Built in Hethel, finished in Mendig

[Mark030358]

We all know Lotus cars are built in Hethel, but from my experience over the past few days they are properly finished in Mendig.

So Sunday saw me drive the not incomsiderable distance to Germany via the Chunnel as I was advised to be there by 8:00am. I duly arrived about 30 minutes late on Monday, as I really did need to give the car a clean. As perhaps you know most places, including car washes are closed on Sunday. First person I met was Marcus, who showed me around the workshops, dyno and show rooms. To be fair, I was really impressed, everything I looked at was impecably clean, well organised organised and all the bits and pieces for my upgrade were already laid out ready and waiting, definatley a good sign.

Next met the two guys who were going to to the installation. Flo, who did the majority of the spannering and Alex who did the software update, some mapping and the dyno runs. Being a strange dude I asked Daniel could I stay during the install, my Mrs didn't go and I wasn't up for drinking beer. Anyway, they accomodated me and all my stupid questions throught the fit. I have to say I was really impressed with the way the job was completed, it was methodical, detailed and tidy. The fit and finish was first class, even down to fitting then removing the rear engine bays covers to ensure the clearances to the air box was just right, that really is good to see. If fact, the kit is so good you  wouldn't know it was there, air box being the exception as its huge. The other thing about going is all the other stuff you pick up about what they are doing, why they are doing it or how they got where they are with the current kits. 

The KT kit was superbley well made the intercooler especially  as you can see from the photo below. I also fitted a 2bular EPK, which went straigh in and just looked the dogs. Anyway, kit installed, ECU updated and onto the dyno.... impressive results. On the road the car is just spectacular, this is the car Lotus should have built, it is just phenomenal. It just pulls like a train in every gear, the car feels much smoother to drive. To be fair, Daniel scared the crap out of me on the test run, I really don't make a good passenger.

Did I mention the HOWL.... I kept the standard 380 box, but the HOWL now is just an audio experience in its own right, music to my ears.

The drive home was interesting as I had this 460hp monster with candle bright headlamps, lets just say I kept my foot off the gas 'till daylight appeared. To summarise, people were great, the kit is great, a really good Italian restaurant next to the hotel.

 

To summarise, people were great, the kit is great, a really good Italian restaurant next to the hotel. So all in all an EXCELLENT three days and if any of you ever decide to go this route and you have some spare time, I promise you that you will enjoy the experience.

 

 

[Mattmahope]

What a fantastic experience! I’d love to pay them a visit some day. I’m half German and have family not too far from there, so perhaps that’s the excuse I need!

Just out of interest, is there an “official” figure for how much extra weight the full 460 kit adds? Obviously it’s offset by the power, but curious to know.

[GFWilliams]

I’m very pleased you’re happy with the kit, it’s amazing how it transforms the car!

Please add your thoughts when you’ve done a few more miles, it only gets better.

ps. I have 4 more PS than you 😜

[Mark030358]

I have more torque tho....😎

[GFWilliams]

Power wins races, torque is all talk. 

Thags the saying right? 😆

[Mark030358]

Hahaha almost 🤣🤣🤣

the small bits don’t count, it’s how it feels and it feels just brilliant...

.. ooooohhhhhh and that howl. Don’t know if it’s the 2bular or a combination of everything but man What a noise. Dartford Tunnel got a hammering in second gear....I’m a boy racer again 😈

ps George, sent u an email...

cheers

 

[k20Rob]

Another happy customer then. If I upgrade power it will be this route for sure. Do you know if they can increase the rev limit, given the 380s lost a few hundred rpm.

[Mark030358]

Hi,

they are limited to around 7000 as are the new Exige’s. Toyota modified the valve gear ...

to be fair you won’t miss it that much... 😬

[k20Rob]

So nothing that is just a software update then? Its a real shame if you cant get them back, I was hoping it was possible as part of the remap.

[Mark030358]

You get 7000

[GFWilliams]

11 hours ago, Mark030358 said:

Hi,

they are limited to around 7000 as are the new Exige’s. Toyota modified the valve gear ...

to be fair you won’t miss it that much... 😬

I’ll agree with that, even on track I find I don’t use all the revs as there’s so much torque with the kit!

[MrP_]

@Mark030358 Random question but does the Komotec kit remove the SC pulley cover? How are you finding range on the standard tank ( I know yours is a bit bigger than the v6's anyway)?

[Mark030358]

380 did not need the supercharger pulley changing. It was already reduced by Litus to get the extra boost.

MPG 

Averaged 31mpg to Mendig, 30mpg on the way back. That included the occasional caning when possible 👍

cheers

Mark

Ps get yourself to Mendig, with all your mods you would love it there. They have an Evora in build with a cool CF dash.

cheers

 

[MrP_]

Cheers Mark. Pretty good change to the MPG, I was expecting much worse!

Once I've finished the current round of mods, I need to decide on suspension, get some more time in the car and then decide if I need more power...

[Mark030358]

You ALWAYS need more power. TBF the 380 brakes are excellent, but will see where that leads along with a few other bits and bobs. I guess your not too far from so so if you want to try the car when I’m around you are welcome.

cheers

Mark

[MrP_]

That would be fantastic if possible!

[Mark030358]

Sure. Lets try sometime towards the middle/end if April. I'll pm you to arrange.

cheers

Mark

[MrP_]

Sounds good 

[alias23]

Come down to the South West...

[Mark030358]

When you get to Anglesey drop me a PM, if I’m home will try and rock up...👍👍👍

[Akajak]

Sounds great, did you change anything gearbox wise?

[Mark030358]

Nope nothing. If fact the KT tech told me of only a few with gearbox issues, those being from early V6 boxes or really battered on track. One problem was with a spacer cracking, which has been replaced in later boxes by making one of the gears and the spacer from one piece of steel. The other upgrade they offer is  removing the plastic bits from the selector forks and brazing in brass plates. I believe this is in fact a H111 design, but told it helps, especially if you are a bit harsh with the changes. 

cheers

[550superfast]

 

[Mark030358]

Sounds fantastic too

[Mattmahope]

@Mark030358 Which Hotel did you stay at in Mendig? And what was the name of the restaurant?

Thanks!