V8 Models V8-SE/V8-GT

You have the choice between a 'DIY' option, where you will get the chip set (two chips), along with the two corresponding chip sockets, for you to solder yourself.

Or, alternatively, you can send us your ECU, for us to fit the sockets&chips ourselves. Once we have received you ECU, we will send it back straight away via registered air mail. Just click either the 'DIY' or 'ECU' button.

- owners in the US who like to get a DIY version installed may use this company in the US for a professional and reliable installation: www.circuitrework.com They even guarantee their work !  


Do not hesistate to e-mail us if you need any help or info about these products, or are unsure what chips or ECU would suit you best.


Chip #0 : High Torque Sport 350 ECM upgrade

- This is the original Lotus High Torque code like it was used on the european Sport350 V8-models
- Noticably improves torque and driveability in low and midrange
- Gives you the "correct power" and feeling of your V8-engine
- A must for all USA-Esprit V8-owners
- This upgrade kit includes two eproms and two sockets (like shown on the picture below)

      

As KFM already said:

"The Hi-Torque upgrade is 'not' new software like some people think. This is 'not' a performance upgrade that produces more power. Its still 350HP but with more torque and a more refined boost buildup. The Hi-Torque ECM was first introduced on the European Sport350 for the 99MY. At the time of its release, Lotus conceded that horsepower did not change on the car. They said that this was simply a "re-map" of the fuel/boost delivery tables to shift some of the torque curve towards lower RPMs. The fact is that once they discovered that they could use better values in the table, they chose to keep the older, lesser performing values in newer versions of the car and then sell the better values as an "upgrade". This is only true for all US models !!! The european models have the Hi-Torque stock from factory !!! This invariably created some confusion with US-customers because they assumed that if they bought a 00MY or newer car that it already had the hi-torque tables built in."

My intension was to make the Hi-Torque upgrade available for all US-customers with the following benefits:

- DIY installation with two sockets for easy future chip swap (= you do not need to ship away your ECM)
- reasonable price for the upgrade
- owners in the US who like to get the DIY version installed may use this company in the US for a professional and reliable installation: www.circuitrework.com They even guarantee their work !  

The Hi-Torque upgrade I have available is based on the european 2001 model and was compared to the european Sport350 code. There are some little differences. BTW its not the code that LCU has developed. (You can proof that by looking at the checksums !)

I hope this clears up some confusion about all this ECU and chip stuff.

- Based on the Sport 350 High Torque code, with a tiny little bit more max. boost (= 0.8 bar vs. stock 0.75 bar) that gives you a bit more torque and more power.
- Has the lower gear restrictions removed
- Noticably improves torque and driveability in low, midrange and higher rpm.

- Based on the High Torque code, but with more max. boost headroom gives more torque and more power in a range between 350-450 HP (@0.85 bar its circa 400HP)
- Max. boost is adjustable between 0.75-1.0 bar via wastegate-valve (comes with the kit) I recommend not to exceed 0.85 bar with stock engines !
- This kit is designed for the experienced V8-lover who knows what he can do with their engine and tranny.
- This gives you so much performance that you will never cry for more ! If you have ever driven a Lotus V8 @ 0.85 bar WOT you know what I mean.

This Red Race ECU is very very similar to the Red Race ECU sold by Lotus

- Smooth boost build-up
- Max. boost 0.9 bar (1.0 bar only for very short periods under very special conditions)
- all gear-dependend boost restriction removed
- A/C mode is fully working ! ;o)
- With TPS < 45% it behaves very similarly to the stock High Torque ECU
- Max. Power 350 HP at the rear wheels @ 6500rpm (i.e. 440 HP at the crank)
- Max. Torque 300 ft/lbs at the rear wheels @ 5000rpm (i.e. 370 ft/lbs at the crank)
- 95% of max. torque available from 3500rpm

click to enlarge

 

 

Complete V8 ECU with #3 : Red Race chips installed Review

This Red Race ECU is very very similar to the Red Race ECU sold by Lotus

- Smooth boost build-up
- Max. boost 0.9 bar (1.0 bar only for very short periods under very special conditions)
- all gear-dependend boost restriction removed
- A/C mode is fully working ! ;o)
- With TPS < 45% it behaves very similarly to the stock High Torque ECU
- Max. Power 350 HP at the rear wheels @ 6500rpm (i.e. 440 HP at the crank)
- Max. Torque 300 ft/lbs at the rear wheels @ 5000rpm (i.e. 370 ft/lbs at the crank)
- 95% of max. torque available from 3500rpm

You will get a complete ECU and you donot have to exchange or return your existing one !

Currently we have NO complete ECU available !

click to enlarge