How to install a soft top on the Exige

[joaovc]

I asked Lotus and here is their reply: No damage, only restricted power.

LOTUS REPLY BELOW:


I hope you are enjoying your Exige S.

I copy below an extract from page 68 of your Owner's Handbook, which I hope
answers your question. Yes, the efficiency of the chargecooler will be
adversely affected.

*************
Exige
The Lotus Exige has been conceived and configured as a sports coupé with a
removable roof. The aerodynamic performance of the bodyshell including the
front spoiler, rear aerofoil, roof panel and tailgate have been tuned to
provide the optimum handling balance, with the roof scoop on supercharged
cars providing the cooling airflow for the chargecooler.
The roof panel may be removed for better access to the interior for
servicing, and the car may be driven without the roof fitted, but wind
buffeting and increased noise levels will be experienced, together with a
slight decrease in maximum power on supercharged cars.
****************

[SymbioticGenius]

I think thats mainly referring to A. the less funneled air which would be processed by the intake. B. The extra possible drag from driving without a roof.

Two things I haven't noticed in this post thus far.

1. How much lighter is the soft top compared to the hard top?

2.Anyone lap with them both on to notice any difference while driving, or is this all just speculation?


I see this guy did a test: http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38548
but not really and good laps when the SC was running full steam.

[Stephen]

BTW, as someone asked already, why not just put the soft top on without the rods? As the other poster correctly stated, the roof sags a bit, but it allows you to get home in a rain storm or simply secure the car.

I did this with my S because I did not want to do any permanent mods to the car. I usually had the top off all together, but as it got colder, I used the sagging roof more and more (I always had it in the trunk). What I found was that after the car got up to 30 + mph, the roof would start to get sucked up by the aerodynamics of the car. So the sag was no more! Since I am a tall driver, I liked this because as soon as I got going, espcially on a freeway trip, I had the orginal headroom as if the two rods were in place.

I highly recommend not adding the two grommets and drilling into your Exige S bodywork. You can get by just fine without the rods. The only two drawbacks are when the car is parked and the roof is on, it does sag and therefore does not look as clean as with the rods. This should only be a concern if you are worried about what others may think. The other drawback is if you are tall, and you are going less than 30 mph, such as at stoplights in city driving. Then it can get a bit annoying as the top keeps drooping onto your head, it can mess up your hair!!!

[luxige]

Will the sagging softtop (with no stays) sag enough to hold a puddle of water if it rains while parked?

[SpeedGeek]

Originally Posted by luxige

Will the sagging softtop (with no stays) sag enough to hold a puddle of water if it rains while parked?

The top seems to stay fairly flat with the stays off, so I don't imagine that water would puddle much, if any.

I did notice that without the stays there isn't enough tension to keep the cables on the front and back of the top very tight. So, someone could reach in through the front or back and mess with your car pretty easily (take stuff out or put stuff in). Having the stays installed keeps enough tension on the canvas to make it much more difficult to reach into your car.

I started the installation process of the rear grommets on my car at 9 AM yesterday morning and was completely finished by 10:35 AM. That's 1.5 hours to measure, mark, cut the holes, install the grommets and clean up. In that 1.5 hours I also took 2 trips to the hardware store to buy the Dremel bits and epoxy. All in all it's a very simple procedure and the car looks much better with the stays installed.

[sjw]

I am very happy with the conversion I did myself earlier this year. I wanted an Exige, but open top motoring was a prerequisite. I would not have bought it if I could not have 'converted' it.
I cant see the point about not fitting the roof bars, I do not think the grommets detract from the look of the car, and there is a chance that not fitting the bars will affect the tension. I would not want that thought at 100+
I took very exact measurements from standard Elises before I attacked the roll bar cover with a dremel.
The weather is getting very cold in the UK now, and I guess its time for the hard top to go back on

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by sjw

I am very happy with the conversion I did myself earlier this year. I wanted an Exige, but open top motoring was a prerequisite. I would not have bought it if I could not have 'converted' it.
I cant see the point about not fitting the roof bars, I do not think the grommets detract from the look of the car, and there is a chance that not fitting the bars will affect the tension. I would not want that thought at 100+
I took very exact measurements from standard Elises before I attacked the roll bar cover with a dremel.
The weather is getting very cold in the UK now, and I guess its time for the hard top to go back on

It does not detract from the car, I agree. But it could be a problem with resale and warranty. You just drilled into the rear clam and permanently modified the car and paint. It does not bother me, but someone else, including Lotus, might not like it. As for the tension, it is fine on my car. But I also make sure that the front and rear wires are in the correct position over the the rubber gasket and in the grove. It is a little more difficult to put it on without the stays and get the wire tensioners in the right spot, but if you do it right, it is tight and secure. As for driving 100 + mph. That is a good point, but I really only use it in case of rain (then I drive slow anyway), or when it is parked to secure it from thieves. Think of using it only when absolutely necessary, then you will find that it is not such a big deal.

However, I too would prefer the bars in the summer because there are times it is just too hot to have the top off, and then you have to deal with it saggin on your head every time you get below 30 mph. I just did not want to risk the modification since my car is going up for sale soon. I currently have the hard top on for the winter. If I decide to keep my Exige, then I would consider doing it, but only after talking with my dealer about the possible warranty issues.

[slipstream]

Originally Posted by Stephen

It does not detract from the car, I agree. But it could be a problem with resale and warranty. You just drilled into the rear clam and permanently modified the car and paint. It does not bother me, but someone else, including Lotus, might not like it. As for the tension, it is fine on my car. But I also make sure that the front and rear wires are in the correct position over the the rubber gasket and in the grove. It is a little more difficult to put it on without the stays and get the wire tensioners in the right spot, but if you do it right, it is tight and secure. As for driving 100 + mph. That is a good point, but I really only use it in case of rain (then I drive slow anyway), or when it is parked to secure it from thieves. Think of using it only when absolutely necessary, then you will find that it is not such a big deal.

However, I too would prefer the bars in the summer because there are times it is just too hot to have the top off, and then you have to deal with it saggin on your head every time you get below 30 mph. I just did not want to risk the modification since my car is going up for sale soon. I currently have the hard top on for the winter. If I decide to keep my Exige, then I would consider doing it, but only after talking with my dealer about the possible warranty issues.

Most dealers will do the conversion for you. You're simply installing grommets in the exact same spot in which they exist in the Elise. And in fact the Exige comes with the front set of grommets (windshield surround) already in place.

Now, if your roof were to blow off on the highway because you improperly remounted it (and its installation is virtually identical to the Elise's), then the damaged roof isn't covered by warranty.

[J. Salmon]

I fitted mine (added the grommets) this weekend. It took maybe an hour, and that includes gathering tools and a tarp and cleaning up too. I used the spacer as a template. I used silicone and popped the rods in place to act as a clamp over night. It looks completely factory.

I am pretty good with my hands, so I had no trouble cutting the holes. It helps to start small and slowly enlarge until the grommets just slip in. As always, measure twice (or three times) and cut once. Now you COULD bugger up your car, and that would not be good. But there is absolutely no reason not to do this (it should come that way). The only question is whether you DIY or get the dealer to do it.

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by slipstream

Most dealers will do the conversion for you. You're simply installing grommets in the exact same spot in which they exist in the Elise. And in fact the Exige comes with the front set of grommets (windshield surround) already in place.

Now, if your roof were to blow off on the highway because you improperly remounted it (and its installation is virtually identical to the Elise's), then the damaged roof isn't covered by warranty.

Mine won't. Not to be a smart @$$ (really), but did you really call all of the dealers and take a survey that over 50% of them will do it?

I totally agree with you, and I know that the grommets are in the front. That is because the Elise and Exige use exactley the same windshield and frame, but they do not use the same rear clam.

All I am saying is that Lotus did not put the grommets in themselves, and there could be a good reason for it. I agree that I can't see why it would be an issue with the NA Exige, but it MIGHT be an issue with the S. Although I also agree that at most the IC does not get quite as much air (mostly when the roof is totally off, but the lip of the softtop and lack of the front of the scoop could also cause less air to go it) and so it does not cool the compressed air as much and therefore the car makes a little less power. Could this damage the motor in some way in the long run? I don't think so, but I am certainly not an expert on the subject, so I need to keep the possibility open.

I guess I would like to have something in writing from Lotus before doing this mod; that is all. I don't think that is unreasonable if they would do it.

[J. Salmon]

Originally Posted by Stephen

Could this damage the motor in some way in the long run?

I know how you feel, you hate to risk your car's motor and get left holding the bag. But I assure you, there is NOTHING that will happen to your motor short of possilbly dropping some power. The grommets do not do anything to hold the soft top in place. They provide a rear mount point for the support rods. Even if you were to put them in wrong, the roof will NOT come off (unless the roof itself is defective or not properly secured). And the rods themselves hold the grommets in. Once you see one in place, you will see that this is a no-risk, all-benefit job. Seriously, let's put this to rest:

ALL EXIGE S OWNERS SHOULD FIT THE SOFT TOP FOR INCREASED DRIVING JOY! JUST DO IT!

[Imolas54]

don't be lazy, do the mod, it's the "right thing" to do if you want to fit a softop . If you are worried about what others think, don't even bother w/ the softop.

[FLuXeXigeS]

OK long thread but, can anyone tell me how much the soft top cost and who can do it here in socal?

TIA

[slipstream]

Originally Posted by FLuXeXigeS

OK long thread but, can anyone tell me how much the soft top cost and who can do it here in socal?

TIA

New, anywhere from $1300 to $1800 depending on dealer gre...er, markup.

One for sale now in the Parts section for $400, but you'll need another $30 or so for the support rods. Another $10 or so for the grommets from a dealer.

Don't pay anyone to do this. You can do the conversion in an hour. Measure 4times, cut once.

[FLuXeXigeS]

Originally Posted by slipstream

New, anywhere from $1300 to $1800 depending on dealer gre...er, markup.

One for sale now in the Parts section for $400, but you'll need another $30 or so for the support rods. Another $10 or so for the grommets from a dealer.

Don't pay anyone to do this. You can do the conversion in an hour. Measure 4times, cut once.

i just dont have the proper tools nor time to do it, does the dealer do the conversion?

thanx

[J. Salmon]

Originally Posted by FLuXeXigeS

i just dont have the proper tools nor time to do it, does the dealer do the conversion?

thanx

My dealer offered to do it for me. They did not tell me how much it would cost for them to do it, but I think they were going to do it for free (I bought the car from them). Just negotiate it into the price of the top. They told me it would take them about 15 minutes, and that's about what it would take me to do it again.

[FLuXeXigeS]

sweet I'll ask my dealer if not its off to home depot for me LOL thanx

[Gizmo3000]

I don't get it.

Why couldn't they just design a soft-top with a soft-scoop built-in that works for the Exige????

[FLuXeXigeS]

Originally Posted by Gizmo3000

I don't get it.

Why couldn't they just design a soft-top with a soft-scoop built-in that works for the Exige????

it would make the car un-British-like ... u mean a soft top that works and a bonnet prop that doesnt ding the intercooler ... u dont say ... LOL

if the car was engineered to the max it would be called a Porsche

just poking fun...i too am looking forward to my soft top conversion

TC

[CVeRiTy]

Hi,

I am considering buying my first Lotus Exige S soon. I remain confused about the availability of a soft top / no top.

http://www.lotuscars.com/ExigeS.aspx states that the touring pack includes an "Insulated Soft Top". I would assume that it includes the proper installation for it as well. Is this not accurate?

Thanks,

Cory