How to install a soft top on the Exige

[fastpapaw]

Originally Posted by robl45

I know this may seem stupid, but what if you don't put the brackets in, can you still use the top?

Yes it will work, just sags a little. If you're only using it for getting home in the rain, no worries. I used mine that way while I was waiting on the parts to use the brackets. Worked fine.

[robl45]

cool,not too bad then, not that it seems overly hard to install the stays.

does the softtop go on any easier than the hardtop?

[fastpapaw]

Originally Posted by robl45

cool,not too bad then, not that it seems overly hard to install the stays.

does the softtop go on any easier than the hardtop?

Softtop goes on and off in about 30 seconds.

[pilot]

Originally Posted by ryoung99

I just wanted to thank Pilot for his directions, I just finished mine, it worked great.

Thanks again.

Your most welcome. I'm glad to see so many getting some "summer time" use out of their Exiges.

[tonykomo]

now that my car is chargecooled and does not use that teeny tiny little slit to cool the intercooler, i have removed my hard top. ah, it's like the gold elise days again with then sun beating down on me...

[Ian]

I've received the parts to do this mod (thanks FVMC) and had one question. Did you all hot glue the spacer into the hole, and then the grommet into the spacer? Seems obvious but I just wanted to make sure.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Ian

I've received the parts to do this mod (thanks FVMC) and had one question. Did you all hot glue the spacer into the hole, and then the grommet into the spacer? Seems obvious but I just wanted to make sure.

anyone??........anyone??????

[T.O. Exige]

I glued the spacer to the grommet first to make sure they lined up properly. I then glued them as a unit to the surface of the painted trim panel at the hole locations that were Dremled out. I get more complements with the roof off than on.

[tonykomo]

Originally Posted by T.O. Exige

I glued the spacer to the grommet first to make sure they lined up properly. I then glued them as a unit to the surface of the painted trim panel at the hole locations that were Dremled out. I get more complements with the roof off than on.

off topic but anyone up to doing a photoshop with the windshield frame sprayed body colour?

[pianomaniac]

Originally Posted by tonykomo

off topic but anyone up to doing a photoshop with the windshield frame sprayed body colour?

I wouldn't know how to begin to find it, but IIRC, someone on this forum had done this and posted pics.....somewhere.

[AttAkker]

Sure, rough and on the fly you get the idea

[Imolas54]

funny thing i installed the grommet without the spacer it worked just fine.

[tonykomo]

Originally Posted by AttAkker

Sure, rough and on the fly you get the idea

looks less plastic.

[T.O. Exige]

I agree in the end... you don't need the spacer. When i asked the dealer that ordered them in for me, I was told it was

Passed that, its a great mod if you like the open air concept.

[Ian]

One more satisfied soft top installer. Thanks for a great post Pilot. I didn't use the spacer either.

[SpeedGeek]

Originally Posted by Imolas54

i did this recently, and had to adjust the window for the different tops. also, what i found is, you will probably never want to drive around w/ the softtop on the exige just for the sole fact that it looks like crap

I know it's been a while since this thread was posted, but I just wanted to inform anyone that's thinking of performing this mod to their Exige S that there is no problem with the side windows lining up. I recently purchased a soft top that came from an '05 Elise and the windows line up perfectly with the weather stripping. No adjustments necessary.

I have a quick question for those people that are cautioning people against running the Exige S with a soft top because it will reduce air flow to the intercooler. What's the difference between driving with a soft top or with no top at all. If it was dangerous for the engine to run without the extra air scoop on the roof why would Lotus even sell the car with a removable hard top? Wouldn't they just make it a solid roof or at least have warning stickers inside the removable top to warn owners not to drive with the top off?

So far, removing the top was the best thing I’ve done to my car. I love having the additional head room and visibility. Next week, Stage II

[jcs]

Originally Posted by SpeedGeek

If it was dangerous for the engine to run without the extra air scoop on the roof why would Lotus even sell the car with a removable hard top?

i don't think it's possible to get the seats in and out without taking the roof off.

[J. Salmon]

As to the question of "damaging" the car with the top off:

If you reduce flow to that duct, you will NOT damage anything. At most, you could see a reduction in power output. Remember, this is the air intake for the engine, not a cooling system. And you are not restricting airflow, you are at most increasing turbulence around the intake as opposed to nice smooth flow in. It may work better with the roof on, but you will not do any harm to any engine bit. My butt dyno says there is very little power drop (if any). To quote my knowledgeable salesman/enthusiast, you would have to "measure it in laptimes". Since I'll be lapping with the roof on, it matters not.

My grommets are here, so I hope to get to it tonight.

[BucksElise]

Originally Posted by DJMarley

okay, finally got a pic of mine.

Looks like a D90 behind the Lotus.... Is that your truck?
I have got a 97

[SpeedGeek]

Originally Posted by J. Salmon

If you reduce flow to that duct, you will NOT damage anything. At most, you could see a reduction in power output. Remember, this is the air intake for the engine, not a cooling system. And you are not restricting airflow, you are at most increasing turbulence around the intake as opposed to nice smooth flow in. It may work better with the roof on, but you will not do any harm to any engine bit. My butt dyno says there is very little power drop (if any). To quote my knowledgeable salesman/enthusiast, you would have to "measure it in laptimes". Since I'll be lapping with the roof on, it matters not.

That's what I thought. I saw several other threads about this topic on other message boards with warnings about driving with the top off. I thought I was missing something obvoius. Thanks.

My grommets came in on Thursday, 10 minutes before I left to drive to Lake Tahoe for the weekend. I hope to get them installed this week. I can't wait!!!