Your thoughts/feelings after installing the mountain chip...

[Specky]

I think DaPinky was refering to:-

http://www.lotus60thanniversary.com/forsale.php

TTFN

[ektrolleyboy]

Already tried this.
Unless I'm looking past it, there doesn't appear to be one there...

[GeoffSmith]

there doesn't appear to be one there...

Correct - there are 40!

[dapinky]

Elan M100 A100E6279S **ECM-Turbo Non-Catalyst (F/W) 40 122.95 42.55

is the line on the sheet!

They had them at Donny for £55 (or SWL will sell you the same part for £150)

[rich_de]

Hello, everone again. After the usual round of delays, I got my planned cat conversion sorted. Here are some first subjective notes.

• Letters from England to Germany may get lost. Happened to my housemate, happened to me. With a chip. Second, registered posting arrived well. Thanks ESM.
• Chip (Everest 4.5) and oxygen sensor drop in straight away. Zero hassle.
• Catalyst bought from 'Pro-Kat' does not fit well into a previously non-cat car. Needed welding.
• Sporty non-cat sound gets absorbed. Oh the price of tree-huggery. CO levels are now in the 0.0x range though.
• Reaches 0.90-0.95 bar (i have digital gauges installed) with stock pipes and main-cat, but no pre-cat.
• Feels much less like a turbo now.

Idle and low performance operation is extremely smooth.

While the original code leaves the boost low below 4000 rpm and then gives a classic "rubberband" turbo push, the Everest code seems to keep boost in sync with the throttle position. This creates quite a non-turbo impression, with hardly any lag. Subjectively, the car seems to be a bit more lively with low to medium loads, but there is no "wow" when reaching the upper power spectrum.

Top end power is not impressive, even though the gauge displays over 0.9 bar. I gave it a little autobahn run earlier, 5000 rpm in 5th were reached easily without full throttle, the car worked hard to reach 5500 rpm at about indicated 210 kph with floored pedal. In fact, I had the impression of a slight forward surge when I lifted the throttle a bit. From my first feel I thought full throttle autobahn performance was slightly lower than that of a 150 hp Fiesta ST I occasionally drive. The fuel level seemed to have dropped quite a bit on the first look after two dashes of each about 4 km. Could it be that full load enrichment is flooding petrol to the point of actually lowering performance? I would have assumed to hit the top speed area at around 235 kph with 200 hp, with easy acceleration up to about 215 kph. Not sure how much the (ceramic) catalyst costs in performance terms though.

My Esprit weighs in at 1300kg and comes with unmodified, non chargecooled and cataylzed 220 hp in the papers (I guess around 260 hp with overboost). From the power-to-weight ratio, I would assume 1050kg/190-200 hp should be about comparable with 1300kg/230-250hp, which would make the Elan well comparable math-wise. Feel-wise, the Esprit is still a class above.

I'll keep an eye on the behaviour (especially when it comes to the first tank stop). Vague guesstimate based on needle position were 8l/100km before the dashes, 10 after. Before the conversion, it would take over 10, but was misadjusted to run too rich. Should I find the time, I might drop in the stock cat software and see how that works out in comparison.

Rich

Edit: Run was done on 95 Octane Eurosuper. I might try a run on 100 Octane Fuel to see if maybe some ignition retarding is involved.

Edit 2: Lacking power issues resolved by base timing adjustment. See further posts in this thread.

[rip]

Rich,
That doesn't sound very like mine did with an Everest. The turbo kicked in at about the same speed but with significantly more power than with the stock chip.

Some questions though.
Why have you added a cat? You mention that you added the O2 sensor so surely you didn't need a cat for emissions in the first place? A cat would usually be restrictive.
Have you checked your base timing? This can often have a big effect on performance, especially at higher boost levels.

[ektrolleyboy]

Confused!
There are conflicting opinions of this chip...

[rich_de]

That doesn't sound very like mine did with an Everest. The turbo kicked in at about the same speed but with significantly more power than with the stock chip.

I thought the behaviour was "modern". In every other road test you get to read "There is no noticeable turbo-lag and it has the feel of a larger naturally-aspirated engine" these days. I actually prefer if I can slightly note that the turbo is there. OTOH, with boost at lower revs the efficiency should get a bit higher to make up for the lowered compression of turbo engines. Nothing to whinge about. Everything except full load is really extremely smooth and well tuned with my chip.

Why have you added a cat? You mention that you added the O2 sensor so surely you didn't need a cat for emissions in the first place? A cat would usually be restrictive.

First, most germans are treehuggers and want everything eco-squeaky-clean.

Second, big cities in Germany are now off limits to non-cat petrol and non-filter diesel cars. Either through complicated EU-rules or mistake, I don't know why, my Elan from Italy was placed in a tax class for catalyzed cars. I got the green downtown permit badge straight from the licensing office -- even though the officer saw the non-cat emission test papers. However, I think this could be a can of worms should someone evil-minded (like an insurance unwilling to pay) put this to close scrutiny. So I wanted to get it into technical compliance to be on the safe side here.

Have you checked your base timing? This can often have a big effect on performance, especially at higher boost levels.

Not personally yet. I think it's quite unlikely though, as the power development up to exactly the point of full throttle is completely smooth and as expected and also seems to be independent of the boost readings.

I'll continue to keep an eye on the whole matter and let you know.

Rich

[RichardK]

I did my base timing a couple of weeks ago and it has made a very noticable difference to the acceleration of the car ....unmodded except for the 2.5" exhaust.

I'd recommend having a go yourself, the instructions on the wiki are very clear and even though I took two hours to do it ( with plenty of tea breaks and I triple checked everything) I am sure that I can manage it in 30 mins the next time. I have also noticed that the exhaust tailpipe is not getting so sooted up as it did before.

[rich_de]

I finally got 'round to do the base timing. I filled up with 100 octane before to rule out any knocking issues. It didn't help power-wise (but I had the impression it used a little less fuel).

Timing was indeed way off, at 3 deg BTDC. I set it to 16 deg as described in the wiki procedure, fortunately I still have my ignition flasher gun from the old days. Two things I noted: 1. With the wheel fully inclined to the right, it is possible to see the marks without taking it off. I did remove it to ease though reading for my assistant and to avoid having to look at the marks at an angle. The assistant had a bit of trouble getting the readings right though, so... 2. It is possible to do the adjusting without assistant, if the CAS isn't too loose. I found it easiest to whack against the solid cast rib above the screw. Whacking towards the rear of the car increases degrees.

From perception, the car started up a bit roarier than before. On a short test drive, it really unfolded its expected power under high loads, and above 4000 rpm always with enough power to get to the limits of traction and make the front end feel light. Needs a bit more testing, but I wanted to keep you posted and thank you asap. I think the car couldn't make use of much more power without wider, grippier tires and sportier suspension. Because I see it as a fun ride and not as a grim-faced competition tool, it's now just what the doctor ordered.

Thank you, seriously, everyone on here who helped me along the way, by replying to my posts and contributing to all the stored knowledge.

Rich

[rich_de]

Well folks... I had another, more extended test drive. With the weather just perfect for it, it was pure bliss. The car responds just as it should now, dashing forward at all times, with an amazing rubberband surge past the 4000. A rollercoaster-like experience that relentlessly lures the driver into scoring points on the license. Not just great great fun, but really damn wiggy fast.

I covered a little bit of autobahn as well. The Elan wound up to 220 kph without any effort, the needle slowly continued to climb - and then I ran into traffic just before it crossed 230. With open-hood aerodynamics. So yes, top end power is there.

All this, for reference again, on an Elan S1 that has been converted to closed-loop with the help of an 1499 Everest 4.5 chip, with a ceramic aftermarket main catalyst from Pro-Kat. The cat was welded to fit and installed by independent Lotus experts Ramspott & Brandt of Wiesbaden, Germany. So, whoever reads this in research on how to fit a catalyst or just get a few millibars extra at inlet - I can fully recommend the conversion.

Rich

ps Song-of-the-Car is now an early Joan Jett version of Eddie Cochran's "Summertime Blues" I had in the player. Goes so well with it - and it's quite a bit "chipped" compared to the original, too.

[max and andy]

For the people out there with the switcher, how do you use it? Does it stay in the mad one all the time? Do you just use Asylum on the track?

When do you use it in stock? And where is the switch mounted? Or is it free on a lead? Any comment's would be helpful. Max

[dapinky]

M&A,

I have mounted the switch in place of the 'blank next to the hazzard switch (I don't have A/C), but there are also 2 blanks next to the clock you can use.

Generally, I leave it on position 1 (stock settings), but put it onto a higher number if I'm out for a nice drive, or on track.

It can be changed whilst the car is on the move, or before you set off - your choice!

[GeoffSmith]

I have mounted the switch in place of the 'blank next to the hazzard switch

.. however the new switches may not be the same size.

[max and andy]

How much a jump is it from Everest mode to asylum. Can you use the Asylum much on the road. We have problems getting the power down to the road with the Everest. Can you pick and choose what type of switch you use to change mode i.e a button or dial? M&A

[lotos]

I have mounted the switch in place of the 'blank next to the hazzard switch

.. however the new switches may not be the same size.

Yeah I was wondering about that. We'll find out when sales resume shortly!

[ektrolleyboy]

Could someone with an Elsyium switcher kit please explain in idiots English the difference in power between Everest an Elsyium using woo, wow and mega or not much difference kind of language that this simpleton can them make a choice from...

[Elanlover]

Could someone with an Elsyium switcher kit please explain in idiots English the difference in power between Everest an Elsyium using woo, wow and mega or not much difference kind of language that this simpleton can them make a choice from...

There's a noticeable difference between the two. Alan's web page quantifies it well enough but if you're looking for a visceral descripiton then yes, you'd notice the difference. More boost and more power. Its not the jump you see when going from stock to everest of course but there is a noticeable jump. Perhaps 5 - 10% more?????

[ektrolleyboy]

Thanks for that. My Everest is knackered so it might be time to upgrade again whilst replacing the damaged chip... Are the new switcher issues resolved yet does anyone know?

[RayD]

.... but there are also 2 blanks next to the clock you can use.