Newer 380-style front access panel

[Jack 480]

 I've been thinking of installing the newer 380-style front access panel on my CupR.

Has anybody done a DIY install of the Elise-Shop carbon front access panel?

If so, any and all suggestions, tips, etc would be most welcome

[Kristof Thys 167 1 Vehicles]

I have one. Dead easy. 

 

https://www.thelotusforums.com/forums/topic/90994-komotec-front-service-panel-installation-problems/?do=findComment&comment=771765

[Jack 480]

@Kristof Thys -- Thanks for the info Kristof....it's on and now I get to play with it.  I'm curious to look at data and see if the newer-style  access panel has any effect on cooling.  Given its pronounced leading edge, it serves as sort of a "gurney flap", creating a high/low air pressure differential areas which could have the effect of speeding up the  evacuation of hot air coming off the radiator -- not sure that will make a noticeable difference, if at all.  I am by no means an aero expert but have been informed by an aerodynamicist that the design of the newer access panel could have that effect.  

 

[Jack 480]

Decided to modify the front service panel --- continuing with the carbon fibre/matt look by having my service panel tie in with my CF/matt roof and CF/matt rear engine cover.  

[alias23 1,490]

Is the the EliseParts (WinAce) item @Jack happy with the fit and quality?

[Kristof Thys 167 1 Vehicles]

@alias23 It is not the best when I got it.  I had it refilled (have the GRP one) as quite some weaviness and because I wanted it to be in gloss black (the first ones were all matt black with a red stripe), it had to be spot on.

 

Fitment is good, albeit it sits a bit higher on the front (headlight side).  Then again, the Eltech one is made from the original part (as my friend provided an original Lotus bonnet to Matteo) and also this one is not 100% spot on (it is a bit narrow at the windshield side).

Would say both are 90% on fitment out of the box.  With some tweaking you can get (close) to 100%.

 

I am 100% satisfied now with my WinAce one.

Edited July 31 by Kristof Thys

[Jack 480]

On 30/07/2020 at 12:38, alias23 said:

Is the the EliseParts (WinAce) item @Jack happy with the fit and quality?

Imran, the short answer is YES, very happy.  I love the look of the new access panel and the price from EliseShop was good.  Yvo was easy to deal with and made some good suggestions on the install.

Kristof pretty much summed things up well on the fitment.....a little fettling (love that word) is required.

I got the CF version and the quality of the finish is very good.  Of course, the red accent on the leading edge had to go -- it clearly wouldn't work on my orange car.  

As for Kristof's comment regarding the front leading edge sitting "a bit higher", I presume,  he's referring to other Exiges he has seen ??  I will have to defer to him as I haven't seen any V6 Exiges in the States with the newer access panel.

As far as I'm concerned, I like the leading edge's height as it sort of serves as a front gurney flap.