📓 Journals Speedy Emira Build

[Speedy Emira]

More Ferrari yellow than Lotus. Looks great though.

It’s weird that the yellow looks slightly paler in the pictures which is probably my phone camera when it’s finished I’ll do some pictures my decent camera but I’m not sure if the site will allow me to upload them.

 

[Speedy Emira]

I’m away on a work trip so can’t pick up my car until the end of next week.
Here’s some photos from the pod company.

 

[Time2Fly]

Very nice choice on stripes!

 

[Speedy Emira]

Very nice choice on stripes!

Courtesy of using Toro Racings design.

 

[seriously]

That turned out sexy. Like the choice of going matte on the stripe

 

[Speedy Emira]

That turned out sexy. Like the choice of going matte on the stripe

It was the wrap company that suggested it or it wouldn’t look like there was a stripe going over the black gloss roof.
I was very impressed with the GRP 12.5mm hub centric spacers that not only give it a better stance but it also makes it look lower than the 15mm drop I did when I fitted the Nitron coil overs.

 

[Speedy Emira]

A bit of an update for my next issues.

Well I took the car back to the PPF company to inspect and on the way home the engine management light came on and shortly after the reduced RPM. I booked in in with my dealer expecting this to be the same issue as previously where the ECU does not like little journeys when being moved in and out of the garage.
I had the reset done and the next time I drove it the same thing happened. I can only image the frustration some of the US owners have being so far from dealers because it does my head in having to keep going back and doing 30 mile round trips. I moaned and they decided to arrange the AA under the Lotus Support to attend my office to diagnose the issue. Once plugged in they had fault codes mainly relating to sensor 2 (lambda) on both banks.

I arranged to take it back to the dealer next day once a courtesy car had been sorted and carefully drove a 50 mph down the motorway on reduced throttle. I have been told they have had it in the workshop carrying out various checks and decided to download all the data and send it to Lotus Technical. This is due to the fact I have already had a Lambda sensor replaced and they want to be sure they identify any other issues that could be linked to this and not just replace both sensors. I am happy with this course of action because faulty lambda sensors isn't a common issue for the Toyota 3.5 engines.

All I can do is wait to see the outcome. I considered a JUBU 440 kit ad the Eventuri but I won't be considering this for probably 6 months to ensure all gremlins have been dealt with. On a good note they are going to fit the GRP gear linkage part this week which means I will at least have nice precise gear changes while it sits there going nowhere.

I will be going through my record of issues to work out the amount of days I have not been able to drive the car and the miles driven to and from the dealer to see what that looks like as a percentage of overall driving.

 

[Speedy Emira]

I’m now 2 weeks without the car and so far the only thing I know if the dealer have been going backwards and forwards with Lotus technical providing ecu data. I’ll try ringing them tomorrow but I’m not holding out much hope there is an answer yet.

Is there a way I can check to see what work was done on the car in the first 8 months when the previous owner had it? I did ask but was told they didn’t have any issues. I’m not saying they would lie but I wondered if they are allowed to say and I’ve had constant problems for the 10.5 months of ownership.

 

[RyanGphoto]

It was the wrap company that suggested it or it wouldn’t look like there was a stripe going over the black gloss roof.
I was very impressed with the GRP 12.5mm hub centric spacers that not only give it a better stance but it also makes it look lower than the 15mm drop I did when I fitted the Nitron coil overs.

now THIS is how the car should have looked stance wise from Lotus.. This is so sweet man.. I see so many other cars that have the GRP 12mm spacers and the 15mm lower kit as well and the stance does NOT look like this at all..

Wondering what is different here....

 

[Speedy Emira]

now THIS is how the car should have looked stance wise from Lotus.. This is so sweet man.. I see so many other cars that have the GRP 12mm spacers and the 15mm lower kit as well and the stance does NOT look like this at all..

Wondering what is different here....

I did change the wheels to Aerie V2 and fitted Cup 2 Connect tyres which were wider than the Goodyear tyres but on paper the same size.

 

[Speedy Emira]

I have just had an email from the dealer saying they have been instructed to fit a new PCM, ECM, and spark plugs. Let's see how long it will take just to get the parts in.
if I deduct the miles driven going to and from the dealer and for the spraying & PPF I have only done 1600 miles in my first year of ownership which is December.

 

[Speedy Emira]

A week goes by and at last the parts have arrived. I have been told they will start in it this week but no guarantees it will be finished until next week. At least I still have a hire car paid for but likely this next issue goes into the fifth week for sure.

Now does anyone care to take bets on whether new lambda sensors, both ECUs and spark plugs will solve the issues?

I have been promised it will be fixed before Xmas. I told them I expect to be driving back up North in the Emira or I want an Evija for the week.

My wife thinks I am mad for buying it, my brother said he would be asking for compensation and my mate suggests I should burn it. I have to laugh or I may consider the latter.

 

[crestima]

A week goes by and at last the parts have arrived. I have been told they will start in it this week but no guarantees it will be finished until next week. At least I still have a hire car paid for but likely this next issue goes into the fifth week for sure.

Now does anyone care to take bets on whether new lambda sensors, both ECUs and spark plugs will solve the issues?

I have been promised it will be fixed before Xmas. I told them I expect to be driving back up North in the Emira or I want an Evija for the week.

My wife thinks I am mad for buying it, my brother said he would be asking for compensation and my mate suggests I should burn it. I have to laugh or I may consider the latter.

Not even going to attempt to wager that bet. It's like estimating survival chances of a simultaneous muti-organ (heart, liver and kidney) transplant. But, on a more serious note, I'm hoping the patient pulls through.

 

[Speedy Emira]

Not even going to attempt to wager that bet. It's like estimating survival chances of a simultaneous muti-organ (heart, liver and kidney) transplant. But, on a more serious note, I'm hoping the patient pulls through.

Well apparently all parts are fitted and tomorrow they will add the latest software, clear all faults and do an extended test drive. If all goes well they will fit the quick shift and I will have it back on Friday latest. meanwhile the BMW 2.0 3 series loan car is still the fastest car on the road.

 

[Beachbum]

Well apparently all parts are fitted and tomorrow they will add the latest software, clear all faults and do an extended test drive. If all goes well they will fit the quick shift and I will have it back on Friday latest. meanwhile the BMW 2.0 3 series loan car is still the fastest car on the road.

Drive it like a stolen rental

 

[Speedy Emira]

Not even going to attempt to wager that bet. It's like estimating survival chances of a simultaneous muti-organ (heart, liver and kidney) transplant. But, on a more serious note, I'm hoping the patient pulls through.

All done, checked for faults, test driven and clear to be given back. That was a long old 5 weeks after it having just been away for 7 weeks for the doors, wing, spraying, PPF and air con fix. Lets see if it drives like new and what difference the GRP quick shift makes.

 

[crestima]

All done, checked for faults, test driven and clear to be given back. That was a long old 5 weeks after it having just been away for 7 weeks for the doors, wing, spraying, PPF and air con fix. Lets see if it drives like new and what difference the GRP quick shift makes.

Good luck and enjoy your Emira after those 2 longlasting repairs. Coincidentally, I also have the GRP short shifter installed for some time now, and IMO together with my Raceseng weighted knob, the shift feel has significantly improved.

 

[Speedy Emira]

Finally I managed to get it back with all the faults fixed. The head technician is convinced it was the ECU all along which was making it miss fire on cylinder 2 which quickly destroys the plug and causes problems with the lambda sensors due to over fuelling.

I always thought it was a bit rough at slow speeds and after having it investigated previously thought it was as god as it gets. Now it drives perfectly smooth all through the rev range and ticks over without the rev counter moving at all. I am glad this was all done under warranty.

The GRP quick shift works great.

Due to driving back on the motorway I had a bit of front wheel vibration. this is the first time at this speed since fitting the Aerie wheels and GRP titanium fittings with their hub centric spacers. I have booked it back in at the garage next week to first get the wheels balanced and drive it with the spacers and take them off if the problem occurs. Process of elimination to find out which thing is the culprit.

At least I am back and driving an Emira and not a 185hp BMW.

 

[Speedy Emira]

Finally everything is sorted on the car and it is running correctly but I have decided to say good bye to it. It is a really hard decision but I don't think after 12 months of ownership I can say that Lotus is not the brand for me. Yes it is the best looking car I have ever had, yes it's a great drive but I have found going away from mainstream cars like Audi is way more stressful.

This is a great forum and I will be popping back to read your posts and hope you have gook luck with your cars.

Next week I will be removing the following items which I will be selling:

Gloss black Aerie V2 wheels with cup 2 tyres (300 miles)

Nitron fast road shocks (1500 miles)

Miltek full exhaust with cat bypass and remote (1500 miles)

 

[FST]

Finally everything is sorted on the car and it is running correctly but I have decided to say good bye to it. It is a really hard decision but I don't think after 12 months of ownership I can say that Lotus is not the brand for me. Yes it is the best looking car I have ever had, yes it's a great drive but I have found going away from mainstream cars like Audi is way more stressful.

This is a great forum and I will be popping back to read your posts and hope you have gook luck with your cars.

Next week I will be removing the following items which I will be selling:

Gloss black Aerie V2 wheels with cup 2 tyres (300 miles)

Nitron fast road shocks (1500 miles)

Miltek full exhaust with cat bypass and remote (1500 miles)

Sad to see you go. It was a pleasure to follow your mods and upgrades and was looking forward to see more. Unfortunately for us but hope you will find a good replacement car soon. Im on the edge myself too for performance reasons and my final hope is a +460 tune with a new tuner company as the 440 from a known vendor did not work out for me. Good luck and all the best