Sky-King, Hass Turbo Review

[Sky-King]

Hello all:

My car has been back for about 4 weeks, however I have not driven it more than a mile or so for a few reasons.

1st. My battery was completely dead do to the truck driver hooking up jumper cables incorrectly and cooking the battery. It took me about two weeks to get around to putting a new battery in the car.

2nd. It has been raining off and on for the last two weeks.

3rd. I took a bad spill while mountain bike riding and have a minor break in to my scapula and 7 stitches in my chin and 4 in my arm………and I am very sore.

So today I finally got around to putting some miles on the car (51).

First I will comment on the work that was done for my car and the kit installation.

Along with the kit, I had Jay install the following:

Carbon fiber center consol (sector 111)
Titanium lap belt brace (sector 111)
4 point lap belts (sector 111)
B&M short shifter (sector 111)
Carbon fiber side scopes (sector 111)
Powder cote and install gas cap
Boost gauge (custom install between air conditioning pod)
Water injection gauge with custom mounting bracket attached to base of center consol.

All installation was done correctly with proper fitting and good quality.

Turbo kit installation:

The kit is very clean, the intercooler looks very factory to me and fit and finish is first class. Jay did a great job with the engine compartment in regards to the relocation of the radiator overflow and the windshield washer reservoir. The turbo set up (manifold, turbo, intake) are all very clean and well thought out. I had jay create a custom exhaust set up that would work with my Arqray single ti tip exhaust, I also had him use the stock catalytic converter, which he has alumi-coated. All of this work looks great and the craftsmanship is very nice and has a factory look to it. The only criticism I will offer about my installation is the wiring setup, some of this is because of the truck driver that delivered my car (like I said the battery was dead, and when he jumped the car he was not exactly careful with the wiring leading to the emanage/water injection equipment in the trunk, in fact I am surprised the he didn’t end up pulling out some of the wiring considering how he manhandled everything) and partly because Jay is a race type guy and I think he is more into making it work then making it pretty.

Driving impressions:

The car feels very strong, however it was not until I drove a stock Elise that I could really tell how big of a difference, and wow what a difference! The turbo car really puts you back in the seat, and the sound/feel of the car is totally different. The normally aspirated car with an aftermarket exhaust sounds very fast (kind of like a motorcycle with the high revving scream to it) without much pushback in the seat. The turbo car is has a much lower/tamer sound to the exhaust, however it really puts you back in the seat and you are at speed before you realize it. The car pulls very strong in every gear and you do about half as much shifting in around town driving. You hit redline very quickly after the cams kick in, much quicker then the normally aspirated car. I feel like this is the way the car should have been produced from the factory.

What it needs:

I need to take the car to Don and Newport European Lotus to have him make the wiring pretty and work with Jay to reset the Emanage to proper altitude settings for Southern California and have him check the all around setup. Jay has agreed and is eager to assist Don with the proper setting info as well as getting any useful suggestions that Don may have.

Overall impressions:

I am very happy with my car, and I am very happy that I decided to put the turbo on my car. That being said, I will be very happy when someone finally develops a proper aftermarket Lotus ecu setup that will work with the turbo, and I am very confident that soon there will be a better solution to the Emanage (or whatever system others are using now). I also want to state to all who have put or are putting an aftermarket turbo or blower on their cars, anytime you alter the factory setup, you are going to have to adjust the car…………..forever! You all must think about this reality before you alter your car, you will always have to have the settings checked and make sure you have a reliable installer and tuner to check the car regularly (like when you get your oil changed).

I will make an updated post after I have Don check out the car and make some adjustments. I hope this post has been informative, and yes I would defiantly recommend Hass Turbo!

Sky-King

[bluejae]

wish i could afford a turbo... pictures please =)

pm sent

[bli8]

How about pictures of the interior mods by Sector111 please?

[keith86a]

Yes, I want the ecu as well. I believe Forcedfed, Ragnorak and Jay are all working on it. Whoever comes up with the best product will have my business

[SIIK2NR]

Good review..

[choi0706]

Originally Posted by keith86a

Yes, I want the ecu as well. I believe Forcedfed, Ragnorak and Jay are all working on it. Whoever comes up with the best product will have my business

and Utec by turboxs

[hatchy]

Are you having any issues with Emanage? Idle, hot start, cold start, tip-in, part throttle, etc? Can you put like 1000 miles on it and let us know how it goes?

[baltik]

Sorry to say - Utec is not the holy grail either, the knock on utec was that that it was not able to adjust for atmospheric pressure so the suby guys typically had to have 2-3 maps they would toggle for different altitude/weather conditions.

[scottyb]

Originally Posted by baltik

Sorry to say - Utec is not the holy grail either, the knock on utec was that that it was not able to adjust for atmospheric pressure so the suby guys typically had to have 2-3 maps they would toggle for different altitude/weather conditions.

That shouldn't be a problem for us since our engines use a MAF sensor.

[Stan]

Originally Posted by scottyb

That shouldn't be a problem for us since our engines use a MAF sensor.

Hey Scott, give me a shout when you want to do that video and/or performance data logger thing.

[MamoVaka]

Originally Posted by Sky-King

Hello all:


T
Driving impressions:

The car feels very strong, however it was not until I drove a stock Elise that I could really tell how big of a difference, and wow what a difference! The turbo car really puts you back in the seat, and the sound/feel of the car is totally different. The normally aspirated car with an aftermarket exhaust sounds very fast (kind of like a motorcycle with the high revving scream to it) without much pushback in the seat. The turbo car is has a much lower/tamer sound to the exhaust, however it really puts you back in the seat and you are at speed before you realize it. The car pulls very strong in every gear and you do about half as much shifting in around town driving. You hit redline very quickly after the cams kick in, much quicker then the normally aspirated car. I feel like this is the way the car should have been produced from the factory.

Sky-King

Can I get a halleluliah!

You know this is what it is all about people! this is the KEY!!! The car needs this turbo FROM THE FACTORY.. We need to write letters, We need a Elise Turbo.

Lotus Esprit Twin Turbo
Lotus Elise Twin Turbo

We need Lotus to do the right thing.. to bridge the gap and make the Elise the car that it should have been!

[zvezdah1]

Just curious, what was the approximate total cost including installation?
Chris

[Patricko]

Originally Posted by MamoVaka

Lotus Esprit Twin Turbo
Lotus Elise Twin Turbo

We need Lotus to do the right thing.. to bridge the gap and make the Elise the car that it should have been!

That is a great idea

[LotusFamily]

Attachment 27113

[Sky-King]

sorry about no pics, i am not sure how to add them, i will ask Neil from Sector 111 to post some pics. I let him take my car today and drive it around for the next week or so, because his lotus needs some repairs to the transmission. i am sure he will post some pics and his thoughts.

Sky-King

[ADVANGS]

No pics yet? I know you could have figured how to post pics by now. Something....anything would be nice.By the way how's that cold start idle coming along?

[Dave]

I've not been on ET much lately. I heard rumor someone blew their motor with a Hass install? Hoping it wasn't you Skyking...

[Lotus F1]

Originally Posted by Dave

I've not been on ET much lately. I heard rumor someone blew their motor with a Hass install? Hoping it wasn't you Skyking...

Eh... how could you drop a rumor like that with no details

[Dave]

Originally Posted by 1FASTMX5

Eh... how could you drop a rumor like that with no details

Are you saying it's pure rumor then? Seems like I was asking if their were any details...
Edit: Furthermore, I'm hoping it was just that, a bad rumor. And if it was, apologies in advance. I've heard mostly good things about Jay's turbos.

[APOGEE]

Originally Posted by Dave

I've not been on ET much lately. I heard rumor someone blew their motor with a Hass install? Hoping it wasn't you Skyking...

Skyking's car is @ a skunkworks getting aerodynamic work, race-prep and paint, no motor issues. F.W.I.W I don't think cameras are allowed in the building. Don.