Really Light Stuff Undertray Closeout Panels by NCI - LotusTalk

Thomasio · 08-01-2009, 07:54 AM

Really Light Stuff Undertray Closeout Panels by NCI

MSRP: $239

Fits both Elise and Exige.

Benefits: improved airflow and downforce by reducing turbulence and increasing the low pressure area under the Elise and Exige.

Total weight: 1 lb 6 oz.

The panels use backing panels so that they fit flush with the rest of the underbody for best airflow.

Now shipping!

Kevin from North Coast Innovations (NCI), a race car fabricator, is behind these. As always, his work is impeccable.

dbisbee · 08-01-2009, 09:06 AM

I am not an aerodynamic engineer but how much resistance are the panel mounts creating in comparison to the savings in using the panel?

apk919 · 08-01-2009, 09:25 AM

I'm assuming that those mounts are just for demonstration purposes and are not part of the final design...

The guys at ReVerie claim that this mod helps the undertray/diffuser create a lot more downforce and reduces a bit of drag... most aero devices that create downforce <b>increase</b> drag... so mods like this are considered "free" downforce

Will this work with the various factory suspensions (i.e. shocks)... I thought the droop of the lower A arm would interfere unless you're using shocks with shorter free lengths.

Very interested, and subscribed

Thomasio · 08-01-2009, 09:44 AM

Guys - those are not the mounts that are on the final product. Those are just to hold the panel in place for fitment during the design stage.

These panels work with the stock suspension or any others. Under full droop, the panels flex a bit to accommodate that condition. Since these will be aluminum, they will be an affordable price.

pro10is4life · 08-01-2009, 09:49 AM

Does this affect the airflow that cools the rear brakes?

AnsisK · 08-01-2009, 11:03 AM

Does the lower arm come in contact when shocks are unbound when the car is lifted? I was under the impression that they were dragging in clean air under normal weight.

kmt63 · 08-01-2009, 11:23 AM

there is still plenty of air moving in and around the brakes for cooling.when the car is set down.there is plenty of room between panel and lower a arm.when you raise the car the lower a arm does flex it down a bit.but the benefits of closing this area off are worth doing.panels are held in with butt weld clamps.so the gaps seen are from these clamps being there.when fully mounted the gaps will be very tight.it will be mounted with a doubler strip above.then riveted to the under tray and diffuser with counter sunk rivets.you will be able to remove both under tray and diffuser like normal.im waiting for the laser cut parts before i mount them to my car.the front panels will be next.

Thomasio · 08-20-2009, 11:06 PM

These are being finalized for production... won't be long now.

Rei · 08-21-2009, 01:39 PM

side benefit they will keep the suspension cleaner

kmt63 · 09-02-2009, 07:32 AM

i will have 5 sets back from the laser cutters on friday.i will have installed pics up this weekend.

Chococar · 09-02-2009, 09:51 PM

Are these compatible with your lift point kit?

Thanks,

Joe

Thomasio · 09-02-2009, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chococar

Are these compatible with your lift point kit?

Thanks,

Joe

That's a great question... I'll need to check, it will be close. It will be easy enough to add a clearance hole for the lift point kit if it doesn't already clear.

Chococar · 09-03-2009, 05:38 AM

Thomas,

Thanks for checking. Assuming that they work together, how far below these panels will the lift point kit extend? From the photo, I'm guessing about 1/2" or so.

It would be cool if the lift point kit was flush with the panel, and a small removable puck could be screwed on for lifting the car ...

Thanks,

Joe

Thomasio · 09-03-2009, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chococar

how far below these panels will the lift point kit extend? From the photo, I'm guessing about 1/2" or so.

Normally they extend just barely past the under tray. You can't see them unless you are looking for them from under the car.

sleepe · 09-03-2009, 08:05 PM

excellent addition to your line of products...I made my own from sheet aluminum, very easy really. (but time consuming)

I also made these for the front suspension.

-Robert

Murix · 09-03-2009, 08:48 PM

So why are these areas not covered from the factory in the first place? Any good reasons?

sleepe · 09-03-2009, 09:44 PM

because it interferes with the rear suspension if not done properly...

kmt63 · 09-04-2009, 09:19 PM

i picked up 5 sets of the block off plates today from the laser cutters.they turned out pretty good.i was planning on doing a trial fitting with pics before going to anodizing.but i have to leave to go to atlanta sunday morning to finish the west wx10 d sports racer for the scca run offs.so i will be gone for a few weeks.west is going to try and take the championship this year and we will have two cars entered in d sports this year.should be a good time.so as soon as i return i will have pics up and the parts will be at the anodizer.there will be 3 sets available out of this run.im getting one set and thomas is getting a set.Attachment 132529

Attachment 132530

surferpkt · 09-05-2009, 01:52 AM

subscribed

Thomasio · 09-05-2009, 08:15 AM

Kevin is amazing...

Shame he is so busy building race cars, but we all benefit from his excellent design and fabrication. Bravo Kevin!

08-01-2009, 07:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
Thomasio really light stuff Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 3,503	Really Light Stuff Undertray Closeout Panels by NCI Really Light Stuff Undertray Closeout Panels by NCI MSRP: $239 Fits both Elise and Exige. Benefits: improved airflow and downforce by reducing turbulence and increasing the low pressure area under the Elise and Exige. Total weight: 1 lb 6 oz. The panels use backing panels so that they fit flush with the rest of the underbody for best airflow. Now shipping! Kevin from North Coast Innovations (NCI), a race car fabricator, is behind these. As always, his work is impeccable. Attached Images __________________ 07 SY Exige S Really Light Stuff Intercooler . RLS Tubes . RLS Water/Methanol Injection . RLS 3.0" Pulley . RLS Wing Plates . RLS CF Window Panel Last edited by Thomasio : 11-01-2009 at 10:58 PM. Reason: Update photos & text.

08-01-2009, 09:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
dbisbee Service animal Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 476	I am not an aerodynamic engineer but how much resistance are the panel mounts creating in comparison to the savings in using the panel? __________________ The word "PASSION" should aways be uppercase. #349 '05 AS Elise Touring, Hardtop, Starshield, Plinth delete, GPS Garmin 680, V1, V1 mirror, Leather console, Multivex, Alpine CDA9887, JL stealthbox, Focals, Alpine PDX 5, HID, RAC Monolites, R888's, Stage II, Front Slotted rotors, R4-S pads, Stebel nautilus, TitanQR and Odyssey 925 now with bracket.

08-01-2009, 09:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
apk919 ΒÄŅNED Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Limbo Posts: 6,281 Images: 20	I'm assuming that those mounts are just for demonstration purposes and are not part of the final design... The guys at ReVerie claim that this mod helps the undertray/diffuser create a lot more downforce and reduces a bit of drag... most aero devices that create downforce <b>increase</b> drag... so mods like this are considered "free" downforce Will this work with the various factory suspensions (i.e. shocks)... I thought the droop of the lower A arm would interfere unless you're using shocks with shorter free lengths. Very interested, and subscribed __________________ * 2009 Lotus Challenge Series Rookie Of The Year * (Thanks Jim, Tom, Jack, Rob & Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch!) My videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/apk919

08-01-2009, 09:44 AM	#4 (permalink)
Thomasio really light stuff Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 3,503	Guys - those are not the mounts that are on the final product. Those are just to hold the panel in place for fitment during the design stage. These panels work with the stock suspension or any others. Under full droop, the panels flex a bit to accommodate that condition. Since these will be aluminum, they will be an affordable price. __________________ 07 SY Exige S Really Light Stuff Intercooler . RLS Tubes . RLS Water/Methanol Injection . RLS 3.0" Pulley . RLS Wing Plates . RLS CF Window Panel

08-01-2009, 11:03 AM	#6 (permalink)
AnsisK Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,457	Does the lower arm come in contact when shocks are unbound when the car is lifted? I was under the impression that they were dragging in clean air under normal weight. __________________ Cut me I'd bleed Lotus. -Gordon Murray Quiet Noises

08-01-2009, 09:49 AM	#5 (permalink)
pro10is4life Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 247	Does this affect the airflow that cools the rear brakes?

08-01-2009, 11:23 AM	#7 (permalink)
kmt63 Elise Driver Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: vancouver wa Posts: 391 Images: 2	there is still plenty of air moving in and around the brakes for cooling.when the car is set down.there is plenty of room between panel and lower a arm.when you raise the car the lower a arm does flex it down a bit.but the benefits of closing this area off are worth doing.panels are held in with butt weld clamps.so the gaps seen are from these clamps being there.when fully mounted the gaps will be very tight.it will be mounted with a doubler strip above.then riveted to the under tray and diffuser with counter sunk rivets.you will be able to remove both under tray and diffuser like normal.im waiting for the laser cut parts before i mount them to my car.the front panels will be next. __________________ rls west~nci motor sports fabrication

08-20-2009, 11:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
Thomasio really light stuff Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 3,503	These are being finalized for production... won't be long now. __________________ 07 SY Exige S Really Light Stuff Intercooler . RLS Tubes . RLS Water/Methanol Injection . RLS 3.0" Pulley . RLS Wing Plates . RLS CF Window Panel

08-21-2009, 01:39 PM	#9 (permalink)
Rei Lotus/TRD Geek Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redmond WA Posts: 623	side benefit they will keep the suspension cleaner __________________ Kids in the Back seat causes Accidents Accidents in the Back Seat causes Kids Moral Stick with a Two Seater

09-02-2009, 07:32 AM	#10 (permalink)
kmt63 Elise Driver Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: vancouver wa Posts: 391 Images: 2	i will have 5 sets back from the laser cutters on friday.i will have installed pics up this weekend. __________________ rls west~nci motor sports fabrication

09-02-2009, 09:51 PM	#11 (permalink)
Chococar #334 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 1,547	Are these compatible with your lift point kit? Thanks, Joe

09-03-2009, 05:38 AM	#13 (permalink)
Chococar #334 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 1,547	Thomas, Thanks for checking. Assuming that they work together, how far below these panels will the lift point kit extend? From the photo, I'm guessing about 1/2" or so. It would be cool if the lift point kit was flush with the panel, and a small removable puck could be screwed on for lifting the car ... Thanks, Joe

09-03-2009, 08:05 PM	#15 (permalink)
sleepe Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE Posts: 1,050	excellent addition to your line of products...I made my own from sheet aluminum, very easy really. (but time consuming) I also made these for the front suspension. -Robert __________________ Elise'06ST:RAC/r888-Ultradiscs-Larini 8"-Braille-Saikou Michi cans-Nitron sportpro-RTVbrace-widened undertrays-manly's motor inserts-FF engine damper VF2

09-03-2009, 08:48 PM	#16 (permalink)
Murix Rotary Refugee Join Date: May 2007 Location: Santa Monica Posts: 996 Images: 3	So why are these areas not covered from the factory in the first place? Any good reasons?

09-03-2009, 09:44 PM	#17 (permalink)
sleepe Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE Posts: 1,050	because it interferes with the rear suspension if not done properly... __________________ Elise'06ST:RAC/r888-Ultradiscs-Larini 8"-Braille-Saikou Michi cans-Nitron sportpro-RTVbrace-widened undertrays-manly's motor inserts-FF engine damper VF2

09-05-2009, 01:52 AM	#19 (permalink)
surferpkt Daily Driver Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Sarasota, FL. Posts: 124	subscribed __________________ 2005 BORDEAUX RED PEARL ELISE: Sport Pack, Hard Top, Star Shield, Black Mesh Grill, De-snorkled, K&N Filter, CF Side Scoops & CF Splitter. 2005 TORNADO RED TRIUMPH DAYTONA 650 - SOLD 2004 SUPERCHARED TOYOTA TACOMA 4WD - SOLD

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09-04-2009, 09:19 PM	#18 (permalink)
kmt63 Elise Driver Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: vancouver wa Posts: 391 Images: 2	i picked up 5 sets of the block off plates today from the laser cutters.they turned out pretty good.i was planning on doing a trial fitting with pics before going to anodizing.but i have to leave to go to atlanta sunday morning to finish the west wx10 d sports racer for the scca run offs.so i will be gone for a few weeks.west is going to try and take the championship this year and we will have two cars entered in d sports this year.should be a good time.so as soon as i return i will have pics up and the parts will be at the anodizer.there will be 3 sets available out of this run.im getting one set and thomas is getting a set.Attachment 132529 Attachment 132530 __________________ rls west~nci motor sports fabrication

09-05-2009, 08:15 AM	#20 (permalink)
Thomasio really light stuff Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 3,503	Kevin is amazing... Shame he is so busy building race cars, but we all benefit from his excellent design and fabrication. Bravo Kevin! __________________ 07 SY Exige S Really Light Stuff Intercooler . RLS Tubes . RLS Water/Methanol Injection . RLS 3.0" Pulley . RLS Wing Plates . RLS CF Window Panel