Loltus Exige

[Duncan Grier]

I used to love pads on my old vx220 which would wear discs at a 1.1 ratio of pad material did chuckle remembering the self screen wash option lol

Such a good balance out the box for elise/vx220/exige etc with aggressive pads and decent fluid

@andybond is your 2 or 4 pot ap's on front?

The lotus spec AP 4 pot (straight bolt on and correct spec piston sizes) with bigger discs were a great addition for hard core track action

 

[andybond]

Mine are 2 pots. I have the slighty larger discs but I just dont see the need to add 4 pots? I can already just about lock up the fronts each and every timewhilst not boiling fluid.

 

[Duncan Grier]

Yep 2 pots are up to most things tbf and bigger discs help keep temps in check on track

Put them on the tfsi conversion and worked well but expect it was a bit heavier than yours with vag stuff in 930kg ish iirc

 

[andybond]

Yep 2 pots are up to most things tbf and bigger discs help keep temps in check on track

Put them on the tfsi conversion and worked well but expect it was a bit heavier than yours with vag stuff in 930kg ish iirc

Hmm. Mine is 932kgs all in now. I just dont feel the need for 4pots. If someone offered them to me I would of course take ..

 

[andybond]

A few pics from the Donington event. These were taken by the MSVT photographer

 

[DaveL485]

Getting some good use out of it lately matey!

 

[andybond]

Getting some good use out of it lately matey!

Be rude not to. All work and no play makes Andy sad.

 

[andybond]

Front 8
Rear 6

LM spec..

 

[andybond]

Checked over my exige last night as heading to LeMans a week today in it.

Just seen the weather. 28-31 deg C
No aircon

Have reglued in the indicators following lotus tech bulletin with sealant.



Oil weep has stopped. Only occurs on track



Checked suspension clicks from Donington.

F10
R6

adjusted to F8 R6 as taking a passenger.

Just sorting breakdown cover. Not that I have no faith in it, just for piece of mind.

 

[Duncan Grier]

Warning - Dad mode alert

Don't forget to update your insurance company you are travelling out of the uk

A lot of insurance companies would be void in the case of a claim if you did not tell them so def worth checking

 

[andybond]

Warning - Dad mode alert

Don't forget to update your insurance company you are travelling out of the uk

A lot of insurance companies would be void in the case of a claim if you did not tell them so def worth checking

Emailed them already. Top tip though!

 

[Turbell]

Lots of track time on this car, and taking it to Le Mans, hats off to you, that's using a performance car properly!

 

[andybond]

Le Mans 2021 : The year we went in the Lotus

Trip in stats :

Number plates lost : 1
Fuel stops : 6
Litres of SUL : 170.13
Miles : 1025.4
Average MPG : 27.40

I travel with a friend when going to LM, so if you see someone who doesn't look like me its not a thief.

The outbound journey.

We break this up into two runs or legs
1) Doncaster --> Dover
Overnight stay
2) Dover --> Le Mans

Doing some rough maths we brimmed the tank at Shell Retford and drove the 211mi to Dover and filled with 27.07l. This gave us a ~33mpg average. The route was fairly clear and we cruised around 75-80mph.

Obviously the car was cleaned before we left



Two pictures on route




Onward after 5.5h sleep in a travelodge to the port. It was pretty quiet with 4 lanes being occupied in the holding/loading queue. At this point I noted I had lost the front plate. It was lost at the travelodge Dover as part of a particularly nasty speedbump. Its also taken part of my splitter with it but Ill GRP repair that. At this point I had cleared customs so there wasnt a lot I could do and no point in flapping. The P&O staff were superb with getting me on the ferry directing me sideways and then onto the truck deck.



Not a lot to report on the French leg ( ~240mi ) of rather dull motorway and peage points. Car ran well, albeit slightly thirsty due to the 130kmh limits. This equates to around 4600rpm in 6th, just on the noisy part of the supercharger whine. We made good time and arrived to setup base camp. Fortunately a good friend took all the camping gear for us.






After a poor nights sleep I awoke to beads of water on the car due to condensation ..


We had to stay at Blu Nord this year. I normally frequent Beau Se Jour and TBH much prefer BSJ. Its just closer to the track and I find it a nicer place to be. However, as we had come all this way best make the most of it and visit the track. If the pictures make it look quiet its because it was. 50k reportedly however I don't believe there were that many from the normal 250k.









The night part of the race is my favourite. Everything about the cars seems that little bit better. The noise travels , the lights look amazing and the flames exiting the exhaust from every change are awesome to watch









During the night part my friend and I stumbled apon an Alpine display












Someone eventually won the race and I find the afternoon session quite tiring. Everything it turned down from performance setting 11 to setting 2 ( quite rightly ) and the cars seem almost processional. I appreciate there was a close race in the GT2 category though.






Part 2 ; The museum, return journey and overall to follow

 

[andybond]

the Museum.

There is a free museum on the site and its fantastic. It has everything from the early 1900s to modern day.





















Return leg.

So two stints in two days to get down to LM. Lets try a one stint home! Yep! up at 0630L ( 0530BST ) and leave for a ferry at 1500. I was sticking to all limits when another chap from the party came past. Cue to slipstreaming from me to eek out the fuel. Some speeds were hit and some fuel was saved until he peeled off after 100 or so KM. This turn of events got us onto the 1245 boat with minutes to spare. We were the last but one car onto the boat.





Summary :

Doing over 1000mi in a 932kg plastic car isnt to be taken lightly. However its no where near as bad as you might think. The tillett seats are revelation. They are just plainly well designed and made. Yes, 4600rpm for hours does get monotonous, but then wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee as the boost come in relieves the boredom.

We found various settings on the aircon to keep the cabin cool, and we had dual climate control options. Some of you know these as electric windows.

The only downside was the 40l tank. Had to stop every 230mi or so, or 180mi or so in France due to the consumption.

Would I do it again in the exige? You bet I would

+ ives
Fun
The attention
People in France love Lotus
Its quite comfortable
Better on fuel than I had imagined

- ives
Hot unless you use the aircon
Cant go unless you have an advanced party to take your kit
Fuel tank is 40l so stop fairly frequently

 

[Duncan Grier]

Great trip!!!

I upgraded to PA 60ltr tank bk in the day as Europe cross country range a pita with need for SUL also. In fact bad enough around Wales/scotland lol

 

[andybond]

Great trip!!!

I upgraded to PA 60ltr tank bk in the day as Europe cross country range a pita with need for SUL also. In fact bad enough around Wales/scotland lol

I am looking at it, however the only time I have struggled really with the range has been this trip.

 

[Duncan Grier]

Word of warning 60ltr is a very very tight fit if doing yourself, 48ltr fun but far easier

Makes a massive difference either of the upgrades and helps with fuel starvation on track as a bonus

 

[Mark_L]

Looks like a great trip and something to experience.

Those Tillets are surprisingly comfy considering the lack of any padding.

At least it doesn't feel as expensive with a smaller tank??

Filling up my van and it doesn't click off at £99 is depressing...

 

[andybond]

Looks like a great trip and something to experience.

Those Tillets are surprisingly comfy considering the lack of any padding.

At least it doesn't feel as expensive with a smaller tank??

Filling up my van and it doesn't click off at £99 is depressing...

This is my 3rd Le Mans trip and I have taken the c63 before. Would much rather the exige!

Good point on the smaller tank ..

 

[Turbell]

Fantastic trip, really jealous, love pic of 1063 4CV and A106
I've done 1500 miles to and fro and roundabout in 5 days to France on a GSXR, 120-140 to a fill up, arse like a baboon coming home, but can't beat a proper trip. Real sense of achievement.
Took GTA to Dieppe a few years ago and rolled of tunnel train and did non stop back to Sheffield , builds trust in a car you've had in bits .
I'd love to go to Le Mans classic one year.
Hats off to you, proper trip