Project V6 Elise

[Dominic]

Oh, and

[Kev]

Paul, forgotten what my Elise looked like

My Elise started to overheat last year, assuming HGF, with it only being back on the road for a week, I got the huff and locked it in the garage and forgot about it. Well, until I read a post on SELOC about Paul looking to do a V6 elise conversion, I emailed him for some details, then a phone call later a deal was done and my Elise is going to be the test mule!!!!

It's not getting the 2GR-FE engine but the 3.0L 1MZ-FE V6 out off a toyota camry, assuming it all fits and works out, it's going to be a monster!!! We know monkey wrench in the states managed to fit a 2GR-FE in an Elise, so fingers crossed it'll all work out. The 2GR-FE looks MASSIVE compared to the 1MZ-FE, that's why Paul's keen to go the 1MZ route first, as the 1MZ would suit the Elise better.

Looking forward to this build thread as it's going to be

To see some of Paul's magic, get yourselves registered on http://www.Twobrutal.co.uk and look at his past build projects, the bloke's a genius!!

[robin]

How much does this engine weigh for how much power output? V6 is nice, but if you end up with 150kg of engine and 200bhp I'm not sure you're winning over a 4-pot honda, duratec, etc., although it will be a nicer road engine with bags of torque.

Cheers,
Robin

[graeme]

You're winning on cost... It costs £2-3k fitted to shove one in an MR2, so maybe £3-4k fitted in an Elise?

I don't think anyone would argue it can compete with a Duratec or Honda, but they're not really in the same price range so not really fair to compare.

[OlberJ]

It's a completely alloy engine the 1MZ. 153kgs wet apparently.

The torque spread though is what makes it such fun. You've got nearly a full 4k worth of linear go and you're never out of gear. If you're used to driving a peaky engine it will take a bit of getting used to but in something as relatively lightweight as an Elise, it makes it a bit of an animal.

It's not going to win many drag races but the on the road driving level of involvement having that much room to play with your right foot and keep it predictable is the most pleasurable thing.

The weight will be about the same as an SC.

[CubanGav]

You're winning on cost... It costs £2-3k fitted to shove one in an MR2, so maybe £3-4k fitted in an Elise?

I don't think anyone would argue it can compete with a Duratec or Honda, but they're not really in the same price range so not really fair to compare.

If it comes in at anywhere near 4K I'm having one. I'd be gobsmacked if it did though.

Kev - I am assuming yours had a K in it though if it went HGF?

[Kev]

Well the 1MZ engine at stock is 205 bhp and 200 lbft, not sure of the specific weight but Paul is hoping the total conversion will add about 40-50kgs over the 'K' series. Will I notice the weight difference, probably not, doesn't mean someone else won't. I haven't really driven it for a year. I not going to put down the cost, I'll leave that for Paul, but lets say I'm paying less turn key (if the conversion works out) than I would for the DIY Duratec Kit. The full conversion cost won't be fully known until Paul cracks mine, but lets say he's hoping to offer it a lot cheaper than the other conversions.

although it will be a nicer road engine with bags of torque

This is purely what I'm after! I would love an Audi conversion, but could never justify spending the same value of the car on an engine conversion. If at the end of the day I started with an early S2 K series elise weighing about 775-825ish Kgs and end up with a 200 bhp, 200lbft V6 elise that weighs 900 Kgs I'll still be a happy bunny!!!

Kev - I am assuming yours had a K in it though if it went HGF?

[Shug]

What's the upgrade path like on the 1MZ? One assumes an understressed engine as standard - don't really know much about it?

[graeme]

Very understressed Shug. There's a TRD supercharger kit. Bolt on, no internal mods. 250bhp/250lb-ft.

Not sure if you can still get the kit or if it would fit in an Elise but should give an indication.

[CubanGav]

Google seems to think they will handle 500HP fine. Supercharger and headwork seems to be the way.

[kenny]

Google seems to think they will handle 500HP fine.

500bhp in an Elise would be interesting.

[j2 lot]

Would never see a straight line in the wet

[woody]

Google seems to think they will handle 500HP fine.

500bhp in an Elise would be interesting.

There's a chap, Greg, on Seloc just built a 480bhp Audi... Then greg'd it. Being rebuilt with more.

[OlberJ]

Kev, i'd be very interested to put this up against the Mk3 and see how it compares

[Kev]

What's the upgrade path like on the 1MZ? One assumes an understressed engine as standard - don't really know much about it?

As graeme said there is the TRD supercharger, but they are no longer available to buy new, but they do come up on ebay occasionally but hold very good money. If I remember correctly, the 1MZ is good for about 300bhp before you should look at changing the internals, the biggest problem is the piston ring lands. There's a few folk about with 300bhp + with standard internals in the mr2. Paul was looking in to the Scion supercharger, which you can pick up cheaply on ebay in the states, for the mr2 v6 conversions, but has yet to develop it because of his workload. I don't think there is much off the shelf tuning parts for the 1MZ, like cams etc but I haven't really looked to it.

Kev, i'd be very interested to put this up against the Mk3 and see how it compares

I'm sure we could organise something