Carbon fiber Exige Cup roof

[Vishus_1]

I agree it will fit an 07 - if it will fit an 06 it will fit an 07. I think what is being pointed out is that it doesn't have the 07 hardware - that extra bracket may make a difference in the long run if the Exige's hardtops are prone to warp or lift in the rear.

I had an 06 before my S and it started to look like it wasn't fitting right toward the back (roll bar) before I traded it. No matter how I torqued and fitted the roof, it wouldn't fit. Also, for reference, I never removed the roof before this started occuring.

I believe there are some threads on this issue. This new bracket is supposed to address this. I can't comment if it really is a fix yet but given the expense of this beautiful carbon roof, it should be perfect and have all the hardware.

[shay2nak]

if the fiberglass top warps and hence the new bracket. What about CF? Isn't carbon stronger than fiberglass? Maybe this CF top doesn't need it.

The bracket is a separate piece. Can't you take unscrew it from the stock top and use it on this carbon one?

Here's a thread from last night. Someone made a bracket for their top.
http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/show...hlight=bracket

[LBC111]

Originally Posted by bruh_la

I do not know what he is talking about either. As far as i know the mounting method for the roof did not change between 06 and 07 cars....as far as the design goes, its definately a 255 cup 07 roof....so i do not see the problem. Wheres the bit that does not function...?

As for the price, remember its weight high up you are saving and in the case of supercharged cars you will get more of the eigines performance, more of the time......i think 4,000 is ok.

5,000 is maybe pushing the boat out a bit far, but at the moment it is not clear whats included in the price.

I thought the 06 Cup 240 did NOT have the bracket, just like the standard 06 Exige. I just assumed the 07 Cup 255 HAD the center bracket just like the 07 S. I might be wrong. Anyone with a Cup 255 that can post picks?? Jack from LA??

As far a functionality, what I was referring to was the functionality of a Cup roof on a NA vs an S Exige. I assumed that this roof was designed for an 06 Exige, and not the S, since it was sitting on an 06 car in the picture.

[exigeme]

Just got off the phone with John at FVM, the price is $4500.00 and requires
your old seals be reused or you can purchase a seal kit form them at an additional cost. That cost is not yet know...very pretty but expensive.

[gangus]

wow expensive -- hard to buy sight unseen, but I need a roof and lotus takes 8 weeks for the stock roof

just double checking it will fit an 06 exige? are there more pictures? Who is the memeber who is producing these"Composite"? does he have a good reputation? Does anyone think sector111 will be as nice and how much will that price point be?

Since my first roof flew off will this one stay on? Will it be strong than stock?

thanks for any and all help

gangus

[Thomasio]

Photos were on an '06 Exige. Mike is the guy, I've seen his shop and his work and it is impeccable.

FVMC chose him to make these, and they are staking their reputation on him.

Thomas

[shay2nak]

I looked at a cup 255 roof today and IT DOESN'T HAVE the bracket. The underside of the top basically looks the same as the picture of the CF one on page 1.

holy sh*t! $4500!! I'll have to wait a bit now for it. If I can get a factory top til I can get the CF one that would be cool.

[tonykomo]

do you realize what chassis mods you could make for $4500??? news shocks, roll bar and probably AP Racing brakes too!

[gangus]

I ordered the stock roof replacement from Lotus June 11 and then i saw the composite CF version last week. I tried to cancel the order but it is too late in the process -- per lotus. I had to cancel with john from FVMC.

oh well.. sux

[Ken Wright]

Originally Posted by tonykomo

do you realize what chassis mods you could make for $4500??? news shocks, roll bar and probably AP Racing brakes too!

Its alot of money (nearly 10% of the cars cost) but this will provide a basis for a higher power motor. I would rather add a very light roof that is more effective at cooling the intercooler that is on the car than pursue the other options currently available.

It is definately a lot of cash. It has to have the bracket mount that is on the current S before I'm going to buy it. Lotus of Durham is under the impression that the factory will release the same roof in fiberglass prepainted with the roof bracket for about 3K soon. The factory roof will have the seals and hardware included.

ken

[tonykomo]

Originally Posted by Ken Wright

Its alot of money (nearly 10% of the cars cost) but this will provide a basis for a higher power motor. I would rather add a very light roof that is more effective at cooling the intercooler that is on the car than pursue the other options currently available.

It is definately a lot of cash. It has to have the bracket mount that is on the current S before I'm going to buy it. Lotus of Durham is under the impression that the factory will release the same roof in fiberglass prepainted with the roof bracket for about 3K soon. The factory roof will have the seals and hardware included.

ken

Give me a decent chassis setup anyday over a marginal power improvement. Power won't make a difference in AutoX etc, chassis mods do. And on high speed circuits the ability to outbrake and outturn the larger HP cars in "most" cases will win you the race. Of course, if you can afford all of this then why not. Personally though I think the scoop on the roof causes drag and screws up the amount of air on the rear wing for downforce. Hence the GT3 cars do not even have the roof scoop as they are charge cooled with air/water intercooler, like mine.

[Ken Wright]

Originally Posted by tonykomo

Give me a decent chassis setup anyday over a marginal power improvement.

We are on the same page with this, but I'm getting both.

ken

[exigeme]

I would love one of these roofs however I cant justify spending 5k after seals
and shipping when I can get a brand-x CF roof for 2500.00 with shipping.

[Jack]

Originally Posted by LBC111

I thought the 06 Cup 240 did NOT have the bracket, just like the standard 06 Exige. I just assumed the 07 Cup 255 HAD the center bracket just like the 07 S. I might be wrong. Anyone with a Cup 255 that can post picks?? Jack from LA??

As far a functionality, what I was referring to was the functionality of a Cup roof on a NA vs an S Exige. I assumed that this roof was designed for an 06 Exige, and not the S, since it was sitting on an 06 car in the picture.

No center bracket on either the 240 or 255. Both roofs do mount slightly different than the stock hardtop. While they use the front mounting points/hardware, the rear mounting location is not used...rather it's a bracket/plate on the rear side of the roll cage and you bolt the roof to the plate. It's very secure and there's no evidence of "bowing" on either of my Cup cars.

[vyuen]

That's steep...and have we established how much weight savings gets you for $4500??

[twaszak1]

just weighed roofs. stock roof is about 20 lbs. cf roof is 11 lbs. we have stock elise cf roofs also for around the same price is anyone is interested.

[Bgwilly31]

5k to save 9lbs.=not worth it.

[GTsRasta]

I'd go with the soft top retrofit. It would look less flashy and make getting sunlight way more easier to access.

[shay2nak]

Originally Posted by Bgwillyelise

5k to save 9lbs.=not worth it.

it's not just weight savings. It's the increased cooling efficiency of the IC, not to mention it looks badass.

[tonykomo]

you could fit a charge cooler for less than the cost of the roof. this roof is bling, nothing else.