S1 Elise - S1 Exige, what are the mechanical differences?

[jasongtr]

let me explain, i want a Lotus, the ideal is a series 1 exige. however having driven one i was slightly miffed at the experience, but i put that down to the fact that i had built up the test drive so much that even an F40 wouldnt have met my expectations (when i got out and looked at it all was forgiven though), i then took a series 2 exige out (seemed ok but not as raw) then i drove a s2 elise with a honda engine - this was the best experience - had suspension mods too.

so with the prices of s1 exiges going up and tbh i wouldnt be that comfortable with engine swapping a collectors car, whats the difference in the mechanicals of the s1 elise and exige, more suspension (all of it wishbones etc...) and brakes.

the engine and geabox not bothered as i would want a honda conversion,

the plan would be to rebody an elise with exige panels/wheels/seats and have the best of both worlds, reliable increased power and the drop dead gorgeous looks of an s1 exige. costs i would guess would be around the same as a std s1 exige, allowing for 10k for the engine swap, plus it gets me into a lotus much sooner than the £22-23k 1 off outlay.

[ads_green]

IIRC there's not a huge difference really:
- VHPD engine
- No boot
- bonded (pita) roof
- A39 yoko tyres
- LSS suspension
- stiffer and adjustable front ARB
- upgraded toe links
- Pagid track pads
- Non MMC discs

Sure theres more but can't think of it now.

It's been done before but don't think for a second it's a straight body swap.
Here's one already done if you don't want to ruin an original exige:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1734944.htm

Edited by ads_green on Thursday 3rd June 08:35

[Moospeed]

Not too sure about the "no boot". The couple I've had a good poke around have had a bigger boot than the elise, well - height-wise at least. Only thing is that your ice-cream would definitely melt in it.

[Scuffers]

for what your planning, makes no odds.

Si Exige was effectively an S1 Elise Sport 190 with different bodywork & wheels.

Oh, and the roof is not bonded on, it's bolted...

[ads_green]

I always though it was bonded? Certainly looked like it on the ones I've seen but never taken one off.
I thought that was why on the S2 exige it was made alot easier to remove it.

[Scuffers]

ads_green said:

I always though it was bonded? Certainly looked like it on the ones I've seen but never taken one off.
I thought that was why on the S2 exige it was made alot easier to remove it.

Nope.

3 bolts at the front, 2 clips at the rear.

The hard part is the rear clam is fitted over it.

[ads_green]

Ah right - that makes sense.
I had a look at some piccies and I think I'm getting confused with the rubber sealing as it looks like it goes around the door in one piece.

[Scuffers]

ads_green said:

Ah right - that makes sense.
I had a look at some piccies and I think I'm getting confused with the rubber sealing as it looks like it goes around the door in one piece.

nope, roof seal is separate from the door seal (which are the same as as all S1's)

[Esprit]

This was my S1 Exige a few months ago:



Roof definitely not bonded.

Differences over Elise are:

Quicker steering rack (on some, not all)
Air conditioning option, later standard
Different wheels (inch bigger, wider, and lower offsets to increase track)
Different bodywork (only front access panel, doors and sill panels are shared)
VHPD engine (in either 177bhp or 192bhp guise)
111S Seats (optional sports pack seats with harnesses)
Alcantara interior trim option.
Meta alarm as standard
111S close-ratio gearbox
Exige-secific LSS Suspension (Koni Yellows, platform adjustable)
Adjustable anti roll bar
Yoko A039 tyres
Raised steering rack.
Uniball toe links
no proper boot (just a shelf behind the engine)

Think that's about it.... they do FEEL quite a bit different to an Elise though, mainly due to the VHPD engine, which goes a long way to giving it its more grumpy nature.

[Scuffers]

Esprit said:

Differences over Elise are: (corrected )

Quicker steering rack (on some, not all)
nope, they were all std
Air conditioning option, later standard
only the second batch of cars
VHPD engine (in either 177bhp or 192bhp guise)
same as the sport 190 or 340R
Alcantara interior trim option.
same as the Sport 135
Meta alarm as standard
same as all the cars at that time
111S close-ratio gearbox
same as Sport 135/190 and 111S
Exige-secific LSS Suspension (Koni Yellows, platform adjustable)
as used on the Sport 135/160/190 and 340R
Adjustable anti roll bar
as used on the sport 190
Raised steering rack.
as used on the Sport 135/160/190 and 340R
Uniball toe links
not as std they didn't

[Esprit]

Simon... I was generally talking about differences over STANDARD Elises. I know many of the optional bits were available on other factory models (like the S160/S190 etc)

[Scuffers]

Esprit said:

Simon... I was generally talking about differences over STANDARD Elises. I know many of the optional bits were available on other factory models (like the S160/S190 etc)

Sport 160/190 and 340R's were 'std' cars in much the same way the Exige was a std car (ie. before options)

[Esprit]

Scuffers said:

Esprit said:

Simon... I was generally talking about differences over STANDARD Elises. I know many of the optional bits were available on other factory models (like the S160/S190 etc)

Sport 160/190 and 340R's were 'std' cars in much the same way the Exige was a std car (ie. before options)

Yeah, I know... let me replace "standard" with "base model" then

[Scuffers]

Esprit said:

Scuffers said:

Esprit said:

Simon... I was generally talking about differences over STANDARD Elises. I know many of the optional bits were available on other factory models (like the S160/S190 etc)

Sport 160/190 and 340R's were 'std' cars in much the same way the Exige was a std car (ie. before options)

Yeah, I know... let me replace "standard" with "base model" then

OK, so what's the base model of a 340R then?

[Esprit]

There isn't one, nor of an Exige, even though they're really both just tarted up Elises.