Exige advice needed please

[cirvy]

I'm looking at a 2008 Exige S, it has the 220bhp engine.
What upgrades can be done to get the power up ( to say around 250bhp ) & what do they cost?

Also, coming from a Cerbera, I need to improve the noise, what's the best exhaust upgrade on the market?

Cheers for advice guys

[400SE Dave]

Chris Neils do a factory parts upgrade to 260bhp for about £2K. Add a forge intercooler and get around 270. Here is a link:

http://www.oakmeremotorgroup.co.uk/lotus/offers/vi...

As for the exhaust, Tubular seem to the be the popular choice and you can various sizes depending how much noise you want.

Be careful though, no matter what exhaust you put on it will not sound like a TVR...ever. I know, I have both! Get it too loud and it will just resonate badly and get really tiring.

HTH, David

[cirvy]

Many thanks Dave.

Does anyone have any experience of this Christopher Neil upgrade? I have sent them an enquiry, but keen to hear of any experiences.

Cheers

[400SE Dave]

cirvy said:

Many thanks Dave.

Does anyone have any experience of this Christopher Neil upgrade? I have sent them an enquiry, but keen to hear of any experiences.

Cheers

2 friends of mine have had it done along with the Intercooler. I've had a pax ride but not driven them but it really adds mid range and top end punch compared to standard. I guess it will make some difference lower down also but that is harder to tell as they don't hang around off the line anyway!!

Thinking of getting mine done on the strength of being in theirs!!

Edited by 400SE Dave on Friday 21st January 21:49

[cirvy]

Cheers Dave.

Are there any downsides do we know?

Also, is it new, I've not seen it on any of the classifieds ads & there's lots of cars for sale??

Cheers again

[400SE Dave]

cirvy said:

Cheers Dave.

Are there any downsides do we know?

Also, is it new, I've not seen it on any of the classifieds ads & there's lots of cars for sale??

Cheers again

No down sides that I know of...apart from extra fuel consumption I guess ... as it is all Lotus parts mainly based around 2-11 stuff.

Conversion has been available for a bit less than a year and a few people are now going for it. The 'standard' Power pack models from the factory have 240bhp, there are few sure a few of them for sale, longer roof scoop is the obvious visual give away.

Have you driven an S yes?? You will be amazed just how rapid they are even in 220 spec, it would be a good match for the Tiv before doing upgrades. If you have and you wanted a comparison to a 260, get to a dealer quickly a test drive an RGB Exige as these are 260 from the factory. You'll need to be quick though, there aren't many left.

HTH, David

[cirvy]

Thanks David, great help as always.

Must admit, not driven an S yet, all I've driven is a std Exige round Donington.

I'm going to try some over the next couple of weeks. I'll report back.

Incidentally, does the Chris Neil upgrade include the bigger roof scoop??

Cheers

[400SE Dave]

cirvy said:

Thanks David, great help as always.

Must admit, not driven an S yet, all I've driven is a std Exige round Donington.

I'm going to try some over the next couple of weeks. I'll report back.

Incidentally, does the Chris Neil upgrade include the bigger roof scoop??

Cheers

No worries!

You need to get in an S then, it is quite a difference from a NA Exige, far less top end with a broader spread of power throughout the whole rev range, no need to keep them above 5500 to get all the power.

Longer roof scoop is not part of the deal as it is effectively a new roof panel and that is not cheap but if you get a factory Power pack (240) version you can get the same 260 upgrade for about £500 less (I think it is because the injectors needed to upgrade the 220 version are already in the 240).

Good luck, look forward to your comments after you have driven one.