No more roads!

X1GGE · 22 October 2001 18:20

I’m considering getting a trailer as I’ve decided to dedicate the car to track days only. I’m thinking along the lines of a Brian James TT20 trailer (as it’s the only model that will fit in my tiny garage), has anyone else here bought one - the sales guy said he had sold a couple to Exige owners.Also, would like to get hold of some slicks - I know there was some debate recently over the damage they can do to the suspension… Did Lotus come back to anyone with info on this? Plus, where’s the best place to get hold of some at the moment?Tony, in a recent post you mentioned something about fitting a splitter - does it make much of a difference? I guess there’s many things that I could do with the car if I decide not drive it on the roads…Gosh! Sooo many questions!All help gratefully received [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]Phil.

system · 23 October 2001 04:17

You need the uniball tow-link kit fitted, the nylon components are not recommended for the increased lateral loads. Should be about 750GBP fitted.I sourced the tyres from Demon Tweeks, about 600GBP for the set. Should be able to get them cheaper. They, as with the A39R are a Lotus only part at present.You may be able to source a set of rim/part worn slicks to try out esp. as the Autobytel has finished - in fact you may be able to source a trailer too! Not sure were to start asking though.Slicks run a 25psi front and back HOT. Five laps, stop, check pressures. Warming up the tyres is critical.There is lots of talk about rear uprights and the toe-link kits failing BUT you have to consider most of the experience of their use comes from hard racing/track use. I don’t think the components are inherently less durable they are just exposed to more use.My experience had been generally positive - cornering grip is more interesting but braking is the most dramatic advance!If you have three point belts instead of harnesses then change that first

system · 23 October 2001 08:51

I have a set of unused Yokohama slicks for the Exige if anyone is interested. Cost me ~ï¿½500Yours for ï¿½250[This message has been edited by Admin5 (edited 23 October 2001).]

system · 23 October 2001 10:12

Are they A005 16" fronts & 17" rears?? What compound?? If so where in the world are they??Deano [image]http://www.smilies-world.de/Smilies/Smilies_klein/jump3.gif[/image] [This message has been edited by Deano (edited 23 October 2001).]

system · 23 October 2001 23:10

quote:Originally posted by X1GGE:Tony, in a recent post you mentioned something about fitting a splitter - does it make much of a difference?I haven’t driven mine with the motorsport splitter fitted yet as I haven’t yet trailered my car to a track day, but I’m assured by people who know that it makes a noticeable difference. I was half thinking of trailering it to Donny on the 31st with the motorsport splitter fitted, but I don’t know if I’ll do it yet…

system · 23 October 2001 13:06

i also have a set of slicks going cheep if anyone is interested then e-mail meThey are just taking up space in my garage and i am moving in 2 weeks so thay have to go. i can arrange carrige #They have barely been scrubbed in and i have never used them.Dont forget i also have a cat and a std exhaust that need to go so make me an offer.kee [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image][This message has been edited by Keenan Perrin (edited 23 October 2001).]

system · 23 October 2001 13:32

Keenan,Hasnt everyone got a standard exhuast sitting in there garage!! [image]http://www.smilies-world.de/Smilies/Smilies_klein/aimages/icons/wink.gif[/image] What compound slicks & how much you want for them??Deano [image]http://www.smilies-world.de/Smilies/Smilies_klein/jump3.gif[/image]

X1GGE · 23 October 2001 16:22

Thanks to all for the info guys. I think I’ll hold off on the slicks for a while as it seems like a lot of hassle, but I’m going to order the trailer, if only to save clocking up boring motorway miles between venues. When it’s not being used, it’ll be available for hire! [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image]Keenan - Did you ever run yours on slicks? If so, was it worth it?Tony - how much would a splitter set me back then? Is it easy to fit?Cheers,Phil.

system · 23 October 2001 17:40

quote:Originally posted by Deano:Are they A005 16" fronts & 17" rears?? What compound?? If so where in the world are they??Yes, they’re unused Elise Motorsport slicks (same dimensions as std. Exige tyres)I believe they are soft compoundThey are in the Midlands.[This message has been edited by Admin5 (edited 23 October 2001).]

Brendan · 23 October 2001 18:40

quote:Originally posted by Tony Whitter: I haven’t driven mine with the motorsport splitter fitted yet as I haven’t yet trailered my car to a track day, but I’m assured by people who know that it makes a noticeable difference. I was half thinking of trailering it to Donny on the 31st with the motorsport splitter fitted, but I don’t know if I’ll do it yet…Tony, I’m no aerodynamicist, but my limited knowledge tells me that the front splitter will increase front downforce, but reduce rear downforce. I’m not sure I would want to change the balance of the car in this way. It could lead to some interesting moments on very fast corners. Maybe you should go the whole hog and fit the motorsport rear wing as well. If you do try the splitter, make sure you let us all know how it feels.

X1GGE · 23 October 2001 19:23

quote:Originally posted by Brendan: Maybe you should go the whole hog and fit the motorsport rear wing as well.Hadn’t thought of that… would look pretty cool!! Are they a straight swap do you reckon?

system · 24 October 2001 07:55

David,I was really looking for a Hard/Medium compound as I chew softs up in a couple of track days. Deano [image]http://www.smilies-world.de/Smilies/Smilies_klein/jump3.gif[/image]

system · 24 October 2001 09:19

Phil ï¿½ Iï¿½ll check the price of the splitter and let you know. Fitting is easy providing you can get under the front of the car, but it does involve a replacement nose under-tray.Phil / Brendan ï¿½ I donï¿½t expect using the Motorsport front splitter to appreciable change the downforce at the back. Iï¿½ve raced ï¿½slicks and wingsï¿½ cars and changes made at one end donï¿½t have much effect on the other per se. As Iï¿½m sure youï¿½ll appreciate, you can have a car setup how you like (understeery, oversteery, or neutral) but with differing levels of downforce. When youï¿½re racing the overall level of downforce is dictated by the track and what is best to extract a good lap time, but it is independent of the front / rear balance. As the Exige is setup to understeer, I expect the front splitter to make the car more neutral, not tail happy. However, the motorsport rear wing can not be fitted to an Exige without extensive modification as itï¿½s mounted on a central pillar that fixes through the centre of the rear clam onto a heavily modified internal chassis arrangement that only exists on the race car, so itï¿½s not really an option. If I do try my splitter, Iï¿½ll let you know what I think.

system · 24 October 2001 13:37

WRT my slicksA-005 63968-01I believe this is the compound of my slicks and have been told that they are medium.The sizes are the same as the exige but the rears are 230 as against 225 wide.I need ï¿½150for them. Most people have a standard can in there garage but most people wouldn’t part with it in case the bill get them for noise. The standard can is also famous for blowing out baffels especially as so many people have the over-run sensor disconected. It is just there as an option. It could also be modified if somone fancied a project to work on. Likewise with the cat. And I bet not everyone has a cat to put back on come Mot time.HTH Kee [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]

IDG · 24 October 2001 14:00

quote:Originally posted by Admin5: Why don’t you want them? Have you changed your mind? I would have thought your monster would love them?Ah… my monster doesn’t need them to be quick… [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image]Seriously though, I’m not too happy with the extreme loads slicks place on the running gear, so I’ve chosen to not use them[This message has been edited by Admin5 (edited 24 October 2001).]

system · 24 October 2001 14:11

Keenan,I will have to check the compound with my Yoko Motorsport guy. The size’s should be slightly different to the road ones, they should read 195x580x16 front 230x625x17 rear.You say there ‘just scrubbed in’?? how scrubbed in is that?? As I class one track day a scrubbing in!!All in all sounds good.Deano [image]http://www.smilies-world.de/Smilies/Smilies_klein/jump3.gif[/image]

system · 24 October 2001 15:31

They are in very good order not like the set that i got from dj deans, there miles better. I dont think that they have done 1/2 a track day and i would estimate the depth of the holes to be 4-6 mmKee [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]

system · 24 October 2001 15:49

quote:Originally posted by X1GGE:Tony - how much would a splitter set me back then?Being a Lotus Motorsport part, not cheap! Around ï¿½450 - ï¿½500 + VAT prepared and painted a colour of your choice. I believe that this price includes the replacement under-tray, but I’m just waiting confirmation on that.

X1GGE · 24 October 2001 16:42

Blinkin’ 'ell - 500 quid. Oh well, maybe if I get really serious about track days I’ll consider it. Thanks anyway Tony.Shame about the rear wing! Perhaps I should have just bought a Motorsport Elise from the start!?Phil.

system · 24 October 2001 17:51

quote:Originally posted by X1GGE:Perhaps I should have just bought a Motorsport Elise from the start!?Yours today for only c. ï¿½55k! [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image]