Discussion
Well the exhaust arrived from Larini, and guess what it don't bl**dy fit.. The left hanger is about an inch to short and the pipes are still right on the end of the silencers.. On the phone last night to David.. As you can guess Im not happy..
So far he has asked Dan (my very patient exhaust fitter!) to measure the box and make a note of all places where its out, and weld a bracket to show where the hanger should sit.. They will make a new one for me to those specs..
So old exhaust baclk on again!! Third time in two weeks...
So far he has asked Dan (my very patient exhaust fitter!) to measure the box and make a note of all places where its out, and weld a bracket to show where the hanger should sit.. They will make a new one for me to those specs..
So old exhaust baclk on again!! Third time in two weeks...
Pic of "too short" hangar..
www.sastrop.f2s.com/hangar.jpg
>> Edited by sja on Wednesday 19th October 08:51
www.sastrop.f2s.com/hangar.jpg
>> Edited by sja on Wednesday 19th October 08:51
Well its is a lotus! Ha..
Yes talking to David at Larini it is a mystery, but the original exhaust fits perfectly.. When the larini connected to the cat and the right hangar connected the left on is way out as in pic. Its also "twisted" when looking at it form rear of car, original is perfectly paralel. Larini have previously added 10mm to the pipes but they are still at the end of tolerences to fit cleanly through grill.. I know of at least one other (ChristianM) who had to use exhaust bandage to block up the gaps , to alow the rear pipes to fit thru grill..
Mmmm...
Yes talking to David at Larini it is a mystery, but the original exhaust fits perfectly.. When the larini connected to the cat and the right hangar connected the left on is way out as in pic. Its also "twisted" when looking at it form rear of car, original is perfectly paralel. Larini have previously added 10mm to the pipes but they are still at the end of tolerences to fit cleanly through grill.. I know of at least one other (ChristianM) who had to use exhaust bandage to block up the gaps , to alow the rear pipes to fit thru grill..
Mmmm...
sja,
Looking at your photo, that is EXACTLY the same problem I had with mine.
When was you car made? Mine was first registered in September 2004...
This is a summary of the fitting errors:
1. The right mounting arm was around 2 cm too low and around 1 cm to far back to meet the mounting point on the car.
2. The tail pipes when centred in the grill holes leave holes in the feed pipes due to the cut-outs being exposed.
3.The tail pipes when centred in the grill holes are at different angles (on a vertical plane).
4.The tail pipes protrude from the grill different lengths. The right pipe is approx 1 cm shorter than the left.
Is this the case with yours sja?
Looking at your photo, that is EXACTLY the same problem I had with mine.
When was you car made? Mine was first registered in September 2004...
This is a summary of the fitting errors:
1. The right mounting arm was around 2 cm too low and around 1 cm to far back to meet the mounting point on the car.
2. The tail pipes when centred in the grill holes leave holes in the feed pipes due to the cut-outs being exposed.
3.The tail pipes when centred in the grill holes are at different angles (on a vertical plane).
4.The tail pipes protrude from the grill different lengths. The right pipe is approx 1 cm shorter than the left.
Is this the case with yours sja?
Christian why didn't you send it back?
Mine exactly the same on ALL points.. I have asked David at Larini to send me the different model (sports) I believe. The pics on the site it looks very much like the original, as long s it produces a nicer note than standard I'll be happy. He aint keen on doing that. Initially he just wanted to keep "modifying" mine ans sending it back..
They already "ameneded" mine to fit, which I was unhappy with. Basically they welded a bit on the pipes (still not enough though)
Im not saying its entirely Larini's fault. I suspect Lotus have changed spec mid way thru production. Mine is an 05, registred March 2005.
Email me from profile and I'll send you my correspondance I sent to Larini..
Mine exactly the same on ALL points.. I have asked David at Larini to send me the different model (sports) I believe. The pics on the site it looks very much like the original, as long s it produces a nicer note than standard I'll be happy. He aint keen on doing that. Initially he just wanted to keep "modifying" mine ans sending it back..
They already "ameneded" mine to fit, which I was unhappy with. Basically they welded a bit on the pipes (still not enough though)
Im not saying its entirely Larini's fault. I suspect Lotus have changed spec mid way thru production. Mine is an 05, registred March 2005.
Email me from profile and I'll send you my correspondance I sent to Larini..
I have been speaking 
to David at larini regarding my situation. I am now set on ensuring I get a satisfactory response from Larini and will advise on how this is resolved.
I would guess that their sports exhaust will be made to 'fit' the same geometry/fixings as the clubsport so there would be the same problems...
sja, I will send you a pm.
>> Edited by ChristianM on Wednesday 19th October 15:38
to David at larini regarding my situation. I am now set on ensuring I get a satisfactory response from Larini and will advise on how this is resolved. I would guess that their sports exhaust will be made to 'fit' the same geometry/fixings as the clubsport so there would be the same problems...
sja, I will send you a pm.
>> Edited by ChristianM on Wednesday 19th October 15:38
Geeez guys, sorry you're having so many problems. Just a couple of things, if the pipes are sticking out at different lengths, that would suggest that the box is actually hanging crooked...although I'm sure you've already thought of that!
IF Lotus have changed the spec at some point, I would think it's Larini's responsibity to make sure that they have the latest spec for their customers to prevent just these sort of issues.
On another note, my exhaust turned up yesterday and by the time I got home it was too late to fit. I had it unpacked in my lounge all night and I swear to god I was convinced it was crooked. I fitted it at 8am this morning and taking my time and with a lot of fettling It did fit and is fine. I did however need to saw about 10mm of the out pipe from the right hand box to get the tail piepe to line up through the grill. A lot of fine tuning needed to fit perfectly. I have to say, it does look brilliant fitted!
I looked at the Larini site and it does say that EACH exhaust is hand made. This would suggest that each one is slightly different. Larini should however change these exhausts no questions asked and not bodge them to fit, and I am sure they will want all of their customers to be happy.
I hope you guys do get sorted and it does not ruin the experience of buying your new exhausts.
Regards,
Mac
>> Edited by Mac1967 on Wednesday 19th October 21:48
IF Lotus have changed the spec at some point, I would think it's Larini's responsibity to make sure that they have the latest spec for their customers to prevent just these sort of issues.
On another note, my exhaust turned up yesterday and by the time I got home it was too late to fit. I had it unpacked in my lounge all night and I swear to god I was convinced it was crooked. I fitted it at 8am this morning and taking my time and with a lot of fettling It did fit and is fine. I did however need to saw about 10mm of the out pipe from the right hand box to get the tail piepe to line up through the grill. A lot of fine tuning needed to fit perfectly. I have to say, it does look brilliant fitted!
I looked at the Larini site and it does say that EACH exhaust is hand made. This would suggest that each one is slightly different. Larini should however change these exhausts no questions asked and not bodge them to fit, and I am sure they will want all of their customers to be happy.
I hope you guys do get sorted and it does not ruin the experience of buying your new exhausts.
Regards,
Mac
>> Edited by Mac1967 on Wednesday 19th October 21:48
sja said:
Cheers All. Christian and I are having exactly the same probs. Mine is 05 maybe Lotus changed the spec after all..
So MAc had to saw off, and Christian and myself need more added? Bl**dy hell.. How does that work!
It seems that Larini are either working to rather large tolerances when constructing the systems or lotus have changed the mount positions on later cars.
We know that Tony/Mac/others haven't had any show-stopping fitting issues but myself and sja have had identical problems, down to the millimetre by the sounds of it, so in an attempt to work out which of these two it is....
Has anyone managed to successfully fit their Larini to a car later than September 2004?
Feedback much appreciated!
Cheers
Christian
Something's definitely fishy here.... I'd suggest that Lotus has probably changed the spec at some point as you'd imagine Larini's tolerances are not that big.
I'm guessing Lotus made a small change without documenting it widely and Larini will have to offer another version based on sja's measure-up to cater for the later cars.... that's the only damned thing I can think of anyway
I'm guessing Lotus made a small change without documenting it widely and Larini will have to offer another version based on sja's measure-up to cater for the later cars.... that's the only damned thing I can think of anyway
Tony - I hope you're right about the 04MY - mine was registered in June 04. I'm currently waiting for delivery on the second bulk buy.
BTW - do I need a U-clamp and if so what's it needed for? I've looked at a guide for fitting a Tubistyle system and it only mentions bolts and gaskets.
BTW - do I need a U-clamp and if so what's it needed for? I've looked at a guide for fitting a Tubistyle system and it only mentions bolts and gaskets.
You need two clamps Kevin:
www.sastrop.f2s.com/exhaust.bmp
No idea of size but if you ask dan@judeperformance.co.uk he will be able to advise.. He is sorting mine, he bought them locally as Larini didn't supply. Dont thnk you need a gasket as OEM one is metal.. Best check though..
www.sastrop.f2s.com/exhaust.bmp
No idea of size but if you ask dan@judeperformance.co.uk he will be able to advise.. He is sorting mine, he bought them locally as Larini didn't supply. Dont thnk you need a gasket as OEM one is metal.. Best check though..
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