Once you push a well set up honda powered elise past 200bhp, and assuming you don't drive like Miss Daisy, you can start pulling some serious G for extended periods of time. If you don't have a baffled sump system (or a dry sump kit) its fairly obvious that you are going to save the engine of oil. If thats you then perhaps it is time to be searching for some cheap big end bearings as you will be needing them.
It is pretty clear that a baffled sump should be considered standard kit for a honda elise. Though there is no point in just using any old baffled sump kit and imagining that the problem is sorted out.
A couple of examples - Ian Wilson lost his honda engine at Spa but he had a baffled sump. Sadly it was the bodge up job supplied as part of Joe McCarthys protohype raving kit. Examination of the sump showed the "baffling" could actually jam closed making the problem even worse than without a baffled sump.
Stuart Taylor recently (November) killed his honda elise at Rockingham - not on the banked circuit but the National Circuit. That has a 270degree left hander that can giveyou 9 to 10 seconds of oil surge. He also had a baffled sump but sadly one of the Phoenix ones, again just not up to the job.
The best one I have seen is available from Clock Wise Motion - beautifully made (shame but you will never see if again hopefully) drop into sump unit that very cleverly locks in place. No need to buy a full sump as well which is a bonus.
If you are running a honda elise then its time to spend a few quid and the afternoon fitting a baffled sump. If yo uhave one fitted already and its a protohype raving or phoenix supplied item then replace it anyway - its got to be cheaper than an engine rebuild. Or maybe just buy some pram wheels and tyres and fit those.
£1.00
