Discussion
I have to own up to doing something very bad. I can’t speak to my wife about it but I must confide with someone, so I have chosen the privacy of this forum, for I know I am among like minded people.
For about a year I have been fighting the urge but finally I have caved in and put my hand in my pocket and splashed out on a Milltek exhaust system for my Europa. I had to get the car serviced so it seemed the perfect time to get the exhaust system changed whilst the car is in the air. Its funny, whenever you meet a Lotus specialist they always make the same comment about the Europa, ‘looks bloody nice in the flesh’. They service the car and test drive it and then all make the same comment when you pick it up, ‘drivers really well’. This specialist was surprised by how many tracks I had done in my car, his comment being that he though the car was just for commuting, oh how little he knows us Europa owners! Apparently the Europa is used as a company car at Lotus, lucky Lotus employees is all I can say.
Anyway initial impression on the Milltek, Great looking well made piece of kit, quiet when driving through town or on constant throttle, but when you floor it My God it is dirtier than a Brazilian hooker!
I love my Europa and the way the waste gate used to flutter on each gear change, just like the Giugiaro Esprits, always used to put a smile on my face. That has gone now, or at least I can’t hear it. It has been replaced by a harsh crack each time an upshift is hurried. I can no longer pretend to be Senna driving from his home in Esher to the local airport. I am now Senna hustling the Lotus 98T through the streets of Monaco, blasting through the tunnel or up the hill out of turn 1, car surging forwards on a wave of torque, waste gate dumping the surplus boost on each gear change…..
As you can tell I am impressed, I may be driving home the long way tonight, now how far is the Principality?
cheers
C43
For about a year I have been fighting the urge but finally I have caved in and put my hand in my pocket and splashed out on a Milltek exhaust system for my Europa. I had to get the car serviced so it seemed the perfect time to get the exhaust system changed whilst the car is in the air. Its funny, whenever you meet a Lotus specialist they always make the same comment about the Europa, ‘looks bloody nice in the flesh’. They service the car and test drive it and then all make the same comment when you pick it up, ‘drivers really well’. This specialist was surprised by how many tracks I had done in my car, his comment being that he though the car was just for commuting, oh how little he knows us Europa owners! Apparently the Europa is used as a company car at Lotus, lucky Lotus employees is all I can say.
Anyway initial impression on the Milltek, Great looking well made piece of kit, quiet when driving through town or on constant throttle, but when you floor it My God it is dirtier than a Brazilian hooker!
I love my Europa and the way the waste gate used to flutter on each gear change, just like the Giugiaro Esprits, always used to put a smile on my face. That has gone now, or at least I can’t hear it. It has been replaced by a harsh crack each time an upshift is hurried. I can no longer pretend to be Senna driving from his home in Esher to the local airport. I am now Senna hustling the Lotus 98T through the streets of Monaco, blasting through the tunnel or up the hill out of turn 1, car surging forwards on a wave of torque, waste gate dumping the surplus boost on each gear change…..
As you can tell I am impressed, I may be driving home the long way tonight, now how far is the Principality?
cheers
C43
If I lived in town or did a lot of miles in mine then perhaps I would be better off with the standard system. However I live in the country and dont do a lot of miles so am quite happy with the Milltek. If you are coming along to Donnington on the 24th there will be a few cars with it fitted so you can listen to it first hand. One thing I did not mention before is the mapping is much better. This seems to be the same on most cars as Redlake made the same comment when he fitted his system.
The Lotus garage in Bicester who fitted the system said it was a right pain to fit and asked me not to advertise who they are for fear of getting more to do so I cant really tell you...
The Lotus garage in Bicester who fitted the system said it was a right pain to fit and asked me not to advertise who they are for fear of getting more to do so I cant really tell you...
C43 said:
I have to own up to doing something very bad. I can’t speak to my wife about it but I must confide with someone, so I have chosen the privacy of this forum, for I know I am among like minded people.
For about a year I have been fighting the urge but finally I have caved in and put my hand in my pocket and splashed out on a Milltek exhaust system for my Europa. I had to get the car serviced so it seemed the perfect time to get the exhaust system changed whilst the car is in the air. Its funny, whenever you meet a Lotus specialist they always make the same comment about the Europa, ‘looks bloody nice in the flesh’. They service the car and test drive it and then all make the same comment when you pick it up, ‘drivers really well’. This specialist was surprised by how many tracks I had done in my car, his comment being that he though the car was just for commuting, oh how little he knows us Europa owners! Apparently the Europa is used as a company car at Lotus, lucky Lotus employees is all I can say.
Anyway initial impression on the Milltek, Great looking well made piece of kit, quiet when driving through town or on constant throttle, but when you floor it My God it is dirtier than a Brazilian hooker!
I love my Europa and the way the waste gate used to flutter on each gear change, just like the Giugiaro Esprits, always used to put a smile on my face. That has gone now, or at least I can’t hear it. It has been replaced by a harsh crack each time an upshift is hurried. I can no longer pretend to be Senna driving from his home in Esher to the local airport. I am now Senna hustling the Lotus 98T through the streets of Monaco, blasting through the tunnel or up the hill out of turn 1, car surging forwards on a wave of torque, waste gate dumping the surplus boost on each gear change…..
As you can tell I am impressed, I may be driving home the long way tonight, now how far is the Principality?
cheers
C43
Ha! Nice review - like the Senna imagery.For about a year I have been fighting the urge but finally I have caved in and put my hand in my pocket and splashed out on a Milltek exhaust system for my Europa. I had to get the car serviced so it seemed the perfect time to get the exhaust system changed whilst the car is in the air. Its funny, whenever you meet a Lotus specialist they always make the same comment about the Europa, ‘looks bloody nice in the flesh’. They service the car and test drive it and then all make the same comment when you pick it up, ‘drivers really well’. This specialist was surprised by how many tracks I had done in my car, his comment being that he though the car was just for commuting, oh how little he knows us Europa owners! Apparently the Europa is used as a company car at Lotus, lucky Lotus employees is all I can say.
Anyway initial impression on the Milltek, Great looking well made piece of kit, quiet when driving through town or on constant throttle, but when you floor it My God it is dirtier than a Brazilian hooker!
I love my Europa and the way the waste gate used to flutter on each gear change, just like the Giugiaro Esprits, always used to put a smile on my face. That has gone now, or at least I can’t hear it. It has been replaced by a harsh crack each time an upshift is hurried. I can no longer pretend to be Senna driving from his home in Esher to the local airport. I am now Senna hustling the Lotus 98T through the streets of Monaco, blasting through the tunnel or up the hill out of turn 1, car surging forwards on a wave of torque, waste gate dumping the surplus boost on each gear change…..
As you can tell I am impressed, I may be driving home the long way tonight, now how far is the Principality?
cheers
C43
It really does change the way you use the engine as you can now use much more of the rev band. There are still little humps in the map but its much better. There is a guy on the VX220 forum who sells a free flow top hat which is meant to help with smoothing the map so I will try this.
I am also tempted to put some Nitrons on mine and the stiffer springs as I think the lower ride heights really suit the car. However I would be worried that the car would be far too crashy on bumpy Oxfordshire roads. The reports from the VX guys are mixed on these although they should be much better on the track. The other interesting upgrade is the big AP front brakes but they are bloody expensive.
I was hoping that with the new exhaust the fuel consumption would be perhaps a little better, however the addictive nature of it means my consumption has crashed. That and the fact that Radio1 keeps playing The Chain is not helping.
Happy Motoring
C43
I am also tempted to put some Nitrons on mine and the stiffer springs as I think the lower ride heights really suit the car. However I would be worried that the car would be far too crashy on bumpy Oxfordshire roads. The reports from the VX guys are mixed on these although they should be much better on the track. The other interesting upgrade is the big AP front brakes but they are bloody expensive.
I was hoping that with the new exhaust the fuel consumption would be perhaps a little better, however the addictive nature of it means my consumption has crashed. That and the fact that Radio1 keeps playing The Chain is not helping.
Happy Motoring
C43
C43 said:
It really does change the way you use the engine as you can now use much more of the rev band. There are still little humps in the map but its much better. There is a guy on the VX220 forum who sells a free flow top hat which is meant to help with smoothing the map so I will try this.
I am also tempted to put some Nitrons on mine and the stiffer springs as I think the lower ride heights really suit the car. However I would be worried that the car would be far too crashy on bumpy Oxfordshire roads. The reports from the VX guys are mixed on these although they should be much better on the track. The other interesting upgrade is the big AP front brakes but they are bloody expensive.
I was hoping that with the new exhaust the fuel consumption would be perhaps a little better, however the addictive nature of it means my consumption has crashed. That and the fact that Radio1 keeps playing The Chain is not helping.
Happy Motoring
C43
Had Nitrons, Ap brakes, Pro Race alloys and the Milltek fitted and its all worth every penny ;-)I am also tempted to put some Nitrons on mine and the stiffer springs as I think the lower ride heights really suit the car. However I would be worried that the car would be far too crashy on bumpy Oxfordshire roads. The reports from the VX guys are mixed on these although they should be much better on the track. The other interesting upgrade is the big AP front brakes but they are bloody expensive.
I was hoping that with the new exhaust the fuel consumption would be perhaps a little better, however the addictive nature of it means my consumption has crashed. That and the fact that Radio1 keeps playing The Chain is not helping.
Happy Motoring
C43
Can't make the 24th as I'm working, which is a shame.
Like you I have yet to tell SWMBO
Edited by dan1758 on Thursday 26th March 12:21
Take a sicky, leave the company etc...Donnington is great in a Europa, or anything else for that matter.
SWMBO?
If you are ever near Oxford with the car then give me a shout, would love to go for a burn in one with Nitrons fitted. I guess you have the TMS setup. Whats it like over country roads?
C43
SWMBO?
If you are ever near Oxford with the car then give me a shout, would love to go for a burn in one with Nitrons fitted. I guess you have the TMS setup. Whats it like over country roads?
C43
Can't make Donnington but I am going to Snetterton with Lotus On Track on the 13th April if you've got nothing to do on easter Monday then come along.
SWMBO= She Who Must Be Obeyed!
Are there any good drives around Oxford?? I'm struggling to find any good ones near me and find I'm going further a field, so Oxford wouldn't be to bad for me (its really a case of any excuse to go out in the car at the moment.)
SWMBO= She Who Must Be Obeyed!
Are there any good drives around Oxford?? I'm struggling to find any good ones near me and find I'm going further a field, so Oxford wouldn't be to bad for me (its really a case of any excuse to go out in the car at the moment.)
Dan
I was going to say there are no good roads around here but thinking about it there are some cracking ones, I just get a bit spoilt. There is a road from Charlbury, past the old TWR factory at Leefield and onto Shipton Under Wychwood which is a real cracker. Fast and slow corners and lots of ups and down. I used to do it every day when I lived in Burford. In anything fast you are airborn at least twice. It was listed in Clarkson's book of great roads, probably cause he lives nearby.
There is another raod from Burford to Lechlade which is really quick and great fun. I first drove a Europa along that road and kets some big bikes very honest.
And the road to Cheltenham is great also, I used to travel along that road a lot in an Esprit in the company of a 911... very amusing.
If the weather is any good tomorrow afternoon my plan will be to head out and enjoy the car a bit. As I said, if you are over this way give me a shout.
cheers
C43
I was going to say there are no good roads around here but thinking about it there are some cracking ones, I just get a bit spoilt. There is a road from Charlbury, past the old TWR factory at Leefield and onto Shipton Under Wychwood which is a real cracker. Fast and slow corners and lots of ups and down. I used to do it every day when I lived in Burford. In anything fast you are airborn at least twice. It was listed in Clarkson's book of great roads, probably cause he lives nearby.
There is another raod from Burford to Lechlade which is really quick and great fun. I first drove a Europa along that road and kets some big bikes very honest.
And the road to Cheltenham is great also, I used to travel along that road a lot in an Esprit in the company of a 911... very amusing.
If the weather is any good tomorrow afternoon my plan will be to head out and enjoy the car a bit. As I said, if you are over this way give me a shout.
cheers
C43
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