| Elise Technical Service Bulletin - Track Use |
SERVICE BULLETIN - Number: 2009/01
Date: January 15, 2009
REASON: To highlight to dealers and customers some recommended precautions for regular track users. As stated in the owner's handbook Maintenance Record booklet (page 9) and Maintenance Schedule:
"The Lotus Elise, Exige and Europa, are designed as road going sports cars. It is recognised that owners may wish to use the car occasionally on closed circuit tracks to experience the car’s full range of dynamic capabilities. However, use of the car in a competitive manner, including timed runs or laps, is not endorsed by Lotus. This type of timed, competitive use will invalidate warranty and require appropriate levels of expert vehicle preparation and servicing."
With the increasing use of Elise/Exige/Europa on track days and closed circuit events, it is important that customers who exploit full vehicle performance in these circumstances take appropriate action to optimise safety and vehicle durability. In addition to the proviso above, the following advice should also be observed:
Catalytic Converter (Toyota powertrain)
In order to provide enhanced durability and resistance to fatigue cracking when subjected to sustained high engine rpm, combined with extreme temperature gradients
and extensive powertrain rock caused by acute torque reversals, the material speci?cation of the catalytic converter/downpipe assembly has been upgraded. In addition,
the length of the 'U' bend pipe has been increased to allow a greater insertion depth into the silencer, the better to accommodate positional tolerances.
Failure of the catalytic converter/downpipe assembly, or of any joint in the exhaust system, could cause overheating of surrounding components or body structure, and initiate a vehicle fire.
Revised components:
Identification
Revised components were introduced on production in March 2008 at approx. '08 M.Y. VIN serial number 1087. To check an individual item, hold a straight edge across
the end of the 'U' bend pipe, and extend across to the the body of the converter. Measure the distance from this edge to the start of the weld bead at the outlet end
of the converter body.
For track use, or if fitting any non-standard exhaust muffler, excluding Lotus Authorized accessory exhausts, only the revised converter assembly should be used.
The following advice, contained in Service Bulletin 2008/07, must also be adhered to:
The slip joint between the catalytic converter outlet 'U' bend and the exhaust muf?er is secured by a strap clamp and pinch bolt. This clamp is designed to apply the
correct clamping force to the pipe when the pinch bolt is tightened to the speci?ed torque of 54 Nm. In order to guarantee this result, the clamp is for one use only,
as some stretching and settling of components will occur in service.
Be aware that the security of this joint is essential to ensure the integrity of the exhaust system, in respect of noise, heat release and safety. Extreme temperature
gradients and powertrain shunt (especially with track use), will subject the joint to additional stress, and for cars used on closed circuits or in similar conditions,
the Pre-Track Use Check List, LSL520 should be followed, which includes an operation to check the exhaust system for sealing and security.
If an exhaust muffler is at any time removed or replaced, the following points should be observed:
| Parts required | Part number | Qty |
| Clamp, exhaust muffler, Elise/Exige/2-Eleven | A120S6000S | 1 off |
| Clamp, exhaust muffler, Europa | B116S6001H | 1 off |
1. Ensure that the clamp (A120S6000S or B116S6001H) is renewed, if necessary cutting the tack weld (used only to assist factory build) with a precision rotary tool to remove an old clamp from a muf?er which is to be re-fitted.
2. Position the new clamp to be flush with the end of the muffler pipe, and orientated with the clamp split equidistant from the two patented joggled seal slots in the pipe. Tack welding the new clamp is not necessary.
Note that all new standard fitment mufflers, and Lotus accessory sports mufflers LOTAC05334, LOTAC05335 and LOTAC05450, are supplied with new clamps tack welded in position. Elise S sports exhaust LOTAC05391 will require a new clamp, A120S6000S, to be ordered separately.
3. Dependent on model, be aware that the optimum position of the muf?er may not be determinable without trial fitment of the diffuser in order to centralise the tailpipe(s) in the diffuser aperture (note: access to the clamp is not available with the diffuser fitted). In this situation, the clamp bolt should be only nipped up for the position assessment, prior to torque tightening on final assembly. Achieve the maximum possible engagement of the 'U' bend pipe into the muffler inlet, consistent with acceptable tailpipe position. Assemble the joint dry.
4. Finally, torque tighten the clamp bolt to 54 Nm. From this point onwards, the clamp should be discarded if the clamp bolt is slackened.
5. Manually attempt to slide or rotate the joint. No movement should be possible.
Rear Toe-Link Inboard Joint Torque Check (S/B 2006/19)
The hot dip galvanised coating used on the rear subframe can, on Toyota powertrain cars, result in some initial 'settling-in' of the toe-link ball joint stud with the
channelled insert on the subframe (ref. Service Bulletin 2004/09). This process will be accelerated if the car is subjected to track type usage. The torque ?gure for the
fine thread (1.25mm pitch) ball joint stud and 8.8 grade Philidas nut (A117W3189F) is 50 Nm.
On Rover powertrain cars, no channelled insert was used on the subframe; the orientation of the ball joint stud flats must manually be set horizontal to provide the maximum diameter for load distribution. For recommended torque ?gures for the various ball joints which may be found, refer to Service Bulletin 2003/11 Issue 6, noting that the fine thread ball joint (A117D0090S) is supplied as service replacement, with a torque of 50 Nm (unless using with early non-hardened subframe; 45 Nm).
For regular track use, Lotus recommends that all suspension fixings be checked between sessions, and that the chassis rear brace kit LOTAC05377 (see Service Notes section DH.5) is fitted to spread the load distribution across a wider base and to increase tolerance to abusive driving.
Camber Shim plates (S/B 2008/09)
The shim plates fitted between the steering arms (front) or ball joint plinth (rear) and the hub carrier, are selected to adjust the wheel camber. These shim plates are
slotted to facilitate substitution without completely removing both the bolts. For motorsport application, where suspension loads are substantially increased, a high
strength steel is used for the shimplates, and the slots are deleted to utilise the maximum clamp face area and enhance joint stability. These shim plates have been
commonised for all cars from approx. '08 M.Y. V.I.N. serial number 1742, and will require bolt removal to allow shim interchange when adjusting camber.
Notes