2024 Year End Summary & 2025 Projections!

 Another year has come to a close and I am grateful that we are still kickin' asphalt!  Purchasing a building in Temecula assures that we can continue to support this community for decades to come.  We introduced some new parts, completed several car builds, enhanced our services and either hosted, sponsored or attended dozens of events.  It has been a productive and fun year!

Parts

Tuning advancements were one of our biggest accomplishments in 2024.  We were the first to tune an EvoraGT to 500hp using the stock ECU.  Brent@Xclusive has made significant steps on both Evora and Elise/Exige ECUs.  Our CARB plans were delayed as the building purchase demanded money that we had saved - City Code compliance is an expensive investment!  We are excited to say that this partnership with Xclusive will continue to bear fruit as Brent plans to move out West in 2025!  

Our Nitron 46mm Singles - S111 Spec was a great hit for us.  This suspension has been on our 111RS for a couple of years and has performed well on the dozens of canyon runs, track days and road trips that I have taken.  Our batTRAY product is working out great for clients who want to run full sized batteries.  Our TEMPkit and OILPTkit are two solutions designed to integrate with the AiM MX2E and provide needed info.  

We redesigned and reintroduced the much requested V2subFIX2.  We've redesigned our baffled fuel tank with no moving parts (see above image).  Our 111tank is the right way to fix fuel starvation as it requires no modifications to your existing fuel system.  Our DW65c Fuel Pump is a natural upgrade to install at the same time.

We have also been looking for lower cost solutions.  We introduced a lower cost fix for the factory oil lines with our oilLINEfittings.  Plus we have a new supplier for 1 piece brake rotors that are a great low cost alternative to OE.  Our new 111Rcoil is an excellent value - we've been running it in our 111RS all year long.

Emira parts were added to our offering now that the cars are on the roads.  We have a CAI, Muffler, Decat, Nitrons, Wheels and Springs!  Now that the AMG-engined cars are being delivered, we hope to see even more excitement.

Service
We serviced over 125 cars which is a 25% increase over last year.  Our goal is to become the best performance shop in the Temecula Valley area for driver's cars.  We've added an additional lift and our own AC Machine which allowed us to develop a comprehensive diag service.  Clients from around the country continue to send us their cars.  We're humbled by their willingness to send us their cars.  Every car that comes here gets our TLC - and thankfully we stock so many of the parts needed to upgrade them quickly.  Though if I am honest, servicing old cars can sometimes be a real challenge!

Our new building has been key to our increased abilities and efficiency.  With a fully fenced in yard, with space for a 40ft container, we have the room to add the tools and equipment to properly service our clients cars.

Car Builds

We completed three 111RS builds this year and a Drakan (almost two)!  Refreshing the 111 platform is a key goal of ours.  Giving worn out Lotus a new lease on life is what our 111RS program is accomplishing.  These cars have been amazing and the tribute 111RS (see above) that we built to honor a fallen Navy Seal was especially heart-warming for us.

Drakan #9 was completed and shipped to her new owner in FL.  This was a new color combo that we had not done in the previous 8 cars.  It looked really fantastic in those colors and with the aero kit.  Did I mention it remains one of the most ferocious yet driveable car I've ever driven?  Clearly I am biased!  We plan to build 5 more in 2025 - supply chain headaches be damned!

An Electrogenic EV conversion was also a big accomplishment for our team this year when we completed a '66 Jag XKE.  We have another Series 3 car and a Defender 90 that we will be completing in early 2025.  They introduced a Miata and classic Mini kits that I look forward to installing soon - anyone interested?

Events

This was an EPIC year!  I had the chance to meet and drive with many of you around the country.  The highlight had to be the trip I took from Lotus of Detroit to the Lotus vs the Dragon event in TN.  Wow!  It was one of the best road trips I have EVER taken and will be lodged firmly in my grey matter forever.  I also attended LOG43 and WCLM which were wonderful events.  These events require so much planning and effort - kudos to all who slave away so that we can have so much fun.  

Hanging out with like-minded enthusiasts is something I truly enjoy.  I love the thrill of driving these cars but the comraderie that comes from these events is a close second!  I had the true priviledge of spending time with so many of you this year!

We hosted several events including our Grand Opening and 2econd Saturdays events at our shop this year.  This monthly gathering has been fun as we change up the format each month.

The Tech Seminar with Nitron was a treat for us tech geeks as Guy Evans took us all through the basics (and then some) of suspensions.  We hosted several artist exhibitions at these events in partnership with my other company Brand Assassins.  

Other

I have started many businesses since 2000, many of which launced on the coat tails of an existing business I had.  Sector111 started from Filter Market.  Drakan Cars came from Sector111.  Other companies, including Rev111 or KappaSphere were ultimately sold while others shut down.  Sector111 has been repositioned as a Lotus focused parts brand.  

InoKinetic continues to spawn other companies, including Brand Assassins and my wife's venture, Stacy Sorts.  Stacy has been pivotal to our success and longevity.  She start a professional organizing business a few years ago and it has found it's legs in 2024.  Stacy Sorts grew by 25% and continues to thrive with Stacy more energized than ever before.  She has found her calling and I could not be more proud of her!

We have been fairly active with new Youtube videos, IG and FB posts along with Forums.  Though I prefer to hang out and talk in person, I know that these other methods of interacting are critical.

2025 Projections 

I have a great team that I know will continue to provide premium parts and service to you.  Our Core Values: Integrity, Quality, Communication, Resuts and Persistance drive us to serve all of you.  We have plenty more new parts, car builds and events that we plan to commercialize, host or support in 2025.

Emira is high on our list for some TLC.  I think an AMG-engined Emira will make it's way into our garage for tuning.  It seems to the right choice for track use and Brent has already cracked the AMG engine ECU so we feel we have a good shot at it.  He is already working on the V6 engine car's ECU as well.  This will be first.

Alfa 4C parts and service are high on our list for the new year.  Jorge is one our techs that is Alfa/Maserati/Ferrari/Fiat Dealer trained.  He knows the 4C so we need to promote our capabilities!  

The other car that is going to get some attention is the C8 Vette.  This car impressed after a weekend of driving Nitron's Stingray.  We plan to invest some resources into these cars to provide support to the thousands of cars that are on the roads in SoCal!

The 111 platform will, no doubt, get more love.  We now have the space to scale-up our Lotus Boneyard effort.  These cars remain at our core and always will.  We believe that cars like them will not be seen, new, again.  I'm committed to help keep these cars on the roads/tracks for as long as I am alive.

Your support and enthusiasm keeps us pumped and glad to be working on things we love.  Thanks to all of you.  Never hesitate to reach out with your questions, comments and suggestions!  Have a great New Year!

sonicFURY Fitment on S3 Elise with 2ZR engine

 A client of ours from the Eurozone, David F., installed our sonicFURY DE, in his S3 Elise with the 2ZR engine.  It fits!  Needless to say, we are stoked..and so is he!

Fuel Cell Are A Consummable!

 We're servicing a race Elise and noticed a strong smell of fuel.  Turns out the car had a fuel cell and it was leaking.  

This particular tank was made way back in 2009!  Generally they will have a 5 year life so inspect yours.

This client wisely chose to have us install one of our baffled 111tanks so this would no longer be a headache.  We also upgraded his stock pump to our DW65c Fuel Pump.

Of couse, his car was missing some key bits but we were able to source the parts and plumb up our tank so it would be effective and safe.

HVAC Cavity Drain Holes

In the last year, we have seen a few Elise/Exige cars with drain holes that were either not drilled or not fully drilled out.  We would encourage you to inspect your car to confirm that the holes were drilled correctly.  Your fan blower is in jeopordy of failing if this is not done.

What?

The S2 Elise and Exige should have drain holes drilled into the chassis.  This was a Dealer installed Technical Service Bulletin 2007/01 issued by Lotus Cars.  The TSB is posted at the end of this Blog post.

Why?

These holes allow water to drain from the HVAC cavity.  If water is allowed to collect in this space, the electronics for the blower will begin to corrode and then fail.

How?

At the front of your chassis you can inspect to see if these holes are present.  Take a 6mm rod and see if it will go all the way into the cavity.  If not, you can drill it yourself with a 6mm drill bit.  Note the 10mm limiter suggested by the TSB below.

Updated Ride Height & Alignment Suggestions

Our Street Ride Height recommendation has been update to reflect our new thinking for improved clearance on some of our ever deteriorating road conditions.  We raised our recommendation by 5mm.

A proper alignment is critical to the performance of your lightweight sports cars.  These cars are very sensitive and respond well to changes in the suspension setup.  These recommendations are based on experience we've gathered since 2004 with the Lotus 111 platform.  Your results may vary so we suggest you start here and tweak as your driving style demands.  

Make sure that your car's suspension components are in mechanically sound condition.  Check your ball joints, toe links, track ends, etc to ensure that nothing is worn out.  See our 60pt Prep Sheet for a great reference.  Consider our Suspension Refresh Kit if you discover worn-out parts have a higher mileage car.

Recommended settings for an Elise/Exige street/track car with R-compound tires.         

                          Front                 Rear
Ride height    130 +/- 3mm    135 +/- 3mm
Camber          -2.2° to -2.5°    -2.4° to -2.7°

Toe (total)       0                       3mm total toe-in

Our ArtCar is running even lower thank to our raceUPRIGHTs

Recommended settings for a track Elise/Exige car with slick tires.

                           Front                      Rear
Ride height    120 +/- 3mm              125 +/- 3mm
Camber            -3°                             -3°
Toe (total)       0 - 1mm toe out        3mm total toe-in

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Follow These Steps:

1.      Set the ride height.  

2.      Set camber.

3.      Set toe.

• To set the camber, remove all your stock shims as well as the ABS shim. You may need to install FASTarms or machine your stock steering arms to obtain optimal camber.  Remember to use thread locker on the steering arm bolts.
• While a lower ride height is possible, we find the suspension works best at these recommended heights and the chance of scraping the bottom of your car is less.
• Write Down All of Your Changes!  Write down your alignment settings and then note how the car performs. Write down any changes you make and record the results. This is the best way to get the car dialed in exactly how you like it.  Use our Alignment/Set-up Sheet to help keep tabs on the changes.

Evora GT Tuning: Power & Compliance

 We have been working on a '20 Evora GT to increase power but also improve handling for this client.  He wanted better front end grip and more compliance for the rough tracks that he frequents.  We received the car and started our upgrades and tuning.

Power

We installed parts from Komo-tec along with sending out the SC for a port and polish.  A slightly smaller pulley was also installed along with a Cold Air Intake, Headers, Sport Cat. and Sport muffler.  Brent came down to tune the car once we had the upgrades installed.  We were able to get the car up to 450rwhp on a local dyno, which translates to about 500hp at the crank!  We believe this is the only 500hp Evora in the US running a stock ECU.

Handling

The owner of this car has a fair amount of experience driving race cars.  He loves this car but felt the front end was not gripping the way he wanted.  He also wanted more compliance to absorb bumps and rough sections.  We sourced a set of Nitron Triples and he secured new upper wishbones to be able to add more negative camber.

Nitron stopped by to see the install and we were able to optimize the routing of the hose and reservoirs. We used our V2mounts to make securing the reservoirs even better.  Dialing in the ride height went well with the client requesting 5mm more rake than stock.  The car's ride height was dropped more than stock.  We were able to add much more negative camber as well thanks to the wishbones.

Checking ride height

Supercar Performance

She drives great with excellent compliance.  The turn in is excellent and grip superb.  The power is also very good.  This combo on an Evora 400/GTs is pretty impressive.  I think it is a perfect supercar combination!  These Evoras may be the hidden trackday gem that many people don't realize exists!

Lotus Pedal Box Modification for Long Legs

 

We have a 6'6" client who loves his Elise so much that he is willing to go to great lengths to fit in both of his Elises (one street and one track). He is a fairly proportional gent so the challenge is both legroom and headroom. We have the headroom solved but the legs required more drastic measures.

The pic to the left shows some of the modifications we made to an OEM pedal box that we bought. His originals remain untouched. We've initially found an additional 2" but he needs more. I think this will work for 90% of you who need additional legroom.

The picture below show him with the clutch depressed fully. He needs a bit more.  We've take additional measurements and believe we can sneak an additonal 1-2".  Stay tuned...

Coolant Overflow

Lotus Elise 2ZZGE

Plastic coolant overflow bottles might seem insignificant at first glance, but their role in maintaining the engine's cooling system integrity is paramount. In this blog post, we delve into the degradation of plastic coolant overflow bottles, specifically focusing on those utilized in Toyota 2ZZGE engines, as found in iconic vehicles like the Lotus Elise. These cars have become suffliciently old that parts like this are beginning to fail.

The Role of Coolant Overflow Bottles:

Coolant overflow bottles, also known as expansion tanks or reservoirs, collect excess coolant that expands due to heat during engine operation. As the engine heats up, coolant expands and flows into the overflow bottle, which helps to manage pressure buildup within the cooling system. Conversely, when the engine cools down, the coolant contracts, creating a vacuum that draws coolant back into the system from the overflow bottle, ensuring a consistent level of coolant and preventing air pockets within the system.

Degradation of Plastic Coolant Overflow Bottles:

note the plastic is fading

Despite their importance, plastic coolant overflow bottles are susceptible to degradation over time, especially in demanding environments characterized by heat, pressure, and vibration – conditions often encountered in a Lotus Elise or Exige. Several factors contribute to the degradation of these bottles:

Heat Exposure: Continuous exposure to high temperatures from the engine bay can cause the plastic material of coolant overflow bottles to degrade and become brittle over time. This deterioration compromises the structural integrity of the bottle, increasing the risk of cracks, leaks, and ultimately, coolant loss.

Mechanical Stress: Vibrations and mechanical stress within the engine bay, can exacerbate the degradation of plastic coolant overflow bottles. Over time, these mechanical forces can cause fatigue and microcracks in the plastic material, compromising its structural integrity and increasing the likelihood of leaks.

Signs of Degradation:

• The plastic will discolor (see pic below)
• The plastic is easy to scratch and may start to chip off
• The mounting tabs make break off

Implications of Degraded Coolant Overflow Bottles:

The degradation of plastic coolant overflow bottles can have negative implications for the performance, reliability, and safety. Some potential consequences include:

New bottle is on top

Coolant Loss: Cracks or leaks in the overflow bottle can result in coolant loss, leading to inadequate cooling and potential engine overheating. This not only compromises engine performance but also increases the risk of engine damage and failure.

Air Pockets: Leaks in the coolant overflow bottle can introduce air into the cooling system, disrupting the circulation of coolant and causing localized hotspots. Air pockets can impede the cooling process, leading to uneven temperature distribution and potential damage to engine components.

Addressing the Issue:

To mitigate the risks associated with degraded plastic coolant overflow bottles in Toyota 2ZZGE engines, we suggest you employ proactive measures:

Regular Inspection: Routine inspection of the coolant overflow bottle for signs of degradation, such as cracks, leaks, or brittleness, is essential. Visual inspection during routine maintenance checks can help detect early warning signs of deterioration and prevent potential issues.

Replacement: If signs of degradation are detected, prompt replacement of the coolant overflow bottle is recommended. Opting for high-quality OEM replacement parts made from durable materials can ensure long-term reliability and performance.  They are still readily available from the Toyota Dealer and priced under $400.