Santa brought me a new go kart... okay "CAR", for Xmas!

[WhatsADSM]

So there have been some changes in the WhatsADSM stable this past month. And it ended up with me taking out about 700 horses and only putting in 190 in return. :durr

It was VERY sad to see the 240 leave, but there were some small things I didn't like about it, and more then anything I was just ready to "move on". Seeing as how I spend most of my time fooling around on the street and at HPDEs these days it only made sense that this car was on the radar. Likely one of THE most enjoyable vehicles to drive, and one that even with little horsepower is a great track weapon. Of course don't plan on it staying stock PAH for to long ;)

Without further ado, here is the new whip (2006 Lotus Elise - Sport pack):
http://www.murlynna.com/pics/Lotus/resized/RearInGarage.jpg
http://www.murlynna.com/pics/Lotus/resized/DriverRearQuarter.jpg
http://www.murlynna.com/pics/Lotus/resized/DriverSide1.jpg
http://www.murlynna.com/pics/Lotus/resized/Front1.jpg
http://www.murlynna.com/pics/Lotus/resized/PassengerSide1.jpg
http://www.murlynna.com/pics/Lotus/resized/PassengerRearQuarter.jpg
http://www.murlynna.com/pics/Lotus/resized/RearOutside1.jpg
http://www.murlynna.com/pics/Lotus/resized/Interior1.jpg
http://www.murlynna.com/pics/Lotus/resized/Interior2.jpg
http://www.murlynna.com/pics/Lotus/resized/Gauges.jpg
http://www.murlynna.com/pics/Lotus/resized/EliseBadge.jpg

[RanJer]

:drool::drool::drool::drool:

B-E-A-UTIFUL!

[Prince Valiant]

Okay..."GO KART" for christmas.


Great kill on the car! I'm sure that thing would have made my insight feel like a cadilac!

[Lash]

It's smiling at me!

[WhatsADSM]

Okay..."GO KART" for christmas.


Great kill on the car! I'm sure that thing would have made my insight feel like a cadilac!

LOL, yea for sure; The insight is like an Escalade by comparison. :rolf For those that don't know the Elise is EXTREMELY spartan... The reason being of course is weight (Under 2000 pounds curb weight :wow Not a typo).

But yea only good news is that I am coming from a caged, loud, stiff, 240... So it is all kind of relative. On one hand I am all excited I get a car with A/C, push button start, and a more modern interior. On the other hand it's a Lotus so some of the "parts" they put on there make you think "really... you sold a car like this?" Sure its a little loud, its a little crazy getting in and out of, it's probably the most fragile body I know of... but boy is it tons of fun. I can only imagine it with a little more nuts.

[BoosTT]

Nice car! I really like the hardtop option.

How are you going to hold back and not drive that in the salt??

[TheRX7Project]

Are. You. Serious. When can I has drive (if I fit).

[GHOSST]

Thats one ugly vehicle. Is it fast at least?

[Gregor]

I bet that would kill at Miller park next season (SCCA).

[Reverend Cooper]

Im driving it

[nismodave]

Congrats! Great Track car!

[Flicktitty]

Congrats Murray, i knew it was only a matter of time till you had one. can't wait to see that thing out and about.


Where did the 240 end up going?

[Dr.Buick]

Nice car! I really like the hardtop option.

How are you going to hold back and not drive that in the salt??
Salt? I will be driving it after dinner LOL and the power plans are nuts comment out of my shop LOL. Can't wait to see a 1.00 sixty foot.

[juicedimpss]

congrats on the new ride Murray.
I cant say i have seen many of those that color driving on the streets around here.

[michelle]

Nice!

[stealthy1ss]

Very nice Murray! What kind of motor is in it and when can I get a ride?

[jbiscuit]

Nice ride Murray!!! Bet its a blast to flog!

[WhatsADSM]

Salt? I will be driving it after dinner LOL and the power plans are nuts comment out of my shop LOL. Can't wait to see a 1.00 sixty foot.
1.0 lol. This is no drag car that's for sure. yea I ain't be driving it much until spring after the salt is washed away.


Very nice Murray! What kind of motor is in it and when can I get a ride?
It's got a (lotus modified) Toyota 2zz (high reving 1.8l NA 4 cylinder) nothing too crazy really. I'll likely do something to it before spring to give it some moroe power to go with the handling. I'll take you for a spin at the nextroad america event otherwise I'm sure ill have it out for the first casual spring BCM outing.


Nice ride Murray!!! Bet its a blast to flog!

Thanks j (and all) !

[jbiscuit]

hope to see it out at some summer Gilles BCM outings in 2011!

[Flicktitty]

It's got a Toyota 2zz



Only 1 letter away and you woulda been golden. :goof

[WhatsADSM]

Where did the 240 end up going?

Chicagoland area.. around midway.

[LIZMO]

Bet well see the 240 hella low w some rubberbands on it (stupid chicago ppl)
I'm glad u finally got it!!!
And I want a ride in it at the track.. You know to compare it to your 240 lol
Congrats!

[Dr.Buick]

Very Nice car! Thanks Murray for letting me take it for a spin :shades. time to go under the knife ;).

[Crawlin]

awesome!!!!!

[Mr Twigbert]

Man, I know it's cool but I just can't get past the looks.. Sorry..

[WhatsADSM]

FWIW they are really goofy looking cars in pictures... cartoonish really.

But in person they actually look pretty cool and exotic. Come check it out at gillies one night.

[lordairgtar]

I love those cars.

[Cryptic]

Very cool Murray

shoulda got the magnetic blue one :goof
http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/attachments/f94/97287d1224162231-fs-2007-lotus-exige-s-magnetic-blue-patterson-new-houses-005-small-.jpg

[stealthy1ss]

So are you thinking an Ecotec swap for more nuts or are you going to work with the current motor?

[WhatsADSM]

Very cool Murray

shoulda got the magnetic blue one :goof
http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/attachments/f94/97287d1224162231-fs-2007-lotus-exige-s-magnetic-blue-patterson-new-houses-005-small-.jpg
Would have LOVED an exige s! Love the mag blue as well. Just a little outside of my price range ;)

So are you thinking an Ecotec swap for more nuts or are you going to work with the current motor?
Keep the 2zz and add some form of forced induction. Just not sure the exact route I will be going yet.

[scaleracer]

Damn I would've rather had the 240 but that's just my opinion lol! Nice new little toy though slam it and mod the motor though lol! :thumbsup

[FoxStang]

Nice car! I really like the hardtop option.

How are you going to hold back and not drive that in the salt??

Not a true hardtop like the Exige, but sweet pick nonetheless, I'm quite jealous.

Will a 3SGTE fit?

[British_Ben]

Awesome car, congrats.

[WhatsADSM]

Not a true hardtop like the Exige, but sweet pick nonetheless, I'm quite jealous.

Will a 3SGTE fit?

The elise and exige are essentially the same vehicle and built on the same frame. The exige simply has different body work (IMO better looking) and has a "permanent" hardtop installed from the factory... although it can be removed:
http://i43.tinypic.com/2m5h5zc.jpg

But yea I HAD to get the hardtop no matter what route I went. I am just more of a hardtop guy. Although once it gets a little warmer I'll likely give the softtop and no top a shot.

As for the 3SGTE, that is a good question. 3SGTE is certainly a good engine. Not sure if it has ever really been attempted.
Lotus guys are VERY weight sensitive (read obsessed), and I'm sure the thought of putting in a heavy larger iron block engine in the place of a smaller all aluminum engine is blasphemy. Although I will say the 2zz isn't that bad of an engine. Strong crank, strong rods, just SHITTY pistons. So basically with a set of drop in pistons (without sleeves even) you will have an engine capable a reliable 400-500whp. So honestly it is just easier to stick with the 2zz, do a mild build and add some forced induction. It really doesn't take much power to make a 2000lb car "fast". With around 300whp it would have the same power/weight ratio as a C6 Z06. :stare

The bigger issue with the 2zz setup is the transmission. You are playing with fire around that 300whp mark. The common swap is to use the E153, the transmission mated with the 3SGTE in the early 90s MR-2s. Although you go from 6 speeds down to 5 it will apparently hold almost anything you can throw at it even in MR configuration.

[Haulin' Oates]

Congratulations Murray!

[BR3W CITY]

looks slick man, might have to let me see if i can even fit in it (doubtful)

[DSMDuDE]

I also want to compare.. I drove the 240... Now i want to drive this one! Hahaha

Very cool car, can not wait to see what is all done to it!

[WilliamZ]

Waaaaaaaaaa?

[easytoremember]

Niiice. I dated a girl named Elise. But I bet she isn't half as fun to ride as that car looks like it is. congrats on the ride.

[hrsp]

Nice!!!