Engine Transplant

Most of these upgrades are offering upwards of 200bhp, improved relability over tuned K-series engines, lower maintenance costs and in some cases a warranty for the new engine. This gives the Elise a power to weight ratio that it has always lacked and makes it a true performance car.

There are downsides to this upgrade approach, such as increased weight, more complex cooling issues and increased insurance premiums. Even so, this has not deterred companies developing and offering a wide range of solutions to the age old Elise problem of how to make it really go fast in a straight line.

Before we get into technical issues and numbers, there are a few things to bear in mind before you embark down this route:

• Can you afford to insure the resulting vehicle?
• Do you know what you are really getting for your money? Remember, those that have gone before you are inclined to justify their own personal decision. Drive a converted car before you buy. If it's a demonstrator, make sure the specification is what you will be getting and that it is not laden with additional options.
• Make sure you see real dyno print outs of power and torque and don't just rely on claimed power outputs.
• Check the power delivery and torque characteristics suit your style of driving and your intended use. The way the various conversions deliver power varies massively, from top end screamers to relaxed torque monsters.
• Are you getting a new engine, a reconditioned engine, or just a low mileage used engine?
• Can you live with the depreciation that will come with using a different engine. Currently, none of these conversions have really made it into wider circulation and acceptance with the Elise buying public, but that may change.

There are currently three main options based on engines from various car manufacturers:

• Audi
• Ford
• Honda

I've not covered bike-engined Elises here. The Elise is really a bit too heavy for a bike engine and the concept works so much better in a lighter car like my Fisher Fury R1 :-)