LOTUS EMIRA ─ ECU Tuning options

[ATSAaron]

Last time I contacted Komo, I got this reply on January 17:

"Many thanks for your Email and your interest in our Performance Upgrade kit. We are working on a solution which we can offer also as a shipping solution. For now can we only tune up the cars in our workshop."

This was for their 430 hp tune.

Honestly, from my experience with cars in the past and from what I could see on the Emira, it could really benefit from a true dual exhaust setup. That would undoubtedly release a decent amount of low rpm torque and some high rpm hp. The y-pipe with a cat on the back must be putting a lot of back pressure on the exhaust ports, especially combined with the 2 cats on the exhaust manifolds themselves. This would be why just removing the 3rd cat alone adds 5 hp (according to Jubu).

Removing the the third cat adds ZERO horsepower. I dyno tested theat myself on two different Emiras.

 

[ATSAaron]

Today I emailed four or five companies that promise a flash tune. Mainly I was asking them what their tune changes: timing, air fuel, throttle mapping, vvti, rev limiter, etc. I'll update when (and if) I get any replies.

It has been a week and zero replies from any vender claiming to have a tune for the Emira V6 ecu.

 

[Eagle7]

Removing the the third cat adds ZERO horsepower. I dyno tested theat myself on two different Emiras.

Did you allow any time for the ECU to adapt to the change?

 

[Eagle7]

It has been a week and zero replies from any vender claiming to have a tune for the Emira V6 ecu.

Komo has it, including a very nice 430 hp upgrade for about $2,300, but they're taking their time getting it over here in the U.S.

 

[ATSAaron]

Did you allow any time for the ECU to adapt to the change?

yep.

 

[Six Speed Stephen]

Komo has it, including a very nice 430 hp upgrade for about $2,300, but they're taking their time getting it over here in the U.S.

I hope the drivetrain can handle this increase in power

 

[steveoexige]

My exige 380 (same engine and trans as the Emira v6) blew its trans at 460bhp.

 

[ATSAaron]

My exige 380 (same engine and trans as the Emira v6) blew its trans at 460bhp.

The motor is strong. I have made 600whp turbocharging them (in Toyota MR2s). But MR2's have a much stronger five speed manual that dates back to WRC level homologation stuff.

 

[Eagle7]

I believe they upgraded the gear set for the Emira. Also, one of the last versions of the Evora had 430 hp from the factory, so it can handle at least that much.

 

[Ethnic6]

The Emira has been tuned to 500hp with the V6 by JUBU correct? I'm assuming the i4's AMG engine should be able to handle that kind of power no problem right?

 

[675430VME]

The Emira has been tuned to 500hp with the V6 by JUBU correct? I'm assuming the i4's AMG engine should be able to handle that kind of power no problem right?

The engine is good through to 500hp, at least that's why I have been told touring the factory last year. The problem is nobody is able to crack the ecu of the i4.

 

[Beachbum]

Whilst I appreciate everyone wanting more power, there really does need to be some thought about what the rest of the car can cope with.
As Steveoexixge already stated, his transmission failed at 460bhp and I doubt Lotus would consider helping to pay for any fixes required, even if the car was under warranty.
There was a reason Lotus stopped at 430bhp, to think more is a safe option would be foolhardy until other aspects have been considered too

 

[Steve24]

So, given that the manual gearbox is effectively the weak link, is it possible to upgrade whatever it is that fails?

Or is that not feasible?

 

[jp129]

So, given that the manual gearbox is effectively the weak link, is it possible to upgrade whatever it is that fails?

Or is that not feasible?

One could have the gears and/or entire gearbox casing fortified, but the question will be cost.

There may be many modes to gearbox failures, but the one I've seen the most is that the gear itself cannot handle the torque load and shears. Or the casing is too weak to keep the main shaft and countershaft within the required tolerance/backlash and causes a gear to shear.

Again, there are other modes of failure, but just listing the common ones seen in other applications.

As an example, Honda/Mitsubishi aftermarket gearsets can run anywhere from 3-7K depending on the materials and configuration (dog engagement, straight cut gear, etc). Billet housings are also available for steep costs. Then there's complete solutions from Quaife, which can run 15-20K depending on config.

So it is possible, just at what cost...

 

[Nova]

So, given that the manual gearbox is effectively the weak link, is it possible to upgrade whatever it is that fails?

Or is that not feasible?

That's been the question from day one. The GR Yaris/Corolla cars use a EA6x transmission as well and those cars are cracking their shift collars on the higher output tunes. This is with exotic aftermarket collars and gears. The GR Yaris people are nuts so you know they looked into this every possible way. There may be some inherent design limitation to the EA6x.

I believe there is a sequential transmission?

Kotouč Racing Gearboxes

Production and development of racing gearboxes, paddle shifting components, differentials and performance parts for your race car!

www.kotoucgearboxes.com

 

[jp129]

That's been the question from day one. The GR Yaris/Corolla cars use a EA6x transmission as well and those cars are cracking their shift collars on the higher output tunes. This is with exotic aftermarket collars and gears. The GR Yaris people are nuts so you know they looked into this every possible way. There may be some inherent design limitation to the EA6x.

I believe there is a sequential transmission?

Kotouč Racing Gearboxes

Production and development of racing gearboxes, paddle shifting components, differentials and performance parts for your race car!

www.kotoucgearboxes.com

Nova,

Would you know if the lotus community has seeked input from aftermarket gear companies like PPG, XTRAC, Quaife, etc? I'm new to the Lotus platform, so missing historical context...

 

[Orchardbike]

I think Jubu offer a number of gearbox upgrades for higher BHP cars.

 

[Six Speed Stephen]

My exige 380 (same engine and trans as the Emira v6) blew its trans at 460bhp.

My axle snapped on stock power. Idk if these parts can handle anything.

 

[jp129]

My axle snapped on stock power. Idk if these parts can handle anything.

Did the axle break on acceleration, the dyno, or during a launch?