The K&N 57A-6034 is a closed cold-air induction kit, sold under the 57i/Apollo line, for the 1.8-liter 16-valve Toyota VVT-i engine in the Lotus Elise. It replaces the factory airbox and paper element with a washable, reusable cotton-gauze K&N filter inside a protective shell, which keeps underhood heat away from the filter. The manufacturer's design aim is cooler, denser intake air and a more effective filter than the stock paper element. Owners on user forums describe a clear change in intake sound under acceleration, while power gains are usually described as modest, so this kit suits buyers who want reusable filtration and a sharper induction note more than a large power jump. Confirm expected output with the manufacturer before buying for a specific target.
Fitment and DIY questions come up first for this kit. The manufacturer's listing covers the Lotus Elise 1.8L model years 2003 to 2008, and the kit uses the stock mounting points with no drilling. The manufacturer states the kit is not legal for sale or use in California on pollution-controlled vehicles. Installation is usually a 90-minute job with hand tools, and owners on user forums say the engine bay is tight, so budget extra time for the flex hose and buy spare clamps. Removing the flex hose from the airbox makes filter service far easier. Owners also report that the intake position pulls in a lot of dirt, so the filter needs more frequent cleaning and light oiling than a typical intake. Search terms: Lotus Elise 1.8 VVT-i cold air intake, K&N 57A-6034 Elise install, 57i Apollo closed intake Elise, washable cotton gauze intake filter Elise.
The manufacturer lists this kit for the Lotus Elise 1.8L 16-valve model, 2003 through 2008. Exige applications are not confirmed by the manufacturer's listing, so check with the manufacturer before ordering for an Exige.
No. The manufacturer states the kit is not legal for sale or use in California on any pollution-controlled motor vehicle.
Owners on user forums report that the Elise's intake location draws in a lot of dirt, so they clean and re-oil the filter more often than they would on a typical car. A common approach is to oil only the outside of the filter lightly and let it settle overnight before use.
The manufacturer says this kit usually installs in 90 minutes or less with basic hand tools, and it uses the factory mounting points, so no drilling is needed. Owners on user forums say the engine bay is tight and the supplied flex hose may run long, so trim it to fit and keep extra hose clamps on hand. Disconnect the flex hose from the airbox before fitting the filter; this makes closing the airbox around the new filter much easier. Keep the mass airflow sensor and its orientation intact, and check that the filter does not rest on bodywork or the wheel-well liner once it is installed. Read the manufacturer's installation sheet before you start.
