# 2005 Lotus Elise

**URL:** <https://forums.speedlife.net/t/2005-lotus-elise/230305>\
**Category:** Builds\
**Created:** [April 30, 2013, 7:25am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/2005-lotus-elise/230305 "2013-04-30T07:25:11Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![drewster99](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/drewster99/32/5468_2.png) [@drewster99](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/drewster99)\
**Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 7:25am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/2005-lotus-elise/230305/1 "2013-04-30T07:25:11Z")

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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:

 ![http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i153/drewstermalloy/Lotus%20Elise/IMG_0479.jpg](http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i153/drewstermalloy/Lotus%20Elise/IMG_0479.jpg)  
 ![http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i153/drewstermalloy/Lotus%20Elise/DSCF0624.jpg](http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i153/drewstermalloy/Lotus%20Elise/DSCF0624.jpg)

Watkins Glen Opening Day 2012 with Baker. I can’t decide whether I like the black or silver wheels better, but I love Plastidip:

 ![http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i153/drewstermalloy/null_zps5b6fad26.jpg](http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i153/drewstermalloy/null_zps5b6fad26.jpg)

Removed the rear clam for the first time a month ago, I’ve done it 3 or 4 times since:  
 ![http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i153/drewstermalloy/null_zps98da8192.jpg](http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i153/drewstermalloy/null_zps98da8192.jpg)

Reupholstered my hardtop headliner and door inserts with microfiber suede. Also painted my center console and HVAC bezel black:

 ![http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i153/drewstermalloy/null_zps9938fbf0.jpg](http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i153/drewstermalloy/null_zps9938fbf0.jpg)

Front & rear Powerflex engine mount inserts:  
 ![http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i153/drewstermalloy/null_zps53acc3e6.jpg](http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i153/drewstermalloy/null_zps53acc3e6.jpg)

The day I installed the supercharger:

 ![http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i153/drewstermalloy/512979C3-942F-45AF-85ED-636C24BB0F50-14975-00000F6F71E7E566_zps46b7cd84.jpg](http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i153/drewstermalloy/512979C3-942F-45AF-85ED-636C24BB0F50-14975-00000F6F71E7E566_zps46b7cd84.jpg)  
 ![http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i153/drewstermalloy/null_zps517a75a0.jpg](http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i153/drewstermalloy/null_zps517a75a0.jpg)  
 ![http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i153/drewstermalloy/null_zps997f707d.jpg](http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i153/drewstermalloy/null_zps997f707d.jpg)  
 ![http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i153/drewstermalloy/null_zps85de2210.jpg](http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i153/drewstermalloy/null_zps85de2210.jpg)

Lotus/TRD Cup Airbox:

 ![http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i153/drewstermalloy/null_zpse08ea785.jpg](http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i153/drewstermalloy/null_zpse08ea785.jpg)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![2TurboZ](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/2turboz/32/7577_2.png) [@2TurboZ](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/2TurboZ)\
**Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 7:30am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/2005-lotus-elise/230305/2 "2013-04-30T07:30:04Z")

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Nice work

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cretinx](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/cretinx/32/6121_2.png) [@cretinx](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/cretinx)\
**Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 7:51am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/2005-lotus-elise/230305/3 "2013-04-30T07:51:28Z")

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I’ve been in Nate’s, it’s a race car that he can drive on the street. I love these cars.

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**Author:** ![Jam](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jam/32/7235_2.png) [@Jam](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jam)\
**Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 8:09am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/2005-lotus-elise/230305/4 "2013-04-30T08:09:09Z")

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Very cool, these are fun cars

I’m curious as to what you have into it for the supercharger and all the fab vs. a Honda k series swap

A k24 frank (~270 hp NA) lotus Elise would be a freaking riot!

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**Author:** ![theblue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/theblue/32/5074_2.png) [@theblue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/theblue)\
**Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 8:23am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/2005-lotus-elise/230305/5 "2013-04-30T08:23:09Z")

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I like that color on them, looks classy. I think they wheels would look good if you got a super glossy black instead of the plastidip.

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**Author:** ![seth13](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/seth13/32/8038_2.png) [@seth13](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/seth13)\
**Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 8:34am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/2005-lotus-elise/230305/6 "2013-04-30T08:34:44Z")

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very cool. I’d love to have one of these in the future. looking forward to future progress. :tup:

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**Author:** ![91MR2](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/91mr2/32/7217_2.png) [@91MR2](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/91MR2)\
**Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 8:36am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/2005-lotus-elise/230305/7 "2013-04-30T08:36:46Z")

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Car looks great, Drew…maybe one day we will finally get together with them both!

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**Author:** ![LUKE\_L](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/luke_l/32/7462_2.png) [@LUKE\_L](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LUKE_L)\
**Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 8:46am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/2005-lotus-elise/230305/8 "2013-04-30T08:46:01Z")

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Nice build!

What did you do to reupholster your liner? What adhesive…3M 90? Link for info…? I’m looking to redo a few things.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![drewster99](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/drewster99/32/5468_2.png) [@drewster99](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/drewster99)\
**Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 9:03am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/2005-lotus-elise/230305/9 "2013-04-30T09:03:09Z")

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> [@Jam](#):
>
> Very cool, these are fun cars
> 
> I’m curious as to what you have into it for the supercharger and all the fab vs. a Honda k series swap
> 
> A k24 frank (~270 hp NA) lotus Elise would be a freaking riot!

Supercharger kit was $3700, exhaust and supporting mods were another ~$2000. I’ve messed around with the idea of a K-swap but I think it would add up to much more than I have into it right now. On top of that, I wasn’t sure if I could pull it off and still have a reliable car to drive.

> [@seth13](#):
>
> very cool. I’d love to have one of these in the future. looking forward to future progress. :tup:

Better hurry haha. Prices are going up! 🙂

> [@91MR2](#):
>
> Car looks great, Drew…maybe one day we will finally get together with them both!

Definitely. I want a ride in the Espirit 🙂

> [@LUKE\_L](#):
>
> Nice build!
> 
> What did you do to reupholster your liner? What adhesive…3M 90? Link for info…? I’m looking to redo a few things.

Loctite water resistant spray adhesive & some suede I found at Jo-Ann Fabrics. All in all it only cost me like $30-40.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mr\_T](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mr_t/32/7454_2.png) [@Mr\_T](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Mr_T)\
**Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 9:32am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/2005-lotus-elise/230305/10 "2013-04-30T09:32:34Z")

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How much was the car if you dont mind me asking? Ive always wanted one of these.

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**Author:** ![Willybeen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/willybeen/32/7351_2.png) [@Willybeen](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Willybeen)\
**Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 9:37am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/2005-lotus-elise/230305/11 "2013-04-30T09:37:07Z")

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The one time I drove one of these, it was a total blast.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![GV1390](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/gv1390/32/5432_2.png) [@GV1390](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GV1390)\
**Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 9:38am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/2005-lotus-elise/230305/12 "2013-04-30T09:38:34Z")

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> [@drewster99](#):
>
> On top of that, I wasn’t sure if I could pull it off and still have a reliable car to drive.

Speak for the fab work maybe, but not the motor.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![drewster99](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/drewster99/32/5468_2.png) [@drewster99](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/drewster99)\
**Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 9:47am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/2005-lotus-elise/230305/13 "2013-04-30T09:47:41Z")

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> [@Mr. T](#):
>
> How much was the car if you dont mind me asking? Ive always wanted one of these.

$25k-ish

> [@GV1390](#):
>
> Speak for the fab work maybe, but not the motor.

Well yeah, the only time I’ve swapped a motor it was on a bike. I just didn’t really want to learn how to do something like that on this car haha.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mr\_T](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mr_t/32/7454_2.png) [@Mr\_T](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Mr_T)\
**Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 10:01am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/2005-lotus-elise/230305/14 "2013-04-30T10:01:26Z")

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> [@drewster99](#):
>
> $25k-ish

thats not too bad !:tup:

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jam](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jam/32/7235_2.png) [@Jam](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jam)\
**Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 11:00am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/2005-lotus-elise/230305/15 "2013-04-30T11:00:46Z")

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Innovative makes mounts, they’re around $500 iirc. Shifter box would probably be your biggest pain to figure out. Im sure someone makes axles. a k series engine makes so much more power, and will be so much more reliable than a celica motor. Complete jdm LSD swaps go for ~$3000.

I’ve looked into this, as I loved driving newmans lotus, but it was missing the extra power that a k swap would provide

Meaning- not what i would have done, but as long a youre happy with it, thats all that matters. The car looks good though man!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![GV1390](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/gv1390/32/5432_2.png) [@GV1390](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GV1390)\
**Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 11:38am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/2005-lotus-elise/230305/16 "2013-04-30T11:38:12Z")

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A simple “K-swap” wont give it that EXTRA power, it would need some sort of power adder on top.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![drewster99](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/drewster99/32/5468_2.png) [@drewster99](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/drewster99)\
**Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 2:41pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/2005-lotus-elise/230305/17 "2013-04-30T14:41:39Z")

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Updated original post with mod list.

I can easily drive it hard without the clutch slipping. It only really slips in 4th, 5th & 6th gear. I’m used to downshifting to pass people, now it just happens a lot faster. I might put off buying the clutch, but I’m putting an ACT HDSS in when I get one.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cretinx](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/cretinx/32/6121_2.png) [@cretinx](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/cretinx)\
**Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 3:33pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/2005-lotus-elise/230305/18 "2013-04-30T15:33:29Z")

</div>

> [@GV1390](#):
>
> A simple “K-swap” wont give it that EXTRA power, it would need some sort of power adder on top.

I/H/E/Kpro puts 200 to the wheels  
Add in cams and you’re looking at 250+ to the wheels  
Some nutjobs have full blown 2.4L motors with ITBs putting out over 300 whp, NA.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Onyx\_Z32](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/onyx_z32/32/7581_2.png) [@Onyx\_Z32](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Onyx_Z32)\
**Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 5:21pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/2005-lotus-elise/230305/19 "2013-04-30T17:21:43Z")

</div>

I like the color combo of this car; red seats :tup:

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![drewster99](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/drewster99/32/5468_2.png) [@drewster99](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/drewster99)\
**Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 5:33pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/2005-lotus-elise/230305/20 "2013-04-30T17:33:29Z")

</div>

> [@Onyx Z32](#):
>
> I like the color combo of this car; red seats :tup:

Thanks! Here’s a better pic with the painted interior pieces. Made a huge difference.

 ![http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i153/drewstermalloy/lotus_int_zpsd950f0bc.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/0/9/093897d744b941babb8ec73a12be0c46e4c46826.jpeg)

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