Does anyone own or have any knowledge about these cars, especially the WVTA model? I'm considering purchasing one but would like to know what faults or problems they are prone to before taking the plunge.

 

How many cars you want?

The usual head gasket issues with the K series engines. And they are awfull for leaking through the roof. But the fun they return is worth the little issues.

 

Says Dylan with two Subaru's

Is the K series engine head gaskets issues down to insufficient cooling due to radiator size etc or block design? Leaking roof isn't an issue as I'm going to stick a hard top on as I don't do convertables.

 

Not knowing about the Lotus install of the K series engine I can't comment, but I know quite a few people who have had repeated head gasket failures on this engine.

In all instances from what I understand the cylinder heads have warped due to overheating caused by failing / blocked radiators and in one instance I think a faulty thermostat, I believe the heads can be skimmed but only by a small amount and another failure means a new cylinder head.

I know someone who had to scrap an MG ZT due to the block being distorted as well as the cylinder head but he did drive it until it just stopped.

 

This is the reason I hate alloy/aluminium blocks, cast iron although heavier is always more reliable if don't rot the thing using tap water for coolant.

 

Buy it and get the Audi conversion in it
http://www.auto-teknix.co.uk/Audi.html

 

I would be interested if the power delivery could be made linear, as a shed load of torque would upset the handling. I'd prefer a normally aspirated engine on throttle bodies, such as a Honda K20 on throttle bodies running 260bhp and low torque to make the car less throttle sensitive to oversteer.

 

Lotus elise series 1 rolling shells go for £2000 and a DIY Honda coversion costs roughly £2400 with remapable ecu.

Conversion costs :-

Engine (stripped so need to build) - £650
Box - £200
Mounts (Late Phoenix ones) - £200
Loom - £70
Link Up Baffle - £65
Link up driveshafts - £100
ECU - £75
Misc engine parts inc billet fuel reg, plumbing, fuel lines, intake hoses etc - £355

K Pro ecu £700 ish.


So roughly £4400 or an awesome track car.

 

I had an Elise S2 with the 160 VVC engine, fantastic car. S1 is a little lighter but S2 is a better build.
Quite a few have had HGF but loads have not, if you keep an eye on coolant etc should be fine. Rads can fail, the plastic end caps debond which is one of the reasons for HGF. Replace with an alloy one and forget it, but it's a front clam off job to change the rad.
Honda and Audi conversions are fantastic get it right and very little will out handle or out power it.
Everyone should own one at some point, I miss mine.