I think it’s about time I put a build thread together for my car since I’ve had it over a year now and I’ve done quite a bit to it.
It’s a 2005 Lotus Elise that I picked up in Atlanta, GA last February. It had 40,000 miles, bald tires and a smashed windshield. Driving it home 14 hours was painful but probably one of the most fun experiences I’ve ever had…
I spent last year getting used to the car and just giving the things that it really needed. New windshield, new tires, wiper blade, etc. Besides top end, it’s the quickest accelerating car I’ve ever owned. Stock it could do 0-60 in less than 5 seconds and the VVTI (Toyota’s VTEC) kick was pretty fun. It also handles better than anything I’ve ever driven, which is the main reason I bought the car. It still seemed like it could use more power though, so I put a supercharger kit on it last week. That’s probably all I’ll do to it this year besides maybe some plastidip or a vinyl wrap. I’m thinking it will get wheels, suspension & a new paint job next year.
The car totally rips now with the supercharger. It finally feels like the racecar it was supposed to be. And the exhaust makes it sound like a sport bike. 0-60 is right around 4 seconds, if that. I have about 260bhp in a <2000lb car. The crappy part is that the clutch is slipping in higher gears now.
Mod List: (updated 5/12/13)
Katana2 Supercharger kit (Eaton MP62/Greddy manifold & pulley)
ACT HDSS Clutch
ARP Flywheel bolts
ARP Pressure plate bolts
Radium Clam Removal kit
Lotus/TRD Cup Airbox w/ K&N panel filter
Vision Function RSR exhaust
Larini Decat Pipe
Rear panel delete
Powerflex Front & Rear motor mount inserts
QWKcans - Dual oil catch cans
Lidbone - fancy hood prop
Cup holder
Rubber floor mats
Suede Headliner
Suede door inserts
Black emblems
Debadged rear
Removed camber shims
White start button LED
NuKey key fob
Flipped tail lights
Shaved license plate plinth
JVC KD-R330 headunit
JBL 5.25" rear speakers
JBL 4" front speakers
Painted HVAC
Painted center console
Painted Rear Panel
Painted rear diffuser
Here are some pics of the progress so far.
The day I picked it up:
Watkins Glen Opening Day 2012 with Baker. I can’t decide whether I like the black or silver wheels better, but I love Plastidip:
Removed the rear clam for the first time a month ago, I’ve done it 3 or 4 times since:
Reupholstered my hardtop headliner and door inserts with microfiber suede. Also painted my center console and HVAC bezel black:
Front & rear Powerflex engine mount inserts:
The day I installed the supercharger:
Lotus/TRD Cup Airbox:
