Project Elise – A Proper Introduction

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With all of these systems in place the Elise tips the scale at 1,987 lbs and has a weight distribution of 38%F and 62%R. Doing the math (using the average measured wheel horsepower) the Elise has a power to weight ratio of 11.97:1.  

This sub panel is all aluminum with weight reduction holes that are are fully radiused for strength and rigidity.

Quite simply the Elise does more using less. These simple yet effective systems for speed are all tucked underneath a completely fiberglass body to reducee weight. The Elise maximizes it’s efficiency in aerodynamics by using an all aluminum flat bottom under tray on the car. 

This under panel fits directly beneath the engine and features NACA ducts to cool the engine and transmission.

Aluminium flat bottom with functional rear diffuser.  Not too shabby for a factory setup…

The panel directly underneath the engine uses NACA ducts to cool the engine and transmission and that panel connects to the functional rear diffuser. All of this hellafunctionality is completely stock, off the showroom floor, right out of the crate… Proof positive that the Lotus Elise was built for one thing… To go quickly around a track! 

The Jack Helper is a fabricated piece that allows the use of the rear main diffuser bolts to provide a central lifting point for your jack.  It has proven to be worth its weight in gold.

As we begin to learn our way around the car we have learned a great deal about the platform. First and foremost with the aluminum flat bottom, jacking up the car takes a bit more care than your typical car. With specific jack points and the rear diffuser being in the way of using the rear most points we opted to purchase the now famous “jack helper” from long time Lotus enthusiast Jim Clayton.  We have also learned that the Lotus is one of easiest cars to work on. Given the simplicity of its systems everything is straight forward and logical. One can jack up the front of the car and have the coil over assembly removed in 10 minutes, brake pad changes are a cinch, even changing the oil (which requires removal of the rear diffuser and engine under tray) is easy to do. 

One of the tricks to adjusting the alignment is to remove these shims to gain negative camber.  This can easily be done in both the front and rear of the Elise.

After a few months of ownership the car has proven to be an absolute blast to drive. Having previously owned an S2000 and having driven many other cars on the street, in years of autocrossing, and dedicated race cars at the track, the Elise is one of the most visceral cars we have ever driven. 

In the next installment we will be performing a complete baseline analysis of the car from dyno. testing to corner weighting; we want a COMPLETE data set to mark the start of the project. The overall goal of project Elise will be simple yet difficult to achieve on an already amazing car. “Improve upon every performance aspect of the car without detracting from its original character and drivability.” 

Until next time…