Exige S Tuning

[CSJXX]

Just took delivery of my 06 Exige S and already thinking of how to start to tune it up. Whats the best place to start? and best places in the north east to get it carried out?

all help appreciated!

[marcpardoe]

Please tell me its quick enough for you!!
Have had my Exige S for 3mths now and am still blown away by its pace.
Mine came with Lotus sports exhaust which makes it sound awesome (its louder than my mates Triumogh speed tripple with custom exhaust)
I would recomend the AP Brake upgrade or something similar asthe the standard brakes arn't the best!
Enjoy the upcoming summer.......

[Alexbturbo]

I've got an '07 Exige S & performance wise have just fitted the Lotus sports silencer as the cars performance is pretty spot on as standard. May be worth putting money into the AP brake upgrade for track use (which i'm planning) and a set of harnesses otherwise dependent on the spec of your car you can also go down the lines of adjustable suspension

[emenel]

Or...

http://www.hangar111.com/products/komotec/exige_s_...

I'm seriously considering it. As soon as I start earning money again

[TonyHetherington]

Without wishing to sound too condescending, they say the best upgrade you can get is driver training and I think that's a good place to start.

Things can always be quicker, of course, and with a standard 220 it's not too difficult to get to 240+, but think about perhaps spending that money on some driver training (which is also bloody good fun as well as valuable) and then upgrade if you feel you need to in a year's time.

[Phil-CH]

Might not be of much interest to you guys over in the UK, but for those in Germany and Switzerland - Bemani now offers an air-to-water chargecooler conversion for both the Exige-S and Exige-S-240 for 286bhp and 199lb-ft of torque (270Nm) for around 4'000 £ (7960 CHF).

Cheers Phil

Edited by Phil-CH on Friday 4th April 11:33

[Craig!]

I'm a speed freak, last car was a 343bhp hatch back which was stupidly quick... after blowing it up at the 'Ring I decided to buy something designed to go on track and ended up with an Exige after looking at many a Porsche.

I thought I'd want more out right power, and I do... but have decided to not touch the car for a year and learn the car as it is now, sure I can push it to its limits in a straight line but corners are another matter.

I'm going to do a few track days and driver days before tweeking anything as I think this will be more beneficial to me. Don't get me wrong, I miss big power but the Exige is a different kind of car it goes well with 220bhp but has the handling to match.

[TonyHetherington]

Agree entirely Craig, well put.

[nsm3]

Just fit Pagid 42's to the front brakes before you bother driving it.

The stock pads have no feel in the top 1/4" of pedal travel for some reason, whereas the Pagids transform the braking feel, even without fitting hoses.

A lot cheaper at £115ish against £1,500 (I think) for the full AP setup?

[Craig!]

Glad someone brought up the pedal feel of the brake, as I was kinds thinking I may have glazed by pads as there is a complete lack of feel. Before I go on track and to Germany my one modification will be new front pads (RS42's) possibly braided lines will see...

[Jez O]

nsm3 said:

The stock pads have no feel in the top 1/4" of pedal travel for some reason, whereas the Pagids transform the braking feel, even without fitting hoses.

Does this really make much difference?- the pedal feel is very dead on mine at the top of the travel. May have to look into changing as it's the one thing that lets the car down to drive.

[CSJXX]

emenel said:

Or...

http://www.hangar111.com/products/komotec/exige_s_...

I'm seriously considering it. As soon as I start earning money again

How much is this set up? would probably have to notify my insurance if i had this done! Insurance is already sky high only being 21!

[nsm3]

Jez O said:

nsm3 said:

The stock pads have no feel in the top 1/4" of pedal travel for some reason, whereas the Pagids transform the braking feel, even without fitting hoses.

Does this really make much difference?- the pedal feel is very dead on mine at the top of the travel. May have to look into changing as it's the one thing that lets the car down to drive.

Honestly, I was very impressed by the difference in braking feel/performance just by swapping out the pads.

[Jez O]

OK thanks- do they squeal much, and is it a must do front and rear?

[zebra]

CSJXX said:

emenel said:

Or...

http://www.hangar111.com/products/komotec/exige_s_...

I'm seriously considering it. As soon as I start earning money again

How much is this set up? would probably have to notify my insurance if i had this done! Insurance is already sky high only being 21!

Based upon your last comment and Tony's comment earlier, I too would recommend some driver training. An Exige S does not need additional power, just a big brake kit.

[subaqua]

I'd hang fire on the big brake upgrade just a minute guys.... there's not a lot wrong with the standard disks, apart from the fact that they wear a bit quick, so I'd wait until then before you look at changing them. Pads... yes the standards ones aren't all that and you'll get a lot of bang for you buck (400 quid) in upgrading the pads hoses and luid if track use is what you intend.

The big brake kit however, is another kettle of fish. The S1 SC Honda exige that romped home first in most of last years elise trophy races was running way over 300bhp and makes do with the standard two pot calipers of the front of the car. Now some might argue that the extra weight in an Exige S increases the load under braking, but lets face it, I doubt you'll be hitting the braking zones anything like as fast at that car.

Those who know more than I might suggest its the rear calipers that need upgrading before the front!

[Rich S]

I thought as you did, and made good use of pagid pads, braided hose and a Jim Vincent 2bular GT3 exhaust .

however after a while the thirst for power gets too much.
komotec 280s kit from hager 111
AP big brake kit
quicksilver manifold , sports cat, komotec exhaust
lowered & stiffened Nitron suspension
stiffer anti rollbar
240R forged alloys

very pleased

[zebra]

Am I missing something here? 21 years of age. Buys an exige s. Already allegedly crippled by insurance. Can of only had it a matter of minutes and wants to increase its performance.

At what point on the roads we have in this country does the exige s merit additional bhp unless you intend to track it regularly?

Or am I just being naive?

Zebra

[zebra]

Just to qualify my last statement - how many of us a good enough drivers to make the most of our cars as standard - particularly an exige s.

[Phil-CH]

zebra said:

Just to qualify my last statement - how many of us a good enough drivers to make the most of our cars as standard - particularly an exige s.

How many of us buy the car for the track and intend to get the most out of our cars?

Should that be a requirement for more straight line performance? I don't think so.