Elise ECU reflash now available
Finally, after the car’s been here for almost three years, companies are finally offering performance ECU modifications in the form of a ‘reflash’, where new code is flashed into a chip that must be soldered in place of an existing one on the ECU (hence this is not a DIY project). So far, the primary modification is to shift the cam changeover point from 6200 rpm to around 5700 rpm, which owners report is greatly improving drivability and enjoyability of the car. Lotus is even jumping in the game with their own offering.
The options are:
PES
$795
Dyno graph can be found here, showing slight gains in power (~6hp). Users are reporting very noticeable gains (one user did a 3rd gear acceleration run from 3500rpm to redline and reported a one second gain). Of note is that, due to the shifted cam change, they claim a 21hp gain at 6250rpm.
They say they also offer special maps for cars with a cold air intake.
More info here.
Blackwatch / HRM
This is, as far as I can tell, the same product being offered by PES. More info here.
Sector111
$550
~5700rpm cam changeover
No claims of any amount of power gains.
They’ll have future ECU reflash options to help maximize performance gains from intakes, exhaust, etc.
More info here.
This is the tune that EliseTalk user CharlieX has been working on; Sector111 has a 12 month exclusive license to it.
Lotus
Lotus Sport T4 and T4e ECU – Track Optimised
Description
A Lotus ECU with the cam switch point optimised for track usage (switch point revised to 5750 from 6200 rpm). This allows the driver to maintain the use of the high-lift cams during track driving, whilst avoiding unwanted switches to low-lift cams. All other functionality of the original ECU program is retained, preserving the full European emissions compliance of the powertrain.Applicable vehicles
Elise 111R Non Federal
Exige Non Federal
Features
Transition to high-lift cams at 5700 rpm (standard set at 6200 rpm)
Simplistic installation
Full retention of European emissions compliance
Part(s) supplied
Lotus T4 Manual ECU AL53M0215F
Lotus T4e Electronic Throttle ECU AL53M0244F
Prices:
$795 for 2005 model year cars
$995 for 2006/2007
So, which is better? Good question. The Sector111 reflash has the price advantage, but if the PES reflash really does help optimize the car for a cold air intake, it’d be the obvious solution for owners with that. Personally, I’m going to hold off on doing this until reflashes are available that help take advantage of intake and exhaust modifications.