Another of these V8 doubled-up bike engine things, but might be quite a nice engine for the Elise. Says on their website that they’re in the throws of slotting one into an Elise as a test model. Haven’t checked the prices of it yet, but if it were relatively inexpensive it could be worth considering.
Still, I’d like to see what an Elise with a 450bph Radical engine would be like.
but if it were relatively inexpensive it could be worth considering.
Is �20K plus (for engine/gearbox) "relatively inexpensive?
The Elise (somewhat mechanically unfinished as yet ) in question was on Sinclaire’s stand at the Donington Show last weekend.
No, it’s not.
But it does look great, especially if a finished engine bay really is that uncluttered.
Do you know if the gearbox is a sequential, or push button job?
Ian
�20k - wow, that’s pretty expensive. I was hoping that it would be cheaper than the Radical engine, but, alas, it isn’t. (Actually, I think even at �20k it is still a little cheaper than the Radical.)
Sounds like it would be a really nice match for the Elise/Exige, though. I wonder how much the ForcedFed 350bhp kit will come in at? (Although the character of a turbo-charged 4-pot would differ considerably from that of a 10,500rpm V8.)
Imagine it’d be a sequential 'box?
Anyone got any pics of the engine bay of that Elise?
Anyone got any pics of the engine bay of that Elise?
There may be some on SELOC, but I can’t remember, sorry.As I said earlier, there was still a lot of work to be done eg there were no driveshafts fitted.
There’s actually pics of it now on the website (http://www.rst-v8.co.uk) sporting a pretty mean-looking exhaust. (Didn’t look in the gallery section when I was visiting the site earlier today.)
Love the engine - light, powerful, low c of g but… not for an elise, don’t see the point.
“not for an elise, don’t see the point.”
Why do you not feel this engine would lend itself well to an Elise/Exige? I don’t mean to be confrontational, I’m just interested in your thoughts.
Personally, I would agree with Randy. 250bhp is more than adequate for a road going Exige/Elise - & few drivers will be able to exploit that to the max on track. This was ably demonstrated last Saturday at Silverstone (Britcar Race) when Randy & Scuffers were quicker in a 200bhp Elise than Ferrari 360s, Peugeot 406 DTM, Mantis, BMW M3 etc.
Again, not wishing to be confrontational:
Rather than spend megabucks getting a car for “pub bragging”, the majority of us (& I do include me!) would be quicker by spending a couple of grand on some one to one tutition at different circuits. Straightline speed is not the be all & end all. To be frank, on the UK roads the quickest from A to B is normally the one who is prepared to take the biggest risks.
Did I hear that the venerable Mr Walsh was going to be piloting a V8 Elise in the Britcar (but that it was not ready for the first race)??
No, AFAIK he will be doing the Mid-engined championship.
Rather than spend megabucks getting a car for “pub bragging”
cough cough splutter splutter honda cough cough
cough cough splutter splutter honda cough cough
Mark
LOL
I daren’t tell you how much my Honda conversion [color:“red”] didn’t [/color] cost me, but I may have a weak moment at Croft & spill the beans
As to the power, well it’s only about 200bhp as far as I know (original exhaust manifold), so it’s hardly pub bragging material when compared to the Rover VHPD is it?
“not for an elise, don’t see the point.”
Why do you not feel this engine would lend itself well to an Elise/Exige? I don’t mean to be confrontational, I’m just interested in your thoughts.
It’s not that I don’t think it lends itself to an Elise (although looking at the car at the Donny show they have a LOT of work to do), I just don’t see the point in spending that sort of money when you can go out and buy something like a Radical instead. It’s never going to be a roadcar engine and if you want the ultimate track day car, money no object, then the Elise just isn’t the right car.
Pesky - Simon and I have just spent the day at Donington sorting out all the handling issues. The car now feels fantastic and we can really carry speed into the corners. Time to give those Fessers a real run for their money .
I wonder how (un)useable these bike-sourced V8s would be on public roads?
I appreciated your points, however, part of me would like to see an extreme, road-going version of the Elise/Exige nonetheless. It may be a handful (although I’m not entirely convinced that it need per se be that much of a handful) and it may take a lot of money to achieve, but I’d still like to see someone slot a Radical V8 in there.
250bhp-300bhp is probably the sweet spot and anything else is a tad excessive, but an Elise/Exige that offered something approaching supercar performance in a lightweight package would be nice. It all gets a little “wanky” after a point. (All numbers, that are ultimately meaningless, but no one said fast cars were rational.)
Time to give those Fessers a real run for their money .
That’ll pi$$ your dad off no end - hope it doesn’t stop him earning his keep as your re-fueller though
…but an Elise/Exige that offered something approaching supercar performance in a lightweight package would be nice.
It’s already available, for a lot less than the RST/Radical options
Have you been out in an Exige with Honda SC or an Audi & experienced the outright straightline acceleration & speed to 170mph? I suspect not, but can understand it if you haven’t, cos there ain’t that many about yet
Just as I was thinking of taking me VHPD out and putting a BSA Bantam 175 engine in and see how economcal I could make the car. You lot start on the BHP game again!
Just as I was thinking of taking me VHPD out and putting a BSA Bantam 175 engine in
Don’t you ever listen - Honda is the way forward (although rumour has it Lotus are looking at a cheaper Yamaha option)
Didn’t Lotus buy an Italian bike company recently?!
Not that Yamaha only do bike engines, they did some of Ford’s stuff (eg. Puma).
Ian