EJ20 in a Lotus

[apexanimal]

read this article and thought it was pretty applicable to the builds here

http://www.speedhunters.com/2015/05/bsk-ej20-lotus-elise/

[Hindsight]

That shift linkage!

[TouchStone]

All the upgrades and custom design work and the overflow tank is a used water bottle mounted with zipties.;)

[Scargo]

That shift linkage! Doesn't seem possible with a shifter in the middle of the car. Go over the engine?
Mainly, the rear of the transaxle case is completely different from how we are told how to do the conversion. They have just a flat plate. Is that possible or is it much more than just a flat plate?

[RM1SepEx]

I have a mid engined shift kit for a VW trans, it also uses a single universal jointed shaft for the shift linkage, all that you need is in and out and rotation. W/O the gas tank behind the seats the path would be easy down the side of the engine, under the left cylinder bank

[Kurk818]

That is definitely a 5-speed, not a 6 speed.

[xxguitarist]

That shift linkage! Doesn't seem possible with a shifter in the middle of the car. Go over the engine?
Mainly, the rear of the transaxle case is completely different from how we are told how to do the conversion. They have just a flat plate. Is that possible or is it much more than just a flat plate?

That's about how the 5 speed is done.



I can see how this linkage would work, but it definitely relies on some precise U joints and linear/rotary combination bearing surfaces for the shaft to slide & twist. The leverage would be a little odd on the shifter fork end, but not too bad I guess. Very interesting approach.

[RM1SepEx]

You need to be careful how the joints are aligned so that they don't work against each other, in the proper alignment it works fine, just like the steering when you use a series of joints

[Bob_n_Cincy]

I was seriously looking at a shaft linkage for my shifter.
I don't have a gas tank in the way. So I was going to go under the motor on the divers side.
I determined it was possible with the stock exhaust manifold.
I have future plans to go to equal length headers. Which would block my under motor path.
I'm very happy with my cable shifter.
Bob

[RM1SepEx]

I just buttoned up my shifter this AM, I'm also very happy with the MR2 and cable setup. My belcrank works awesome, throws are short and I'm going to do a shift arm extension trial tomorrow after chucking the extension in a lathe to make it fit my shifter

[Wayne Presley]

I'd do a Honda K24 in a heartbeat in an Elise before I would do an EJ.

[Scargo]

Dan, I'm so glad your shifter is working well, especially since I have one laying here...
Wayne, et all, I wondered about the choice of engines. Is the slightly lowered CG all that big a deal? I would think not. Would you add a turbo to the Honda motor or a supercharger like the Lotus "S"?
I've had people ask me whether I think the Subaru is a good choice for a track car. That's a hard one. I've seen so many fail and even literally blow up when raced. Things sure do need to be done correctly and recognize the limits of the motor, IMHO. OTOH, stuff is relatively cheap. You can do a new short-block with forged pistons for $2300, if you stuff them in yourself.
I got into a new STi in 2011 mainly because I didn't have the confidence that I could still drive a RWD car on the track. A lot of years had passed since I was last on a road course. I had been looking at a Cayman S. I thought an AWD would give me an edge. So here I am years down the road with Subies and wonder if I'm crazy?
I wonder what a good mid-engined alternative for the 818 would be? One that could get to 4:1 or 5:1 P/W ratio and stay together? That would make for a good, new thread, no?

[apexanimal]

I'd do a Honda K24 in a heartbeat in an Elise before I would do an EJ.

i was thinking a k20a2 in the 818

:shiftyeyed:

[Pearldrummer7]

You can make as much power as you want with a 'Yota 2ZZGE though....


http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f160/another-new-2zz-ge-power-record-823whp-98799/

I wanted (still want) one in my 818

[Wayne Presley]

The 2ZZ is a good motor and can take a fair amount of boost. Ive run one on pump gas at 18 psi making 375 RWHP.
But I think the high reving Honda K20 with a turbo would be a good fit. But it would be hard to beat the durability and HP of an Chevy LS3

[Pearldrummer7]

LS3's have a much bigger footprint than a 2ZZ or a K20 don't they?

I saw a rotary Lotus at a car show once. They called it the Rotus...I had a chuckle from that.


Either way, this Lotus with the EJ is super badass. Great find