New arrival. Exige 410 Sport

[ecain63]

After 2 years and 3 months in the truly epic Giulia QF I've gone right off the practicality chart and bought this. Here's to getting some proper driving done....... and finding a solution to the non track friendly exhaust :/ What were Lotus thinking when they built a track car that couldn't go on most UK tracks lol

Anyway. Here's the new member of the family

[ecain63]

Expel PPF goes on in a couple of weeks.





How does it drive compared to the other cars I've owned? It's so far away from my other cars in terms of target usage that it's wrong to compare. It's a proper experience that's for sure. I've done 230 miles in it so far and it's great. Bloody loud though, so I await MSC finishing the development of their track silencer so I can get some proper track time done over the summer.

Goodwood EVO track day tomorrow to continue the run in process. Lots of off boost cornering to beat the sound tests and not to push the car too hard

Edited by ecain63 on Sunday 30th June 13:15

Edited by ecain63 on Sunday 30th June 13:21

[ecain63]

mogg said:

Very nice

Regarding the non track friendly exhaust, I did a track day at Croft in May with Javelin. Static requirement was 105dB and drive-by was apparently 97dB.

I was giving it the full berries (it is very loud even with a helmet on !) and expected a warning after which I was going to short shift etc. Well, the warning never came but neither my passenger or myself could spot any noise meters - maybe they weren't working that day !?

Enjoy.

I'll be short shifting purely to keep the warranty happy. I know modern engines technically don't need a real run in as they are built much better than of old and many are bench tested, but Lotus log the engine stuff at service so I have that to consider. That said, in 230 miles i've certainly experimented with the performance and have also hit the limiter as a result of forgetting I'm no longer in a paddle box car

[ecain63]

gareth h said:

Lovely car, I test drove a 410 last week and am very tempted, felt much more “planted than my old 350 sport. If you’re concerned about noise have a chat with Hanger 111, I used one of their exhausts on my Evora 400, cant remember what it tested at, but it was loads quieter than the stock exhaust when the valve opens.

At Goodwood tomorrow there will be another 410 owner who's testing Maidstone Sports Cars track pipes. Basically a bolt on for the 380/410/430 range that doesn't restrict flow. So far it's testing well. I'll see what effect it has over mine.

[ecain63]

What a car / what a morning!

Pic by Jason Cornish

[ecain63]

gareth h said:

ecain63 said:

gareth h said:

Lovely car, I test drove a 410 last week and am very tempted, felt much more “planted than my old 350 sport. If you’re concerned about noise have a chat with Hanger 111, I used one of their exhausts on my Evora 400, cant remember what it tested at, but it was loads quieter than the stock exhaust when the valve opens.

At Goodwood tomorrow there will be another 410 owner who's testing Maidstone Sports Cars track pipes. Basically a bolt on for the 380/410/430 range that doesn't restrict flow. So far it's testing well. I'll see what effect it has over mine.

Very interesting, how did it go?

I scraped the static test by agreeing to keep the revs low for the day. Only once did i get a warning at that was as a test to see if they'd pick it up..... and they did. I just touched the 101dB driveby.

guy's car was well under the limits thanks to the cans. Definitely something I'll be looking to buy.

[ecain63]

Arun_D said:

Congrats on the new car. Perhaps a bit 'after the event' now, but it is worth mentioning the Exige is factory filled with a mineral oil for the run-in period, which is changed to the normal fully-synth at the 1000mile service.

I think I saw you posting some Vbox data elsewhere, happy with the cars' performance?

Yeah, I've read the oil will be changed to the regular fully synth after the service. The sooner that happens the better and I can get on with driving it properly. Even being sensible with the performance at Goodwood we were lapping at 1m.37s and keeping up with some serious toys. Such an impressive car, it's amazing what speed you can take into a corner and effectively coast through with only minimal throttle. Really enjoying it!

[ecain63]

CTE said:

I`m pleased you are enjoying it and they are superb cars...and in truth you probably won`t have a more engaging driving experience at any money.
I`ve got a 430 Cup but I think with hindsight the 410 is the better all rounder, the 430 is quite track orientated with it`s spring and damper rates...no surprise I guess!

Can you set the suspension up to match the 410 and achieve the slightly more compliant ride?

[ecain63]

gareth h said:

Another 410 owner, I put a deposit on the demonstrator at Silverstone, collect next week, can’t wait!
Anybody fancy an Aero 8?

Congratulations. You'll love it

[ecain63]

There are a few stories behind why I used to be known as Fast Eddie....... most were not career enhancing Saw the plate online and it was too cheap to pass by.

[ecain63]

GingerMunky said:

ecain63 said:

At Goodwood tomorrow there will be another 410 owner who's testing Maidstone Sports Cars track pipes. Basically a bolt on for the 380/410/430 range that doesn't restrict flow. So far it's testing well. I'll see what effect it has over mine.

I can't find any information on their website. Do you know where I can get more info please? Or shall I drop them an email.

I've been messaging them via their facebook page. The testing is going well but as yet we don't have a production timeline.

[ecain63]

I really like the bonkers noise above 4krpm, I just need something to bolt on for the track. The Maidstone pipes look simple and effective and apparently don't impede gas flow

[ecain63]

gareth h said:

Collected mine today, quite surprised how quick it is even when limited to 4500rpm.

Yeah, it's plenty quick enough. Don't be afraid to push it a bit even during run in. The engine needs to be worked, not nannied

[ecain63]

Booked on for the B&C track day at Castle Combe in October. Anyone else going?

[ecain63]

Ross14 said:

ecain63 said:

What a car / what a morning!

Pic by Jason Cornish

nice! - we chatted on the day. i was in the white bmmer M2 Comp, the exige looks stunning in blue

I've got some good footage of me following you round the track: Once I get myself a track silencer and it's had its run in service I'll be able to give it full beans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuJbiOvdrMY&t=...

[ecain63]

-Z- said:

Ecain63 I was there at Goodwood, me and my mates declared your car the best sounding one of the day, looked sensational!

I was there in the Grey Mustang and funnily enough have now swapped it for a K20 Type R S2 Elise/Exige.

Excellent news. You'll not regret it

[ecain63]

At last, the run in mileage is over. 2 weeks off now as the service is carried out and PPF / colour tweeks fitted.

[ecain63]

Denno B said:

How much quicker is the 410 compared to the standard v6 and 350 sport? Noticeable or only when going silly speeds?

As has been said above, it is faster but it's not something you feel really. Probably down to the way it's set up and the improvements in build.

When I drive the 350 I felt I was doing 100 when I was doing 60. In the 410 I feel I'm doing 60 when I'm doing 100.

No heat related power loss on the 410/430 either

[ecain63]

Another top job by FCD with the paint and PPF. 2bular exhaust goes on Friday and then we're all set for more track action

[ecain63]

CTE said:

That's the other thing that really surprises me is the economy of the 430...guess the 410 is the same...on a run driving progressively but not stupidly, I`m getting 35mpg...the V6 was nearer high 20`s in the same scenario...so yes I think slightly taller gearing and more low down torque probably all contribute...

I've heard there's no difference in power between the 410 and 430. Just weight and damper settings. Actually, I also heard that the 410 was quicker round Hethel because of the softer setup. You're right about the fuel though, it's not that thirsty.