The Future Of 1000hp Time Attack Builds?

Want a lightweight race car? Start with something lightweight! Seems like a no-brainer right!?

The Lotus design philosophy of simplicity, aerodynamic efficiency, and lightweight construction makes for the perfect platform to add 1000hp and aggressive aerodynamic upgrades for time attack. That's according to a 'silly conversation' that part-time racer & full-time legend Matt Plowman once had and has produced a car from that is very impressive on and off track.

This K-swapped Lotus Exige, a project that has been in development for over a decade, was in part created by Scura Motorsport, AMB Aero, Wilson Engineering and a well-worn MoTeC parts catalogue including M150 ECU, C218 dash and 2 PDM16s. It boasts 1,000 horsepower at 28 PSI when required, and we took a closer look at it while competing in the Plazmaman Pro-Am Class at the Yokohama World Time Attack Challenge in Sydney, Australia.

The Lotus Exige, known for its lightness and superb handling, has been transformed with a Honda K20 engine stroked to 2.2 litres and equipped with a Garrett G35 turbo, Wiseco rods, Carillo pistons and headwork by Performance Wholesale, making it a formidable force on the track.

There isn't much stock left on the car overall, and that includes the suspension setup with Nitron Racing Systems 3-way dampers and Wilson Engineering custom uprights, which allow the use of 5-stud wheels and easier alignment changes via shims.

The Exige is constructed mainly from carbon fiber and has a unique black translucent layer on the clear coat. An impressive aerodynamic setup by AMB Aero Design includes an Infinity splitter, rear diffuser, and massive rear wing, along with a range of electronic sensors to dial it all in and keep the car from bottoming out on the straights or 'going straight on' in the corners.

The car is still nowhere near the limits when it comes to the current rules and regulations, with plans to put a pro driver in the car once it terrifies Matt enough, we guess!
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TIME STAMPS:
0:00 - Exige, Not Elise Sorry!
0:16 - Why A Lotus?
0:45 - Lightweight Philosophy
1:07 - Lotus Power Progression 90hp to 400hp
1:49 - K20 Swap Considerations
2:19 - Engine Build Overview
3:08 - Why K20 Not K24?
3:33 - 1000hp Power Aims & Reality
3:55 - Bare Chassis Build
4:40 - Aerodynamic Limitations
5:15 - Aero Design & Manufacturing
5:58 - Testing The Design
6:32 - Someone Had An Off!
6:35 - Ride Height Vs Downforce
7:31 - What Are Suspension 'Packers'
8:02 - Bump Stop Tuning
8:15 - MoTeC Electronics Package
8:40 - Holinger Tranmission
9:07 - Paddle Shift, Why?
9:50 - Suspension Modifications
10:18 - Custom Billet Upright
10:51 - Brake Temperature Data
11:20 - Driver Vs Car Goals
11:40 - Thanks Matt!
11:50 - In-Car, Hammer Down
13:35 - BUILD.TUNE.DRIVE
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LINKS:
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TAGS:
#highperformanceacademy #lotus #mattplowman #buildtunedrive #learndriveoptimise #motorsport #learntotune #enginebuilding101 #datanerd #gofasterwithdata #wtac #motec #k20 #kswap #wiseco #008

[hpa]

TIME STAMPS:
0:00 - Exige, Not Elise Sorry!
0:16 - Why A Lotus?
0:45 - Lightweight Philosophy
1:07 - Lotus Power Progression 90hp to 400hp
1:49 - K20 Swap Considerations
2:19 - Engine Build Overview
3:08 - Why K20 Not K24?
3:33 - 1000hp Power Aims & Reality
3:55 - Bare Chassis Build
4:40 - Aerodynamic Limitations
5:15 - Aero Design & Manufacturing
5:58 - Testing The Design
6:32 - Someone Had An Off!
6:35 - Ride Height Vs Downforce
7:31 - What Are Suspension 'Packers'
8:02 - Bump Stop Tuning
8:15 - MoTeC Electronics Package
8:40 - Holinger Tranmission
9:07 - Paddle Shift, Why?
9:50 - Suspension Modifications
10:18 - Custom Billet Upright
10:51 - Brake Temperature Data
11:20 - Driver Vs Car Goals
11:40 - Thanks Matt!
11:50 - In-Car, Hammer Down
13:35 - BUILD.TUNE.DRIVE

[krusher]

1000hp in 688kg. = 1453hp per tonne. putting that in perpective the Aston Martin Valkyrie has a puny 841 BHP/Tonne!!!

[matswallsten]

Such a knowledgeable driver, shows that he’s involved in the build and is passionate about the evolution of the car. Great interview as always 👊

[zacharymorris]

Back in the day, I had the pleasure of being on a team that built one with a LT5 ZR1 motor. Made 725 whp through tiny restrictors. Ported stock heads.

[newagetemplar]

Quality interview as usual guys thanks,
no drama, no hype just interesting facts, lovely build too 👍😃

[-MacCat-]

Excellent, world class content as always. Thanks HPA.

[slfrules]

Holy wow! I'd be wrong end front out the first corner! Wild!

[thomasravn]

The original Rover k series was not in Elises after 2001. The power output varied from 118 - 190 bhp

[TheTorkerman]

Nice to have someone doing interviews that actually has some technical knowledge 👍🏼👍🏼

[dizcolombian]

Awesome interview. I didn’t recognize what an upright is. By the conversation I’m assuming it’s what I call the suspension knuckle; the assembly that connects the suspension arms at the hub and houses the wheel bearing.

[antonylimbouris]

The information in these interviews is amazing. That tin car footage at the end holy smokes this car grips like working lips baby !

[joeldavis]

Beautiful car, amazing attention to detail 👌

[gothicpagan.]

Guy's the original Rover K series in none VVT was 115 bhp then came 130 then 160. The VHPD race unit was 190 ish.
If it's possible to make a pretty little car look unfortunate 🙄😆
If I had my time again that Honda unit would be my first choice as well, second to none
A reliable 300 brake in a sub 600kg car is more than enough for the likes of me.
What that one is like I'm not sure I'd want to find out🙂

[BeamRider]

Fantastic build, well done. Makes me want to work harder so I can buy more cool tech for my toy.
I didn't know Hollinger make a 6 speed for FWD and transverse mid engine cars, normally I think of race trimmed Skylines and V8s for them.
I had to look it up, looks beautiful, like a giant motorbike gearbox internally, but compact even with the stout selector cam.

[comptck]

PECKERS!?!

Ohhhh packers... I was confused for a second haha.

That's a clean car with some really nice fabrication.

[andrewsmith]

"You don't want to come to an event like this and end up having a failure as a result of a gearbox problem."

Shots fired, lol.

Such a bummer for Mike Burroughs and StanceWorks last year.

[BRMCaptChaos]

Any ideas on lengthening that wheelbase? Alluded to in the interview but the car looks unstable front to rear, and sensitive to aero effort.

[foxxriderr]

Great interview as always!! But theres no way 1000whp with 28 psi unless this thing is ungodly high compression or something

[stevelee]

What a fvcken beast ! Far too techo for this ol' Cheers from New Zealand

[mrd.]

Nice. I'm more of an Exige (fat boy chassis) V6, LF1, Series 3 😂. Awesome YT coverage, Andre. Stay safe, stay blessed, y'all ❤