Couple questions for track users of Exige S

[yetis]

I am pretty sure I want an Exige S. While I would really like a GT3, I have issues with the prospect of balling up a $100k+ investment, with no recourse along with very higher part costs. So, I have a couple questions.

1) I am 6'3" and having seen the picks of a orange Exige that rolled, it looks like th roof just pops off. Has anyone installed a roll bar/cage that can either be easily removed or remain behind the head so its safe for on road use. I have looked/searched and found nothing.

To the point above, it would seem almost mandatory that one use a harness when on the track and a Hans drive?

2) The track pack, I have read that the Exige S with track pack, gets reinforced/stronger parts around the frame. Is this the actual case?

3) Oil starvation: Does anyone use an accusump system on the Exige S?

4) Reinforcement? Seems like I read about engine movement under hard accelerations, shifter play. Is there any other area that needs reinforcement?

5) supercharger/cooling hoses. I had a B5S4 and the stock rubber hoses sucked. Wondering if people have seen any failure from these and if its worth replacing early on?

I agree that track time is the best thing anyone can do, to become a better driver. But beyond that, what do you view as mandatory upgrades? I am thinking:

1) Harness/harness bar
2) High Boil point Brake fluid, brake pads.
3) Suspension? Seem like people say DON'T get the track package as they want to replace the suspension with Ohlins or something else. I wonder how important the stronger structure is with the track package?

Thanks

[jturrell]

At 6'3'', will you fit in the car with a helmet? I'm 5'11'' (with a long torso), and I need to really scrunch down in the seat. My head touches the roof when I have a helmet on - otherwise, I fit fine. You might want to bring a helmet along to the test drive.

[catapult]

The car has a built in 4 pt roll cage. I'm 6.1 and fit in my Elise with a helmet with the roof on. As jturrel suggested you should make sure you fit ok with a helmet. If you are running slicks you might want to get the sector 111 brace otherwise just check things before each track day.

Re the shifter - I think most people find it ok. Try it for yourself before spending any money on this.

Also re the brake pads, a lot of people find the stock pads pretty good for occasional track use. The car is light so there is not much noticeable fade with the stock set up. Again, I'd stick with the stock pads at first unless you are a hardcore track nut.

[bmwtmx]

At 6'3" you will not fit in the car with a helmet. Forget it. Move on.

You cannot put a standard cage in the car. There are a few shops that do put cages in it but it requires a complete dismantling of the car and is not worthwhile.

Regardless, you wont fit.

[macfly]

1) I am 6'3"
I'd say that your only hope is to get the Sector111 lowered seat kit, I just had it put in my Exige S and I have ample room for the first time, but I'm just 6'0".

1a)Has anyone installed a roll bar/cage that can either be easily removed or remain behind the head so its safe for on road use. I have looked/searched and found nothing.
No, and I've looked too.

To the point above, it would seem almost mandatory that one use a harness when on the track and a Hans drive?
Indeed, Scroth 6 point with 2" HANS compatible straps & HANS device

2) The track pack, I have read that the Exige S with track pack, gets reinforced/stronger parts around the frame. Is this the actual case?
Don't think so, but couldn't swear to it.

3) Oil starvation: Does anyone use an accusump system on the Exige S?
I haven't heard of any issues, but the Accusump is a coatly upgrade - there were over 8,000 track miles on my/Jack's old Elise, and no oil starvations, so I think the stock set up must be pretty good - besides have you seen how they test drive these cars back in Norfolk?

4) Reinforcement? Seems like I read about engine movement under hard accelerations, shifter play. Is there any other area that needs reinforcement?
Never heard about the engine, but shifter for sure - you can search for Stan's post about the mod here.

5) supercharger/cooling hoses. I had a B5S4 and the stock rubber hoses sucked. Wondering if people have seen any failure from these and if its worth replacing early on?
Not heard this - thus not sure.

I agree that track time is the best thing anyone can do, to become a better driver. But beyond that, what do you view as mandatory upgrades? I am thinking:

1) Harness/harness bar - YES
2) High Boil point Brake fluid, brake pads. - YES - Motul 600 & Porterfield R4 track pads.
3) Suspension - YES - Nitrons.
Seem like people say DON'T get the track package as they want to replace the suspension with Ohlins or something else. I wonder how important the stronger structure is with the track package?
You can always sell on the bits you swap if you get it, thats what I did.

[chrisp993]

To your point (2). Yes, the Track Pack cars have the roll structure and bracing back to the rear frame in upgraded T45 steel - this meets FIA spec and allows a full 6 point roll cage to be installed using the existing structure as a starting point.

[yetis]

Well, I know I fit in a ExigeS and Elise without a helmet, having driven both. I am not aware of my head rubbing on the roof... will need to go check. I know I spent a small fortune finding a helmet that didn't accentuate the problem... Well, there is only one way to find out.


Thank you for the replies

[Grant]

I'm only 5'11" and I can't even fit comfortably in the Elise/Exige WITHOUT a helmet (long torso). Try before you buy...

[charliex]

I'm about 182cm and I'm an alcoholic,fitted in my elise,exige, exige s with or without a helmet just fine, sector seat kit might work well for you too, you'd definetely be a bit mike tyson though.

My Helmet size is L.

I'd pay money to see you get in an exige with a rollcage though.

the hoses on the SC are only short pieces of 6 cm hose, the business end is metal .


accusump only gives you a few extra litres for longer sweepers, dry sump would be the only, but it doesn't seem worth it.

[mgreenbl]

I have gotten into a cup 255 with a built in roll cage and it was not too bad. having a removeable steering wheel helps. I am 5'9 but 200 lbs. I saw a thin guy also get in that is close to 6'3

the standard elise and exige has a built in roll bar behind the seats. they are covered in body panels. a harness bar attaches directly to the roll bar.

there has been much talk about harness bars. aftermarket ones may not attach at the right height, or may pivot. that is why I am having a lotus one installed for around $800 including labor. I am looking into a hans or r3 (or is it r2). one nice thing about the r3 is that it is not harness specific. I can then take it when I go karting, unlike the hans.

the other thought is that by getting aftermarket suspension such as nitrons, one is assuming that one is better than lotus engineers. as you may know, lotus suspension engineers are among the best in the world.

if you get a track pack, at least you have a good starting point. if u want a roll cage, u should get an exige cup 240 or 255 with one already installed. (track use only)

mark

[tonykomo]

to the last point about lotus engineers and suspension, the engineers can only be as good as the equipment they are provided with. the stock suspension does not stand up to nitrons ask the guys at lotus what they'd rather have access to and you'll find a whole host of changes. but then they would not be able to produce the car as cheap as they do. hence the 255cup and now the GT3.

[holmz]

Originally Posted by yetis

1) I am 6'3" and having seen the picks of a orange Exige that rolled, it looks like th roof just pops off. Has anyone installed a roll bar/cage that can either be easily removed or remain behind the head so its safe for on road use. I have looked/searched and found nothing.

The T45 rear hoop is where it bolts to - but is supposed to be a fair bit o work to remove it- like rear clam off.
The 5th and 6th points bolt to the rear hoop and come down near the dash.

Originally Posted by yetis

3) Oil starvation: Does anyone use an accusump system on the Exige S?

Yes if your smart... or maybe when. With slicks you can get a dry pump (Dry pump is not the same as dry sump)

Originally Posted by yetis

1) Harness/harness bar
2) High Boil point Brake fluid, brake pads.
3) Suspension? Seem like people say DON'T get the track package as they want to replace the suspension with Ohlins or something else. I wonder how important the stronger structure is with the track package?

I think the T45 hoop is the main thing.

So anyone have info on which helmets give better head room?

[VBCARGUY]

Yetis. I am 6'2 and I just got a new exige s. I had a NA exige before. I purchased sector 111 tall guy seat rails which lower the seat a couple inches. I will post picks of me with a helmet on this week so you can get an idea of the fit.

[chrisp993]

Yetis

For the Lotus roll cage I don't believe the rear clam needs to be removed, but the job is not exactly a "one beer" experience. The detailed install instructions can be found at:

Lotus S2 Roll Cage Install Instructions

I think Hypersports in the US would be the company to contact about this for more or more detailed information.

[holmz]

Originally Posted by chrisp993

I think Hypersports in the US would be the company to contact about this for more or more detailed information.

Where are they at?
(Found a hypersports with a disconnected number in Hawaii - no other web stuff jumped out)

[chrisp993]

Georgia maybe - anyone?

[fishguy]

http://hyper-sport.net/
talk to Kurt, he is "the man"

[Vulcan Grey]

Originally Posted by bmwtmx

At 6'3" you will not fit in the car with a helmet. Forget it. Move on.

You cannot put a standard cage in the car. There are a few shops that do put cages in it but it requires a complete dismantling of the car and is not worthwhile.

Regardless, you wont fit.

I'm 6'2" and I fit fine in the LCU Exige S with my helmet. I do hav ereally long legs and a short torso. But the Exige has much more room than my Esprit.

[Vulcan Grey]

Originally Posted by macfly

2) High Boil point Brake fluid, brake pads. - YES - Motul 600 & Porterfield R4 track pads.

I was talking with Dave Simkin from LCU at the track after riding in the 2-Eleven. Motul is better than most, but still got his rating as crap... He said if you are serious about driving on the track, then Castrol SRF is the only thing to consider. I have a friend who uses it in his Esprit X180-R, and will also only recommend Castrol SRF.

[codymac]

Originally Posted by yetis

$100k+ investment

First mistake.

Originally Posted by Vulcan Grey

I was talking with Dave Simkin from LCU at the track after riding in the 2-Eleven. Motul is better than most, but still got his rating as crap... He said if you are serious about driving on the track, then Castrol SRF is the only thing to consider. I have a friend who uses it in his Esprit X180-R, and will also only recommend Castrol SRF.

Meh. It's a somewhat popular opinion amongst the Brits. For double the price, I'll just bleed/flush it more often.

Simkin has also stated that brakes should be bled after every session.