1st weekend - To Do List - What am I missing?

[the1sen]

so... I am soon to be the owner of an Elise and I am putting together a checklist of things to do to it the weekend I get my hands on it. If I wind up with the one I'm thinking of, it's an 07 and will be my DD, so keep that in mind... if I have missed something or if there is anything else I should consider or NOT do because it's an 07, please let me know! All told, I estimate I will add about 32 pounds to the car, unless I get a Sub, which would put it closer to 46 pounds.

1. A/C fix Easy A/C improvement mod
2. Window Fix
3. HID Install Now available: Complete Elise HID kits
4. Stainless Steel Brake Lines
5. Install Grating to protect Radiator
6. Sector 111 Bootie
7. R&R Speakers (possibly insert a sub)
8. R&R Battery
9. Install Emergency Unlock Emergency Unlock Switch – Easy Mod Pictorial
10. Have the windows tinted with 3m Crystaline
11. Get the cover for the rear window so it doesn't shatter
12. buy locktite
13. Paint Calipers
14. wrap with something Cooling Ticking Timebomb, how is your Cooling U-tube?
15. I also ran into a gentleman who installs heat shielding - a necessity here in AZ... Acoustic Vibration Dampening Mat

I keep running into posts from The Viper - and in his signature he discusses the three things to do to fix the A/C - I would love to insulate the cockpit for heat as I live in Phoenix, however I would like to know what material to use. I found this post but It isn't very elaborate... reducing cabin noise

I know I'm going to roast, but I'm looking forward to every minute of it. I'm so excited!

Hopefully, I will be able to take photos of everything I do so I can show you all... I'll at least have my cameras there...

Thanks so much for any input.

[Murix]

That all sounds like solutions to problems you have not faced yet.

My list would be (and is)

1.Drive
2. Fix what breaks.
3. If not broken, don't do it.

[kestrel74]

Increase the range of your remote

[the1sen]

Originally Posted by kestrel74

Increase the range of your remote

Thanks so much... will do as soon as I get it.

[RoadDad]

1. Is your A/C not adequate?
2. What's wrong with your window?
3. Are your lights not adequate?
4. If you're using this car as your daily driver why do you need ss brake lines?
5. Protecting your radiator from what? Bird poop? Leaves?
6. No comment. Just took mine out.
7. Are yours not adequate?
8. Why? This is your daily driver. You didn't say it was your track toy?
9. Never needed it. YMMV.
10. Can't argue with that as it seems to help several issues.
11. I made one myself because I didn't like the suction cups. Easier to buy. PM tvacc and see if he has any left.
12. Will be useful at some point.
13. If you like it, do it.
14. Yes, yes, yes.
15.
16. (increasing remote range) Is yours not adequate?
17. Paint your shift knob?
18. Paint your valve cover?
19. Add light to your boot?
20. Replace your carpet buttons?
21. Buy a new car that you don't need to fix so much stuff you don't like before you even get it?

I would recommend that you
1. Download the Service Manual.
2. Read your Owner's Manual.
3. Reread your Owner's Manual.
4. Wrap your U-tube.
5. Follow Murix's adivce
6. Enjoy the new car that you have researched so much before purchasing.

[xeeeejme]

Funny, most owners REMOVE weight instead of adding...

I agree that you should drive it a little while first before trying to fix things that may not need fixing.

[m4mica]

Originally Posted by the1sen

so... I am soon to be the owner of an Elise and I am putting together a checklist of things to do to it the weekend I get my hands on it.

Easy.

1. Fill-up the tank
2. Drive until empty
3. Repeat

The only thing I would do right away is remove the sun visors as it will increase visibility, especially if you're tall.

[kestrel74]

IF you do nothing else...get multivex mirrors !

[Bane]

Yeah... you may want to get used to the car a little bit before modding a bunch of stuff I don't think the brake lines are necessary unless you do a LOT of track time (mine are stock... I think they are fine).

I do however have the polycarbonate rear window shield that you can have for $40.00. This is something that I would recommend in rocky AZ if you'll be driving with the top off a lot. kestrel also has an EXCELLENT point about the multivex mirrors. My car has them installed so you can see the difference if you'd like.

Wrapping or at least checking the coolant tube is a good idea. Mine wasn't worn at all but I wrapped it anyway.

My car is back at PPE Engineering in Tempe right now so I'll send you a PM before I go get it on the 21st I'll be in town for almost a week. The car will be on the lift with the under panels off if you're curious to see what the underside looks like before you start messing with yours

[cdn_alien]

Regarding item 10 (3M chrystalline tinting), keep in mind that you will see a shimmering distortion when looking out the front windshield. Apparently, the angle of our windshields are too raked compared to most other cars. The side windows do not have the same problem. You're welcome to come take a look at mine, before you make the decision.

I echo the same comment from others. Buy it, try it, and if you still don't like it, then mod it.

[cdn_alien]

Originally Posted by Bane

I do however have the polycarbonate rear window shield that you can have for $40.00. This is something that I would recommend in rocky AZ if you'll be driving with the top off a lot.

Bane,

Are you thinking that rocks will fly in when the top is down and possibly shatter the rear window? That sounds really unlikely. I was hit by a pebble in the forehead coming in through the roof while following a Carrera S last weekend. That hurt. But the pebble was only about the size of a small caper.

[milehitom]

I'm 6' tall and I'm glad I still have my sun visors in sunny Colorado. Living in Arizona, you might be similarly grateful for whatever shade they can provide from the intense sun.

The 3M Crystalline will make the biggest heat rejection difference, IMO. cdn alien is right, there is a little shimmer from the overlapping polarized layers in the front windshield and the windshiled's extreme angle (my installer said "Dude, this windshield's got GAME!" when he saw it ), and certain polarized sunglasses will make the side windows have a slight rainbow effect when viewed peripherally, but it doesn't bother me in the least. The shimmer effect improved greatly as the windshield was exposed to sun, but it never goes away completely.

I'm completely in agreement with the "drive it awhile" sentiment. Then, if you hit the twisties (I'll bet there are some nice hills where you are just like we have here), you might think a few simple suspension upgrades are in order, like removing the camber shims and checking your toe link torque (or stiffening that connection). But live with it awhile first to see what kind of driving your do-then, let the money spending begin!

Between now and then, you can read the entire uberpost and see how many things you can do to this car if you really like working on one. It sounds like you've already done quite a bit of homework, which is great.

Congrats on the car.

Tom

[kestrel74]

Originally Posted by cdn_alien

Bane,

Are you thinking that rocks will fly in when the top is down and possibly shatter the rear window? That sounds really unlikely. I was hit by a pebble in the forehead coming in through the roof while following a Carrera S last weekend. That hurt. But the pebble was only about the size of a small caper.

I guess you haven't read much, have you ?

[the1sen]

Originally Posted by RoadDad

1. Is your A/C not adequate?

No car AC is adequate in AZ

2. What's wrong with your window?

I understand that they all rattle and need adjustment from the factory?

3. Are your lights not adequate?

I have read many a commentary on here saying how bad the headlamps are on this car. As I do some night driving, this is a point of interest for me to address.

4. If you're using this car as your daily driver why do you need ss brake lines?

I understand from many of the threads I have read that the car notoriously gets air in the system causing a soft pedal and requiring removal of the caliper to turn it upside down and bleed it. if I am wrong, please feel free to let me know!

5. Protecting your radiator from what? Bird poop? Leaves?

Rocks - I understand from reading many threads in the forum here that the radiator is prone to punctures from rocks. There are a lot of rocks on the highways here in AZ. Needs to be done.

6. No comment. Just took mine out.

are you selling it?

7. Are yours not adequate?

as my DD, it would be nice to have a decent stereo sorry that you don't agree.

8. Why? This is your daily driver. You didn't say it was your track toy?

I understand that the battery leaks and can come loose and be thrown about the boot. Therefore, I would like to replace it.

9. Never needed it. YMMV.

a lot of people have according to threads I have read here - including the recent poor fella that got stuck at work cuz his car wouldn't unlock... not happening to me.

10. Can't argue with that as it seems to help several issues.

yeah, I hope so as AZ is a rough place roadwise

11. I made one myself because I didn't like the suction cups. Easier to buy. PM tvacc and see if he has any left.

Will do! Thanks!

12. Will be useful at some point.

OH YEAH! just like my bikes...

13. If you like it, do it.

well, I just thought since we would be putting on the SS lines, it might be a good time to do it... but I could be wrong about the brake system sucking in air... so i will reserve my right to change my mind...

14. Yes, yes, yes.

Yeah, read lots of horror stories about this... wasn't sure if the 07 was different though.

15.

gotta get it done before summer comes here in AZ... GOTTA...

16. (increasing remote range) Is yours not adequate?

Don't know yet, haven't received the car! but if it is, I will happily install an antenna...

17. Paint your shift knob?

maybe - maybe just the shift pattern...

18. Paint your valve cover?

seen some articulate guys do some amazing valve cover paint jobs. I very well might do that.

19. Add light to your boot?

Nah - not really interested.

20. Replace your carpet buttons?

good one!

21. Buy a new car that you don't need to fix so much stuff you don't like before you even get it?

I like too many things about the Elise to NOT get one. These are just small, little projects that I want to do so I can enjoy the ownership experience more. My goal is the same with this car as it was with any of my motorcycles - fix the little niggles and then enjoy the piss out of it.

I would recommend that you
1. Download the Service Manual.
2. Read your Owner's Manual.
3. Reread your Owner's Manual.
4. Wrap your U-tube.
5. Follow Murix's adivce
6. Enjoy the new car that you have researched so much before purchasing.

I have read the owners manual a couple of times now. Pretty nifty read.

I hope I have not come across in the wrong light. I am sincerely looking forward to the Elise ownership experience and am just trying to put together a list of decent things to do to the car to make it a little user friendly for the DD it is going to be.

[Murix]

I have not performed even half the things on your list. You really should just check how good/bad each item is before you start tampering. Perhaps use your list as a checklist while you drive it and make notes on if it bothers you or not. I only changed the things on my car that truly bothered me.

When I first bought it, while not my daily driver, I drove it every day.

My first trip was from the dealership in Memphis to LA - 2300 miles. It was fine.

[the1sen]

Originally Posted by Bane

Yeah... you may want to get used to the car a little bit before modding a bunch of stuff I don't think the brake lines are necessary unless you do a LOT of track time (mine are stock... I think they are fine).

I do however have the polycarbonate rear window shield that you can have for $40.00. This is something that I would recommend in rocky AZ if you'll be driving with the top off a lot. kestrel also has an EXCELLENT point about the multivex mirrors. My car has them installed so you can see the difference if you'd like.

Wrapping or at least checking the coolant tube is a good idea. Mine wasn't worn at all but I wrapped it anyway.

My car is back at PPE Engineering in Tempe right now so I'll send you a PM before I go get it on the 21st I'll be in town for almost a week. The car will be on the lift with the under panels off if you're curious to see what the underside looks like before you start messing with yours

Bring it with you and I will buy it...

I will wait a couple of weekends then and decide on what to do - I was just trying to make a list of MUST DO's if you knwo what I mean...

I hope I will have mine by then... Maybe Santa will keep me on the nice list!

[the1sen]

Originally Posted by Murix

When I first bought it, while not my daily driver, I drove it every day.

My first trip was from the dealership in Memphis to LA - 2300 miles. It was fine.

That is freaking awesome... puts a big old smile on my face to hear...

Some things will need to be "AZ Proofed" - this state is notorious for rocks, and heat. Poor Bane couldn't drive his car for more than 100 miles the entire last summer! can't let that happen with me.

Thanks again for all the great suggestions! Keep them coming!

[the1sen]

Originally Posted by kestrel74

IF you do nothing else...get multivex mirrors !

GREAT ONE! I forgot about that! I'm a bit confused about where to get them from. Some have mentioned it taking an exorbitant amount of time to get their orders... Which of the 2 sites listed should I grab them from?

Is the Micro Mirror a MUST? I am 5'6", so my height may not be a problem...

[happakidd]

Just got mine, seems like a good idea to get a to do list together but when you get it you will probably not want to spend any time under it..... I haven't even had time to post my "i just got an Elise" thread here yet because I've been so busy trying to figure out where else I can drive it . And its been over a week now . Rain is coming so when its stuck in the garage I'll probably do most of the same mods, *subscribed*. I will also probably do the following within the next few weeks:
1. Stan's shifter mod
2. Reinforcer
3. Desnorkel

When I was shopping for it I thought I'd want to do everything under the sun to it, but now that its sitting in my garage, All I want to do is drive it. Have fun!

[LARRY]

Originally Posted by Murix

That all sounds like solutions to problems you have not faced yet.

My list would be (and is)

1.Drive
2. Fix what breaks.
3. If not broken, don't do it.

Good advice.

(Save money for tires which you'll need when you least expect it.)