Debating 2007-2008 Exige-S, or 2006 Exige w/ BOE SC Kit

[pwn]

I'm getting close to the point where I'll be ready to purchase here, and I am trying to figure out whats going to be best. The fact that the BOE kit can get me to 280 whp no problem with zero soak and no I/C (could even do it on an elise if I wanted!) is just amazing. I could go gotham on an s model, but I have a feeling between the extra money for the gotham and the exige-s, it might be cheaper to just get a N/A exige and SC it! I think if I could find an s240 for 40k (ebay, possibly) I could do that..

Are there any major reasons as to why I should get an 07 over an 06? From what I understand the 08's have some updated electronics and gauges...but for the most part are pretty much the same.

I figure if I'm lucky I can get a n/a exige for low 30's, and spend around 9k on a BOE kit and installation and a new clutch etc, at least according to a spreadsheet comparison I saw in the FI forum. My main concern is not just maintainability, but also how am I going to be able to pass smog and such? Am I going to have to pay someone off?

Basically I'm torn and I can't decide which direction to go. Maybe someone should play devil's advocate for me here

[Chris Mackey]

If you're very comfortable doing the mechanic work, go BOE.

If you're somewhat comfortable with mechanic work, go gotham.

If not at all comfortable using a wrench, stay stock and warrantied (S240).

[fpitas]

Nothing wrong power-wise with the BOE kit, but the VF2 kit retains the OBD II functionality, so if you're worried about smog testing that might be better for you.

And take the FI spreadsheet power values for the VF2 with a grain of salt:
Baseline Dyno Plots. Post Your Dyno Plots here

Even accounting for dyno differences that's over 280whp.

[charliex]

I know i'll probably live to regret saying this but zero "heat soak", is as possible as cold fusion.

Generally the hotter something gets the less efficient it is at exchanging that heat, if anyone's managed to invent something that gets past that, they'd be set for life, 100% or better efficiency just isn't happening

An intercooled MP62 is still better than an non intercooled TVS, an intercooled TVS would be better than that.

An S240 is an S, unless you meant something else. For an S to go to 280RHWP you're looking at a better IC and a smaller pulley, i'd throw a exhaust/header in too. The larger scoop is a must.

[pwn]

Originally Posted by charliex

I know i'll probably live to regret saying this but zero "heat soak", is as possible as cold fusion.

Generally the hotter something gets the less efficient it is at exchanging that heat, if anyone's managed to invent something that gets past that, they'd be set for life, 100% or better efficiency just isn't happening

An intercooled MP62 is still better than an non intercooled TVS, an intercooled TVS would be better than that.

An S240 is an S, unless you meant something else. For an S to go to 280RHWP you're looking at a better IC and a smaller pulley, i'd throw a exhaust/header in too. The larger scoop is a must.

Notice my title, 07-08 s .

I'm very familiar with heat soak -- I come from the subaru world. It was my impression that the BOE kit is using a much more efficient sc, which means it can afford to run without an I/C and maintain its power levels much better than the other kits. Am I mistaken?

Underdriven pulleys always seem like a bad idea...and my beef with the sc on the s is that it heatsoaks down so much. You think a better intercooler would help me that much?

If I were to get an S, I would most likely try to get an 08 if anything, just because of the larger scoop (and the factory warrantied power and better brakes!)

[308tr6]

To your question about "considering an 06 vs an 07", at some point you may want to consider resale value. Given (at least my experience) that mods to a new buyer are essentially worthless, it seems the 07 would be the better choice, as it requires less $$$ to get to the ~280HP mark. Less mod$ = Less lost$. The 08s are futher up the depreciation curve to be competitive with the 07.

Also, to Charlie X remark about cold fusion - it has never been proven impossible, in fact there are unexplicable energy gains - but unfortunately the research has been publicly relegated to lunacy by media morons. It is one of the unfortunate turns of science. Read "13 things we don't understand" or something like that?? It is entertaining if nothing else...and yes I digress.

[ZTEC]

Without a doubt if I were in your situation it would be an 06 with a Vision Function stage 2 INTERCOOLED kit! You won't regret it!

[robains]

ZTEC,

I'll post a video of a TVS equipped car from my Sept 19th track event at Thundehill, it was 98 F ambient - I'm putting down 250 wHP (MP62 with RLS IC + bunch of other stuff) don't know what my friend's TVS car was putting out as it was not dyno'd nor even dyno tuned, uses Phil's base TVS map (EFI), stock header, stock internal, rev limited to 8K, and Phil's "smaller" muffler. But watch him pull away from me down the straights. So if "heat soak" is your concern, you NEED not be.

Give me a few hours and I'll have the video up.

Charlie - no, plain and simple NO!

Pwn,

Don't get an S, get 06 with TVS, since you're in the bay area I can provide assistance. I've helped out other fellow Loti with TVS in my area.

Rob.

[rackhenry]

I'd Go BOE, seems HP potential, less plumbing is nice. But then again, if you drop 10k to get 300HP in an 06... I guess doing some math might help, so price of 06 +10K = 300HP, vs price of 07 + what to get 300 HP? Also seems the potential for BOE to produce more is already there or am I mistaken?

[Dave]

I owned and self-installed the 2nd MP62 kit ever on a Lotus (by Tripoint) way back in the early days. I also wrenched the 2nd BOE TVS kit on the same '05 Elise, so I speak with experience here and not from the armchair. Having ran both setups extensively, there is no comparison power wise - the TVS blower is far superior...period. If I could have ran my TVS setup beside my MP62 it would have been like drag racing a Z06 and a Honda with a fart can.

Having said that, I'm hardly knocking the Katana or BWR by any means (or Exige S...heck I own one too). They are reliable, relatively easy to install, and will give you a significant performance increase. But if you're looking for raw, explosive power, go the TVS route.

It all boils down to individual needs and desires. Do your research and decide what suits your driving style best.

[308tr6]

I'm waiting for the cold fusion kit.

[robains]

Video as promised:

<object width="640" height="360"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=6818425&amp;server=vimeo.com &amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portr ait=0&amp;color=00ADEF&amp;fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=6818425&amp;server=vimeo.com &amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portr ait=0&amp;color=00ADEF&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="640" height="360"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/6818425">Thunderhill 09-19-09 Session 3 - Lotus Exige S</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/robainscough">Rob Ainscough</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

Might wanna just download it as it appears Vimeo is a little slow with bandwidth right now. The file I uploaded should be whipped butter smooth frame rates.

That Lotus is a friend of mine (doesn't post on LT) with TVS setup from BOE/Phil. We have different experience levels, but easy to see the additional torqure and power on exit and straights in his TVS setup. Like I said, 98 F ambient (in the shade) 3-5 mph wind.

Ignore oil temp spikes (go from 220 to 311 instantly) - my hunch is motor movement may have stress oil temp wire, or my sensor is going bad.

This is from Session 3 (about 2pm afternoon prime heat).

Rob.