Lotus Elan Central

by **DAdragna** » Thu 19.01.2006, 02:25

Has anyone had their turbo rebuilt with a hybrid compressor wheel?
Just wondering, I know on the Esprit Garret turbos there are some hybrid wheels with ceramic bearing upgrades that really take advantage of the chip (increased boost) enhancements.

Thanks,

Dan Adragna

by **Doc Fizzix** » Thu 19.01.2006, 03:31

So now the fun begins

It sounds like you have started to move to the next stage of owning an Elan. Your question will lead you down the path to the dark side, where most of us are now. All I can say, have fun and enjoy the ride

by **DAdragna** » Thu 19.01.2006, 05:02

Doc

I am not planning on going to extreme on the car. Just planning a couple of things. Bigger front brakes, new sound system, new exhaust, chip, and maybe some turbo enhancement. The car needs three of the mentioned items. The brakes are worn and I figured I would put bigger better ones on...the stereo is factory (enough said), and the exhaust has holes in it! The turbo and chip...well that is simply for fun! I may also put new dampers on it! The shocks do not appear to be leaking but after this many years they most probably should be replaced.

BTW-I would assume that you are going to LOG this year, with it in Texas!

Dan Adragna

by **Ashaman** » Thu 19.01.2006, 05:21

I have checked with a few places to see if there are any bearing upgrades (ball bearing/ceramic whatever), but they were not aware of any so I just went with stock bearings. I imagine something could be custom fabricated, but I don't really think it would be worth it.

As far as "hybrid" any of the RHB5 series will interchange with the body, so sure you can go with different combinations.

However, there is not nearly the options as say, with a Garrett T3. IHI is more geared towards the OEM market whereas Garrett caters more towards the aftermarket so you are fairly limited from what I have seen.

by **Doc Fizzix** » Thu 19.01.2006, 06:33

DAdragna wrote:Doc

I am not planning on going to extreme on the car. Just planning a couple of things. Bigger front brakes, new sound system, new exhaust, chip, and maybe some turbo enhancement. The car needs three of the mentioned items. The brakes are worn and I figured I would put bigger better ones on...the stereo is factory (enough said), and the exhaust has holes in it! The turbo and chip...well that is simply for fun! I may also put new dampers on it! The shocks do not appear to be leaking but after this many years they most probably should be replaced.

BTW-I would assume that you are going to LOG this year, with it in Texas!

Dan Adragna

LOL

Like I said, you are now heading down the path to the dark side :lol:

LOG --- Yes, I will be there. Hopefully with my new motor in the car and the nitrous all dialed in

by **stevo** » Thu 19.01.2006, 13:04

dan, bigger front brakes is a very good first mod. as for power a k&n element filter, everest chip, stiffy and 2.5inch exhaust you can achive around 210bhp. these are all bolt on upgrades and will change the whole driving experiance. once you start changing the turbo you need to look at uprateing the clutch, flywheel, injectors, ecu.......in a word it starts getting very expencive. try the bolt on modds first.

by **Dave M** » Fri 20.01.2006, 22:40

stevo wrote:try the bolt on modds first.

The turbo upgrade route has been fun (I have done 2 versions - an IHI/T3 hybrid and a full T3) and it *really* transforms the car. However reports from those who have the chip say it is quite something. I agree on the brake upgrade - it makes a major difference. If you're still looking for more power after the chip/exhaust, you can always start down the slippery slope at that point. :wink:

by **DAdragna** » Fri 20.01.2006, 23:59

stevo wrote:dan, bigger front brakes is a very good first mod. as for power a k&n element filter, everest chip, stiffy and 2.5inch exhaust you can achive around 210bhp. these are all bolt on upgrades and will change the whole driving experiance. once you start changing the turbo you need to look at uprateing the clutch, flywheel, injectors, ecu.......in a word it starts getting very expencive. try the bolt on modds first.

On the exhaust, I was thinking of a Magnaflow stainless muffler at the back, a Magnaflow high flow Cat in the middle. The rest I was planning on having the local exhaust shop fabricate. Any thoughts on this? Would it be better to buy a pre-made system?

Thanks,

Dan Adragna

by **DAdragna** » Sat 21.01.2006, 00:01

stevo wrote:dan, bigger front brakes is a very good first mod. as for power a k&n element filter, everest chip, stiffy and 2.5inch exhaust you can achive around 210bhp. these are all bolt on upgrades and will change the whole driving experiance. once you start changing the turbo you need to look at uprateing the clutch, flywheel, injectors, ecu.......in a word it starts getting very expencive. try the bolt on modds first.

Oh yeah, almost forgot....Stiffy???? What the...

Dan A

by **Doug** » Sat 21.01.2006, 02:20

good reason to go to Donington = to get yourself a stiffy :wink:

the downpipe is the restriction in the Elan, so opening up the top of the exhaust pipe will need to be done to free the horses lost there!
Your plan above sounds fine, and you can have any competent place weld up a better downpipe. The turbo exhaust outlet is 4" in size and then the downpipe goes to 2" :shock:

the stiffy (see its own thread) is a new pipe from the turbo to the downpipe to smooth the flow and open up the wastegate to reduce any boost creep . . .

by **DAdragna** » Sat 21.01.2006, 05:38

Doug wrote:good reason to go to Donington = to get yourself a stiffy

the downpipe is the restriction in the Elan, so opening up the top of the exhaust pipe will need to be done to free the horses lost there!
Your plan above sounds fine, and you can have any competent place weld up a better downpipe. The turbo exhaust outlet is 4" in size and then the downpipe goes to 2"

the stiffy (see its own thread) is a new pipe from the turbo to the downpipe to smooth the flow and open up the wastegate to reduce any boost creep . . .

Thanks Doug!

I will look into ordering one of those in the next week or so!

Dan A

by **Dave M** » Mon 23.01.2006, 19:23

DAdragna wrote:On the exhaust, I was thinking of a Magnaflow stainless muffler at the back, a Magnaflow high flow Cat in the middle. The rest I was planning on having the local exhaust shop fabricate. Any thoughts on this? Would it be better to buy a pre-made system?

This are the same pieces that I have used, and I've really liked them. The car is still relatively quiet, but has a much lower, gutteral rumble to it. Make sure you find a shop that can do mandrel bends. If you're going through the trouble of having a setup made, might as well keep as little restriction as possible.

FYI - there really are no pre-made systems. A few places in the UK sell upgrade pieces (mufflers and downpipes), but if you want to improve the whole thing turbo to tail, a good fabrication shop is your best bet.

by **lewtus** » Mon 13.02.2006, 21:19

Dan have you raised the boost yet?
Mine runs a lot better for a easy quick way, the turbo wold be my next act with bigger injectors at the same time.
Already have that fart can!
Lew

by **TommyK** » Thu 27.04.2006, 10:05

I'm not looking to hijack this thread, but... I'm going to be tearing down my entire intake system to install a front mount IC (thanks Dave!) and my exhaust to install a custom exhaust systemb and a hopefully a stiffy. While I'm at it I want to replace my turbo. I'm not really looking to increase size/boost too much at this point. I would really like to install a ball-bearing turbo more for reliability/efficiency (technology has come along way since 1991) while it's in pieces. Can anybody suggest a good replacement? Thanks in advance!!!

by **lewtus** » Thu 27.04.2006, 17:43

I would use turbonetics out of CA they can size one. You may have to see what is available for types though. I am not sold on BB turbos for thier price, and if there is big difference , they will cost more if they fail though to fix. i have seen quite a few failed ones and it is ugly when they go.

My car dynoed at 181 HP and 181 TQ last week with just raising boost FYI.

by **F1 LOTUS** » Thu 27.04.2006, 19:24

We're fortunate to have a resident expert on the forum who works for Garrett Turbochargers, I suggest you read his 'Green Monster' thread then direct any unanswered questions to 'Houdini'?

http://www.lotuselancentral.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5228

by **lewtus** » Thu 27.04.2006, 21:32

I am not planning on doing too much to my Elan other than simple things. I have an x180R that I take to track and do most of the work to since it is designed better for that HP increases. I have done turbo and other work to it to get the power up. I did ponder a bigger turbo and intercooler since you need to do that to any signifigant power.

by **TommyK** » Fri 28.04.2006, 06:19

Thanks for the link Brian! Lots of good info... Good thing I only get paid once a month. I'll have plenty of time to think about this :bonk:

before deciding one way or the other.

by **Houdini** » Sat 29.04.2006, 00:19

Feel free to email me with any questions on the turbo replacement.

Nothing against Turbonetics, but I think you might be happier with a Garrett if you go through the trouble of switching from the IHI. Our ball bearing range is excellent and depending on the power you're looking for we have the turbo you need.

Ceramic ball bearings - we have used them in the past and they were expensive and not as reliable. We have recently tried the new generation of ceramic ball bearings (on larger frame deisel engines) and have yet to have any last more than a few hours. They seem to work okay on smaller frame turbos but they cost more. One reason why Turbonetics uses ceramic vs. steel ball bearings may be because they can claim they are using a patented ball bearing turbo.

IHI is an excellent turbo manufacture as well and you won't go wrong with them either. The problem is they are very tight on puplished data that you can use to properly size a turbo for your car.

Hybrids - used all the time and they work fine if sized properly. You usually sacrifice performance though, since the match between turbine, compressor, and engine isn't the best. You can still do it though.

What ever you choose try and pay the extra for a ball bearing turbo. They spool much better and those turbos have the best wheels resulting in better Aero which after all is what you want in a turbo.

It's alot to think about so do some research. I'm not plugging our web site but look it over for information relavent to any turbo.

http://www.turbobygarrett.com/turbobygarrett/index.html

Later, Russ (Houdini)

by **Houdini** » Sat 29.04.2006, 00:19

Feel free to email me with any questions on the turbo replacement.

Nothing against Turbonetics, but I think you might be happier with a Garrett if you go through the trouble of switching from the IHI. Our ball bearing range is excellent and depending on the power you're looking for we have the turbo you need.

Ceramic ball bearings - we have used them in the past and they were expensive and not as reliable. We have recently tried the new generation of ceramic ball bearings (on larger frame deisel engines) and have yet to have any last more than a few hours. They seem to work okay on smaller frame turbos but they cost more. One reason why Turbonetics uses ceramic vs. steel ball bearings may be because they can claim they are using a patented ball bearing turbo.

IHI is an excellent turbo manufacture as well and you won't go wrong with them either. The problem is they are very tight on puplished data that you can use to properly size a turbo for your car.

Hybrids - used all the time and they work fine if sized properly. You usually sacrifice performance though, since the match between turbine, compressor, and engine isn't the best. You can still do it though.

What ever you choose try and pay the extra for a ball bearing turbo. They spool much better and those turbos have the best wheels resulting in better Aero which after all is what you want in a turbo.

It's alot to think about so do some research. I'm not plugging our web site but look it over for information relavent to any turbo.

http://www.turbobygarrett.com/turbobygarrett/index.html

Later, Russ (Houdini)

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