Exige/111R Lotus Motorsport ECU

SteveBanks · Post by **SteveBanks** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 7:39 pm

Fitted my Motorsport ECU tonight - what a difference!

Went home the long way and cannot believe the transformation. I was concerned that people had only been raving about it to justify their expense but what they say is true, the real-world difference is vast compared to how it sounds on paper.

Highly recommended for all yota engined car owners.

ryallm · Post by **ryallm** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 8:45 pm

SteveBanks wrote:Fitted my Motorsport ECU tonight - what a difference!

Went home the long way and cannot believe the transformation. I was concerned that people had only been raving about it to justify their expense but what they say is true, the real-world difference is vast compared to how it sounds on paper.

Highly recommended for all yota engined car owners.

Its great isnt it? I have been telling anyone who will listen the same thing ever since I had mine done back in Feb, but I am surprised how few SEers have had it done.

Mark

renmure · Post by **renmure** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 9:04 pm

I have been keen to get it done and asked Graeme at MMC a few months or so ago to give me a shout when they had a car in stock which had already been done so I could see/feel the difference. Glad it seems a good idea tho.

dezzy · Post by **dezzy** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 9:17 pm

I would like to get it done, but I just think it's disgusting that Lotus charge for an "upgrade" when it should really be a free "maintenance" patch to the ECU. If software manufacturers find a better more performant way for their software to run, they tend to release it as maintenance patches. They only charge if it's a full upgrade and brand new version of the software.

If Lotus think the engine performs better with the cam switchover at 5,750rpm, then they should offer it as a free ECU upgrade to all owners through the dealer network.

I hear they won't even give the software to the dealer network (it has to go to Hethel) because they know the dealers will just end up applying it to all their cars, or offer more competitive prices than going directly to the factory.

D

111Robin · Post by **111Robin** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 11:11 pm

Did you get it from MMC ?. Do you need to exchange your current ECU for the re-mapped unit or do they re-map your own ?. How much ?.

mac · Post by **mac** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 7:30 am

dezzy wrote:I would like to get it done, but I just think it's disgusting that Lotus charge for an "upgrade" when it should really be a free "maintenance" patch to the ECU. If software manufacturers find a better more performant way for their software to run, they tend to release it as maintenance patches. They only charge if it's a full upgrade and brand new version of the software.

If Lotus think the engine performs better with the cam switchover at 5,750rpm, then they should offer it as a free ECU upgrade to all owners through the dealer network.

I hear they won't even give the software to the dealer network (it has to go to Hethel) because they know the dealers will just end up applying it to all their cars, or offer more competitive prices than going directly to the factory.

D

Could you not agrue the same about re-valving the dampers? Perhaps it has been re-written and does more than just change the cam point? Speak to Lotus Motorsport direct (they are alway happy to hear from customers) - you never know you might be able to talk them round to your way of thinking.

Mac

gdr · Post by **gdr** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 8:10 am

111Robin wrote:Did you get it from MMC ?. Do you need to exchange your current ECU for the re-mapped unit or do they re-map your own ?. How much ?.

I went the route of sending my ECU to Hangar111 in Ipswich who nip up to Lotus to have it reflashed. It is now on way back to me via ANC and I should have it back today. Cost £395 plus VAT plus postage for the reflash. Car out of service for 10 days, but for another £400 you could get a complete new ECU.
Encouraging to hear general consensus is that is a good thing albeit a bit of a rip off. Hopefully will find out for myself this weekend.

ryallm · Post by **ryallm** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 9:20 am

dezzy wrote:I would like to get it done, but I just think it's disgusting that Lotus charge for an "upgrade" when it should really be a free "maintenance" patch to the ECU. If software manufacturers find a better more performant way for their software to run, they tend to release it as maintenance patches. They only charge if it's a full upgrade and brand new version of the software.

If Lotus think the engine performs better with the cam switchover at 5,750rpm, then they should offer it as a free ECU upgrade to all owners through the dealer network.

I hear they won't even give the software to the dealer network (it has to go to Hethel) because they know the dealers will just end up applying it to all their cars, or offer more competitive prices than going directly to the factory.

D

Know where you are coming from on this, but the fact is it is not free and that isn't going to change, but for less than the price of a decent sports exhaust (which adds zip to performance) you can make a huge improvement to the way the car drives.

BTW I am a director of a small software company, and we try to avoid doing anything for free

The guys at Lotus Sport (which is run a bit separately from the the rest of Lotus) apparently spent a lot of time trying out new ECU maps, so I can't blame them for trying to recoup a few beer tokens

Mark

Andy G · Post by **Andy G** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 9:49 am

FYI guys

Ali has a great contact at Lotus Motorsport and can get this upgrade done for you.

Not sure what it was going to cost but if anyone is interested give him a call on 07961 445483

If i still have the 111r, i'd have gone down this route for sure!

Scottynic · Post by **Scottynic** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 10:26 am

is there anything gonna be available for the elise S?

SteveBanks · Post by **SteveBanks** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 4:47 pm

Andy G wrote:FYI guys

Ali has a great contact at Lotus Motorsport and can get this upgrade done for you.

But he wont send an ECU to Ali without PX so you're still left without a car for a while

However, I spoke to Ali yesterday and told him that if he has any customers wanting to do this then he can use my old ECU to keep them on the road until theirs is returned.

Lawrence · Post by **Lawrence** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 2:46 pm

Does anyone have a picture of this ECU?

I'm curious as to whether it's a Toyota part or a Lotus bespoke park

I have the one out of my Europa and as it's attached to the inlet manifold it looks very much like standard GM part, some say Astra VXR

I'm thinking any Lotus involvement is in mapping the entire engine/car rather than fine tuning of previous work and so is reasonably priced IMHO

ryallm · Post by **ryallm** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 4:57 pm

Lawrence wrote:Does anyone have a picture of this ECU?

I'm curious as to whether it's a Toyota part or a Lotus bespoke park

I have the one out of my Europa and as it's attached to the inlet manifold it looks very much like standard GM part, some say Astra VXR

I'm thinking any Lotus involvement is in mapping the entire engine/car rather than fine tuning of previous work and so is reasonably priced IMHO

Don't have a picture, but it is definitely a Lotus part. Post March 05 cars like mine can just be reflashed to lower the cam changeover; earlier 111Rs/Exiges need a whole new ECU.

Mark

SteveBanks · Post by **SteveBanks** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 6:08 pm

Lawrence wrote:Does anyone have a picture of this ECU?

I'm curious as to whether it's a Toyota part or a Lotus bespoke park

I have the one out of my Europa and as it's attached to the inlet manifold it looks very much like standard GM part, some say Astra VXR

I'm thinking any Lotus involvement is in mapping the entire engine/car rather than fine tuning of previous work and so is reasonably priced IMHO

Lawrence · Post by **Lawrence** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 6:39 pm

SteveBanks wrote:

I see

Good to know then that they are developing ecus that can be re-mapped, it may soon be the only upgrade you can buy........

Scottish Elises

Exige/111R Lotus Motorsport ECU

Exige/111R Lotus Motorsport ECU

Re: Exige/111R Lotus Motorsport ECU

Re: Exige/111R Lotus Motorsport ECU

Re: Exige/111R Lotus Motorsport ECU