Yota engine reliability

Well, as long as the engines weren't in a hard-turning position, I'm sure that is correct.

A couple of my friends are engineers at the Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor. They agree that the engine will run and run and run and run and run and run...

I used to roadrace a Celica with the 2zz for a few years ... it held up to just about everything I could dish at it.

the one issue I did find, however, was oil starvation. I'd fully suggest putting an accusump™ on it if you're going to be seeing some agressive trackdays with the Elise.

Rounding a high-G left-hand sweeper with R-compounds, the oil pickup can easily run dry. I've had it happen, and it's happened to a few others that I'm aware of.

The Accusump will definitely be one of the first few mods i'm going to do, so stay tuned for a full write-up.

Ace wouldn't the addition of the second oil cooler help with oil feed?
Chris

I thought Lotus was using a different oil pan to avoid potential oil starvation?

I had never read up on the Accusump before, just checked their web site. Looks like a complete system would cost about $300+? I'll be interested to see your installation, it looks like it shouldn't be too hard.

zvezdah1 said:

Ace wouldn't the addition of the second oil cooler help with oil feed?
Chris

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Hmmm... not in any way i'm aware of. Then again, it IS Lotus ... crazier things have happened.

ConeFusion said:

I thought Lotus was using a different oil pan to avoid potential oil starvation?

I had never read up on the Accusump before, just checked their web site. Looks like a complete system would cost about $300+? I'll be interested to see your installation, it looks like it shouldn't be too hard.

Click to expand...

I wasn't aware of the new oil pan design. If that's true, i'm sure it couldn't hurt. Baffle? Windage tray?

The Accusump's are so cheap, it's almost free insurance. Plus, you get the added bonus of oiling the top of the motor right at startup.

If you don't want to plumb new lines, you can get an adapter that sandwiches between the oil filter & the motor itself. Then run your line to the Accusump, and you're cooking with gas.

I believe the last setup we did, with the accusump, hose, valve, and the adapter, ran just at about $400. I believe the size of the unit is going to be the only concern. I suppose if it came down to it, you could mount it in the trunk.

ace3,

Would you mind taking pictures and writing up a DIY guide when you install your Accusump?

I'm very interested in doing this as well.

Thanks.

zvezdah1 said:

HI All,
From SELOC, quite interesting, I'd also been told this by a couple Lotus people. They did the longevity testing for the US market. Heard the Rover K didn't hold up quite so well!!
Chris

>>>>>>>>>>
Engine quality 111R

Talked to a dealer technician today. He told me that Lotus had had 12 Toyota VVTL-i engines running for 1 week, 24 h a day without stop, at 8500 rpm.

No problems whatsoever with any of the engines.... They all just kept running....

True or just a Lotus marketing trick?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

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I read that for the Toyota engine to meet U.S. requirements it had to run a test simulating 120,000 miles without breakdown. -ridgeman-

From what I understand, the engineers that tore down the yota engines after the longevity test couldn't believe the exc. condition of all the parts.
This is good to hear!!
CHris