To Mod Or Not To Mod

[muphy]

Hi,

So I do not have my car yet but I'm already thinking of the work to be done, per my other post. I do a lot of Microcontroller engineering and I'm thinking of designing a system to replace the rear lights with high intensity LED's controlled by a dedicated micro controller. Interfaces to the controller will be the existing wiring and a CAN bus interface for future expandability. The lights should then operate and look like many of the modern cars with instant on/off and much brighter output. I'm also thinking that relays and fuses can be replaced by much more reliable solid state devices.

I'm sure that it is a hotly debated question but what is the consensus for modifications? many folk will say "keep it stock" and there are for sure a range of other opinions. bring on the opinions....


Cheers,


Mark

[iangotts]

I have taken the view that I want a car which will fit in with my life in 2012. That means modifictions. But not all members of this forum see it that way. There is a consensus that ownership of a Lotus is to keep it the way it was designed in 1980 (ish). Like flares and tank tops. But life moves on.

You choose. It is your car. You have to use it. Better that it is loved than SORN

[KevW]

You are right when you say this subject has been open to debate Mark. I think most of us would agree with Ian's remark
"You choose. It is your car. You have to use it. Better that it is loved than SORN "

My view is that if the car is not in good condition to begin with then pretty much anything goes as far as modifications are concerned. It doesn't make economic sense to restore a rough Excel to showroom condition given their market value. Personally I wouldn't carry out major modifications on a car in nice condition as it would seem a shame to spoil it's originality.

On my own car I've done quite a few (to my eyes) subtle modifications and my philosophy is;
1. Is the mod in keeping with the car ?
2. Can it be easily returned to original specification ?

I think most Excels will have been modified in some way by now. For example I replaced my points operated fuel pump with a solid state one as it would have been daft not to. Having said all that if I work up one morning an decided I wanted a V8 under the bonnet then I'd go ahead no matter what anyone else thought. It's great that you are keeping the car on the road. Too many are laid up and never used for the purpose for which they were intended.

ps Your electronics ideas sound very interesting.

[don.hasi]

On my own car I've done quite a few (to my eyes) subtle modifications and my philosophy is;
1. Is the mod in keeping with the car ?
2. Can it be easily returned to original specification ?

+1

[Lotus-e-Clan]

Agree with Kev to an extent. Too good to modify v rough and not worth restoring to original, roughly sums up the the divide in the Excel world at this point in it's history.

I have a highly modified 74 Clan Crusader. Many of the mods are "period mods" but some I've done to make it easier to live with like, mapped ignition, Wideband AFR, EWP electric fan and booster pump, Laminova oil water heat exchanger, six (yes 6) different temperature sensors to monitor oil and water in various places, bi-halogen head lights, LEDs for indicators, rear lights and side lights.

The reason being, I drive the Clan a lot, even commute in it, it doesn't let me down and I like controlling as many variables as possible, especially on cooling, as I've spent thousands on building a full race engine complete with close ratio transaxle with straight-cut gears. The suspension is a compromise for road and track use which means the ride is compromised.

Because of that, I hanker after a totally mint original Clan as my modified Clan is so far removed from the original road Clan it would be nice to sample the original base line the Lotus engineers set for steering, handling and ride comfort, 'cos even with a std 875 imp Sport engine, the Clan in the real world is a nippy fun sports car that is a nice place to be on long A road trips and TBH most of that is down to the presence of the 1970's Lotus DNA.

I've done a couple of easy-to-live-with mods to the Excel like EWP, manual steering and bespoke SS exhaust system and would definitely go to mapped ignition when the time comes, but I wouldn't want to alter the handling and ride characteristic set by the Lotus engineers and I love the 912 SE engine...I definitely wouldn't change that for road use.

[Sam G15]

Do what you want with your own car, I've always modded a little bit, if something breaks or falls off why not improve it as part of the repair? I've always felt there's always someone else keeping theirs original and mine's never the best example of a breed!

I've uprated to bigger versions of the same engines (Land Rover 2.25 derv to 2.5 derv, Rally Volvo 144 from 1800 to 2 litre big valve and better cam etc), but I've never been one for total engine swaps, mainly cos I like learning all about the engineering of a particular car, then I get bored and interested in something else. So to me the Excel is a darn good way to experience the 912 engine and a Lotus chassis and learn about their clever ingenuity, I like other peoples swaps and mods and would encourage them, but for me, if I wanted a v8 (and I did once) I bought a 928 to find out about Porsches and their v8s.
When I last saw Mike Lotusbits we were peering at my Ginetta and by the end of a cup of tea we had it (mentally) running a shortened Esprit chassis with wide arches and so on, but in reality, I'd be better off buying an Esprit, not making a silhouette racer with a G15 bonce.

Meeh, each to their own, so get on with it!


Sam

[JimmyC379]

I love the 912 engine and until recently would have never considered a Lotus with anything else but a Lotus engine. I love the older Lotii cause they have a Lotus engine and are sceptically about the new (Elise and up) Lotus cause they no longer use a Lotus engine and don't look anything like the old Lotii. A mate from the VW club was looking at an Exige S last weekend in ore and I said I would have wedge (Esprit V8 or Excel Celebration) any day over that. My car has alot of history and over the years and the main cost has always been to do with engine repairs. That is why I am considering putting a V8 into it. Modern V8s aren't much heaver than the Lotus engine and are a lot more reliable. The Excel is a real drivers car handling wise and it can keep up with most modern sports cars - the chassis can handle more power. The thing that makes me annoyed with it is I don't know when next it will misbehave. The only 2 things I can fault on the car are the brakes (the disks are only 250mm or so up front) and the engine (because of the reliability issue). I know if you are very mechanical you can keep them purring at minimal cost especially if you are in the UK, but I can't manage to. The way I see it is you can put the modern engine in and keep the matching number Lotus engine and if I sell it one day or the price go through the roof it can always be turned back into original form.

[lambert.john]

Surely the important thing is to get the car in a useable condition, and use it. This may involve taking a few short cuts and compromising originality. As has been said already, the value of the Excel precludes (for most of us) a full and technically correct restoration. Much better just to get these great machines seen out and about, on the road.

John L.

[Peter]

Personally i think modding is ok, if i keep mine long term i will probably do some engine mod's, to improve performance

[Ozzy_UK]

do it, i would be interested in the project as i am putting a Jag V8 in mine, which uses CANBUS too...

Oz