Replaced horn with FIAMM Hi/Low horn set. - LotusTalk

Ground Loop · 07-09-2005, 05:39 PM

I replaced the Elise stock horn with a set of two FIAMM horns. The packaging is pretty bland, stating "Replacement Horn" "125 Decibels", and the size and form factor is pretty much like the stock horn.

In fact, after removing the stock horn, I wasn't convinced this would be much of an upgrade. Our stock horn is a bit beefier than one of these two FIAMMs, not too shabby.

As others have noted, removing the mounting nut behind the stock horn is tricky -- there's a lot of stuff in the way and no easy way to get a wrench to the nut. I cheated and just twisted the horn to loosen it, careful not to pinch the wires. That released it enough that I could see to the wires, push the spades straight off by poking with with a flathead screwdriver, and spin the horn all the way off. Much easier than dismantling the wheel well and right hand oil cooler.

The FIAMM horns come with a snap-on wire connector and pigtails, which makes wiring, uh, a snap. I made up a harness with two flat spades (for the stock connectors), and both plug connectors. I added a bit of zip cord in between to reach across the car.

There is an existing (oil cooler?) bracket in the cavity with bolts that extend quite a bit through the spot-welded nuts. The FIAMM horns included a nut and lockwasher that made a perfect fit on these bolts, so I took that as a sign!

The stock mounting location is probably "better" in that it's more direct, but without better access, I wasn't going to try to mount a new nut back there.

I don't know how directional these horns are, but Forward toward the grill seemed sensible:

I was going to do the same thing on the left side, but kept getting interference from the Cobra siren unit. The FIAMM kit also includes a right-angle mounting bracket, which proved ideal for sharing the siren mount.

I removed the washer from the existing nylock nut, slipped my bracket in its place, and aimed the horn. Perfect fit.

All the nuts were seasoned with blue Loctite, and the wire connections all waterproofed with solder, heatshrink, and hotglue filler. Removing the original horn was probably the hardest part. If I was doing it over again, I might just leave it in place and piggyback the new horns on with it for more volume.

The sound is loud and harsh -- just what I want from horns. Of course, even the stock horn sounded loud in my garage, so the real test will have to wait until the next SUV joins my lane. That should take about five minutes of local driving...

ChrisB · 07-09-2005, 06:08 PM

Those look like the AM80 model. If they are, they draw 5 amps each, so you will need to replace your horn fuse with at least a 10 amp one (IIRC, stock is 7.5 a).

I have the Stobel Nautilus horn and have not heard any other aftermarket horn on an Elise and would like to hear yours some time. Our youngest son is going to be a freshman at the University of San Diego this fall, so I expect to be in your area occassionally. Maybe we can get together some time and toot our horns.

Miguel · 07-11-2005, 07:44 AM

Very nice install Ground Loop

We share the horn with the TVR S series, the problem is that we only have the Low Note Horn.

HORN

Low Note Horn.
TVR Part #: 025M 058A
ALTERNATIVE PART INFO: Unipart GGE 151
Notes: Horn Marked Mixo Type 99

High Note Horn.
TVR Part #: 025M 057A
ALTERNATIVE PART INFO: Unipart GGE 152

From: http://www.parkersteve.dsl.pipex.com/sparts.asp

So installing the high note horn and leaving the stock low note should sound good as well.

I went for the stebel nautilus air horn:
http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/show...498#post121498

Chococar went for the Hella Twin Supertone Horn Kit
http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9457

It's good to be heard when not seen by large SUV's.

Edit: if someone finds the High Note Horn, it probably needs a new relay and wiring. just FYI.

Ground Loop · 07-11-2005, 03:11 PM

Very interesting info, Miguel! Thanks for the references.

Now that I've been driving a few days with the new FIAMM horns, I don't feel it was worth the effort. The improvement, at freeway speeds, for example, is minor. The new sound is certainly "brighter" and more urgent, but not significantly louder.

I have a SPL meter, so if anyone wants to get together (in a remote place) and measure stock horn vs. FIAMM pair, I'd be happy to get some hard Decibel numbers.

I'm considering putting the stock horn back, and supplementing it with a pair of small air trumpets and compressor. The most important part may well be positioning.. a horn nestled between the crash structure and floor pan might not be ideal. I'd like the horn to project from the oil cooler grills, perhaps.

Miguel · 07-21-2005, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim-clayton

Good point Stan. I have the horn pointed forward, but I sure it's output is blocked by the nose. I'll look to re-position next time I'm under there.

You can use a bracket like ground loop did, otherwise you'll have to drill to point it forward like I did, look at my pictures on the following link and his on this thread for reference.

http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/show...498#post121498

Racer "X" · 10-29-2005, 07:37 AM

HORNS Check out The 3 following links to JC whitney
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/S...&searchbtn.y=7
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/S...&searchbtn.y=7
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/S...searchbtn.y=10
I researched and most BMW's and Mercedes use a combo of High and Low frequency Horns One of each. You can mix and match any of these horns for all High or all Low Frequency or high and Low as I chose. BUT..........You must get the Horn relay wire made for these. ( PS a Jet engine is about 155 Dbs ) So if you don't get attention when someone is advancing on your car either in reverse or from other angles you can hopefully scare them into a heart attack or Post Traumatic stress disorder.....he he

2005 Lotus Elise
Graphite Grey w/ Original Hard top
Soft Top
Touring Pack
Sports Pack
Lotus Xenon Upgrade Lights
and Modified Upgraded Horns High/ Low Frequecy 130 dBs each.

Future Plans
Force Fed
Upgraded Gas tank with 16 Gal capacity.
At least there are alot of 3rd party items out there for the Elise just everyone wants a Hefty Buck for them.

Be Safe Speed, Racer "X"

[/b]

Ground Loop · 10-29-2005, 10:05 AM

Those JC Whitney horns look a lot like the FIAMMs I put in, and the "Freeway Blaster" name matches the one on my packaging. I wouldn't rush to order them.

They're weak. The pair of them is about the same as our solo stock horn. A quick side-by-side outdoor test with a stock car didn't leave anyone impressed.

The whole "130 dB" thing is a crock without the other necessary parameters. What voltage? Measured how far from the horn (or inside the horn)? With what frequency weighting?

A 155dB Jet engine? Measured where? From what angle? While the engine is doing what? What size engine? In what environment?

I've lost all faith in horn ratings. But that won't stop me from trying. I have the Stebel Nautilus sitting right here waiting for some garage time.

And I have my own dB meter so I can make up my own test scenario and measure it.

TimMullen · 10-29-2005, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ground Loop

The whole "130 dB" thing is a crock without the other necessary parameters. What voltage? Measured how far from the horn (or inside the horn)? With what frequency weighting?

Yea, what he said. Some of the horns are rated at 1" distance, some at 1 foot, some at 10 meters. It makes a huge distance. The JC Whitney horns are probably rated at 1 inch...

Ancient Wedgie · 10-31-2005, 11:57 PM

Chococar's Hella Twin Supertone Horn Kit (the box says 3AG 003 399-801) is the winner in the elise in my opinion.

It rattles windows and could shatter nerves in not too close proximity. It did mine, and I was standing behind the car.

PsychoRallye · 02-10-2006, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chococar

thanks

I got the horn from Elise-shop.com in the hopes that it came from a bracket... http://www.elise-shop.com/index.php?...roducts_id=112
it didn't. But it was only $30 US (about the same as other horns) -- and was light all things considered (the compressor is a bit heavy but the horns weigh nothing.

Now that I have my front clam removed, I drilled two small holes in the crash box and mounted the horns in the same "cavity" as the original horn but with the fasteners where I can get to them on the inside of the crash box (by removing the large front grill) -- and I put the compressor in the same hole as the old horn. I had to make two extension cables for the electrical and replace the fuse with a 30A (YEP) 30A fuse. I haven't checked the rating of the horn relay (anybody know it?)... I should, but I've been lazy so far. All in all, with the clam off, installation took me five minutes to make the extension wires (for the GND and +12V) and five minutes to drill the two holes and mount the three items. It's damn loud.

Cheers

07-09-2005, 05:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ground Loop Student Driver Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,126	Replaced horn with FIAMM Hi/Low horn set. I replaced the Elise stock horn with a set of two FIAMM horns. The packaging is pretty bland, stating "Replacement Horn" "125 Decibels", and the size and form factor is pretty much like the stock horn. In fact, after removing the stock horn, I wasn't convinced this would be much of an upgrade. Our stock horn is a bit beefier than one of these two FIAMMs, not too shabby. As others have noted, removing the mounting nut behind the stock horn is tricky -- there's a lot of stuff in the way and no easy way to get a wrench to the nut. I cheated and just twisted the horn to loosen it, careful not to pinch the wires. That released it enough that I could see to the wires, push the spades straight off by poking with with a flathead screwdriver, and spin the horn all the way off. Much easier than dismantling the wheel well and right hand oil cooler. The FIAMM horns come with a snap-on wire connector and pigtails, which makes wiring, uh, a snap. I made up a harness with two flat spades (for the stock connectors), and both plug connectors. I added a bit of zip cord in between to reach across the car. There is an existing (oil cooler?) bracket in the cavity with bolts that extend quite a bit through the spot-welded nuts. The FIAMM horns included a nut and lockwasher that made a perfect fit on these bolts, so I took that as a sign! The stock mounting location is probably "better" in that it's more direct, but without better access, I wasn't going to try to mount a new nut back there. I don't know how directional these horns are, but Forward toward the grill seemed sensible: I was going to do the same thing on the left side, but kept getting interference from the Cobra siren unit. The FIAMM kit also includes a right-angle mounting bracket, which proved ideal for sharing the siren mount. I removed the washer from the existing nylock nut, slipped my bracket in its place, and aimed the horn. Perfect fit. All the nuts were seasoned with blue Loctite, and the wire connections all waterproofed with solder, heatshrink, and hotglue filler. Removing the original horn was probably the hardest part. If I was doing it over again, I might just leave it in place and piggyback the new horns on with it for more volume. The sound is loud and harsh -- just what I want from horns. Of course, even the stock horn sounded loud in my garage, so the real test will have to wait until the next SUV joins my lane. That should take about five minutes of local driving... Last edited by sandsmuseum : 02-13-2006 at 10:42 AM.

07-11-2005, 07:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
Miguel Finally Elise Driver! Join Date: May 2004 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 2,464	Very nice install Ground Loop We share the horn with the TVR S series, the problem is that we only have the Low Note Horn. HORN Low Note Horn. TVR Part #: 025M 058A ALTERNATIVE PART INFO: Unipart GGE 151 Notes: Horn Marked Mixo Type 99 High Note Horn. TVR Part #: 025M 057A ALTERNATIVE PART INFO: Unipart GGE 152 From: http://www.parkersteve.dsl.pipex.com/sparts.asp So installing the high note horn and leaving the stock low note should sound good as well. I went for the stebel nautilus air horn: http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/show...498#post121498 Chococar went for the Hella Twin Supertone Horn Kit http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9457 It's good to be heard when not seen by large SUV's. Edit: if someone finds the High Note Horn, it probably needs a new relay and wiring. just FYI. __________________ 05 Elise Racing Green/Red, Touring, Hardtop, StarShield

10-29-2005, 07:37 AM	#6 (permalink)
Racer "X" Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 9	Cheap 130 dBs horns High and Low Frequency HORNS Check out The 3 following links to JC whitney http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/S...&searchbtn.y=7 http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/S...&searchbtn.y=7 http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/S...searchbtn.y=10 I researched and most BMW's and Mercedes use a combo of High and Low frequency Horns One of each. You can mix and match any of these horns for all High or all Low Frequency or high and Low as I chose. BUT..........You must get the Horn relay wire made for these. ( PS a Jet engine is about 155 Dbs ) So if you don't get attention when someone is advancing on your car either in reverse or from other angles you can hopefully scare them into a heart attack or Post Traumatic stress disorder.....he he 2005 Lotus Elise Graphite Grey w/ Original Hard top Soft Top Touring Pack Sports Pack Lotus Xenon Upgrade Lights and Modified Upgraded Horns High/ Low Frequecy 130 dBs each. Future Plans Force Fed Upgraded Gas tank with 16 Gal capacity. At least there are alot of 3rd party items out there for the Elise just everyone wants a Hefty Buck for them. Be Safe Speed, Racer "X" [/b]

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07-09-2005, 06:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
ChrisB I'm Lovin' It! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Newport Beach, CA Posts: 3,755 Images: 1	Those look like the AM80 model. If they are, they draw 5 amps each, so you will need to replace your horn fuse with at least a 10 amp one (IIRC, stock is 7.5 a). I have the Stobel Nautilus horn and have not heard any other aftermarket horn on an Elise and would like to hear yours some time. Our youngest son is going to be a freshman at the University of San Diego this fall, so I expect to be in your area occassionally. Maybe we can get together some time and toot our horns.

07-11-2005, 03:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ground Loop Student Driver Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,126	Very interesting info, Miguel! Thanks for the references. Now that I've been driving a few days with the new FIAMM horns, I don't feel it was worth the effort. The improvement, at freeway speeds, for example, is minor. The new sound is certainly "brighter" and more urgent, but not significantly louder. I have a SPL meter, so if anyone wants to get together (in a remote place) and measure stock horn vs. FIAMM pair, I'd be happy to get some hard Decibel numbers. I'm considering putting the stock horn back, and supplementing it with a pair of small air trumpets and compressor. The most important part may well be positioning.. a horn nestled between the crash structure and floor pan might not be ideal. I'd like the horn to project from the oil cooler grills, perhaps.

10-29-2005, 10:05 AM	#7 (permalink)
Ground Loop Student Driver Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,126	Those JC Whitney horns look a lot like the FIAMMs I put in, and the "Freeway Blaster" name matches the one on my packaging. I wouldn't rush to order them. They're weak. The pair of them is about the same as our solo stock horn. A quick side-by-side outdoor test with a stock car didn't leave anyone impressed. The whole "130 dB" thing is a crock without the other necessary parameters. What voltage? Measured how far from the horn (or inside the horn)? With what frequency weighting? A 155dB Jet engine? Measured where? From what angle? While the engine is doing what? What size engine? In what environment? I've lost all faith in horn ratings. But that won't stop me from trying. I have the Stebel Nautilus sitting right here waiting for some garage time. And I have my own dB meter so I can make up my own test scenario and measure it.

10-31-2005, 11:57 PM	#9 (permalink)
Ancient Wedgie Spellbound by Laser Blue Join Date: May 2004 Location: Angelino Heights, CA Posts: 1,422	Chococar's Hella Twin Supertone Horn Kit (the box says 3AG 003 399-801) is the winner in the elise in my opinion. It rattles windows and could shatter nerves in not too close proximity. It did mine, and I was standing *behind* the car.

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