[ksjon]

I've been trying to look at pictures and do searches in this forum and on google to find out a little something about my front clam.
Its a bit hard since i dont know what those "flaps" down bottom in the front is called. im talking about those thingies down where the splitter would sit.

my car is a 2005 federal elise. and those "thingys" im talking about is just simply glued to the front clam. on my old car, wich was a 2003 european version, they were more built into the clam.

I'm wondering is this normal!? why is it this way on my car?
its not really pretty tbh.


and another question.
i've seen two versions of the "hood" on the elise 2005s.

some are like this:


and others access panels arent that steep, like this one:

anyone care to elaborate why and what makes the difference?

 

[def]

They should be built into the clam, not glued on, maybe the previous owner put those protectors over them? Got any pictures?


The access panels should look like the second arctic silver elise - Not as steep as the other one

 

[ksjon]

 

[RoadDad]

Looks like painted Lotus chin guards to me :shrug:. If that is the case, the little "flaps" you are referring to are under the guards. They just serve a sacrificial protective function. You scrape the guards instead of that area of the clam. When they no longer cosmetically meet your approval, remove and replace them (or just remove them). They are clear but can be painted to match the body color.

 

[Gizmo3000]

The little protrusions are often called Winglets.

Which are VERY prone to scrape when exiting/entering driveways, thus damaging the front clam in an unpleasant way (like this)
http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/83399-post1.html

So the easiest way of preventing scraping the clam is to stick something on top of it
and it appears that the person that you purchased your Elise from did so.
(which is also a cost effective way to cover up previously damaged winglets rather than having to fix the fiberglass)

Here's another link to some others guys solutions to prevent scrapings (just do a search for "winglet"
http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f92/front-clam-protection-kit-40002/

Considering how easy it is to scrape, it's more of a good thing you have those winglet covers than not.

I've had a couple slight scrapes, and now considering getting a splitter or something just to prevent it from happening again.
the sound of scraping fiberglass really sucks.

 

[ksjon]

thanks for the replies.

i was planning to get this front splitter
https://www.eliseparts.com/products.php?product=71

you think i will have to remove the wingletprotectors before mounting the new splitter?

 

[...m...]

The little protrusions are often called Winglets.

...are they?..i always called them canards...

 

[Aedo]

I've been trying to look at pictures and do searches in this forum and on google to find out a little something about my front clam.
Its a bit hard since i dont know what those "flaps" down bottom in the front is called. im talking about those thingies down where the splitter would sit.

my car is a 2005 federal elise. and those "thingys" im talking about is just simply glued to the front clam. on my old car, wich was a 2003 european version, they were more built into the clam.

I'm wondering is this normal!? why is it this way on my car?
its not really pretty tbh.


and another question.
i've seen two versions of the "hood" on the elise 2005s.

some are like this:
View attachment 122434

and others access panels arent that steep, like this one:

anyone care to elaborate why and what makes the difference?

The difference is that the 2003 Elise doesn't have ABS and powered brakes and therefore has lower access panels as in the first picture

 

[Gizmo3000]

...are they?..i always called them canards...

hah, nah.. Canards are these things sold by Sector111
ReVerie Carbon Fiber Canards for the Elise and Exige - Sector111

 

[antinym]

the top picture is a computer graphic, I wouldn't trust it as an accurate representation.

 

[andykeck]

the top picture is a computer graphic, I wouldn't trust it as an accurate representation.

But that is what the old access panels used to look like.

 

[chapster5]

Yeh, its a very good 3D render of the clam

 

[LARRY]

SLOWLY AND SIDEWAYS IN AND OUT OF DRIVEWAYS IN YOUR LOTUS...

 

[SirLotus]

I made these from polycarbonate and they have saved me a few times.
Cheers,
Michael