KOMO-TEC 280S Kit on my 2007 Exige S

[TonyF]

You mention a soft top conversion. I'm considering buying an Exige S but wanted to be able to through on a top if I'm driving with the top off and get caught in the rain. How does the soft top conversion work? What will I need? My NSX has a targa storage compartment above engine cover no such luck on Exige.

[uglyduck]

Both the clutch and the transmission have to be treated with care. I can't imagine the stock clutch lasting too long in this application. Our Tripoint SC cars run the ATC HD clutch with Fedenza flywheel.
I am surprised that the Komo-tec system doesn't have a front mounted heat exchanger fan. There is a lot of fluid in the intercooler system to cool off when one is not at speed...huge thermal mass. Why not add a fan.

Originally Posted by probax

@cpia2002 and T.O. Exige:
As far as I've heared the weakest point for the standard Exige-S after increasing the torque is the clutch. Did you already upgraded this or if not - and this question goes to cpia2002 - did you ever had problems with it.
So I think it also depends how the car is pushed and treated. On a race track I could imagine the standard clutch would not last very long, for normal road driving could be ok.
What's you experience?

[probax]

Originally Posted by TonyF

You mention a soft top conversion. I'm considering buying an Exige S but wanted to be able to through on a top if I'm driving with the top off and get caught in the rain. How does the soft top conversion work? What will I need? My NSX has a targa storage compartment above engine cover no such luck on Exige.

I think this is off-topic here but even though I've just done it and it's very easy. Just take off the hard top (4 screws in front) 1 at each side and 2 on the back side. Then you need to buy the plastic parts that take the two roof sticks and the softtop. My dealer has done the job to cut the holes and place the plastic holders. Here in Germany the softtop is quite expensive (~1500$) so I bought a used one.
Thats all and it fits perfectly.

[Ade]

Originally Posted by uglyduck

Both the clutch and the transmission have to be treated with care. I can't imagine the stock clutch lasting too long in this application. Our Tripoint SC cars run the ATC HD clutch with Fedenza flywheel.
I am surprised that the Komo-tec system doesn't have a front mounted heat exchanger fan. There is a lot of fluid in the intercooler system to cool off when one is not at speed...huge thermal mass. Why not ass a fan.

At least it is not just me that spotted that, one of the reasons I went a differeny way

[eas]

T.O.Exige - how long will your baby be at EU Autowerks? I need to check this beast out!

Uglyduck - If you're around this weekend, I'll swing by to say hi.

Eddie

[uglyduck]

I will be around on Sat.

[California Jay]

With that new w/a intercooler, how well does the rear prop rod clear the top of the IC? the last couple cars I've had in and worked on always had the prop rod tapping/robbing on the stock IC.

[T.O. Exige]

I got the car back late yesterday afternoon from EU AUTOWERKS. In my opinion, they did a flawless installation of all the components.

The first ride:
The first ride I went on was as a passenger with Courtney the owner of EU AUTOWERKS driving. From the moment he started the car the sound from the virgin exhaust was pure & throaty. The mechanics that did the work were grinning from ear to ear as they did their final check looking for any leaks or loose connections. After the car warmed up, we headed out onto the road for a short drive to the highway. With the engine temperature up and the 6k rev limiter satisfied. Courtney accelerated along the sweeping turn and onto the highway.

The first reaction was violent unbridled horsepower resonating right through your seat. The acceleration was ridiculous, the sound from the supercharger through the KOMO-TEC intake was like listening to a turbine spooling up on an Abrams M1A1. You could actually hear the release of pressure in between shifts in audible "puffs". If you didn't know better, you would almost think it had a wastegate. As well accelerated through the gears, we passed cars like they were standing still. Courtney turned off on the exit ramp and we came to a stop at the lights. The engine just purred, the temperate was perfect, the idle was perfect, no blips or walking like the problems i had had with the old ECU (I had, as most here, idle and stalling issues). A smooth low RPM loop and back on the highway we went. The car repeated the same events on the way back to the shop. Courtney's comments were "this is by far the fastest Exige S I have driven, the power & torque comes on on demand in every gear even at lower RPM's, just incredible!!" Back at EU AUTOWERKS the crew once again went over the car looking for any issues and found none.

My turn at the wheel:
On the drive home I eased into the throttle for the most part really paying more attention to the idle at the lights and just enjoying the sound of the exhaust. I have had the pleasure of having the factory muffler, the original Stage II as well as the new Stage II exhaust on the car and I was hoping to get the best of both the latter two units. The sound is for lack of better description just a sweet note. As the night progressed and as the exhaust started to break in, it just got better. There is a long, newly paved sweeping right then left turn along the route and I just couldn't resist the temptation to push it. All I can say is "Holy @%$#!" the power is clean, smooth the road melts under you and the sound is intoxicating. Idling along through my neighborhood, I felt like proud father bringing home my 5th child for the first time.

Later that night:
I decided to take the car out for a few more hours of run time and to push the new KOMO-TEC juiced engine to its limits. The weather conditions were dry and a little cool. Other than all of the observations mentioned above, the first thing that you realize it that you have to stay focused when kicking it. The tach needle bounces off the rev limiter so quickly you have to stay sharp to hit the next gear. I like to drive with the traction control disabled and with the new power in low gears the rear got loose a few times as the tires struggled to put the power to the road. You quickly learn the curve and compensate feathering the pedal. Pouring it on when the tires bite brings water to your eyes. I kept saying to myself "this is how the car should be, a pure unadulterated attach on all the senses". Over the course of the night the car ran flawlessly. I turned to head home twice but couldn't make the final turn and just kept driving.

Before I get a barrage "DYNO PROVE IT" posts.... Yes, I do plan on getting it to the Chassis DYNO shop shortly. =

[T.O. Exige]

Originally Posted by California Jay

With that new w/a intercooler, how well does the rear prop rod clear the top of the IC? the last couple cars I've had in and worked on always had the prop rod tapping/robbing on the stock IC.

Clearance for the Prop Rod seems to be no issue.

I have ordered the red silicone hoses and polished band clamps to replace the d ones. As well as a custom Intercooler cap.

[uglyduck]

Nice to see her running and on the road. Drop by Mosport DDT on Sunday if you have time, love to see it in person.

[lukee]

Due to some unfortunate run-ins with the law tonight, I had the oppurtunity to go for a spin in Dave's car. The bloody thing is fast. The idle is smooth and the kit looks pretty much stock, very well pieced together. Anyway, Dave took me for a quick spin and let me tell you the thing moves, in ways you never thought a Lotus could. With a little pressure on the throttle the back end was coming out in 1st and 2nd. It got up to speed very quickly. The exhaust note is alot like a stage II but not as loud and not as many pops and burbles but I'm sure more will come as it gets worked in. The supercharger whine is LOUD. It can be easily heard over the exhasut and sounds really sweet. I am really impressed by this kit and I'm sure Dave is really gonna enjoy it. I'd like to see it at the track this summer, it will impress alot of people. Thanks for the ride buddy.

Luca

[uglyduck]

Hay Lukee....hope it wasn't you the law and the Lotus.....

[probax]

Congrats to your new crazy machine !!

[cpia2002]

brilliant. same as my experience. dont wanna sell now!!!!

[probax]

What's your experience about fuel consumption before vs after modification. I'm asking because I'm just thinking if it make sense to buy a 58l tank.

Thanks,
Frank

[uglyduck]

Fuel consuption will remain essentially the same for normal street driving but on the track it wil be very thursty. In my car on the track I get about 100km per tank as opposed to 300km per tank on the street

Originally Posted by probax

What's your experience about fuel consumption before vs after modification. I'm asking because I'm just thinking if it make sense to buy a 58l tank.

Thanks,
Frank

[probax]

Originally Posted by T.O. Exige

Before I get a barrage "DYNO PROVE IT" posts.... Yes, I do plan on getting it to the Chassis DYNO shop shortly. =

Do you already have a date, doing the Dyno? Can't wait to see the results

[T.O. Exige]

Originally Posted by probax

Do you already have a date, doing the Dyno? Can't wait to see the results

I have a time slot today in the late afternoon to Dyno the car. Will post the results when I get them.

Have driven the car over 500 miles since the KOMO-TEC upgrade last week and so far it is flawless. The supercharger "Howls like a Banshee!!" and the car pulls like being launched from a slingshot. Its addictive. Its probably the smallest benefit of the upgrade but, the one thing that I am so impressed with other than the acceleration and sound is the idle. The idle is rock solid at around 800 to 900 RPM. No stalling or hunting just dead smooth. Regarding the question about the mileage, uglyduck was correct that if you stand on it its a little thirsty but Ive never cared what mileage any of my prior sports cars got. Looking forward to getting it to the track.

[uglyduck]

June 6th Shannonville, Fabi track....give her a thrashing.....

[probax]

Originally Posted by T.O. Exige

I have a time slot today in the late afternoon to Dyno the car. Will post the results when I get them.

Any news about the results