Why change it????

General General Lotus Talk
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Is it only me that is happy with my Exige as it is - or am I missing something…I don’t think I want dynamic suspension, a Honda engine, nylon unilink track rod end thingys, super dooper air intake ducting whatsits etc etcWhat is wrong with a 190 Exige with a K&N filter.I’m sure Lotus know better than me as to what the car should have.

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Light blue touch paper and stand well back… [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image]

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Lotus did know better, thats what the Motorsport Elise was for. The Exige IS the comprimise, alterted for the road to meet those funny things called “laws” [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image]

4

Yeh, I like the car as it is too. I think if I buy a British sportscar I expect a British engine in it… I suppose Joe will probably chew me balls off for this but then it’s just my opinion. The car is loud and fast as it is so why do I want to put a Honda engine in the back? as you said Tone, light blue touch paper etc…

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Peter - I too like the Exige the way it is - more than enough power for me. Who knows what future holds tho’ - can never see me moving this monster on - love it to bits. By the way Donington Lotus Show is 8/9 March - reckon goin on the 8th - meeting at Woodall Services at 0830hrs - will confirm nearer date…

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Actually Tone, why have you got a K&N filter then as this is different from what Lotus supplied (Pipercross), do you know better than them [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image] [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image] LOL

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Sounds good to me Simon, I’ll look forward to meeting you on the 8th.

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Well Tone, I think the fact it is so good is why I would consider changing it (did that make ANY sense?!). Why move on to the next car when this little piece of magic can be made just a little bit better.I’ve started slow though, a slightly smaller removable wheel, quick shift mech for the gearstick and better pads. Each have added to the car (especially the brakes!). Next will be braided hoses and nylatron gear linkage (maybe engine mounts and suspension too) and alu disks. I expect all to also add that little bit of quality and better engineered feel to the car.But what happens when I want more power, or another gear? I can go and buy the next great Lotus (should they ever make such a thing) for lots of money, or put a better engine and transmission in the back of the Exige.Now Peter, British engines don’t exactly have a great reputation for reliability and I’d love to enjoy my car with reduced worry. At Anglesey last year nearly a third of the Exiges got sick. The K-series is small and lightweight but was originally designed as a 85bhp lump for a small family Rover and will need occational expensive work when tuned to 190bhp. Plus there’s not much torque. A Honda on the other hand…Just my opinionIan [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]

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Why change it? Well the winner of my championship last year had a car putting out approximately 420hp in a 700kg Morgan. I need all the help I can get!Cheers

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call me an old fart but I just don’t like the idea of having a rice ball engine in a Lotus. would never buy something like that.I still think the K-Series is a brill engineand with some help of DVA even better [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]later,Bruno

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Aaagghhhh!this is too much torture!.I only have a std Exige.It looks and drives great, and in the track, I have found that it’s not slower than anything out there (yes, I’ve been on tight tracks), you just need to drive it well.But yes, I have to admit that I would like more power. Who wouldn’t? More and more.Where would we stop? I say now that 220 HP would be OK, but I’m pretty sure that I’ll want more.Where would I stop? what bout 450HP? sounds nice, doesn’t it?And then again, I would like to keep my car all british.So, what do I do, upgrade my engine slowly? (go for the 220HP initially) then spend more money on a Honda engine? Wait for the new (just-being-developed) K2000?I don’t know. But I know that there are many cosmetic add ons that I’m not going to fall for.Braided brake lines I already have, and IMHO the car should already come with that standard (but then, also should a bike).Alcantara? (is that a latin last name?), Carbon fiber replacement panels that save 200 grams overall?, coloured trim bits inside?, Track days to improve driving?..That’s it!, I’ll go for the track days, and major weight savings like a light exhaust.Later it would be the 220HP upgrade, and when it becomes available, the new K2000 engine (should be around 300HP)Good, I’m glad that’s out of my system.Now, where is my trackday schedule for 2003?.. [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]UldisPS - K&N filter? why? Pipercross is already recognized as a nice aftermarket one!

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Ooooo-errrLike I said, light blue touch paper…I have had Exige for 10 months, I use it as daily transport and it never fails to put a smile on my face.The K&N filter was on it when I got it. (Thanks to Rob Gibbons)It’s OK Uldis - mines still 177BHP - 190 is a planned change.Rob Gibbons also changed every bolt he could get to for stainless - a sensible mod.I changed plastic window winders for ali.Oh and its got a cover over the rocker box cover…

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Why change it? Because we’re all different. The perfect car for one person is not going to be quite right for somebody else. Mercedes S Class is probably the best car in the world, but it’s not for me.The UCR gear kit is a fantastic upgrade [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image] Sorry I just can’t stop talking about it.

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I guess it’s just that type of car, you just can’r stop fiddling with it.BTW Tone, what does “Light blue touch paper and stand well back” mean? (never heard it before)Cheers,Uldis [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]

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UldisSomething to do with lighting a firework - starting a contentious thread.

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"The UCR gear kit is a fantastic upgrade Sorry I just can’t stop talking about it"Brendan,Hi It’s Phil Turley (got your Exige engine cover thingy)UCR gear kit - did you buy it as a kit or was it exchange? Tell me more, I know it’s good, I find 2nd seems to be the wrong ratio after 1st, if you know what I mean.Can get a gearbox specialist I know th change innards, hence the question re exchange etc.TaPhil GTp.s. Finished the decorating yet?

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Hi Phil,I always thought the UCR was a complete gearbox, so I was surpised to find it’s actually a kit of replacement gears. Nick Whale’s got them for me direct from Lotus. They don’t do it on an exchange basis, unfortnately, but you might be able to sell the old gears to an Elise owner who wants a close ratio set. I’m going to keep mine. They’ll probably sit on my shelf at work for a while alongside some of the other bits I’ve taken off the car. At this rate, I’m going to have a complete Exige on my shelf within a couple of years [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]The shift from 1st to second is not hugely different from standard, certainly not as big a difference as 2nd to 3rd.I don’t know whether you already have these figures, so I’ll post them anyway…Standard…UCR1st…45…472nd…76…733rd…101…914th…128…1115th…156…136(How do you do tables properly on this poxy thing)These are the speeds in mph for each gear at 7800rpm base on Demon Tweeks’ figure of 1921mm for the rolling circumference of the rear tyres.Have you tried a UCR box yet? You’re welcome to try mine if you like.p.s. Not yet. We’ve just had our new wardrobes fitted, so I can start finishing off now.[This message has been edited by Brendan (edited 29 January 2003).]

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Just to add my bit,Ian,British engine makers have won a few G.P.'s in there time (Cosworth) to mention a name,and i’m sure Lotus have won a G.P. with there own engine,so that must make them O.K.as far as reliability goes.The Exige is a trully remarkable car,i’m sure that one would have to spend alot more money to have a car, that would come close to a standard Exige.But yet i doubt that there is not many owners that could exploit the full potential of this car in standard trim,but yet are after more power,better handling,bigger brakes,etc,etc.We should first learn to truly master what we have first,and this can’t be done over a few track days a year.I don’t have a problem with spending money on a car,but when it’s not being used to it’s full potential,is there really any need for more power,bigger brakes,etc,etc.Sorry,had to say my bit.pete

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Brendan,u do not like the gear change between 1st and 2nd. I agree, but u can chose for a longer first gear. Ratio is 2.615 instead of 3. With this first gear u have the same spacing as the other gears and the g/b is much lovely. U can put very easily the first gear in U turns.With this 1st gear u reach 53mphCiaoNicolas

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Pete, no need to apologise, all taken in good spirit! And in that same spirit I’ll reply. quote:Originally posted by Senna 1:British engine makers have won a few G.P.'s in there time (Cosworth) to mention a name,and i’m sure Lotus have won a G.P. with there own engine,so that must make them O.K.as far as reliability goes.That was a LONG time ago and GP engines are only designed to last about 200 miles! As Mr Mansell will tell you (having driven with Lotus and had a Jap engine in his all conquering Williams), and by your own argument, Honda have a much better record. quote:Originally posted by Senna 1:We should first learn to truly master what we have first,and this can’t be done over a few track days a year.Okay that’s true. But if you can only do a few trackdays a year it’s nice to cheat and no amount of skill can increase top speed.Having said all that, I love my car and won’t be swapping that engine quite yet.Ian [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]