Can Exige S supercharger get soft top - LotusTalk

caexiges · 11-30-2006, 09:42 PM

I have ordered an Exige S and am selling a 911 C4S. My wife thinks I am crazy, but since I drove the Lotus, Porsche feels like I am towing an anchor.

I have read various threads confirming that you can install soft top on a standard Exige. Anybody knows if that is also OK for the Exige S? Logically the supercharger will still get air through the remaining duct, it might be less efficient due to turbulences? Having said that, I assume air temp is a way bigger factor and there seem to be no restrictions for driving the car in hot summer or cold winter... Any ideas?

LutzK · 12-01-2006, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caexiges

I have ordered an Exige S and am selling a 911 C4S. My wife thinks I am crazy, but since I drove the Lotus, Porsche feels like I am towing an anchor.

I have read various threads confirming that you can install soft top on a standard Exige. Anybody knows if that is also OK for the Exige S? Logically the supercharger will still get air through the remaining duct, it might be less efficient due to turbulences? Having said that, I assume air temp is a way bigger factor and there seem to be no restrictions for driving the car in hot summer or cold winter... Any ideas?

I did that with my Exige S in last summer. The car looses some power with the softtop or without a top, but it's not a problem even in hot summer. According to the manual you will loose power and increase noise by removing the hardtop (and voiding your warranty of course!)

Ken Wright · 12-01-2006, 12:26 PM

Can someone please post a copy of the factory statement about voiding your warranty if you install a soft top on an Exige?

I doubt it.

By the way, I also have an Exige S due in Jaunuary...in the trunk will be a soft top that I ordered with the car.

Ken Wright

TimMullen · 12-01-2006, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Wright

Can someone please post a copy of the factory statement about voiding your warranty if you install a soft top on an Exige?

It's been discussed many times.

You WILL NOT void your warranty on the ENTIRE car.

You MAY void any warranty that the top will remain water tight after it has been removed and the car is driven around. Just removing it shouldn't void anything, as you need to remove if for certain mechanical work...

LBC111 · 12-01-2006, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caexiges

I have read various threads confirming that you can install soft top on a standard Exige. Anybody knows if that is also OK for the Exige S? Logically the supercharger will still get air through the remaining duct, it might be less efficient due to turbulences? ... Any ideas?

I know you can install a soft top with a bit of modification, but I'm sure the flow to the SC will be severely reduced.. probably by more than 75%.

This another opportunity for someone like Sector 111 to come in and design a bolt-on oversized scoop to suck in enough or more air to allow for open-top driving.

Shinoo?? Anyone??

caexiges · 12-02-2006, 04:48 PM

Thanks. Dealer (CT) is even installing the soft top kit now. Should be here (CA) 2 weeks from now. Cant wait...

Baysailor · 12-02-2006, 07:11 PM

How about a puller fan mounted to the back of the intercooler? When the top is removed, this would help maintain airflow through the intercooler. Heck, it would even help with heat soak from when sitting still for a few.

gameson · 12-02-2006, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LutzK

I did that with my Exige S in last summer. The car looses some power with the softtop or without a top, but it's not a problem even in hot summer. According to the manual you will loose power and increase noise by removing the hardtop (and voiding your warranty of course!)

I dont understand. How can you lose power with soft top?

LutzK · 12-02-2006, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gameson

I dont understand. How can you lose power with soft top?

airflow through the intercooler is reduced by removing the hardtop, so you have higher air-temp at the intake and so less power.

gameson · 12-02-2006, 10:41 PM

but i thought the opening on the roof scoop is gone because of the hardtop. Now you get straight open pipe from the engine hood without the grill restriction. maybe I am wrong?

Baysailor · 12-02-2006, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gameson

but i thought the opening on the roof scoop is gone because of the hardtop. Now you get straight open pipe from the engine hood without the grill restriction. maybe I am wrong?

On the N/A Exige (no supercharger) the roof top scoop is plugged, but on the Exige S (supercharger) the scoop is open and air is forced in (scooped in by the forward motion of the car). The air then travels through the channel and across the intercooler.

With the roof on, the scoop has a larger profile and is situated closer to the front where one would assume the aerodynamic properties are such, that more air would enter the channel. This in turn, would provide a larger amount of air across the intercooler thus allowing more heat to be transferred out of the compressed hot intake air.

With the roof off, the cross section of the now open channel is smaller and situated just aft of the open cockpit area. Because of the smaller opening and turbulent air flow resulting from the open cabin, less air is likely to enter the channel and flow across the intercooler. Even with a soft top fitted, the air flow may be better (less turbulent), but you still have a smaller "scoop" that is situated further back.

To understand more about why you would need to cool the intake air in the first place, visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intercooler
and
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/supercharger.htm

caexiges · 12-06-2006, 03:51 PM

I also asked Lotus and got the following official reply - from the UK. As you can see they hate to admit you actually can drive it open...

Quote

"
Your email was forwarded onto me by my colleagues in England.

First of all congratulations on taking possession (or nearly taking
possession) of an Exige S, I had the opportunity to drive one for the first
time last week and they are absolutely fantastic fun to drive.

As far as your enquiry is concerned, it is indeed technically possible to
take the roof off of an Exige and drive without it, but what you can do and
what you should do are two very different issues.

The Exige requires the roof for optimum performance, and in effect the whole
body shape and contours contribute to aid the exceptional down force of the
vehicle, which is one of the main attributes of the Exige and Exige S.

Also, after you have removed and refitted the roof, you may find that there
could be some quite time consuming 'tweaking' involved to ensure that you do
not suffer from any water ingress, rattles and squeaks or wind noise,
obviously these are all items that are attended to at the time of the
vehicles production or at time of PDI.

Any Elise supplied with a hardtop also has a softtop which can be stored in
the luggage compartment of the trunk in the event that protection is
required either due to weather conditions or added security when the vehicle
is parked. Obviously the Exige does not come with a soft top and you cannot
store the hardtop in the rear whilst you are driving. With much fussing and
fettling it may be possible to 'retrofit' the hardware to accept a soft top,
but you still have to purchase a softtop and then start making holes in the
rear cover shroud of your new vehicle to make it fit. Obviously I cannot
condone this even though it may be technically possible.

I hope you do not find my comments too negative, because you are in for a
real treat when you start driving your Exige, but I have to make you aware
of the facts, also I have to state that removing the hard top does not void
the limited vehicle warranty, but Lotus Cars USA always reserves the right
not to accept claims for adjustments or repairs that can be proved to be
directly caused by unauthorized modifications. Although it is highly
unlikely to have warranty issues arise of any major consequence due to
removing the roof it is obviously my duty to make you aware of it so that
you can make any decisions about modifications based on all the facts and
the consequences that they may have.

Sorry to give you such a long answer to what was a very short, simple and
sensible question.

Yours sincerely

Andy Plant
Warranty Manager

Lotus Cars USA, Inc.
2236 Northmont Parkway, Duluth, GA 30096
Phone (770) 476- 6564, Fax (770) 476-6541
"

11-30-2006, 09:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
caexiges Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 29	Can Exige S supercharger get soft top I have ordered an Exige S and am selling a 911 C4S. My wife thinks I am crazy, but since I drove the Lotus, Porsche feels like I am towing an anchor. I have read various threads confirming that you can install soft top on a standard Exige. Anybody knows if that is also OK for the Exige S? Logically the supercharger will still get air through the remaining duct, it might be less efficient due to turbulences? Having said that, I assume air temp is a way bigger factor and there seem to be no restrictions for driving the car in hot summer or cold winter... Any ideas?

12-02-2006, 07:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
Baysailor Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 1,238	How about a puller fan mounted to the back of the intercooler? When the top is removed, this would help maintain airflow through the intercooler. Heck, it would even help with heat soak from when sitting still for a few. __________________ 2006 Lotus Elise - Solar Yellow, HT, LSS, LSD/TC, Touring, StarShield, S111 RTDbrace, S111 microMirror, S111 Carpet Buttons, Painted A/C Surround, CF Center Console, Nitron S/A, Tempest BAB26-12 AGM Battery, Fujita Intake, Top Speed Pro 1 Exhaust, 4Tress Harness Bar, 6000k 35w HID kit, Moroso Oil Pan, Plinthless front clam, Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2 Wheels w/ RE01-R's for street use, Heater Core By-Pass, Shifter Reinforcement, LETSLA v2 Shift Kit

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12-01-2006, 12:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ken Wright Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 553	Can someone please post a copy of the factory statement about voiding your warranty if you install a soft top on an Exige? I doubt it. By the way, I also have an Exige S due in Jaunuary...in the trunk will be a soft top that I ordered with the car. Ken Wright

12-02-2006, 04:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
caexiges Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 29	Thanks. Dealer (CT) is even installing the soft top kit now. Should be here (CA) 2 weeks from now. Cant wait...

12-02-2006, 10:41 PM	#10 (permalink)
gameson Track Addict Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,000	but i thought the opening on the roof scoop is gone because of the hardtop. Now you get straight open pipe from the engine hood without the grill restriction. maybe I am wrong?

12-06-2006, 03:51 PM	#12 (permalink)
caexiges Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 29	I also asked Lotus and got the following official reply - from the UK. As you can see they hate to admit you actually can drive it open... Quote " Your email was forwarded onto me by my colleagues in England. First of all congratulations on taking possession (or nearly taking possession) of an Exige S, I had the opportunity to drive one for the first time last week and they are absolutely fantastic fun to drive. As far as your enquiry is concerned, it is indeed technically possible to take the roof off of an Exige and drive without it, but what you can do and what you should do are two very different issues. The Exige requires the roof for optimum performance, and in effect the whole body shape and contours contribute to aid the exceptional down force of the vehicle, which is one of the main attributes of the Exige and Exige S. Also, after you have removed and refitted the roof, you may find that there could be some quite time consuming 'tweaking' involved to ensure that you do not suffer from any water ingress, rattles and squeaks or wind noise, obviously these are all items that are attended to at the time of the vehicles production or at time of PDI. Any Elise supplied with a hardtop also has a softtop which can be stored in the luggage compartment of the trunk in the event that protection is required either due to weather conditions or added security when the vehicle is parked. Obviously the Exige does not come with a soft top and you cannot store the hardtop in the rear whilst you are driving. With much fussing and fettling it may be possible to 'retrofit' the hardware to accept a soft top, but you still have to purchase a softtop and then start making holes in the rear cover shroud of your new vehicle to make it fit. Obviously I cannot condone this even though it may be technically possible. I hope you do not find my comments too negative, because you are in for a real treat when you start driving your Exige, but I have to make you aware of the facts, also I have to state that removing the hard top does not void the limited vehicle warranty, but Lotus Cars USA always reserves the right not to accept claims for adjustments or repairs that can be proved to be directly caused by unauthorized modifications. Although it is highly unlikely to have warranty issues arise of any major consequence due to removing the roof it is obviously my duty to make you aware of it so that you can make any decisions about modifications based on all the facts and the consequences that they may have. Sorry to give you such a long answer to what was a very short, simple and sensible question. Yours sincerely Andy Plant Warranty Manager Lotus Cars USA, Inc. 2236 Northmont Parkway, Duluth, GA 30096 Phone (770) 476- 6564, Fax (770) 476-6541 "

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