Mesh grills. - LotusTalk

Kiowapilot · 10-10-2008, 01:50 PM

I have made mesh grills for the engine lid. They go under the lid and are attached %100 by bolts. NO TAPE. No mods are required to install them and it is completely reversable back to your old plastic grills. I am going to continue developing a kit for the rest of the car but for now I have lid grills if anybody wants them. $150 per set plus $10 for shipping. They are built to order so it will take approximately 2 weeks for you to recieve them. PM me if interested. Here are some pictures.

dma550 · 10-10-2008, 05:18 PM

Thise looks nice

You should hit those screws with some mag blue, they'll disappear!

kestrel74 · 10-10-2008, 05:21 PM

I love 'em..........except........for the screws you have to put in from the outside.....isn't there a better way of mounting them so you don't have to drill holes in the boot and see the screws from the outside ??

lotusforsale · 10-10-2008, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kestrel74

I love 'em..........except........for the screws you have to put in from the outside.....isn't there a better way of mounting them so you don't have to drill holes in the boot and see the screws from the outside ??

I don't believe he drilled any holes...all those holes are already drilled/used for mounting the plastic louvers.

kestrel74 · 10-10-2008, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lotusforsale

I don't believe he drilled any holes...all those holes are already drilled/used for mounting the plastic louvers.

hmmmm.....

E.D. · 10-10-2008, 05:50 PM

You can buy a touch up pen ($20) with your color paint, and then use that paint to touch up the screws.
I think I bought a pen from Automotivetouchup.com Touch Up Paint, Aerosol Spray Paint and Paint Touch Up Accessories, never used it up till now though.

Check: Winter Project #1 - Engine Lid Grill Mesh for an alternative solution instead of the screws, not sure if that will work with kiowapilot's mesh solution.

lotusforsale · 10-10-2008, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kestrel74

hmmmm.....

Here is a pic of the eliseusa screens on the elise I just sold. These are mounted on top of the lid. If you look closely you can see the zip ties I used to mount the mesh.

I actually DID drill holes on the top end of the large mesh pieces, but in retrospect would not do it, the existing holes would've sufficed.

kestrel74 · 10-10-2008, 06:00 PM

guess I never realized how the orginal louvers were mounted....never really paid attention to it. I think I'll hold out for the complete kit.

lotusforsale · 10-10-2008, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kestrel74

guess I never realized how the orginal louvers were mounted....never really paid attention to it. I think I'll hold out for the complete kit.

For the plastic louvers, the mounting fasteners differed between the 05's and later models. The 05's I think were rivetted on, later were held on with threaded fasteners.

The smaller pieces have prongs on the sides that fit into holes in the lid.

The larger pieces have prongs on the sides fitting into side holes, and fasteners that fit into holes in the lid at the back of the large pieces.

That's the best thing about the eliseusa pieces...they cover or at least mask the existing lid holes. They come with double sided tape, but I figured that engine heat would render the adhesive questionnable, so I came up with the black zip tie solution.

On the other hand, they are very expensive, the mesh is pretty large, and one may or may not like the 'top of the lid' look.

These look great. I'd probably use just the side screws, or better yet black rivets. I'd put rubber plugs into the rear-most holes.

Chris Mackey · 10-10-2008, 06:20 PM

100% improvement and the screws bother me not at all. I'll wait for the full kit.

dma550 · 10-10-2008, 07:04 PM

I definitely like the mounting under the boot too. I think the eliseusa kit with it's thick border looks a little like my gas grille (no offense lotusforsale!)

Kiowapilot · 10-10-2008, 07:10 PM

These are designed to mount with the screws but if you wanted to you can simply put on double sided 3M tape and that will work fine. You will have to get plugs to fit in the holes to seal it up.

The holes are pre-existing in the lid so there is no drilling required at all.

The screw color can definately be different, you can color match it with your car if you like. Just let me know if you plan do do so and I will not paint your set.

There are O-rings under the washers to protect your paint and also to help seal the holes. The back 4 holes have an O-ring on both sides of the lid to prevent any water from leaking into your boot.

I am going to continue to develop the rest of the kit. You can buy them as they come out or wait till I'm done, it is up to you. The price will end up being the same either way.

How long will it take to get the whole thing out there? well that all depends. If I get some sales from the engine lid the process will speed up a lot with a little R&D money. If there are no sales then I will still develop them it will just take a little longer due to money constraints.

I will keep updating as I make progress. Happy driving!!

lotusforsale · 10-10-2008, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dma550

I definitely like the mounting under the boot too. I think the eliseusa kit with it's thick border looks a little like my gas grille (no offense lotusforsale!)

None taken! I sold it and bought an Exige S, anyway!

Kiowapilot · 10-10-2008, 08:03 PM

The thing that does not make since to me is the holes that are in the lid are not used for anything except for the 4 holes farthest back in the car. The other 16 holes have no purpose. Oh well they work well for this application. I did notice that in my picture you can see some of the border showing from the top. I aligned it better after the picture and now all you can see is mesh, no border showing.

darkSol · 10-11-2008, 11:44 PM

Hey weren't the weight savings posted here earlier?

Kiowapilot · 10-12-2008, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkSol

Hey weren't the weight savings posted here earlier?

The weight of the stock vents is 2 lbs 5 ounces. The mesh set weighs 10 ounces. saving 1 lb 11 ounces from stock.

darkSol · 10-12-2008, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiowapilot

The weight of the stock vents is 2 lbs 5 ounces. The mesh set weighs 10 ounces. saving 1 lb 11 ounces from stock.

Thanks Chris!

Noisycow · 10-12-2008, 01:07 PM

I love the mesh grills - really fits the Lotus very well.

madden · 10-12-2008, 01:13 PM

looks real nice, way better than the elise usa ones, looking forward to the front grills

waydui · 10-12-2008, 04:39 PM

Mesh is the way to go!

Here's my solution. I used nylon hole plugs, painted black, to conceal the original plastic louver mounting holes in the lid. Mesh is attached under the lid with specialty tape.

Regards,
Wayne

10-10-2008, 01:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
Kiowapilot Mesh grill guy Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ft. Lewis, Washington. Posts: 140	Mesh grills. I have made mesh grills for the engine lid. They go under the lid and are attached %100 by bolts. NO TAPE. No mods are required to install them and it is completely reversable back to your old plastic grills. I am going to continue developing a kit for the rest of the car but for now I have lid grills if anybody wants them. $150 per set plus $10 for shipping. They are built to order so it will take approximately 2 weeks for you to recieve them. PM me if interested. Here are some pictures. Attached Images __________________ 2005 Elise "magnetic Blue" Bone stock..... Not for long. "Fun in the sun..... Lotus Elise." "fun in the sand.....OH-58D Kiowa Warrior." If the line for most people is right here, I will be hanging out over there--->

10-10-2008, 05:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
dma550 Yahoo! Got my Rotus! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: CT, Shoreline area Posts: 1,184	Thise looks nice You should hit those screws with some mag blue, they'll disappear! __________________ David Avery 05 Lotus Elise ~ Arctic Silver ~ BWR SC ~ Gray RACs ~ Larini SE 08 BMW 135i Stock visit Spyderclub.com

10-10-2008, 05:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
kestrel74 G-200 Driver Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: North of Detroit; Watkins Glen, NY Posts: 9,268	I love 'em..........except........for the screws you have to put in from the outside.....isn't there a better way of mounting them so you don't have to drill holes in the boot and see the screws from the outside ?? __________________ 74 Europa Zetec TC Special 3614R Elise #2292 / Chrome Orange !! / Starshield / Nitron Sport SA / RTDbrace / Uprights machined / Down Low rails / ChaseCam / V1 / SS lines w/ R4-S "My daily driver does .85 Mach" " I started flying when Sex was safe and Hang Gliding was dangerous " BUY My Europa ! http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f94/...pa-sale-43829/

10-10-2008, 05:50 PM	#6 (permalink)
E.D. Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 715	You can buy a touch up pen ($20) with your color paint, and then use that paint to touch up the screws. I think I bought a pen from Automotivetouchup.com Touch Up Paint, Aerosol Spray Paint and Paint Touch Up Accessories, never used it up till now though. Check: Winter Project #1 - Engine Lid Grill Mesh for an alternative solution instead of the screws, not sure if that will work with kiowapilot's mesh solution. __________________ Enrico '06 Laser Blue/Magnolia Lotus Elise * BOE TVS SC * EFI * Lots of other things '07 Graphite Grey/Tan BMW 335i w/JB3 tune, Helix IC and BMS DCI

10-10-2008, 06:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
kestrel74 G-200 Driver Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: North of Detroit; Watkins Glen, NY Posts: 9,268	guess I never realized how the orginal louvers were mounted....never really paid attention to it. I think I'll hold out for the complete kit. __________________ 74 Europa Zetec TC Special 3614R Elise #2292 / Chrome Orange !! / Starshield / Nitron Sport SA / RTDbrace / Uprights machined / Down Low rails / ChaseCam / V1 / SS lines w/ R4-S "My daily driver does .85 Mach" " I started flying when Sex was safe and Hang Gliding was dangerous " BUY My Europa ! http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f94/...pa-sale-43829/

10-10-2008, 06:20 PM	#10 (permalink)
Chris Mackey Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 2,587	100% improvement and the screws bother me not at all. I'll wait for the full kit. __________________ 2006 Elise, Ardent Red, Black Pack, LSS wheels, shocks and springs. ChuforiaGraffix.com SDD Lives On! SweetDaddyDelicious(at)hotmail(dot)com

10-10-2008, 07:04 PM	#11 (permalink)
dma550 Yahoo! Got my Rotus! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: CT, Shoreline area Posts: 1,184	I definitely like the mounting under the boot too. I think the eliseusa kit with it's thick border looks a little like my gas grille (no offense lotusforsale!) __________________ David Avery 05 Lotus Elise ~ Arctic Silver ~ BWR SC ~ Gray RACs ~ Larini SE 08 BMW 135i Stock visit Spyderclub.com

10-10-2008, 07:10 PM	#12 (permalink)
Kiowapilot Mesh grill guy Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ft. Lewis, Washington. Posts: 140	Mounting options These are designed to mount with the screws but if you wanted to you can simply put on double sided 3M tape and that will work fine. You will have to get plugs to fit in the holes to seal it up. The holes are pre-existing in the lid so there is no drilling required at all. The screw color can definately be different, you can color match it with your car if you like. Just let me know if you plan do do so and I will not paint your set. There are O-rings under the washers to protect your paint and also to help seal the holes. The back 4 holes have an O-ring on both sides of the lid to prevent any water from leaking into your boot. I am going to continue to develop the rest of the kit. You can buy them as they come out or wait till I'm done, it is up to you. The price will end up being the same either way. How long will it take to get the whole thing out there? well that all depends. If I get some sales from the engine lid the process will speed up a lot with a little R&D money. If there are no sales then I will still develop them it will just take a little longer due to money constraints. I will keep updating as I make progress. Happy driving!! __________________ 2005 Elise "magnetic Blue" Bone stock..... Not for long. "Fun in the sun..... Lotus Elise." "fun in the sand.....OH-58D Kiowa Warrior." If the line for most people is right here, I will be hanging out over there--->

10-10-2008, 08:03 PM	#14 (permalink)
Kiowapilot Mesh grill guy Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ft. Lewis, Washington. Posts: 140	The thing that does not make since to me is the holes that are in the lid are not used for anything except for the 4 holes farthest back in the car. The other 16 holes have no purpose. Oh well they work well for this application. I did notice that in my picture you can see some of the border showing from the top. I aligned it better after the picture and now all you can see is mesh, no border showing. __________________ 2005 Elise "magnetic Blue" Bone stock..... Not for long. "Fun in the sun..... Lotus Elise." "fun in the sand.....OH-58D Kiowa Warrior." If the line for most people is right here, I will be hanging out over there--->

10-11-2008, 11:44 PM	#15 (permalink)
darkSol Meow!! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Leawood, KS Posts: 2,576	Hey weren't the weight savings posted here earlier? __________________ d.a..v...i....d David Thomas Stewart - davidtstewart@gmail.com TVS Supercharged 2005 Graphite Grey Lotus Elise: 286whp, 1781lbs. Lotus cars aren't made, they're hand built from dreams. If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you've never tried before.

10-12-2008, 01:07 PM	#18 (permalink)
Noisycow Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,458	I love the mesh grills - really fits the Lotus very well. __________________ - - - - http://thecomingdepression.blogspot.com/ No longer the coming Depression, it is already here.

10-12-2008, 01:13 PM	#19 (permalink)
madden Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northern, VA Posts: 602	looks real nice, way better than the elise usa ones, looking forward to the front grills

10-12-2008, 04:39 PM	#20 (permalink)
waydui GR8 SCAPE Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Kirtland, Ohio Posts: 1,182	Mesh is the way to go! Here's my solution. I used nylon hole plugs, painted black, to conceal the original plastic louver mounting holes in the lid. Mesh is attached under the lid with specialty tape. Regards, Wayne Attached Images __________________ _______________________ '05 Elise Magnetic Blue, Black, Touring, Hard Top, Star Shield, Stage II Exhaust, Arqray decat pipe, S2 Front Splitter (UK), Sector 111 Rear Tow Hook, Driving Lights, De-Snorkled, K&N Air Filter, Shift-I System, LSS Dampers & Springs, Sector 111 V-Bar, Schroth Profi II 5 point harness, Exige S Probax seats, 1/4 turn undertray screws, Stealth bulbs, BWR SC with PES tune, Innovative engine mounts, SS brake lines.

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