05-10-2009, 08:18 PM

The intercooler is great....especially the placement. It gets lots of air and helps to keep more of your SC'd power on the road and track where it actually counts, not just on the dyno. I would recommend mounting a puller fan to help when in the pits or in traffic if you want.

My car has been very reliable but initally I was a little taken back by a weird idle issue that was causing my car to rev up and down and soon caused me to stall at almost every light. Charlie recently found the idle issues were cause by a sooty/malfunctioning o2 sensor. I simply replaced it and my car hasnt stalled once...drivability is excellent once again. I think it got so sooty when tuning with Jermaine for the Stage III and new fuel pump. Initial dyno runs were super rich so I bet that had something to do with it.

Anyway I would recommend upgrading, its worth it...and the folks at TurboXS/Vision Function are good guys to deal with.

sleepe · 05-10-2009, 09:07 PM

VF2
Overall... great grouping of parts.

Fuel pump loud...not good
SC loud...but good loud
power tremendous, to put it into perspective I would say 0-60 arrives at 4.0 seconds easily (maybe less)
idle's better than NA stock
driveability better than NA because of immediate TORQUE on demand in low revs

be sure to get a full face clutch plate, I got the Fidanza kevlar 3.2 and don't car for the chatter

-Robert

Demonized · 05-10-2009, 10:03 PM

I may be ordering one in 2-6weeks, I am mostly interested in how thorough the manual is now.

I've read through a couple of threads that go over short comings of the manual, and am hoping this is being, or has already been, remedied. I'm not super good at working on cars, and have a tendency to break random little tidbits unless I know exactly what to do with them.

Darth G-F · 05-11-2009, 04:27 AM

Thanks.

Anyone of you tried it on the track yet? How does it compare with the big guns (Viper/Z06/GT3)?

rstutts · 05-11-2009, 05:06 AM

I am getting a Stage II in June and I guess I am going to get Jermaine to install it. I have already started this process, as I installed an ACT HDSS clutch this past weekend. I never thought the clutch would make such a difference in driving. You have to let it out slower (on regular driving), cuz it sure grabs!
Rick

Darth G-F · 05-11-2009, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rstutts

I am getting a Stage II in June and I guess I am going to get Jermaine to install it. I have already started this process, as I installed an ACT HDSS clutch this past weekend. I never thought the clutch would make such a difference in driving. You have to let it out slower (on regular driving), cuz it sure grabs!
Rick

How much harder is it on the left leg? I'd like to do it without my gf knowing and she drives the car every once in a while...

darkSol · 05-11-2009, 05:22 AM

The HDSS requires only marginally more pedal pressure.

The XTSS is a muscle builder - just a tad more pressure than the 2005 gas pedal needs. But man does it hold the power

Hope this helps!

rstutts · 05-11-2009, 02:38 PM

The HDSS is only a little harder to push. She may not even notice it. What she WILL notice is the grab, at least in my car!
Rick

stinkyonion · 05-11-2009, 05:31 PM

Oh man oh man i love the VF2. Finished the install today (well, actually a couple weeks ago but had to finish the clamhinge project before I could drive it). Cant here the gas pump, maybe dont know what to listen for, but whatever it is its no big deal. The turbocharger sound is minimal, a slight whirring to the right, frankly expected more noise. The air intake WOW WOW WOW love that howl from the left. WOW. The torque is great but sucks because I get up to speed too fast and only get a second or two of intake howl before have to change gears. Idle is fine and no problem.

MightyMike · 05-11-2009, 05:59 PM

I just installed an XTSS setup. It was noticably different at first, but now I'm used to it. It grabs well.

Strangely enough, despite having nearly 15K on my car, the original clutch has only .005 wear and the original machining is still visible on the clutch plate.

I'm also going for a VF shortly.

exlondoner · 05-11-2009, 06:20 PM

Great feedback and good thread.
I too am having Jermaine do an install, but still trying to decide between a Stg 1 or 2.

My primary concern is engine wear with the Stg 2 and also if the tires will get enough traction with all that power.

Any real world comparisons to other cars?

sleepe · 05-11-2009, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth G-F

Thanks.

Anyone of you tried it on the track yet? How does it compare with the big guns (Viper/Z06/GT3)?

I jollied around a bit with a modded c5 vette.
The vf2 outpaced it ever time we went at it.
That vette sounded better though

BTW: (oem size) 225/45/17 R888's cannot handle the torque
I think the largest you SHOULD go on 8" wheels is 245mm

Z-dculus · 05-11-2009, 07:09 PM

Whats the best thread to check out teh VF Stage II stuff? and whats total buildup cost for everything you need (clutch, fuel pump, etc.) I would NOT be doing the install myself LOL.

MB SC Elise · 05-11-2009, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z-dculus

Whats the best thread to check out teh VF Stage II stuff? and whats total buildup cost for everything you need (clutch, fuel pump, etc.) I would NOT be doing the install myself LOL.

These should help..

Vision Function Official Stage II (VF2)

Vision Function Supercharger Kit Upgrade Testing (Stage II)

Westrock · 05-11-2009, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth G-F

I am now considering the VF stage2.

If your doing an upgrade, just be sure you can live with your car out of service for up to a month, or more. You will have to send your kit in for them to replace the snout casting, and they aren't next day turn around to say the least. But the kit is really nice and so it Vision Function.

sleepe · 05-12-2009, 12:39 AM

They finished mine in 2 weeks.

Darth G-F · 05-12-2009, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westrock

If your doing an upgrade, just be sure you can live with your car out of service for up to a month, or more. You will have to send your kit in for them to replace the snout casting, and they aren't next day turn around to say the least.

Funny, because this is the biggest hurdle for me. I use my car 7mo a year, but really only 5mo really have nice warm temperature.

I don't want to lose my car for a whole month or more (I've been told from trustworthy people) especially with the warmer months just starting. Track days are starting next week end as well... Not only that, but the garage I go to, they don't really have the space to store my car for a whole month. I am not too sure I would like my plastic car stored at a busy garage for a whole month either.

Why don't they use a core exchange program? No turn around at all...

Westrock · 05-12-2009, 02:46 PM

Probably just to get the price point as low as possible. And I'm not trying to imply that they are slow or anything...I think they are just very busy. It sounds like if you have them do it, they do set a priority which is understandable since your paying them more for the labor. But for the "take out" it can take a little longer.

It is a very fun kit...

05-10-2009, 06:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
Darth G-F Liberté! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Quebec City Posts: 1,442	VF stage2 kit, talk me into one... I currently have the Katana kit with the updated tune by Charlie. This car makes around 225rwhp. So far it has been completely reliable and have nothing bad to say about it. I'd even argue that the car drives better than stock. I am now considering the VF stage2. I wonder how many people have installed it? How does it drive? How does it compare to the Katana? How's drivability? Basically I would like to hear fom current stage 2 owners. __________________ 2006 Ronin Supercharged Lotus Elise 2008 BMW 328Xi

05-10-2009, 08:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
Matt in Houston New and Improved! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Humble, TX Posts: 564	The intercooler is great....especially the placement. It gets lots of air and helps to keep more of your SC'd power on the road and track where it actually counts, not just on the dyno. I would recommend mounting a puller fan to help when in the pits or in traffic if you want. My car has been very reliable but initally I was a little taken back by a weird idle issue that was causing my car to rev up and down and soon caused me to stall at almost every light. Charlie recently found the idle issues were cause by a sooty/malfunctioning o2 sensor. I simply replaced it and my car hasnt stalled once...drivability is excellent once again. I think it got so sooty when tuning with Jermaine for the Stage III and new fuel pump. Initial dyno runs were super rich so I bet that had something to do with it. Anyway I would recommend upgrading, its worth it...and the folks at TurboXS/Vision Function are good guys to deal with. __________________ 2006 Elise - Chili Red - VF Supercharged and Intercooled Stg 3 - *Custom tuned by CharlieX* - 2.9" Pulley - Walbro 255 - RC 550cc's - Black Badges - Red Inserts - Grey RAC Monolites - Toyo R888's - South Bend SS-TZ - Fidanza Flywheel - FF CF front spoiler - Craftsquare CF Mirrors - Reverie CF Diffuser - 5" 2bular Ultra - PPE 4-1 FI Header w/ Decat - VonHep Rear Panel - Innovate XD-16/LC-1 - Mr.C Radar Mount - Clutch Travel Mod - Shifter Bolt Mod - re-ENFORCER - A/C Panel Mod - Odessey PC625

05-10-2009, 09:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
sleepe Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE Posts: 1,049	VF2 Overall... great grouping of parts. Fuel pump loud...not good SC loud...but good loud power tremendous, to put it into perspective I would say 0-60 arrives at 4.0 seconds easily (maybe less) idle's better than NA stock driveability better than NA because of immediate TORQUE on demand in low revs be sure to get a full face clutch plate, I got the Fidanza kevlar 3.2 and don't car for the chatter -Robert __________________ Elise'06ST:RAC/r888-Ultradiscs-Larini 8"-Braille-Saikou Michi cans-Nitron sportpro-RTVbrace-widened undertrays-manly's motor inserts-FF engine damper VF2

05-10-2009, 10:03 PM	#5 (permalink)
Demonized NOT ßANNED! Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,546	I may be ordering one in 2-6weeks, I am mostly interested in how thorough the manual is now. I've read through a couple of threads that go over short comings of the manual, and am hoping this is being, or has already been, remedied. I'm not super good at working on cars, and have a tendency to break random little tidbits unless I know exactly what to do with them. __________________ 2005 Saffron Yellow Elise, Katana Supercharger, LSS Wheels, 2Bular exhaust & cat, rear panel delete, Cup Airbox, Volt / Oil temp gauge, Ohlins double adjustable coilovers, Dual Oil Coolers, S111 RTD Brace, Moroso Oil Pan, MicroMirror, S111 "V-Force" Harness bar, Manly Engine Mounts, Odyssey PC680 & RLS Bracket, Saikou Michi OCC, CF Scoops, CF Bootlid, CF Front Lip.

05-11-2009, 04:27 AM	#6 (permalink)
Darth G-F Liberté! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Quebec City Posts: 1,442	Thanks. Anyone of you tried it on the track yet? How does it compare with the big guns (Viper/Z06/GT3)? __________________ 2006 Ronin Supercharged Lotus Elise 2008 BMW 328Xi

05-10-2009, 12:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jean Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Québec, Canada Posts: 149	Well, I am a VF stage II owner. I ordered the kit at the end of March but I didn't receive anything yet...Hopefully it will be here on Monday or Tuesday... I'll install it as soon as I can and will let you know what I think about it. You will be welcome to take a ride... Concerning the ECU reflash, Charlie called me when he received my ECU and ship it back to me two days after...!

05-11-2009, 05:06 AM	#7 (permalink)
rstutts Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Martin, TN Posts: 242	I am getting a Stage II in June and I guess I am going to get Jermaine to install it. I have already started this process, as I installed an ACT HDSS clutch this past weekend. I never thought the clutch would make such a difference in driving. You have to let it out slower (on regular driving), cuz it sure grabs! Rick __________________ 2005 Solar Yellow Elise touring package, star shield, hard top, soft top, ACT HDSS clutch, Saikou Michi catch cans, LED tail lights and VF II, 288 whp () 2001 Green Toyota Tacoma, 4 x 4 2008 Red 5455 Massey Ferguson, 6 x 6, cab, ipod, GPS navigation, regular beer holder 2001 Yellow Cat D3G-LGP, custom made beer holder

05-11-2009, 05:22 AM	#9 (permalink)
darkSol Meow!! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Leawood, KS Posts: 2,576	The HDSS requires only marginally more pedal pressure. The XTSS is a muscle builder - just a tad more pressure than the 2005 gas pedal needs. But man does it hold the power Hope this helps! __________________ d.a..v...i....d David Thomas Stewart - davidtstewart@gmail.com TVS Supercharged 2005 Graphite Grey Lotus Elise: 286whp, 1781lbs. Lotus cars aren't made, they're hand built from dreams. If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you've never tried before.

05-11-2009, 02:38 PM	#10 (permalink)
rstutts Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Martin, TN Posts: 242	The HDSS is only a little harder to push. She may not even notice it. What she WILL notice is the grab, at least in my car! Rick __________________ 2005 Solar Yellow Elise touring package, star shield, hard top, soft top, ACT HDSS clutch, Saikou Michi catch cans, LED tail lights and VF II, 288 whp () 2001 Green Toyota Tacoma, 4 x 4 2008 Red 5455 Massey Ferguson, 6 x 6, cab, ipod, GPS navigation, regular beer holder 2001 Yellow Cat D3G-LGP, custom made beer holder

05-11-2009, 05:31 PM	#11 (permalink)
stinkyonion Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Oak Brook, IL Posts: 242 Images: 2	Oh man oh man i love the VF2. Finished the install today (well, actually a couple weeks ago but had to finish the clamhinge project before I could drive it). Cant here the gas pump, maybe dont know what to listen for, but whatever it is its no big deal. The turbocharger sound is minimal, a slight whirring to the right, frankly expected more noise. The air intake WOW WOW WOW love that howl from the left. WOW. The torque is great but sucks because I get up to speed too fast and only get a second or two of intake howl before have to change gears. Idle is fine and no problem. __________________ 2006 polar blue Elise, VF stage II, clam hinge, von Hep exhaust, HID, Zeitronix/Dashdaq (GPS, wideband O2, EGT, fuel+oil pressure), BWR fuel rail, moroso oil pan, HD SS clutch, RTV brace, green wire mod, harnesses, Oddysey 625, alpine pdx-5, jvc avx77 head unit, jl speakers, voltmeter on dash, custom gauge pod, etc.

05-11-2009, 05:59 PM	#12 (permalink)
MightyMike Legend in my own mind Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 833 Images: 9	I just installed an XTSS setup. It was noticably different at first, but now I'm used to it. It grabs well. Strangely enough, despite having nearly 15K on my car, the original clutch has only .005 wear and the original machining is still visible on the clutch plate. I'm also going for a VF shortly. __________________ 06 ST Elise 02 SLK32 AMG BWR Supercharged w/CharlieX tune, Borla Exhaust, OCC, ACT XTSS Clutch, Zeitronix A/F Meter, LETSLA, Manly Mounts, RTD Brace, ReVerie Diffuser, Scoops, Side Skirts, & Shifter Ball, Forcefed Spoiler, & a bunch of other stuff

05-11-2009, 06:20 PM	#13 (permalink)
exlondoner Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: MD Posts: 175	Great feedback and good thread. I too am having Jermaine do an install, but still trying to decide between a Stg 1 or 2. My primary concern is engine wear with the Stg 2 and also if the tires will get enough traction with all that power. Any real world comparisons to other cars?

05-11-2009, 07:09 PM	#15 (permalink)
Z-dculus Derriere Extraordinaire Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: US OF A! Posts: 2,311	Whats the best thread to check out teh VF Stage II stuff? and whats total buildup cost for everything you need (clutch, fuel pump, etc.) I would NOT be doing the install myself LOL. __________________ 2006 KG-Sport Pack, LSD, TC, SS, RAC Monolites, Sector CF Roof, Carbon 3 Element Diffuser, V3 Panel eliminator (p-coated), Odyssey PC680, Boomerang , HIDs, CF Console, Multivex, Lotus Stage II, CF Zoom Rear View, Sector LidBone, Darth Holder (thanks Kestrel!), Sector 4Tress Harness Bar/CRD Mount, couple exige trim pieces- KGB Authenticated 2009 VeeDub Jetta (new kid on the block) 1978 Chevrolet Caprice Classic -(relegated to 'project car' status)

05-12-2009, 12:39 AM	#18 (permalink)
sleepe Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE Posts: 1,049	They finished mine in 2 weeks. __________________ Elise'06ST:RAC/r888-Ultradiscs-Larini 8"-Braille-Saikou Michi cans-Nitron sportpro-RTVbrace-widened undertrays-manly's motor inserts-FF engine damper VF2

05-12-2009, 02:46 PM	#20 (permalink)
Westrock Haxord but mine Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 1,338	Probably just to get the price point as low as possible. And I'm not trying to imply that they are slow or anything...I think they are just very busy. It sounds like if you have them do it, they do set a priority which is understandable since your paying them more for the labor. But for the "take out" it can take a little longer. It is a very fun kit... __________________ -David 2006 Storm Ti Exige + VF Stage 2 Vision Function Supercharger Install Thread Stereo Harness Info \| Exige with no wing??

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode