Conversion
No, not the religious kind, although this car makes us think about it. The conversion we're concerned with here is from Rover's conservative, but adequate for a 1,700-lb. car, K-series engine to Honda's raging B18C5. Tom Cahalane, the Elise program director at Sun International came up with the idea after a customer brought in a car with the stock engine.
The rest became obvious in a hurry. The Honda mill fit, made ample power and was relatively light-sort of a no-brainer, if you ask us.
Apparently, Cahalane thought so too as there are now a handful Honda-powered Elises running around. The entire conversion runs about $55,000-not exactly pocket change, but a reasonable price when considering the company this car keeps from a performance standpoint. Not to mention, with a Type R-powered Elise, all owners will be driving one of the most rare and unique cars on the road. Cahalane said Sun can build the cars at a rate of about one per week, so it looks like their owners will remain in a fairly exclusive club.
If you're not satisfied with the 195 hp from the stock engine, Sun will custom build a B18 specifically for your Elise. Possible upgrades include higher compression, a lighter flywheel, modified VTEC switchover points, a baffled oil pan and a displacement increase up to 2.0-liters. Sun is also working on a carbon fiber muffler, which will scratch 13 lbs from the weight of the stock Elise exhaust currently in use, as well as a free-flow catalytic converter.
We can't imagine why anyone would want more power. Sure, there's always going to be someone with a faster car-so what? This car defines driving pleasure. It's quicker and more agile than almost all of today's road cars and likely rivals many racecars dynamically. Plus, where else could you defy two continents full of brand-loyal purists? It'll have the Lotus and Honda camps riled up for years to come.
Like we said, it's just that good.
| '99 LOTUS ELISE BY SUN INTERNATIONAL |
| Estimated Price | : $55,000 |
| Engine |
| Engine Code | : B18C5 |
| Type | : In-line four, aluminum block
and head |
| Valvetrain | : DOHC, four valves per cylinder,
VTEC variable valve timing |
| Displacement | : 1797 cc |
| Bore & Stroke | : 81.0mm x 87.2mm |
| Compression Ratio | : 10.6:1 |
| Horsepower | : 195 hp at 8000rpm |
| Torque | : 130 lb-ft at 7500 rpm |
| Redline | : 8400 rpm |
| DRIVETRAIN |
| Layout | : Tranverse, mid-engine,
rear-wheel drive |
| Transmission | : Gear Ratios |
| 1 | : 3.230:1 |
| 2 | : 2.105:1 |
| 3 | : 1.458:1 |
| 4 | : 1.107:1 |
| 5 | : 0.848:1 |
| Final drive | : 4.400:1 |
| Differential | : Helical limited slip |
| EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS |
| Curb Weight | : 1,710 lbs. |
| Weight Distribution F/R | : 38/62 |
| Overall Length | : 146.7 in. |
| Wheelbase | : 90.6 in. |
| Overall Width | : 66.9 in. |
| Track F/R | : 56.6 in./57.4 in. |
| Height | : 45.2 in. |
| SUSPENSION |
| Front | : Upper and lower control arms,
anti-roll bar |
| Rear | : Upper and lower control arms |
| BRAKES |
| Front | : 11.1-inch vented rotors,fixed
two-piston opposing calipers |
| Rear | : 11.1-inch vented rotors,
single-piston sliding calipers |
| WHEELS AND TIRES |
| Wheels: | Front: 15x5.5
Rear: 16x7.0 |
| Tires: | Front: 185/55-15
Rear: 205/50-16 |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Acceleration |
| 0-30 mph | : 2.1 sec. |
| 0-60 mph | : 5.1 sec. |
| 30-50 mph | : 1.8 sec. |
| 50-70 mph | : 2.4 sec. |
| Quarter Mile | : 13.2 sec. @104 |
| HANDLING |
| Slalom speed (700 ft.) | : 70.1 mph |
| BRAKING |
| 60-0 stopping distance | : 133 ft |