114 replies to this topic

[manus]

Anyone ever tried this?

(I've had some damage on front and back of the car and was looking for a lightweight replacement body.. .. ..)
Putting an Exige GT3 CF body on top of a VXT chassis and engine....





Approx. 5 weeks to go and a lot to do......
- Wide-body wishbones, driveshafts and toe links, uprated Anti Roll Bar
- 46mm Ohlins dampers. Either a hard-core track set, or fast road
- Brakes, junk everything - calipers, ABS, Servo,etc, and go to GT3 Exige brakes with limiting valve with bias pedal box
- Possibly with hydraulic handbrake ?
- Full roll-cage
- Pro alloy upgraded charge cooler
- Center-lock Magnesium race wheels

[Phil T]

Mad haha, does exige clams fit onto the vx220 then?

[manus]

Mad haha, does exige clams fit onto the vx220 then?

Need to replace front crash structure and radiator surround and side sills and doors and lots of other parts using courage, lots of expertise and hard work, yes.

[jules_s]

Look forward to progress pics Was that the body posted on seloc?

[Baron Von Scubadaddy]

Top work kit cars I lnv um honest mate well done !

[manus]

Was that the body posted on seloc?

Yes, its the 2006 Cadena GT3 body, posted on seloc.

Edited by manus, 14 March 2008 - 04:47 AM.

[VXJON]

That will be a Massive project

[Pidgeon]

I admire your ambition, but why? If you want a VXT powered Exige, it would be simpler to bolt the engine into an Exige

[RobNA]

Look forward to progress pics!

[Pipo]

I admire your ambition, but why? If you want a VXT powered Exige, it would be simpler to bolt the engine into an Exige

(I've had some damage on front and back of the car and was looking for a lightweight replacement body.. .. ..)
Putting an Exige GT3 CF body on top of a VXT chassis and engine....

It's clear the opportunity was there in the form of an CF Exige body for sale, not an Exige without engine

Edited by Pipo, 14 March 2008 - 07:41 AM.

[siztenboots]

Manus, having seen your car at Plans last weekend whilst mine was having a 12month inspection of development parts. I took the chance to have a good look over at the car in its current configuration ( you have 411bhp ) , and where you are going. This is a very exciting project, I will have lots of questions , hehe I must admit I thought the front exige clam would be a more straight forward on to a VX, as there is not a lot different I thought compared to the S1. I assume you will compete in some GT class racing, or class C/D in LotRDC by invitiation ? I always had Class B in mind for mine. Give us a shout next time you are going to Dunsfold. It would be great to see the car on a UK track, any plans ?

[VIX]

Brilliant! Please keep us up to date with progress.

[robfenn]

Dare you to stick a few Vauxhall badges on...

[n1k_ns]

looks wicked! I'll be keeping an eye on this thread

[MAXR]

Am I missing the point? It's great that you're making your VX look like an Exige (mmm!), but why not buy a cheap damaged Elise or Exige as the Donor car & put whatever engine you want in it, either your Vx Turbo lump or Honda/toyota power? It will save you pulling your hair out & save you huge amounts of time and money and you will end up with a better resolved car... or should we assume you just like a challenge?

[JawZ]

Looking forward to more updates interesting project

[wrightster]

go for it 411bhp

[manus]

I admire your ambition, but why? If you want a VXT powered Exige, it would be simpler to bolt the engine into an Exige

(I've had some damage on front and back of the car and was looking for a lightweight replacement body.. .. ..)
Putting an Exige GT3 CF body on top of a VXT chassis and engine....

It's clear the opportunity was there in the form of an CF Exige body for sale, not an Exige without engine

That's absolutely right.
It sort of evolved the way we're approaching the project now. With some damage on my VXT, first plan was to just get it fixed. Never been out looking for an Exige body but found it when looking for Vauxhall/Opel CF replacement parts.
Perhaps with a donor Exige it could be easier but I don't think the subframe will fit in that easy and I would need first to buy a reasonable good Exige before starting.

Once the concept was born and a feasibility study was done, all the other bits and pieces like brake upgrade and the wide-body wishbones are sort of logical next steps to fit with the 'racy' body and 'racy' engine.
End of the day the car will have to be road-legal. I drive my VXT every day and use it on track days just for fun. Lots and lots of fun !

[manus]

Dare you to stick a few Vauxhall badges on...

No problem Projects like this show us there is no big difference Lotus/Vauxhall, just engine and some bits and pieces Biggest difference is between the ears of the driver

[manus]

I assume you will compete in some GT class racing, or class C/D in LotRDC by invitiation ? I always had Class B in mind for mine.

Give us a shout next time you are going to Dunsfold.

It would be great to see the car on a UK track, any plans ?

The car will remain in Dunsfold until its finished. Planning is April 12 but depending on delivery time of some parts.

No plans for racing, but current plans include track days like April 19 Abbeville, May 26 Spa, July 7 Le Mans and some at Zandvoort. Looking forward to join on UK track days in the 2nd half of this year