Exige 240/260 upgrade + Soft Top conversion

[simpo555]

While I was having my car sorted by Lotus Verhiest in Ostend I enquired about possible upgrades. They proposed the 260 upgrade using all original Lotus parts at around the 1200 all in. Don't know whether thats reasonable or not. In their words, using Lotus original parts maintains the value of the car, the upgrade enhances the car and doesn't have a detrimental impact on future value of the car. I'm quite tempted but don't want to see fuel consumption go through the roof, gearbox problems because of the rise in power or a drop in the value of my car due to it being modified.

Also considering a soft top conversion because when the suns out I get slightly frustrated by not being able to quicky remove the roof. I've looked around and found a S-Top at 450 which as far as I can tell is about half the price of a new one. Only downside is that its from our friends in Birmingham who don't necessarily have the best of reputations for their cars. Should I be concerned by their description of the soft top being 'immaculate'. Wouldn't touch one of their cars with a barge pole, but the photo of the soft top shows it to be in good condition as far as I can see. Secondly, the kit for mounting the soft top just clicks in to place or would I need to make modifications, ie drill holes?

[kazste]

When I was looking at which lotus to get the exige was up there as could do the roof conversion. However it seemed as though going higher than the standard exige s horsepower with the roof conversion is a bad idea as the 240&260 use the snorkel quite a bit (technical term) and the airflow will be disrupted by the soft top conversion which may lead to air starvation.

I may be talking bks as only regurgitating what I read on the internet.

[ad260S]

I presume that's 1200 Euro's? if so thats a great price as i got my 240 upgraded to 260 for 1500. The price will vary depending on what your current set up is, I was lucky that I had the uprated injectors and a TRD so only needed a new hig flow fuel pump, ECU and the software

[simpo555]

1620 euros which makes it around 1200. ECU + Pump + Injectors +Labour. I've been on SELOC and it seems to be appreciated as an upgrade, although most seem to be from 220 to 260. I'd like to know whether 240 to 260 makes a noticeable difference, and where am I going to notice it.

[Top cat S2]

My last Exige was a 240pp and i could definitely notice the extra 20 BHP when i changed to my Cup 260. The extra oomph is mostly top end, once you get past 5500rpm up to 8000 if i remember correctly. And don't worry about not having the snorkel on with the extra power. I take my roof off and have never once noticed any heat-soak type loss of power. It is mostly hot air coming in from the radiator at the front anyway. You might notice it on long sessions on a hot track day, but you would with 240BHP as well. 100% confident on fast road driving you would not notice any drop in power.

[simpo555]

Top cat S2 said:

My last Exige was a 240pp and i could definitely notice the extra 20 BHP when i changed to my Cup 260. The extra oomph is mostly top end, once you get past 5500rpm up to 8000 if i remember correctly. And don't worry about not having the snorkel on with the extra power. I take my roof off and have never once noticed any heat-soak type loss of power. It is mostly hot air coming in from the radiator at the front anyway. You might notice it on long sessions on a hot track day, but you would with 240BHP as well. 100% confident on fast road driving you would not notice any drop in power.

Thanks for that. Now I'm tempted for both, although I think the soft top is the first thing to do. As a road user and not a trackie, I look more for the pleasure of driving without attracting the attention of the local 'gendarmerie' and when the suns out, a somewhat rare phenonemene at the current time its mildly frustrating to have a roof on. The extra power would be nice for certain occasions but its hardly critical. I think it falls more into 'it would be nice to have'. Need to check with the insurance company aswell.

[ad260S]

simpo555 said:

1620 euros which makes it around 1200. ECU + Pump + Injectors +Labour. I've been on SELOC and it seems to be appreciated as an upgrade, although most seem to be from 220 to 260. I'd like to know whether 240 to 260 makes a noticeable difference, and where am I going to notice it.

Mate of mine just has his 220 upgraded to 260 with the above and it cost double that over here. I noticed a massive difference with the extra power especially 2nd and 3rd gears. Reportedly the best upgrade for the money you can make