36 replies to this topic

[drgoatboy]

This will be a problem whether you have an elise or a VX, I'm 186cm tall and have to take the roof off if I'm wearing a helmet.

OK here is issue to sort out. In my MX-5 i have modded the floor/trans-tunnel to gain cm.

I'm thinking perhaps making av custom race-chair ( foaming ) and sitting directly on the floor.
Would this help or even sitting directly on the floor and you won't fit with 190 cm ? Is it possible to 'massage' the chassi to gain head room ?
I have long legs so I will probably have to work with steering wheel spacer and possible move pedals and gear-stick
Being a tall guy have some disadvantages

I'm about the same height as you and fit in OK but its a squeeze. I can't really wear a helmet and comfortably have the roof on. However I couldn't even fit in an standard MX-5 when I tried so its much much more roomy than that.
I think if you went for a carbon fibre (or fibreglass?) seat and mounted on custom runners (without adjustment) you would gain a large amount of space both for your legs and your head and save a fair bit of weight too.

Edit to add: I found the s1 elise smaller inside than the VX, less leg room.

Edited by drgoatboy, 20 July 2009 - 03:50 PM.

[techieboy]

Along with the custom lowered seat mounts and seat (you can't modify the floor pan). You might also be able to gain some head room if you could get somebody to manufacture a lightweight single skinned hardtop for the car (assuming you don't want opentop) or even mould in a GT40-style helmet bulge in the roof.

[Stefan_A]

As mentioned, Meldert is running 15" on his Speedster, just copied this from his thread on rejsa.nu:

- 15 tums OZ ultraleggera F1 (mattsvarta)
- Bridgestone RE540S 195-55 fram, 225-50 bak
- 4 bults hubbar från lotus elise.

Safety Devices used to list both a full roll cage as well as an A-frame. As mentioned above, it's no longer visible on their web site.

[Stefan_A]

CustomMania makes the same panels as was used by Badster before on the R3, hardtop available in either GRP or carbon fibre. As far as I know these are single skin.

>Link<

[Joachim Osbeck]

OK so as summary

The Vx can be very well used a race car ( Roadsport ), issues with roll-bar and if I will fit in 190 cm has to be sorted out.

What should I pay for a early Vx in UK ? No need for mint condition or fancy tires, it must be road legal so I can register it in Sweden.

I have seen them for £6500 but mostly between 7000 - 8000.

http://www.pistonhea...les/1142938.htm

http://www.pistonhea...les/1129781.htm

http://www.pistonhea...les/1045753.htm

How do I check a Vx in terms of that the chassi box not hurt - can I measure diagonals ?

Thanks

/Joachim

Swedish
Någon som har en speedster runt göteborgs-trakten jag kunde få sitta i ( ev också kort prov-tur )

[slindborg]

I am 6'1/2" and cant fit in the VX with a helmet on + roof. BUT can easily fit in a std S1 Elise with my helmet on and the roof fitted. Best to jump in both really. What offset and width is Meldert running?

[rsg]

if you go for a VX make sure you change the timing chain if the cars going to spend most of its life on track. Also whatever you get make sure you upgrade the rear toe link bars

[Pidgeon]

How do I check a Vx in terms of that the chassi box not hurt - can I measure diagonals ?

Thanks

/Joachim

Swedish
Någon som har en speedster runt göteborgs-trakten jag kunde få sitta i ( ev också kort prov-tur )

Joachim, as with the Elise, the chassis deforms/tears in the immediate locality of the wishbone pick ups. Examine them carefully and you will see any damage. Just in case you are not aware, severe accident damage is logged in the UK and you can search against the registration number/chassis number to ascertain if the vehicle has been an insurance loss. Not a 100% check but the first place to look.

[Joachim Osbeck]

I am 6'1/2" and cant fit in the VX with a helmet on + roof. BUT can easily fit in a std S1 Elise with my helmet on and the roof fitted.

Yes sure will, good info

Stupid question Is it possible to drop a Vx driveline to a Elise ( S1 or S2 ) ?

Examine them carefully and you will see any damage.

Is there paint in the mounts or just plain alu ?

[Stefan_A]

I am 6'1/2" and cant fit in the VX with a helmet on + roof. BUT can easily fit in a std S1 Elise with my helmet on and the roof fitted.

Yes sure will, good info

Stupid question Is it possible to drop a Vx driveline to a Elise ( S1 or S2 ) ?

Examine them carefully and you will see any damage.

Is there paint in the mounts or just plain alu ?

The Europa is using the same engine as the VX220 turbo, and drive shafts from the Europa is being used when fitting 6 speed gear box to the VX220. But most common mod to the Elise would be to fit a Honda engine, possibly including a super charger. There is/used to be an Elise S2 for sale in Malmö equipped with Honda engine and supercharger. Not cheap though...

As for the chassis, it's bare aluminium.

Regarding cars in Sweden, you'll better look at the swedish section of this forum; >Valhalla<

[Ben Cole]

The Rover K series is an extremely good engine let down by poor manufacturing. However since you mentioned the "boring " drivetrain in the 2.2 I feel it's only fair to mention that the K series was designed for one thing, economy. Having said that I did own a K VVC powered Rover Coupe and the engine was a joy to drive. Great power delivery and superb economy. In the end though despite my meticulous maintainence the cambelt slipped a few teeth and the rebuild cost over £1000. A series 1 Elise with a Honda K? Now that's a different matter

[slindborg]

S1 + duratec = PORN WIN

[rsg]

S1 + duratec = PORN WIN

Halfway down the page

P.O.A though

[the_village_idiot]

s1 IMO S1 clams are MUCH cheaper than VX clams lighter car- less stress on components greater range of tyres avaliable- although i suppose you could fit 16" fronts on a VX given a vx weighs about 100kg more than S1 elise, your gonna need more power for same power:weight ratio buy a S1: 135 Sport or a S1 111S- these will both be 140-145 BHP- both have close ratio gear boxes and so much quicker than a VX HGF isn't the end of the world on an S1- not if you have a race car budget- and its an exaggerated occurance too IMO

[meldert]

As people have already confirmed it is possible to run 15 inch all around. I do it on my car (OZ ultraleggera) they are 7 inch wide ET 35 IIRC. You probably have to change to Elise hubs though (as I have done) which have 4x100 bolt pattern, otherwise it will be hard to find suitable (light) rims. The hubs are ca £70 each. You will shave of a lot of weight by using 15 inch wheels... My car weighs 830 kg without me and half a tank of fuel. The "only" weight saving I had done at the time was changing the weels & hubs (ca - 30 kg), lighter flywheel (ca - 5 kg), aluminium belled brake disks (- ? kg), Custom exhaust (including manifold) (- 5-10 kg?). The stereo was still in the car with extra speakers in the dash. The original seats have a lot of padding, ca 5 cm (I have re-trimmed mine so I know this for sure) and its pretty solid so you won't compress it much when you sit in the seat. The lowest part of the seat (were your bum is) is only 5 mm from the floor of the car so there is not much to gain by trying to lower the original seat. Putting in a Tillet, Reverie or equivalent seat will probably give you atleast 5 cm of extra headroom (no padding and more reclined sitting position).

[cnrandall]

I think the VX is a great basis for a track car and certainly the engine is far stronger than a K-series and also the wheel bearings, hubs, wishbones etc are stronger than the S1 Elise ones and the build quality is generally better. That said, the S1 is easier to make faster due to it's weight, just consider the fragility that goes with it. I wouldn't bother going to 15" rims, just get some 16/17's. As for cages, we do one to suit a VX and it's about 15kg lighter than the safety dynamics one (because its all made from top quality T-45 chromoly steel) and far neater and less intrusive in the cockpit.

[siztenboots]

As people have already confirmed it is possible to run 15 inch all around. I do it on my car (OZ ultraleggera) they are 7 inch wide ET 35 IIRC. You probably have to change to Elise hubs though (as I have done) which have 4x100 bolt pattern, otherwise it will be hard to find suitable (light) rims. The hubs are ca £70 each.

You will shave of a lot of weight by using 15 inch wheels... My car weighs 830 kg without me and half a tank of fuel. The "only" weight saving I had done at the time was changing the weels & hubs (ca - 30 kg), lighter flywheel (ca - 5 kg), aluminium belled brake disks (- ? kg), Custom exhaust (including manifold) (- 5-10 kg?). The stereo was still in the car with extra speakers in the dash.

The original seats have a lot of padding, ca 5 cm (I have re-trimmed mine so I know this for sure) and its pretty solid so you won't compress it much when you sit in the seat. The lowest part of the seat (were your bum is) is only 5 mm from the floor of the car so there is not much to gain by trying to lower the original seat. Putting in a Tillet, Reverie or equivalent seat will probably give you atleast 5 cm of extra headroom (no padding and more reclined sitting position).

My turbo weighs 850 kg , albeit not much fuel. Still plenty of non essential things to save weight on without compromising comfort . I am tempted to take out the stereo as its a rubbish Sony one and the blaupunkt speaker setup is useless. Hoping to save about 8 kg unsprung mass on the front with the brake setup. Not sure if a 15" wheel goes over a 304 rotor , although there is loads of room on a 16"