How rugged is the transmission in the Elise...... - Page 2 - LotusTalk

308tr6 · 10-26-2009, 07:49 AM

My question about HP limit is knowingly vague, hence the interest in a general consensus. I realize that you could probably ruin a transmission with a 5 HP briggs and stratton hooked up to it, and conversely 500 hp driven sensibly may not. I grew up around heavy machinery, and while one guy will destroy a given machine in a year, another will run it 10 without incident. Hard to "engineer" these inputs precisely - some people slam doors, some shut them.

I think 290 HP is a decent answer, or perhaps round this to a nice 300, based on experiences commented on. The torque number from Toyota engineers (176 ft lbs) seems to support a HP number in the 300 to somewhat stronger range. Thanks for the input.

Hello Kitty · 10-26-2009, 08:18 PM

YouTube - Civette's Lotus Elise breaking the diff

Kermit · 10-26-2009, 09:30 PM

I asked an instructor at Skip Barber Laguna Seca about their experience with the Exige. I think they use Mazda MX-5s as their primary instruction car, but they have some Exige's. He told me that their students are not always that skilled with the clutch and the synchros on the Exige go quickly. He said the MX-5 is much more durable overall. Honestly, I can't imagine using a Lotus as a school car. Way too fragile and expensive to fix. I would not buy a used school car of any type, esp. a Lotus. I've been to one and the cars take such a beating.

Surferjer · 11-02-2009, 06:43 AM

My Elise, with 37,000 miles on it, blew the LSD back in July and I am just now getting time to fix it. It blew on an on ramp with no real stress. However, I did have over 200 standing starts on it in pro solo racing and I probably significantly weakened it. I will crack it and post pics after I'm done. I have a bone stock 2005, and it came with a LSD from the factory.

Illumiloti · 11-02-2009, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmh

We've rebuilt close to a dozen units now using Kaaz gears and what we attribute the breakage to is plain-and-simple misuse, i.e., inexperienced road racing enthusiasts damaging synchros and teeth through poor shifting skills/habits.

Want to make sure I understand this. Do you mean the broken trannys had Kaaz gearsets in them when they broke or they were stock and you rebuilt them using Kaaz gears?

11-02-2009, 06:43 AM	#24 (permalink)
Surferjer No more cone damage! Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Exton, PA Posts: 8,887	My Elise, with 37,000 miles on it, blew the LSD back in July and I am just now getting time to fix it. It blew on an on ramp with no real stress. However, I did have over 200 standing starts on it in pro solo racing and I probably significantly weakened it. I will crack it and post pics after I'm done. I have a bone stock 2005, and it came with a LSD from the factory. __________________ Jer-2005 Elise (retired from autox) 1993 MR2 autox car 2002 Ford Excursion DIESEL 4 X 4 1993 Miata (throwout bearing or clutch failure) 1987 Toyota Corolla FX16 Lemons car (needs new head) 1984 Chevy Citation Lemons car (needs a motor)

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10-26-2009, 07:49 AM	#21 (permalink)
308tr6 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 104	My question about HP limit is knowingly vague, hence the interest in a general consensus. I realize that you could probably ruin a transmission with a 5 HP briggs and stratton hooked up to it, and conversely 500 hp driven sensibly may not. I grew up around heavy machinery, and while one guy will destroy a given machine in a year, another will run it 10 without incident. Hard to "engineer" these inputs precisely - some people slam doors, some shut them. I think 290 HP is a decent answer, or perhaps round this to a nice 300, based on experiences commented on. The torque number from Toyota engineers (176 ft lbs) seems to support a HP number in the 300 to somewhat stronger range. Thanks for the input.

10-26-2009, 09:30 PM	#23 (permalink)
Kermit Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 18	I asked an instructor at Skip Barber Laguna Seca about their experience with the Exige. I think they use Mazda MX-5s as their primary instruction car, but they have some Exige's. He told me that their students are not always that skilled with the clutch and the synchros on the Exige go quickly. He said the MX-5 is much more durable overall. Honestly, I can't imagine using a Lotus as a school car. Way too fragile and expensive to fix. I would not buy a used school car of any type, esp. a Lotus. I've been to one and the cars take such a beating.

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