Auto Europe Hass Turbo Install

[MikeW]

I wasn't intending to bash Hass and hope I didn't come across that way. I do feel that instructions serve a purpose. What I was trying to convey was was the attitude that if you can't do it without instructions, you shouldn't be doing it is not shared by me. I'm sure even Jay likes to see instructions when he sees something new for the first time. I read everything I could find on the threads but missed the part about not having time to get to the instructions ready yet. It's not the end of the world, just nice to have everything you might feel you need.

[KuroiSport]

I'm not an engineer but that looks like a thermal disaster.

[scottyb]

Originally Posted by MikeW

I wasn't intending to bash Hass and hope I didn't come across that way. I do feel that instructions serve a purpose. What I was trying to convey was was the attitude that if you can't do it without instructions, you shouldn't be doing it is not shared by me. I'm sure even Jay likes to see instructions when he sees something new for the first time. I read everything I could find on the threads but missed the part about not having time to get to the instructions ready yet. It's not the end of the world, just nice to have everything you might feel you need.

Mike, I visited Jay's shop when he was putting the Auto Europe kit together. They were in such a rush to get and install the kit prior to a track day, that even Jay was skeptical if the install would be done in time. With that said, I'm sure they were informed that he hasn't had the opportunity to put instructions together. Jay has had to deal with a lot of personal crap as of late and on top of that, he backed up with orders for his Elise Kit along with all his other kits. I think his popularity on this forum has exceeded his expectations and he wasn't expecting this amount of initial volume. I am sure in time he will have instructions put together similar to his other products.

[saudio]

Hey Brad, thanks a lot.

By using a vent for a gauge, aren't you further compromising an already barely adaquate climate control system? I mean, it needs to move all the air it possibly can to cool that cockpit.

Gauge location is concern for me. It has to be functional, and yet not look like it was an afterthought. What gauges are you installing? Boost, Aquamist, EGT? Where will you put the other gauges?

I would appreciate any input on this subject from anybody perusing this thread. Photos would be a plus if anyone has already installed gauges they are happy with.

Cheers,

Mike

PS Are there LED indicators out there that can substitute for gauges? Just critical data such as overboost, in a small and neat package?

[JnC]

Originally Posted by saudio

a gauge, aren't you further compromising an already barely adaquate climate control system? I mean, it needs to move all the air it possibly can to cool that cockpit.

If you close a vent, the extra air is shunted to the remaining open vents. I don't think one vent will have that much of an impact.

[PWR2W8]

Well as in most cases this thread has gotten off topic from time-to-time but I guess that's not anything I didn't expect.

Thermal nightmare? There are no heat shields in place yet. This is only a preliminary fit install. The final install will have heat shielding where required.

Air vent gauge installation - I rarely use the A/C, my car is for weekend fun and occasional track days. A/C is not an issue for me and I agree that closing off one vent won't hurt.

I'm using my current Stage 2 exhaust.

The air filter will be routed to the pasenger side air vent. Auto Europe and I agree that leaving the K&N near the manifold is not a good location. We have room to develop tubing to route the filter to the optimal location.

I'm using the "Trickster" gauge bracket which I purchased through Blackwatch (no affiliation). The boost gauge will be located in the air vent, an oil pressure and oil temperature gauge will be in the "Trickster" mount. I am adding a Morosso oil pan.

Our cars serve different purposes depending on if your car is a daily driver or just a track/toy car to enjoy. I fall under the latter. My job does not allow me to drive my Elise during the work day. It is an after work, weekend, free time car for me. This comes into play when considering boost and other factors such as using the washer bottle for the Aquamist system. Not a big deal for me since I have NEVER had to use my solvent or my wipers for that matter - hell they may not even work for all I know. Again, I'm in a different category - this is nowhere near a daily driver. I wish I could drive my car more but I simply cannot. I want the turbo because like many others I love the handling in the car and just wish it had more power - the turbo solves this issue.

Jay is extremely busy and is doing his best. The purpose of this thread is to share my experience with the turbo install with the board. Auto Europe is tweaking brackets, rerouting the air filter, creating new heat shielding etc.. in order to make sure they hit a home run with the install.

[JnC]

Brad thx for the update! Sorry for the meanderings, it's hard not to talk about all that eye candy.

Has the intercooler changed from the version that Jay originally posted, or was the twin cooling fans a separate piece and not shown in the test fitting?

[KAYEVO8]

Hi Guys,
I just wanted to fill you in on what is happening. In regards to an instructional guide...Auto Europe is our first authorized dealer/installation facility and Jay is providing one on one service to the technicians whenever it is needed since it is their first install of our product. We do have a quick start quide that is Lotus specific and it is going to be sent out with each kit. It has just been finished up and for those of you who have already received a kit, we will forward one to you.

The quick start guide is to give specifics related to the Lotus and the rest is something that any competent mechanic would know how to install. We do not reccommend installing the kit yourself if you have not done something similiar (having basic mechanical skills). The application is no different than any other car whether it be the Lotus, an MR2, a Mustang or Camaro so understanding how a turbo system works is key.

Jay has his nose to the grindstone and is pushing very hard to fill all of the orders that have come in for various cars. He would love to be able to get on the board but he unfortunately does not have enough time in the day

P.S. I will be here full time from now on so give a call with any questions
I will make a separate post to let everyone know what's new at Hass Turbo!

Take care guys!

[Grip Factory]

Originally Posted by KAYEVO8

The quick start guide is to give specifics related to the Lotus and the rest is something that any competent mechanic would know how to install. We do not reccommend installing the kit yourself if you have not done something similiar. The application is no different than any other car whether it be the Lotus, an MR2, a Mustang or Camaro so understanding how a turbo system works is key.

Amen ...this is all I was trying to say.
BTW your system looks gorgeous! Is there a heat sheild on that manifold or are you relying on the thermal coating to keep in heat? Also with the emanage (I have tuned many of these) I have noticed that on some cars they are not very consistent such as the honda s2000. How does it react with the lotus ecu? I have limited experience with toyota motors and emanage. But I tuned a toyota corolla ecu once with emanage and it worked flawlessly

[Bane]

In Jay's defense (I've never met the guy or done any business with him) creating work instructions take an exorbinant amount of time.

People here have been pushing for the Elise turbo kit and there has been a lot of pressure on the release of a quality kit. He decided to take the trade-off between the release date and the completeness of the documentation.

I think this was a good decision as I figure anyone that wants to get a turbo kit for a car that isn't even 2 years old better have some mechanical knowledge or know what they are getting into.

As for the thermal nightmare... air is actually an excellent insulator. In my opinion, that setup will be acceptable (not optimal) as long as the Elise is moving. Cool air is drawn from the ground up creating a low-pressure area behind the back window sucking hot air out of the engine bay.

[ChrisH]

Originally Posted by KAYEVO8

... We do not reccommend installing the kit yourself if you have not done something similiar. ...

Does having rebuilt a few engines count as "something similar", or are you thinking something similar is only "installed and tested a few turbos or superchargers"?

[KAYEVO8]

Originally Posted by ChrisH

Does having rebuilt a few engines count as "something similar", or are you thinking something similar is only "installed and tested a few turbos or superchargers"?

Rebuilding an engine would certainly qualify in my book Rebuilding an engine does take skill and knowledge. I have rebuilt an engine myself and by going through that process you learn quite a bit, enough I'm sure to handle installing a turbo kit.

We are just trying to emphasize that we want customers to understand that installing the kit is an involved process but it is something that if you have basic skills you should not have a problem. In a nutshell, if you do not know what an AN fitting is, where to properly put lock washers, or what an NPT thread is, you should probably not be installing the kit yourself.

As far as the thermal coating is concerned, it does hold in the heat and they have not needed to use a heat shield. Thank you for the compliments on the kit, Jay has spent many hours creating a great system for the Elise. We just finished up the day with one of our authorized dealers/installation facilities and they were very pleased with the kit and are in the process of installing it right now. We will also be getting our customers cars to the dyno one by one this upcoming week (if the weather holds out) and we will post the information as we get it!


Take care!
Keely

[KAYEVO8]

Originally Posted by Bane

In Jay's defense (I've never met the guy or done any business with him) creating work instructions take an exorbinant amount of time.

People here have been pushing for the Elise turbo kit and there has been a lot of pressure on the release of a quality kit. He decided to take the trade-off between the release date and the completeness of the documentation.

You are exactly right...the documentation does take a huge amount of time but maybe MyElise will post some of those pictures from today and possibly document his install (wink, wink) I am sure even just the pictures alone would be a great resource for everyone!

Getting the kits completed was Jay's first priority, especially considering he is here for technical assistance until we can get the quick start guide out to those who have already received their kits. Jay would never leave anyone out in the dark, that I can assure you!

[kverges]

I am in the middle of my install and pulling the whole rear clam seems unnecessary - am I missing something?

[KAYEVO8]

No, you do not need to remove the clam, you can access everything from underneath the car. Jack up the back and you are all set!

[PWR2W8]

If you know how to remove the clam it makes the job a lot easier, this is why Auto Europe decided to do so with my car.

The manifold will have a heat shield fabricated. I don't feel comfortable with a coating. Heat shielding material is cheap and worth the extra cost IMHO.

The I/C will have the twin fans connected, they haven't got that far yet.

Tomorrow a lot more progress will have been made, I'll post more pictures.

[Ozzer]

What bhp / whp are you hoping for at the end?

[PWR2W8]

Originally Posted by Ozzer

What bhp / whp are you hoping for at the end?

According to Hass, the turbo kit can produce approximately 290HP at 9psi of boost. I am still debating on leaving the boost at the current 5-6psi or increasing to 9psi. I'll get some seat time in the car before making that decision.

[Lotus F1]

Originally Posted by PWR2W8

According to Hass, the turbo kit can produce approximately 290HP at 9psi of boost.

To clarity that would be 290rwhp. That is about 330hp

[spider]

Originally Posted by PWR2W8

According to Hass, the turbo kit can produce approximately 290HP at 9psi of boost. I am still debating on leaving the boost at the current 5-6psi or increasing to 9psi. I'll get some seat time in the car before making that decision.

And what is the HP number if leaving it at 5-6 psi?