2025 Year-End Summary & 2026 Projections

2025 Year-End Summary

2025 was a full year—sometimes rewarding, sometimes challenging, and rarely boring. The economy did what it does best these days: kept everyone guessing. Despite that, we launched new products, expanded our service capabilities (including entering the Porsche market), hosted and supported events, and continued building cars the way we think they should be built.

Our commitment to analog sports cars remains unchanged. The Elise and Exige are still at the center of what we do, even if the rest of the world seems increasingly convinced that steering feel is optional. With Lotus experiencing yet another downturn, our expansion into the Porsche 911 market will provide stability and allow us to keep supporting the cars—and the people—we care about without compromise. We remain Driver Focused, slightly stubborn, and fully committed to doing this the right way.

Parts

We launched several new products in 2025 for the Emira, Evora, Elise, and Exige, while continuing to refine existing offerings through a Kaizen-driven mindset. I first learned this approach in the mid-1980s while working at the Fiero Assembly plant, and it remains central to how we design, test, and improve our products.

The QUADloc Harness Bar for the Lotus Emira stands out as a highlight. It delivers a safe, functional solution while preserving rear storage—something rarely achieved. We’ve been building harness bars since 2005, and this is easily the most innovative design we’ve produced. Our Nitron suspension development for both Emira variants has also been extremely rewarding, with owners reporting meaningful improvements in control and confidence.

Our longtime friend and partner, Brent@Xclusive continues pushing deeper into Lotus ECU development. While our calibrations were already strong, continued learning has allowed us to extract even more from the factory ECUs. The 500 hp kit we previously released for the Evora is now producing additional power with improved drivability as well.

We also introduced the KATANA275 and NA215 power kits for the Elise and Exige. Both have been running on our own cars since summer with excellent results.  The balance these provide is excellent and provides options for clients who want forced induction or for those that want to remain naturally aspirated.

Additional product launches included ULTRAdiscs for the Emira and, for the Elise/Exige, oil temperature and pressure kits, ignition 111coils, OCDpipe, the 111key for ’06+ cars, CAIs and further refinements to the KATANA3 bracketry and to our beloved shiftR 2.0s.

The launch of LotusRestored.com, in partnership with AutoEurope, marked an important step toward long-term support for the Lotus cars we value most. This initiative will continue to grow, ensuring these cars remain viable on both road and track.  Expect expansion into Evora and then Emiras in the future.

Service

We serviced dozens of Lotus cars in 2025, including several that were close to being written off. OE parts availability remains inconsistent, but we remain persistent. LotusRestored will become an increasingly important source of quality, used components, allowing us to keep these cars alive and usable.

We expanded our shop capabilities with new equipment, including an additional lift and an A/C machine.  We became the first shop to install Nitron’s Front Axle Lift system on an Emira.

Cars continued to arrive from across the country as transport logistics become simpler. We recognize that competent shops willing to work on older sports cars are becoming harder to find, and we take that responsibility seriously.

This year also marked our formal entry into the Porsche 996/997 and earlier markets. The 996RR project accelerated our understanding of IMS bearings and related systems. A 964 and a 996.2 also passed through the shop, each requiring a different approach and scope of work.

We’ve been servicing Vanderhall three-wheelers for several years, and in November the factory invited us to become an Authorized Service Center. We’re now carefully integrating these vehicles into our workflow.

Our blog, active since 2008, saw 36 new posts in 2025. Many focus on service and technical education for owners who work on their own cars or want deeper insight into how they function. Based on feedback, this resource continues to play an important role for many of you.  We introduced ~11 new videos on our YouTube channel and dozens of shorts from our shop.  We remain active on Instagram with our Facebook activity needing some attention!

Many of you continue to schedule appointments on our Session with Shinoo appointment feature.  Since 2004, I have talked with 1000s of enthusiasts, and it is truly one of the things I enjoy the most with this business.  Don’t hesitate to book a free Session!

Niche Cars

The most significant new project this year was the 996RR. This build confirmed that our tuning philosophy and supplier network translate well into the Porsche world. The response has been overwhelmingly positive and reinforced what we already suspected—there is a strong crossover between Lotus and Porsche enthusiasts. The 996RR is a true analog sports car, and it delivers exactly what we value most.

Kit car registration in California has become increasingly difficult due to regulatory changes and unresolved gaps in the process. As a result, we registered a Drakan in Michigan with help from our friends at AutoEurope. The car is currently in Florida, being shown to prospective clients during the winter months.

After over a four-year wait, we finally received an Atom 4. It represents a meaningful step forward over previous generations, and we’re looking forward to another arriving soon.

We also completed two Electrogenic EV conversions this year: a Series 3 Jaguar XKE and a Land Rover Defender 90. These builds, along with last year’s S1 XKE, were also upgraded with new hardware and software enabling Level 3 charging. Electrogenic continues to demonstrate a long-term commitment to this niche, and their steady improvements have earned our continued trust.

Events & More

2025 was full of well-attended events. We hosted multiple technical seminars, including Brake Tech, Upholstery, and an in-depth look at the 996RR build, along with the Hocking Hills Road Rallye with AutoEurope and several 2econd Saturdays gatherings with my other company, BrandXTR.

We also sponsored LOG44 in Pittsburgh and Lotus vs. the Dragon in Tennessee.   This driving event is a must attend - Josh puts on an amazing weekend!  LOG44 was especially meaningful this year, highlighted by the announcement of LUG—Lotus United Gathering—a joint event planned for 2026 with the Golden Gate Lotus Club. This is something I’ve hoped to see come together for over 20 years.  

I made one international trip this year, visiting long-standing Lotus suppliers in Japan. After more than two decades of working together, it was a privilege to finally tour the factory producing our forged wheels—arguably the finest available for the Elise and Exige.

I also visited a new domestic engine builder specializing in Porsche 996/997 platforms. Given the known challenges with these engines, aligning with a reputable partner was an important step toward properly supporting our Porsche clients.

2026 Projections

In 2026, we’ll continue investing in service to ensure analog sports cars remain supported. A new Shop Foreman will be joining the team, bringing decades of experience with Porsche and older English vehicles. Growth into the Porsche segment should allow us to add another lift and technician by year’s end.

While Porsche will receive increased attention, Lotus remains central to who we are.  This will never change.

New products are already in development, including Emira Stage 1 tuning and additional calibrations for both variants. We plan to introduce street-focused uprights for the Elise and Exige to further reduce unsprung weight. Depending on demand, additional suspension options for the Emira—and possibly the Evora—may follow.  A new baffled 111tank is being installed and will be tested in January.  Heck, we had to produce a rear subframe brace for our 996RR build.  New parts for Porsche are inevitable...

A new website is underway that will support international shipping quotes and orders

Two more EV conversions are underway: a DeLorean scheduled for January and another Series 3 XKE planned for late winter. While the broader EV market has cooled, these conversions remain a practical way to keep otherwise sidelined classics on the road.

Closing Thoughts

At our core, we’re sports car enthusiasts. We like driving, we value mechanical honesty, and we still believe a good road can fix a bad week. Our goal remains simple: keep these cars alive, supported, and driven as intended—especially the Elise and Exige—for as long as we’re able.

To do that, we’ll continue evolving in ways that keep the business sustainable, even as the broader market gets distracted by trends, screens, and features that no enthusiast asked for. Since 2004, we’ve weathered multiple economic downturns, navigated shifting regulations, managed currency fluctuations and waited on more backordered parts than seems reasonable—yet we’re still here, tools in hand, lights on, and ready for the next challenge.  

Thank you for your on-going support, we could not have made it this far without you!

Have a great New Year, and we hope to see you on the road, the track, at an event, or in the shop in 2026.

Best regards,

Shinoo

Project 996 Road Rallye: Part 12

The seats are getting changed on our 996RR build.  The stock seats are worn out and in need of rebuild and reupholstery.  We also decided to replace the shifter and cables.  This was the perfect time to do both.  Of course there were a couple of surprises...

We decided to look for seat options and found some period correct Recaros.  The Cross Sportster CS seats seem to fit the bill.  They are comfortable, work on a slider and will tilt forward with a simple release.  These seats are essentially the same seats found on early Lotus Evoras so remain period correct on our 996.  Recearo seat supply in the US is very lean so we found them from a company bringing them in from Japan.

Though we sourced a bracket that should have made the Recaro slider compatible, it limits the travel forward.  This can be an issue for drivers with shorter legs that need to slide all the way forward.  We will modify the bracket to fix that issue.  In fact we will probably weld in a bracket that is in double shear so that we can make the seat belt recepticle more secure.

Recaro CS + slider + bracket

The stock seats are powered and quite heavy at 59lbs with slider.  Our Recaros with the slider and seat bracket is 48.85lbs.  Lighter by just over 10lbs each.  So that's a 20lb savings with both seats!  We'll take it.  I would have loved to have installed a race-style fixed bucket but practicality was still a requirement.

I'm especially smitten with the gear knob....😁

The Numeric shifter kit with cables has been installed and the car now shifts much better. We installed it at the mid point so the throws are shorter but not too short.  I will drive the car this weekend and will be able to make a proper assessment.

Lotus Elise Front Clam Grill Replacement Tip

Look Ma no....

The small grills that 'protect' the oil cooler are know to break off.  Replacing them requires removing the clam.  This is a process that takes hours so many folks simply live with a missing grill.  Jorge came up with a faster way to replace it but it does require drilling into a hidden part of the clam.  This is NOT a method for those of you who want to keep their car 100% original.  For those of you with Outlaws, this is a reasonable solution...

This Blog shows the images of the modifications without step by step written instructions.  This work should only be done if you are mechanically inclined with at least intermediate skills and appropriate tools.

Tools needed

A longer screw will be required

Note measure for hole position

Drill at an angle.  A long bit is required

Note position of hole.

Screw/washer is installed in this image

Screw is run through the plastic grill

Cover hole with vinyl decal or rubber plug

Lotus 2ZZGE Baffled Fuel Tank - New Design

We've started work on a new baffled fuel tank that is built from an OEM tank.  Over the years, we have offered a couple of different designs with pros and cons.  Our V2tank was built for us by Ralph@V2 and featured ATL trap doors that did a good job but were noisy.  When Ralph retired, we had to develop a new solution.  

This second product the 111tank, was modelled after the factory baffled tank that was no longer available.  This tank had no moving parts and proved to be a good solution - for most.  We had two clients who suffered fuel starvation, one with a Honda conversion and another with the 2ZZGE.  This made us relook at our design.

ProAlloy have been making baffled tanks for many years but they were patterned after the Euro tanks and were not a direct replacement for the North American tanks.  To maintain our emissions and safety plumbing, utlizing a factory tank was more ideal.  ProAlloy use a ball check valve in their design.  This simple design has been very effective and one that we've decided to follow.

This image shows our baffle design with the check valves.  We are using a stainless baffle and will attach the valves to it.  We will open up the end of the tank, remove the old baffle and then replace it with our design.  One challenge that exists with this design is that the float that registers fuel level could potentially interfere with the valve.  We will need to test this out and possibly move the location of one valve.

We are on track to getting the first prototype built and into our ArtCar2 by the beginning of 2026.

Project 996 Road Rallye: Part 11

 Aligning the car after the suspension install requires quite a number of steps.  The 911 features a fairly complex number of suspension components unlike the Lotus.  

We first set ride height on the car.  This proved to be fairly straight forward but did require some back and forth.  Our Elephant Racing kit comes with spacers that reposition the suspension to maintain the correct geometry on a lifted car..  We chose to measure ride height from the bottom of the subframe areas as defined by Porsche.

We've decided to use the USA ride heights as a starting point.  See above.  The spacers provided in the kit require subtrating their height (22mm) from the recommended ride height.

On the rear multilink setup, the camber and toe adjusters are on different links, but changing one absolutely moves the other.  The lower control arm (camber arm) changes the wheel’s lateral position when adjusted.  This movement shifts the toe link’s effective length.  The result: camber changes = toe changes.  The front MacPherson strut has camber adjustment at the lower control arm eccentric.  Changing camber alters the scrub radius and control arm position which slightly changes toe. 

We plan to run the car with this set-up and then experiment with higher ride heights.  Unfortunately the process is much more time consumming on a 911 compared with an Elise!  Fortunately we have a Hunter alignment rack that allows us to experiment...

Project 996 Road Rallye: Part 10

The boys installed the new IMS bearing.  The generally accepted IMS service interval is to replace the IMS whenever you replace the clutch. This seems like a good plan though I would budget for this service immediately if I bought a used 996.  Gearbox removal is not as difficult as the 'box in a Lotus Elise so the cost is not really astronomical - unlike an engine replacement that may be required when the IMS bearing fails!

This IMS kit comes recommended by our friends at Slakker. I visited their shop a couple of weeks ago to learn more about their engine-building capabilities. They partner with Hartech in England for engine components, and they’ve invested in an in-house dyno to ensure every build is thoroughly vetted before installation. With Slakker as a trusted source for engines, we’re even more confident in servicing these cars.

Project 996 Road Rallye: Part 9

 

We bought an inexpensive short shift kit from eBay to test out on this car as the shifter was really sloppy.  The kit arrived and appeared to be nice but after installation, we noticed the lever was oddly positioned.  We had a 996.2 in the shop and compared the two saw that ours way off.  Further scrutiny revealed the the shifter came to us incorrectly assembled.  We took it apart and reinstalled it.  The forward gears all worked, though a bit shorter than I like.  The Reverse is hard to engage.  We are contacting the Supplier to see if we missed anything on the install.

We are attempting to find wheels that will be an inch smaller diameter - from 18" down to 17".  My plan is to increase the tire aspect ratio so we could gain some additional sidewall height for more compliance.  Originally I was planning on increasing the overall diameter of the tire but have now decided to stick closer to the original tire diameter.  Regardless we will gain some more compliance if I can fit a 17" rim.

The larger diameter Girodisc is making the 17" wheel a challenge.  We bought a wheel measurement tool that allows us to simulate the wheel diameter, width and offsets.  Now that we have the Elephant dampers installed, we broke out the tool to confirm clearance.

It appears that a 17" wheel can work at an offset of ET45 vs ET55 (stock).  We plan to go with a wider rim from 7.5" to 8"  as the tire will be 225.

We bought some new tires to install on the stock rims so we can test while we wait for the wheels to be sourced/secured.  Though they will lack some of the compliance I was hoping for, they should work well enough for us to see if the suspension needs to be retuned.  The Yokohama Advan Sport A/S+ is an all season ultra high performance tire that should deliver good road manners in the dry or wet.  The treadwear rating is fairly soft (440AA A) so we should have decent life with acceptable grip.  As a comparison, the Lotus run on tires with approx 200 tread wear rating!

Porsche 964 Refresh

We received a 1992 911 in for a mild refresh.  The owner loves the car and plans to keep it forever.  He wanted us to go through and identify anything that needed repair and address a few items that were bugging him.  The first was the ride quality.  His wife refuses to drive in the car as it is too rough.  Two things were obvious fixes: old tires and blown original dampers.  

The tires were an easy fix but first I attempted to convince the client to go with smaller wheels.  The car came to us with 18" rims vs stock 16".  The consumer market likes cars that have BIG wheels and are lowered.  This car was set up that way.  This owner does not track the car nor drive it overly aggressively.  So I am trying to convince him to consider stepping down to 17" rims to bring back some compliance to this car.

Since the car is not being tracked, we decided to install a set of the Bilstein PSS10s.  These dampers are pretty popular and considered a single adjustable with a clicker located at the base.  This makes them quite easy to adjust with 1-10 clicks.  1 = softest and 10 = hardest.  We are aligning the car with the RS spec ride height but with a stockish alignment.

We also took the opportunity to have the undercarraige dry ice cleaned as it was also nearly as nasty as our 996RR!  The corrosion that we found required a hard brake line replacement as the fitting was frozen.  We changed out all the rubber brake lines as they were original - 33years old!