I haven't heard of a K20 Elise either. But I suppose it's doable witn enough money. Last I heard, they were somehow trying to fit the F20C into it. I bet they never were able to, given the engine isn't mounted the same way the B or K blocks are.

 

prototype racing already has one done with the K20A2 making 220hp.

not in an elise but exige.

they are also working on a F20C. If anyone can do it prototype can considering they were the ones who originally designed the Sun internationals Elise B18 hybrid.

From www.prototyperacing.com regarding their F20C project.
"We've recently purchased this 3000 mile old Honda F20C engine (S-2000) that will be coupled to the 6 speed limited slip trans from the new K20A. This is Honda's top line performance engine, producing 240HP,and redlined at 9000 RPM is the highest revving production engine ever built. After finishing the new Lotus Elise - Honda K20A conversion kit, the engineering will commence on the F20C conversion. This will be a more substantial project, as it will require a completely new casting for the bell-housing end of the trans. Prototype Racing will produce this casting, fully machined, for anyone desiring to mate the F20C engine to the K20A trans."



It wont be cheap. for the B18C conversion the price is $6800 bucks plus you must supply the complete B18C5 and the elise.

However, considering the amount of labor required and the number of custom fabricated parts involved that's very cheap.

I would expect to pay about $15-20K for the K20A2 conversion for the Elise 2. That would include the engine as well as the labor to install the engine.

Most importantly the car will be street legal

 

But what would you register it as? Lotus doesn't distribute street-legal cars in this country, and has an Elise been submitted by anyone (Sun maybe...) to DOT for crash testing and such?

 

The Esprit is legal.

 

They may have some problems with this, as both engines spin in opposite directions and the F20C is longitudinally mounted, whereas the K20A is transversely mounted. Why not just use the S2000 tranny

 

I meant street legal Elises.

 

Because the K20A has a transaxle, and the F20C has a transmission and separate differential.

 

the elise is coming to the US in late to mid 2004. street legal.

so no problems there

 

I forgot this was a mid engine car.

 

Heheh I checked with prototyperacing.com

for elise k20A conversion it's $15K including a low milage engine.

they are nearly done with the K20A (2.2L) and it's making 300hp.

they also plan on having a turbo charged version making 450hp.

that's 300hp in a 1800lb car (or less). 6lb/hp
and 450hp = 4lb/hp

my m coupe is 11.9lb/hp the newer S54 mcoupes are 9.9lb/hp.

i believe the z06 is around 8lb/hp

i'm dumping that crappy 2ZZ-GE in the first year