111RS Build Continues

 The body came back from the Body Shop and we were able to pull off the subframe to clean it up.  The subframes are made of steel and not the prettiest part on the 111 platform.  We painted it black to help freshen it.  She looks much better now and will frankly just disappear.  

The Mountune engine needed to get dressed as well.  We installed a new cam gear as the stock parts are known to be a problem spot.  

111RS Paint

 

Chrome Orange was the color of my first '05 Elise (see above)and it remains one of my favorite colors.  The gold flake is unexpected but adds just the right amount of flair.

This 111RS is going to be amazing.

111RS Bodywork - Turn Signal Delete

 We decided to delete the front turn signals as they are known to flop out of the front clam.  There was a period of time when the factory had no turn signals available so I started to delete them on my last two cars. 

Lotus deleted the signal on the S3 versions of the Elise/Exige.  It took me a while to get used to the look on the S2.  If I'm honest, I did not like it at first.  Of course, as I am a devotee of form following function, it became quite normal and cool to me.  Heck these are Outlaws so visually we have to make some tweaks....

My current Elise Outlaw (Storm Ti) got the same treatment.  The new 111RS needed some other bodywork in addition.  We found some sill damage that needed to be addresses.  The rear clam had a few areas that were in need of repair.  The car will get almost a full repaint!  Not exactly what we had planned but the best way to make this hard-to-match color work.

111RS Build - Gathering Parts

Supply chain woes have plagued most of us.  Getting all of our key parts gathered up for this build was our next step to see if our goal of finishing this car in time for the West Coast Lotus Meet was possible.  We went through items that are not in stock and considered their due dates and I'm confident we can have this car ready for the show and most importantly, the Palomar Hillclimb event!

We have a full set of refreshed uprights and wishbones that we had previously stripped, sandblasted and plated.  This items are generally in bad cosmetic condition on cars with 50K+ miles.  Have these ready allows us to minimize down time and build the car quickly.  We will be installing MONOballs along with a full Suspension Refresh kit.  As this car will become a canyon carver that does occasional track days, the MONOballs were chosen.

One especially tasty bit this car will get is a light Gold set of Monolites.  We have never produced this color until our latest batch.  This is the only set in this color.   This color is really awesome and is sure to become part of our future offerings.  Combining Gold with Chrome Orange may sound too blingy but they work beautifully together.  Chrome Orange actually has gold flakes in the paint - a more appropriate name might have been 'Gold Orange'!

When coupled with the ULTRAdisc rotors this car will enjoy a 20lb unsprung weight savings!  You can feel this immediately through the steering wheel.  We feel this is one of the key reasons why our 111RS cars are such a joy to drive.  

KATANA3 Testing

 

We've installed our KATANA3 onto our test mule for testing.  This kit features the updated TVS900 blower which is the latest tech that results in less heat build up.  We believe in keeping the car non-intercooled as the simplicity of the system results in a more reliable solution.  

CARB approval is underway as well.  We've begun the paperwork process to get us an Executive Order (EO)# allowing us to offer it for sale for street cars.  EPA and CARB are both getting more strict.  For us, this is the right long-term commitment to supporting the community with the best products to keep their cars on the road and track.  We have attempted this in the past but our tuning capabilities did not allow us to fully achieve full approval.  Now, we have much more control and feel we have a better chance at a full approval.

Our testing so far has resulted in tweaks to the tune.  Brent, our calibrator, has sent us several versions and each has gotten better.  Our AFR logging suggests we are on the right track.  The car is running fantastically so we are very encouraged.  Our next step is dyno time to see what power we are actually making.

Our Next 111RS Build

 

We've started another 111RS build and plan to document it here.  This current candidate is technically the second customer 111RS.  Our 111RS Spyder is not included in this series as it remains a halo vehicle that is not likely to be duplicated again.  Our 111RS is a Lotus Outlaw with all of our current improvements - mechanical and cosmetic.  No, we are not starting with the proverbial sow's ear, in fact, I think we are starting with the silk purse.  Our refinements from stock make this platform an even better joy to drive.  And look at.

The base Elise for this build is a tired 115k miles example that has received various modifications over the years.  This car has a straight chassis with no damage. We will strip it down completely and rebuild it to our standard for a 111RS which includes built engine, rebuilt gearbox, new suspension, brakes, exhuast, Ultimate shiftR111, wheels and more.  Cosmetically the car will also get some TLC as it was wrapped and has no paint on both clams

We got our intrepid summer intern, Priya, onto stripping the wrap.  It took a couple of days and some sore fingers to get her done.  We left the car outside to get nice and warm to aid in the removal.

 Our project plan suggests two weeks of work can get this car mechanically up to 111RS standards.  Neil has started gathering up the parts and we will start in earnest next week.  We had kicked off a Mountune engine build a couple of weeks ago so that should help us shorten the time to completion.

The Bodywork required may take up to a month but we can get that started in parallel.  One visual tweak that we are likely to undertake on this car is a front turn signal delete.  This stock turn signals are known to fall out of the clam.  My current Elise (111RS mule) and last Elise have been benefited from this mod.  

Replace your Body Fasteners

The Elise & Exige like most other cars have wheel liners that are held in by plastic wheel arch liner fasteners. These cars are sold from the factory with fasteners made from a plastic screw and a plastic rivet. The original plastic fasteners were designed to be reusable; however, with age and lots of use they eventually wear out or break and become difficult to reuse.

We’ve found some affordable alternative body fasteners that work perfectly with any Elise or Exige. You can purchase a pack of 120 fasteners for only $6.

They’re extremely easy to remove without breaking using an Automotive Trim Removal Tool (See image below) or Flathead Screwdriver.

Get yours here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/294294719957  

 

Immobilizer Light Deactivation (Andy’s Plug)

 

The Immobilizer that comes in all pre-2008 cars is a known weakness that can slowly drain your battery and even prevent you from starting your car. Fear not, you can disable the immobilizer and solve these issues using one of our Andy's Plugs! The Andy's Plug is easy to install; all you must do is plug it into the immobilizer which is located behind the plastic bulkhead behind the seats. After installing your Andy's Plug, the immobilizer light will remain on, but it can easily be turned off via the factory security code method (listed below).

Disarming the Alarm/Immobilizer

NOTE: You will need your vehicle’s security code for the immobilizer light defeat procedure (can be accessed through a Lotus dealer or owner’s manual).

The following deactivation procedure will disable the flashing LED until the fob is used again. The LED can be disabled as many times as you’d like.

•      Turn the ignition on and off 3 times within 5 seconds.

•      The LED will remain illuminated for a brief period indicating that the security code can now be entered, turn the ignition to the off position.

•      You will now enter your security code. (NOTE: the number of blinks represents a digit. 5 blinks = 5)

•      Turn ignition ON and count the number of blinks representing the first digit of code, then turn ignition OFF.

•      Repeat for 2^nd digit

•      Repeat for 3^rd digit

•      Repeat for 4^th digit

•      Turn ignition ON and LED will stay illuminated (until the ignition is switched off) indicating that the correct code was entered.

WARNING: If the key fob is used after deactivation the immobilizer will be reactivated and the fob will once again be required to start the vehicle. The Andy’s Plug negates this effect by allowing you to use the fob if you wish to do so once again at the cost of having the immobilizer light flash. All modifications are fully reversible.

2021 Summary & 2022 Projections

As I reflect on 2021 and consider 2022, I’m bolstered knowing that the ‘new’ normal somewhat resembles the ‘old’ normal.  COVID has been a nightmare, but we are all slowly finding ways to interact with the things we love.  Yes, many of us had to back off on the gas a bit or downshift.  Here at InoKinetic, we have done both.  2021 became a year for us to build a stronger foundation for our future.  We moved into a new shop and invested in inventory, people, and equipment.  We introduced new products, reintroduced old products, hosted & sponsored events, and continued to interact with many of you.  Moving forward, our main objectives in 2022, are to continue our focus on light cars and to extend our lead as North America’s 111 platform specialist.  

Service + 111renew

We are doubling down with our service capabilities to refresh all sports cars but with an emphasis on the 111 platform.  Our focus on delivering mechanical, paint, and bodywork are a key to our dedication to the platform – hence our service we call 111renew.  Our Hunter Alignment rack investment ensures we can deliver cars that are fun to drive.  New techniques like vapor blasting along with nickel plating have rejuvenated more than one car that has passed through our shop.  Additionally, our Lotus Boneyard has been a great source for parts that are difficult to find.  We are investing further in people and equipment to keep these cars on the road.  As I write this, we have cars from AR, GA, and two from FL getting rebuilt or refreshed and upgraded.  Three to five years from now, I expect over half the cars here will be from out of state.  Yes, we love these cars and plan to support them for many, many years – at least as long as I am walking on this planet!

Parts

Product development has been a passion of mine which started with my tenure at 3M Automotive.  My favorite new product this year has been the FASTarms.  This product has been well received and is quickly catching the attention of many S2 111 enthusiasts.  Our HOTplate commercializes an upgrade that has been a favorite on the forums and a must-have for any street car.  We also started to reverse engineer and produce some parts that are no longer available like the 111HL Gasket (headlight seals) and offer affordable options like the EPDMhoses (rubber rad hoses).  Our Monolites are considered the best wheels for the Elise/Exige and are now offered in Gold for the first time.  Admittedly, it’s not a shade for everyone so it seems my proclamation that Gold is the ‘new’ Black is falling upon some deaf ears.  Our immobilizer defeat, Andy’s Plug, has been selling well and improves one of those niggling issues that plague the 111 platform.  We also reintroduced a few old favorites including the OS Giken LSD and our ULTRAliteLINES.  Yes, by popular demand, Sector111 will return in 2022, as a Lotus-focused brand.

Future Parts

Though our pace of new product introduction has slowed, we intend to keep commercializing tasty bits that we believe are needed.  Sometimes these are items that have been discontinued or better solutions for known problems.  Our LED headlights are still under development, and we continue to be bogged down with finding off-the-shelf components to control costs.  We have not succeeded yet – but anyone that knows me knows that persistence is my middle name.  The KATANA3 will come out in 2022.  In fact, our calibrator has made some great progress with our tuning abilities.  This has created improved BLADE tunes and will result in a better KATANA.  I will admit that I am applying more financial prudence to our current R&D endeavors which have also slowed us down.  Naturally, this is a good thing for our long-term financial viability!

New Communications

Our YouTube video reboot has been one of the ‘new’ methods to get in touch with you.  You are clearly enjoying them as much as we are.  Our ‘Sessions with Shinoo’ has been warmly welcomed by the community as it eases scheduling time into our overly busy lives.  I have thoroughly enjoyed talking with many of you through this new scheduler.  We have been spending more time with LotusTalk and writing our newsletters than on FB/IG/etc.  Expect us to keep our toes in the Social Media water but a bit less than before.  We’ve realized that most people want to communicate through email and phone.  Honestly, I remain a bit old-school, so never hesitate to reach out to us for help.

Events

In 2021 we hosted several events in our new location, including an Open House, a Tech Seminar, Cars & Coffee, and a Track Weekend at Spring Mountain.  We have been a continuous sponsor of the Lotus Owner Gathering since 2004.  This year we did as well, though sadly, we were unable to attend.  I am a big believer in clubs as they offer the best place to hang out with like-minded enthusiasts.  2022 will also see the same activities plus a Temecula Wine Run and a couple of Track Weekends.  I’ve kicked off a ‘Trackdays with Shinoo’ event to offer a small group gathering for any of you who want to join me at the track without the fear of attending a super spreader event!  Plus, I need to get a monthly track fix in 2022 where I actually get to drive!

Cars

The niche cars with which we offer, continue to excite and inspire.  In 2021, I sold a Ginetta, a few Monos, an Atom4, and several Lotus, including the original Art Car that we fully rebuilt.  Building a couple of Drakans is our intention in 2022 – but first, we have to jump-start the supply chain.  This may take a bit more effort but I don’t give up easily.  All these boutique cars fascinate and enthrall me with thrills that are unmatched by the 3,500+ porkers that currently masquerade as sportscars. 

The Emira should be with us a year from now, hopefully sooner.  It is a very nice refresh of the already fantastic Evora.  I see it as an evolutionary, not revolutionary, new Lotus.  I spoke with a few Lotus execs at the Emira reveal, and they are all very excited and state it is all new.  Plus they were equally jazzed about the new EV Type 132 Crossover.  They claim it is a true Lotus that drivers will relish.  I’m a big supporter of this direction as Lotus needs to find a volume vehicle to subsidize the development of low-volume sports cars.  Lotus’s full EV future is not popular with many, but I remain optimistic.  Lotus’s LEVA platform appears to be an innovative EV architecture that should deliver the driving dynamics that we desire.  Richard Rackham was recently quoted suggesting the LEVA is as revolutionary as the 111 chassis was when it was introduced in the 90s.  I’m a big fan of Richard’s work so have total faith in his prediction.  2022 will be quite revealing.

Partners

A key part of our longevity has been partnering with other like-minded suppliers.  We introduced Girodisc, Nitron, ReVerie, ProAlloy, Toybox, Arqray, OS Giken, Racetech, and many others to our North American community.  In addition, we have several manufacturers, many local, who build products to our specs that have been critical to achieving our mission of high-quality products and service.

These are just a few of the many passionate companies who, like me, believe in delivering high-quality products and service.  Parts from these companies coupled with parts that we have engineered have fleshed out an S2 portfolio unmatched by any other competitor on this continent. 

Last month I had the pleasure of visiting a couple of partners, including DNA, in Italy.  Travel restrictions have limited my yearly overseas visits, but slowly and surely, I will find my way back to in-person meetings with other suppliers, especially those in Japan.  Expect more bitchin’ solutions from creative problem solvers.  I’m always on the hunt for these products and will certainly find more for us all.

Parts, service, communications, events, partners, and cars are all on my mind but most importantly so are all of you.  To me, the best part of this business has been supporting enthusiasts who share my automotive passion.  I jump out of bed every morning knowing that I will interact with cool folk – that is a tremendous reward for me.  Thanks to all of you for your support.  I remain dedicated to light cars, especially the Lotus 111 platform.  When I started developing tasty bits back in 2003, I did not realize that fully supporting the S2 111 would become my true calling.  It is now crystal clear.  I can assure you that my foot remains flat going into the new year! 

Have a great New Year and I hope to see you in 2022!

Cheers,

Shinoo