Size of mk2 Exige?
Author
Discussion

fergus

Original Poster:

6,430 posts

305 months

Thursday 9th October 2008
quotequote all
I currently drive a narrow bodied Caterham S3 (with a lowered floor, and custom cage) but am thinking of moving to an Exige soon. I have a few questions.

1) Am I likely to fit? I'm 6'5", although have a long back for my height. I'm based in SW6 in London and would love to try a car for size (will also bring a crash helmet along to check for headroom). Anyone near/in SW London who can accomodate this request?

2) Is the 190hp car the same as the 240hp car, but w/o the supercharger? What can be done to the 190hp car to increase the power, or is it simply a case of bolting the s/c on?

3) Are there any specific weak points on the car to check for. It will mainly be used for t/days and trips to the Ring and won't really be driven on the road very much.

Many thanks

hueandcry71

1,389 posts

232 months

Thursday 9th October 2008
quotequote all
fergus said:
I currently drive a narrow bodied Caterham S3 (with a lowered floor, and custom cage) but am thinking of moving to an Exige soon. I have a few questions.

1) Am I likely to fit? I'm 6'5", although have a long back for my height. I'm based in SW6 in London and would love to try a car for size (will also bring a crash helmet along to check for headroom). Anyone near/in SW London who can accomodate this request?

2) Is the 190hp car the same as the 240hp car, but w/o the supercharger? What can be done to the 190hp car to increase the power, or is it simply a case of bolting the s/c on?

3) Are there any specific weak points on the car to check for. It will mainly be used for t/days and trips to the Ring and won't really be driven on the road very much.

Many thanks
Sing the blues and i will tell you............smile

fergus

Original Poster:

6,430 posts

305 months

Thursday 9th October 2008
quotequote all
i'm singing right now, but you can't hear me....

F.C.

3,901 posts

238 months

Thursday 9th October 2008
quotequote all
My dealer says the 220 is the same as the 190 with intercooled s/c bolted on plus mapping etc.
the 240 engine has more work done to it, i.e. not a simple re-map.
It also has a heavy duty clutch.
the 240 is the PP version and as such has better AP racing brakes (the main reason I went for a 240 over a 220)
F.C.

Edited by F.C. on Thursday 9th October 19:23

shangani

3,069 posts

267 months

Thursday 9th October 2008
quotequote all
You will be very marginal for head space with a helmet on - especially if you have a long torso. However, there are plenty of aftermarket seats that will solve the problem.

MTBR

328 posts

252 months

Thursday 9th October 2008
quotequote all
fergus said:
I currently drive a narrow bodied Caterham S3 (with a lowered floor, and custom cage) but am thinking of moving to an Exige soon. I have a few questions.

1) Am I likely to fit? I'm 6'5", although have a long back for my height. I'm based in SW6 in London and would love to try a car for size (will also bring a crash helmet along to check for headroom). Anyone near/in SW London who can accomodate this request?

You will probably need to change the seat.

2) Is the 190hp car the same as the 240hp car, but w/o the supercharger? What can be done to the 190hp car to increase the power, or is it simply a case of bolting the s/c on?
,
Basically the same, but there are option packs, different brakes, extra oil cooler etc. You can use Lotus Cars web site to explore the various options. There are aftermarket supercharger installations available, eg. the Katana kit from Sinclaire Motorsport. Not much in the way of tuning for the naturally aspirated engine. Lotus offer a reflash that lowers the cam change point.

3) Are there any specific weak points on the car to check for. It will mainly be used for t/days and trips to the Ring and won't really be driven on the road very much.

The clutch has a reputation for being a bit weak, some engines have suffered top end damage due to oil surge when the oil has been allowed to get a bit low while on track. Make sure there are no harsh clonks (engine moving about due to damaged engine mounts) and make sure all the gears are easy to get.

Que a bunch of people saying "their clutch has done a million miles" and "they ran for a whole weekend with no oil" etc, ... this is the internet!

fergus

Original Poster:

6,430 posts

305 months

Friday 10th October 2008
quotequote all
thanks for the replies guys. What is available in terms of aftermarket seats? I presume these bolt straight to the floorpan? I don't need any fore/aft movement once I found a decent seating posn.

braddo

12,379 posts

218 months

Friday 10th October 2008
quotequote all
fergus said:
I don't need any fore/aft movement once I found a decent seating posn.
You might - it may be a fair bit easier getting in and out with the seat fully back, though i guess yours will be quite a way back anyhow. It makes a big difference in my S1 elise (I'm 5'11).

Brad

fergus

Original Poster:

6,430 posts

305 months

Friday 10th October 2008
quotequote all
braddo said:
fergus said:
I don't need any fore/aft movement once I found a decent seating posn.
You might - it may be a fair bit easier getting in and out with the seat fully back, though i guess yours will be quite a way back anyhow. It makes a big difference in my S1 elise (I'm 5'11).

Brad
tks. I'd use a removable wheel in any case.

Mr_C

2,508 posts

259 months

Friday 10th October 2008
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See if Lotus London will lend you a demo car for a few hours.

fergus

Original Poster:

6,430 posts

305 months

Friday 10th October 2008
quotequote all
Mr_C said:
See if Lotus London will lend you a demo car for a few hours.
where is lotus london situated, and are they likely to lend me a car?!

miro

419 posts

230 months

Friday 10th October 2008
quotequote all
Perhaps a trip to Lipscombe Lotus (maidstone) to see Parky (Paul Parkinson) IIRC he past his instructor exam at hethle so knows his stuff

try a post on www.seloc.org and hes a regular there as are alot of other enthusiasts taht may not pop in here as often