New parts - nothing fits!!
Discussion
If the eBay breaker, Halfords or the private seller I bought these parts from are to be believed, I have a totally unique, absolutely one-off S1 Elise 
I've been accumulating a selection of parts for a free weekend like this one, so thought I'd give it a go.
1. Replacement speakers for the tired OEM Alpine items.
2. Alloy window winders to replace the flimsy plastic ones.
3. Induction kit to replace the standard set up with broken flexi pipe.
So, full of enthusiasm I head out to the car with tools, tea and tunes.
Speakers first. They're far, far deeper than the OEM items. They don't fit in any way, shape or form. Halfords man had a parts catalogue that said they would. Can I get spacers for them anywhere? I'm not going to be able to make any. My woodwork skills extend to perhaps the odd shelf or even a small stool. I cannot cut anything curved.
Windows next. The "universal fit" winders I've bought off ebay were specifically advertised as fitting the Elise. They don't. Not even nearly. In fact the hex spindle won't even fit in them!
And I can't seem to be able to remove this hex spindle. Is this what all S1 Elises have? Can I get some alloy ones off eliseparts or something?
Sadly, too much time has passed to raise a case on ebay for those. So, onto the induction kit.
I don't know why, but it just looks far too big to fit. It's a second hand item from an ebay "Lotus Specialist" seller. He took ages to send it, and so far my pleas for a fitting guide or photo of it in place have fallen on deaf ears. I spent half an hour removing the standard air box (needed to removed the perished flexi hose anyway) and got as far as this:
As you can see, the angle of the blue hose suggests this is where the pipe should lie. Unfortunately the big foamy filtery part (fairly important, this) won't fit as the expansion tank and a chassis member are in the way. Would it even fit in an S2?
So, essentially today has been a massive waste of time. And I now have a car with no air filter, missing one speaker and one window winder. Still, I did get an old boy stop and have a chat with me about the car. He was very interested and commended me on actually attempting DIY car fixing. "Young people these days..." I'm sure he said...
I've been accumulating a selection of parts for a free weekend like this one, so thought I'd give it a go.
1. Replacement speakers for the tired OEM Alpine items.
2. Alloy window winders to replace the flimsy plastic ones.
3. Induction kit to replace the standard set up with broken flexi pipe.
So, full of enthusiasm I head out to the car with tools, tea and tunes.
Speakers first. They're far, far deeper than the OEM items. They don't fit in any way, shape or form. Halfords man had a parts catalogue that said they would. Can I get spacers for them anywhere? I'm not going to be able to make any. My woodwork skills extend to perhaps the odd shelf or even a small stool. I cannot cut anything curved.
Windows next. The "universal fit" winders I've bought off ebay were specifically advertised as fitting the Elise. They don't. Not even nearly. In fact the hex spindle won't even fit in them!
And I can't seem to be able to remove this hex spindle. Is this what all S1 Elises have? Can I get some alloy ones off eliseparts or something?
Sadly, too much time has passed to raise a case on ebay for those. So, onto the induction kit.
I don't know why, but it just looks far too big to fit. It's a second hand item from an ebay "Lotus Specialist" seller. He took ages to send it, and so far my pleas for a fitting guide or photo of it in place have fallen on deaf ears. I spent half an hour removing the standard air box (needed to removed the perished flexi hose anyway) and got as far as this:
As you can see, the angle of the blue hose suggests this is where the pipe should lie. Unfortunately the big foamy filtery part (fairly important, this) won't fit as the expansion tank and a chassis member are in the way. Would it even fit in an S2?
So, essentially today has been a massive waste of time. And I now have a car with no air filter, missing one speaker and one window winder. Still, I did get an old boy stop and have a chat with me about the car. He was very interested and commended me on actually attempting DIY car fixing. "Young people these days..." I'm sure he said...
1. Window winders - Keep the plastic ones, yes they are flimsy but they are rare now and sort after, Elise parts, shop and lotus will sell ones that fit, I guess the issue here is eBay.
2. Speakers - The depth is an issue, a spotty kid in Halfords won’t have a clue about this the only thing he will or might know is the size of the speakers that will fit the hole, which I think is 13mm? I suggest you take one out and go to the shop with one and compare. The plastic which holds the speaker will pull out with the speaker in place if that helps.
3. Induction Kit - That looks ridiculous - LOL!! Once again I think eBay has struck here.
I suggest you look at a few good Lotus part sellers listed below, are you trying to do this on a budget as that’s the feeling I get from what you are saying about your eBay hunting.
Elise Parts
Elise-Shop
Hanger111
2. Speakers - The depth is an issue, a spotty kid in Halfords won’t have a clue about this the only thing he will or might know is the size of the speakers that will fit the hole, which I think is 13mm? I suggest you take one out and go to the shop with one and compare. The plastic which holds the speaker will pull out with the speaker in place if that helps.
3. Induction Kit - That looks ridiculous - LOL!! Once again I think eBay has struck here.
I suggest you look at a few good Lotus part sellers listed below, are you trying to do this on a budget as that’s the feeling I get from what you are saying about your eBay hunting.
Elise Parts
Elise-Shop
Hanger111
mr wiki said:
1. Window winders - Keep the plastic ones, yes they are flimsy but they are rare now and sort after, Elise parts, shop and lotus will sell ones that fit, I guess the issue here is eBay.
2. Speakers - The depth is an issue, a spotty kid in Halfords won’t have a clue about this the only thing he will or might know is the size of the speakers that will fit the hole, which I think is 13mm? I suggest you take one out and go to the shop with one and compare. The plastic which holds the speaker will pull out with the speaker in place if that helps.
3. Induction Kit - That looks ridiculous - LOL!! Once again I think eBay has stuck here.
I suggest you look at a few good Lotus part sellers listed below, are you trying to do this on a budget as that’s the feeling I get from what you are saying about your eBay hunting.
Elise Parts
Elise-Shop
Hanger111
Thanks for the reply. Budget is the idea 2. Speakers - The depth is an issue, a spotty kid in Halfords won’t have a clue about this the only thing he will or might know is the size of the speakers that will fit the hole, which I think is 13mm? I suggest you take one out and go to the shop with one and compare. The plastic which holds the speaker will pull out with the speaker in place if that helps.
3. Induction Kit - That looks ridiculous - LOL!! Once again I think eBay has stuck here.
I suggest you look at a few good Lotus part sellers listed below, are you trying to do this on a budget as that’s the feeling I get from what you are saying about your eBay hunting.
Elise Parts
Elise-Shop
Hanger111
but I'm not averse to spending money on the right stuff. Basically I'm saving up to get a lot of the "niggly" bits done by a specialist - steering wheel retrim, sill pads, gearknob, seat retrim and the big one - roof! In the meantime I've bought a few little bits and bobs as and when I've seen them. TBH ebay just because I have an alert that sends me news about new S1 Elise items when they pop up. You reckon it's worth buying direct from Elise Parts etc. rather than bargain hunting?Well budget is not a problem, if your on the hunt for cheap parts I would suggest you look in the right places 
Try here:
http://classifieds.seloc.org/
or here:
http://www.lotusforsale.com/
Looking at that induction kit again and there is no way its going to fit a S2 or a S1, it has to go over the frame bar (the black bar on the right there)
Try here:
http://classifieds.seloc.org/
or here:
http://www.lotusforsale.com/
Looking at that induction kit again and there is no way its going to fit a S2 or a S1, it has to go over the frame bar (the black bar on the right there)
400SE Dave said:
mr wiki said:
1. Window winders - Keep the plastic ones, yes they are flimsy but they are rare now and sort after, =
Really?? I have a pair in the roof space of my garage from when I changed mine on my Elise years ago!! Why are they difficult to get now??
RE: The plastic winders.
- They are not made anymore and I guess were put in the bin a lot or lost to loft spaces
- some people like the oem classic look
- I and others don't like ally tat
- They work rather well, or mine did
Edited by mr wiki on Saturday 27th August 20:20
Edited by mr wiki on Saturday 27th August 22:58
Ebay seller of the "induction kit" (jpslotus66) has replied:
I removed this PERSONALLY from a MY2000 S1 Elise. It fit perfectly. I cannot and will not be held accountable for your inability to fit the parts yourself. Take the time and your car to a professional and they will solve this issue. You asked for fitting instruction on an item that is so simple to fit it is clear to me your are mechanically incompetent. I'll come and fit it for you if you pay for my time. Dan
How nice. I've asked for a photo of it in situ (as I have previously done twice before raising a case) so I can see how it's meant to fit.
I removed this PERSONALLY from a MY2000 S1 Elise. It fit perfectly. I cannot and will not be held accountable for your inability to fit the parts yourself. Take the time and your car to a professional and they will solve this issue. You asked for fitting instruction on an item that is so simple to fit it is clear to me your are mechanically incompetent. I'll come and fit it for you if you pay for my time. Dan
How nice. I've asked for a photo of it in situ (as I have previously done twice before raising a case) so I can see how it's meant to fit.
NWTony said:
Doesn't the induction pipe fit the other way round, putting the filter in the wheel arch, where the air comes in? ie long straight with a bend at the end, not bend then long straight pipe as you have fitted it? Just a thought?
That's not how it came assembled, and not how it's obviously been assembled since new. I took the filter off the far end to get it in there (thinking it may fit around the chassis member afterwards) but no.
mr wiki said:
RE: The plastic winders.
As far as I'm aware, they're straight out of the Rover parts bin as well, along with the Metro door mirrors. - They are not made anymore and I guess were put in the bin a lot or lost to loft spaces
- some people like the oem classic look
- I and others don't like ally tat
- They work rather well, or mine did
Edited by mr wiki on Saturday 27th August 20:20
Edited by mr wiki on Saturday 27th August 22:58
As I know the seller of the induction kit is watching this thread, I'd just like to rub it in his face a little that despite his swearing, tantrums and general rudeness (or maybe because of it), ebay has found in my favour entirely, refunding me the cost of the item AND the overpriced postage I paid.
I've used a piece of flexi pipe off an old K&N kit in the meantime, the filter in the airbox looks pretty new anyway. Pulls better already. Any recommendations for a full setup then? Is the Hurricane one any good?
The window winders have gone to a mate for his Mini - got some homebrewed cider in return. I would still like some alloy ones I think. Will keep an eye out on Lotusparts etc.
The speakers are still an issue, looking at getting some spacers made, but I've not been able to find a decent audio place near Southampton at all.
Happily, removing the broken one in an attempt to fit the new lot has fixed it. Not the best sound in the World, but at least I don't have to have my iPod headphones in all the time now.
I've used a piece of flexi pipe off an old K&N kit in the meantime, the filter in the airbox looks pretty new anyway. Pulls better already. Any recommendations for a full setup then? Is the Hurricane one any good?
The window winders have gone to a mate for his Mini - got some homebrewed cider in return. I would still like some alloy ones I think. Will keep an eye out on Lotusparts etc.
The speakers are still an issue, looking at getting some spacers made, but I've not been able to find a decent audio place near Southampton at all.
Happily, removing the broken one in an attempt to fit the new lot has fixed it. Not the best sound in the World, but at least I don't have to have my iPod headphones in all the time now.
HereBeMonsters said:
As I know the seller of the induction kit is watching this thread, I'd just like to rub it in his face a little that despite his swearing, tantrums and general rudeness (or maybe because of it), ebay has found in my favour entirely, refunding me the cost of the item AND the overpriced postage I paid.
I've used a piece of flexi pipe off an old K&N kit in the meantime, the filter in the airbox looks pretty new anyway. Pulls better already. Any recommendations for a full setup then? Is the Hurricane one any good?
The window winders have gone to a mate for his Mini - got some homebrewed cider in return. I would still like some alloy ones I think. Will keep an eye out on Lotusparts etc.
The speakers are still an issue, looking at getting some spacers made, but I've not been able to find a decent audio place near Southampton at all.
Happily, removing the broken one in an attempt to fit the new lot has fixed it. Not the best sound in the World, but at least I don't have to have my iPod headphones in all the time now.
Take the speakers back to halfords .. Say there audio guy made a mistake with size and get some with smaller magnets ! have a look on seloc for recomendations I've used a piece of flexi pipe off an old K&N kit in the meantime, the filter in the airbox looks pretty new anyway. Pulls better already. Any recommendations for a full setup then? Is the Hurricane one any good?
The window winders have gone to a mate for his Mini - got some homebrewed cider in return. I would still like some alloy ones I think. Will keep an eye out on Lotusparts etc.
The speakers are still an issue, looking at getting some spacers made, but I've not been able to find a decent audio place near Southampton at all.
Happily, removing the broken one in an attempt to fit the new lot has fixed it. Not the best sound in the World, but at least I don't have to have my iPod headphones in all the time now.
Also ! fit the speakers your self one weekend , There not very hard todo and i would kick my self if i had to pay some one to do something so easy !
Easy enough to knock up some spacers from either MDF or ply. I bought a pair of plastic spacers of the right diameter from Halfords and then cut/butchered to suit - managed to fit a hefty pair of 17cm Kenwood bass/mid units in that way.
You'll only ever get decentish sound in an Elise by fitting a small active sub (pax footwell is a good location). I'm sure if you look in the archives on here you'll find Janitor's installation which worked very well. I cribbed some ideas from another guy on here and fitted a pair of component jobbies behind the driver (tweeter fix to the roll bar with velcro), a pair of small mid units in place of the outer dash top vents and a small sub on fixed (with heavy duty velcro) against the bulkhead above the pax footrest (this was on an S1). Sounded fine
You'll only ever get decentish sound in an Elise by fitting a small active sub (pax footwell is a good location). I'm sure if you look in the archives on here you'll find Janitor's installation which worked very well. I cribbed some ideas from another guy on here and fitted a pair of component jobbies behind the driver (tweeter fix to the roll bar with velcro), a pair of small mid units in place of the outer dash top vents and a small sub on fixed (with heavy duty velcro) against the bulkhead above the pax footrest (this was on an S1). Sounded fine
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