Exige V6 Toolkit

[GlowRed]

Can anyone advise what tools you get in the Exige Toolkit?

 

From my research there should be:

 

1) Security wheel bolt kit including ID strip & instruction card

2) Wheel bolt adaptor

3) Adaptor key

4) Alan keys

5) T bar Torx driver

6) Tow hook

 

I would also be interested to know what each item is used for.

 

Any pictures would also help.

 

Thanks,

 

Carl.

[Neal H]

Unless the LF1 is different, there's no tow hook. There's a towing bar behind the front grill which requires grill removal to access.

[GlowRed]

52 minutes ago, Neal H said:

Unless the LF1 is different, there's no tow hook. There's a towing bar behind the front grill which requires grill removal to access.

Thanks for the reply. I got my information from a number of online resources.

I haven't picked my car up yet and just want to ensure all the tools are present and correct.

[Arun_D]

From memory (so could be wrong):

1. Wheel security key

2. Wheel bolt Hex adaptor (interface/extension for standard socket)

3. T-bar Torx driver - for removing front grille to access tow post

No more Allen keys as they were included on S2 to remove the service panels. S3 panel is latched.

[Bibs]

[GlowRed]

1 hour ago, Bibs said:

So from what I can see in the image, and I'm guessing here:

1) Toolkit case

2) Wheel security key / bolt

3) Alan keep to remove roof ?????

4) T-bar Torx driver - for removing front grille to access tow post

And that is it???

[Arun_D]

Just checked mine and it indeed does have a 5mm Allen key, but it won't be for the roof as that doesn't have hex bolts. Still can't fathom why it's included in the V6 kit, after the aforementioned 5mm hex service covers were ditched between S2 > S3.

Item 2 is listed on the resource Bibs fetched the diagram from as the wheel bolt adapter/extension, so the only other additional item not displayed in the illustration is the locking wheel bolt key itself, so you're looking for 4 items inside the pouch in total.  

[GlowRed]

14 hours ago, Bibs said:

 

9 hours ago, Arun_D said:

Just checked mine and it indeed does have a 5mm Allen key, but it won't be for the roof as that doesn't have hex bolts. Still can't fathom why it's included in the V6 kit, after the aforementioned 5mm hex service covers were ditched between S2 > S3.

Item 2 is listed on the resource Bibs fetched the diagram from as the wheel bolt adapter/extension, so the only other additional item not displayed in the illustration is the locking wheel bolt key itself, so you're looking for 4 items inside the pouch in total.  

Thank you very much for the information. So here is the definitive list for the toolkit, as per the diagram:

1) Toolkit case

2) Wheel bolt adaptor / extension

3) Alan key 5 x 160mm

4) T-bar Torx driver 25 x 100mm

5) Locking wheel bolt key inc. ID strip & instruction card (not shown)

[Kristof Thys]

You *COULD* use the Alan key to remove the seats...

 

[NW76]

Good point - no tow hook: how do you guys deal with that on track days (a lot of them require tow hooks)? Is it a non issue as they will let you on w/o or do I have to get the Towing Eye Kit (from the cup)?!?

[LF1]

1 hour ago, NW76 said:

Good point - no tow hook: how do you guys deal with that on track days (a lot of them require tow hooks)? Is it a non issue as they will let you on w/o or do I have to get the Towing Eye Kit (from the cup)?!?

Tow eye kit... means cutting the grill, but you can't notice. Bunch of discussions on here historically about it.

Tried to find the posts for you but for some reason can't get the search to work.

Basically 3 options for the front tow eye:

1. Remove the front grill, there is a tool for it in the toolkit
2. Add the cup tow eye and order the front grill for the cup (with the box for it cut out)
3. Add the cup tow eye and cut the hole (what i had done), personally i think this looks better than #2 as the grill is closer to the tow eye

[GlowRed]

1 hour ago, NW76 said:

Good point - no tow hook: how do you guys deal with that on track days (a lot of them require tow hooks)? Is it a non issue as they will let you on w/o or do I have to get the Towing Eye Kit (from the cup)?!?

 

1 minute ago, T3Jn said:

Tow eye kit... means cutting the grill, but you can't notice. Bunch of discussions on here historically about it.

I have just had a front tow eye put on my car. Lotus sell the grille as a separate item, but it is clearly just a standard grille with a slot cut in it.

The tow eye kit also comes with a rear tow loop. This has also been fitted to my car, but I want it removed as it looks like it will damage the rear bumper / diffuser if used.

[LF1]

8 minutes ago, GlowRed said:

The tow eye kit also comes with a rear tow loop. This has also been fitted to my car, but I want it removed as it looks like it will damage the rear bumper / diffuser if used.

Are you planning on selling the rear one once removed? If you ever want to get the V6 onto a trailer and you can't drive it on (i had the situation at Spa when a stone went through the rad), you need to winch it on backwards because of the weight distribution. I was lucky and a the LoT guys pushed it on for me - but intend on adding the rear tow eye should it happen again in the future.

On 1/26/2016 at 11:36, GlowRed said:

Thanks for the reply. I got my information from a number of online resources.

I haven't picked my car up yet and just want to ensure all the tools are present and correct.

The current model Elise has a tow eye you screw in, the V6 does not. They have a different grill.

[quantum2000]

1 hour ago, T3Jn said:

1. Add the cup tow eye and cut the hole (what i had done), personally i think this looks better than #2 as the grill is closer to the tow eye

Definitely looks better like this but a word of warning, if you do need to use the front towing eye it flexes so unless the towing vehicle/rope is at the same height it will damage the grill and body work. (I've seen it happen, not on my car) The cut out on the CUP is larger to accommodate the movement.

[NW76]

Thanks all! This is exactly what I was looking for. I will order the Cup towing eye kit as well and I think even the cup grill (as its just 50 EURs) that way I can switch back to the original look. I am not sure yet if I will install the rear tow loop though, as my dealer said install is quite complicated?!? 

Do you think the front eye is enough to get on most tracks? 

 

Cheers and thanks again

 

Norbett

[GlowRed]

2 hours ago, T3Jn said:

Are you planning on selling the rear one once removed? If you ever want to get the V6 onto a trailer and you can't drive it on (i had the situation at Spa when a stone went through the rad), you need to winch it on backwards because of the weight distribution. I was lucky and a the LoT guys pushed it on for me - but intend on adding the rear tow eye should it happen again in the future.

The current model Elise has a tow eye you screw in, the V6 does not. They have a different grill.

I'll post a picture of the rear tow loop shortly and you'll see the problem and how it could do a lot of damage.

[GlowRed]

16 hours ago, T3Jn said:

Are you planning on selling the rear one once removed? If you ever want to get the V6 onto a trailer and you can't drive it on (i had the situation at Spa when a stone went through the rad), you need to winch it on backwards because of the weight distribution. I was lucky and a the LoT guys pushed it on for me - but intend on adding the rear tow eye should it happen again in the future.

The current model Elise has a tow eye you screw in, the V6 does not. They have a different grill.

I have attached an image of the rear tow loop. As you can see it fits between the diffuser and lower rear bumper area . I my opinion, if you were to tow the car by the tow loop it would put excessive pressure on the bodywork and would most likely cause expensive damage to the rear bumper area where the reversing sensors are and / or the part of the diffuser.

Perhaps it is meant to be routed in a different way.

[Arun_D]

1 hour ago, GlowRed said:

 

Perhaps it is meant to be routed in a different way.

 

I think so.

This is not a photo of my car, but on my Cup, the rear straps is routed as per this photo.

Looks like part of the rear grille is removed to accomodate

[GlowRed]

You are right. I have spoken to Lotus Motorsport in relation to another matter and they have confirmed that the rear grille needs to be cut to route the tow loop correctly.

[Neal H]

17 hours ago, NW76 said:

Thanks all! This is exactly what I was looking for. I will order the Cup towing eye kit as well and I think even the cup grill (as its just 50 EURs) that way I can switch back to the original look. I am not sure yet if I will install the rear tow loop though, as my dealer said install is quite complicated?!? 

Do you think the front eye is enough to get on most tracks? 

 

Cheers and thanks again

 

Norbett

Front tow eye only will be fine for track days and can be ordered on its own, so substantially reduces the cost. You can also get a template which shows which part of the grille to cut so you don't have to buy a new grille. Personally, I'll be leaving mine permanently attached when it's fitted as I can't be bothered with the faff of removing the grille and re-bolting the tow eye to its support post each time.

[LF1]

the rear routing on yours does not look right. I know when i have enquired it is quite a big job compared to the front

[TonyKL]

Oh, I posted a guide/pictures when I fitted my tow-eye

 

 

[NathR]

I followed Tonys guide for fitting the front one (thanks Tony).   It's much neater than the 'CUP cut' but I have to admit I didn't consider movement causing damage if it is ever used, good point.

I've also fitted the rear strap after deliberating for weeks if I could bring myself to cut the mesh as it's not possible to replace this (from Lotus anyhow) without buying the complete diffuser (£700+). I took the plunge in the end and neatly covered the exposed edge with some metal lined rubber trim as per the Cup R I looked round in Motorsport at the factory. The install of the rear is pretty easy to be honest, the diffuser has to come down and it's a bit awkward to get the retainer plates positioned in the chassis leg but other than that it's straight forward.

Have to say the dealer fit on your LF1 GlowRed is absolutely shocking, I dread to think what would happen if it was used.

Edited February 3, 2016 by NathR

[GlowRed]

2 minutes ago, NathR said:

I followed Tonys guide for fitting the front one (thanks Tony).   It's much neater than the 'CUP cut' but I have to admit I didn't consider movement causing damage if it is ever used, good point.  I've also fitted the rear strap after deliberating for weeks if I could bring myself to cut the mesh as it's not possible to replace this (from Lotus anyhow) without buying the complete splitter (£700+). I took the plunge in the end and neatly covered the exposed edge with some metal lined rubber trim as per the Cup R I looked round in Motorsport at the factory. Have to say the dealer fit on your LF1! GlowRed is absolutely shocking, I dread to think what would happen if it was used.

I have to say I'm not too impressed with the fit and now find myself in a dilemma too. Do I want the rear tow loop or not.

Cutting the mesh looks pretty easy, and similar to you, after looking at a number of pictures of CUP's I can see that there is piece of trim that covers the exposed edge.

Where did you get your trim from??

The other option is to remove the rear tow loop. This looks pretty complicated. I had a look at this hoping it was going to be a simple process of removing the rear diffuser. But when I looked beyond the easy looking bolts that needed removed I realised that the nuts holding the differ on could not be accessed and that far more of the under tray would need removing to gain access to the tow loop. I decided to stop before getting into a situation I could not resolve.

[NathR]

It's very simple to remove, don't confuse the fixings that hold the 'grill' part of the diffuser to the 'sheet' part of the diffuser, these are left untouched and the whole thing comes down as one. There are about 5 small bolts holding it to the engine cover tray, two small bolts just above the exhaust pipe, then two larger fixings at each side. The tow straps housing fixes to the chassis leg with four bolts which you can see, however the nuts within the chassis leg are on strengthening plates so don't need to be held to undo. A bit of swearing was involved putting the diffuser back as you could ideally do with an extra set of hands.

I got the trim from eBay, to fit I just prised it open a bit and filled full of black silicone then pressed it neatly around the mesh and smoothed the silicone off.