412 replies to this topic

[#2177]

To whom it may concern, we passed the Homologation test yesterday. I will be able to finally pick up my car in two weeks. #2177 (Alexander)

[Jon]

Great news, Alexander , I will be over at Hitec soon proberbly next week, are you local to them ? Regards Jon

[Jon]

How far off if you know, will the SC be ready for you to start fitting?

Sam I will keep you posted

[#2177]

Got some more good news: The results of the homologation are that good, that we see a chance to get an approval for Switzerland also. The noise measurement with original exhaust system show that the engine with SC is QUITER than without. The threat of a noisy SC has not materialized. On top of that the TÃœV crew was extremely impressed by the drivability, no turbo effect, no recognizable difference in behaviour between different load scenarios, just a hammer in your back... I am looking forward now to pick the car up in two weeks time and do my own test drives. @Jon: what a pain, I do not live close to HITEC, on the other hand, I f I would live close to them I would have kept them from doing their job even more often ..:-)

[Ricky2772]

Got some more good news:

The results of the homologation are that good, that we see a chance to get an approval for Switzerland also.

c'mon Keith, unleash your slew of emoticons....

[speedyK]

c'mon Keith, unleash your  slew of emoticons....  

I'll believe it when I see it, but with the alternative being the probably imminent Exige with factory SC at megabucks price, it would be VERY welcome here. Will need to get those OZ wheels approved though if this does happen... Thorney???

Just for you Ricky:

But, like I say, I'm not holding my breath... prove me wrong, Hi-Tec – PLEASE!!!

[Sicey]

Just for you Ricky:

But, like I say, I'm not holding my breath... prove me wrong, Hi-Tec – PLEASE!!!

You could even get it installed before Hock if you do a few more root canals by then

[speedyK]

You could even get it installed before Hock

Ah, but it alll has to be street legal for Switz.:

SC
OZs
Harness bar / seat cutouts
Big brakes

2006 (2007? ) looks more realistic – but by then my Speedster will be worth so little that it would be crazy to sell it. Easiest and financially soundest (crazy though it sounds) may actually be to leave the Speedster standard and get the Exige as well!

Don't think my missus would agree though

BTW folks, you should look >here<

[#2177]

c'mon Keith, unleash your  slew of emoticons....  

I'll believe it when I see it, but with the alternative being the probably imminent Exige with factory SC at megabucks price, it would be VERY welcome here. Will need to get those OZ wheels approved though if this does happen... Thorney???

Just for you Ricky:

But, like I say, I'm not holding my breath... prove me wrong, Hi-Tec – PLEASE!!!

@SpeedyK:

Just talked to Hartmut at HITEC. He is ready to support an installation in Switzerland given the excellent results. There is an agreement between his TÃœV and the Swiss to accept official opinions. You would need a company in Switzerland for the installation, he was thinking about NEXTEK as he has some connections to them. If you are REALLY interested you should give him a call. If you do not know his phone number you can send me a PM.

#2177
Alexander

[speedyK]

Just talked to Hartmut at HITEC. If you do not know his phone number you can send me a PM.

Presume it is the one given on their website >here<.

[#2177]

Just talked to Hartmut at HITEC. If you do not know his phone number you can send me a PM.

Presume it is the one given on their website >here<.

Correct!

[speedyK]

Correct!

Hmmmm...

The plot thickens.

In the UK, it would be a no-brainer for me. Mod the hell out of it! But, having had more than enough personal experience of what pedantic, irrational and unreasonable characters hold the authority to approve (or, far more often, NOT approve) things in Switzerland, I still have grave doubts.

Just a couple of good examples:

No. 1

In the early 80s, a guy imported a yank tank to Switzerland. It came with a catalytic converter as an integral part of its exhaust system. What did the Swiss authorities do when he wanted to register the car? They told him that there is nothing in the rules about cat exhausts (wait for it...) therefore it is "verboten" (forbidden). Thery made him have it removed and a custom system made up at a cost of several thousand Swiss Francs. Five years later, all new cars were required by law to have a cat

No. 2

When hi-level brake lights became available for aftermarket fitting (a commendable safety feature, IMO), again there was nothing in the rules about them, yup... THEREFORE they were verboten These guys are just unbelievable.

[#2177]

Correct!

Hmmmm...

The plot thickens.

In the UK, it would be a no-brainer for me. Mod the hell out of it! But, having had more than enough personal experience of what pedantic, irrational and unreasonable characters hold the authority to approve (or, far more often, NOT approve) things in Switzerland, I still have grave doubts.

Just a couple of good examples:

No. 1

In the early 80s, a guy imported a yank tank to Switzerland. It came with a catalytic converter as an integral part of its exhaust system. What did the Swiss authorities do when he wanted to register the car? They told him that there is nothing in the rules about cat exhausts (wait for it...) therefore it is "verboten" (forbidden). Thery made him have it removed and a custom system made up at a cost of several thousand Swiss Francs. Five years later, all new cars were required by law to have a cat

No. 2

When hi-level brake lights became available for aftermarket fitting (a commendable safety feature, IMO), again there was nothing in the rules about them, yup... THEREFORE they were verboten These guys are just unbelievable.

Sorry, you do not sound very energized. Man, do it, try it, do not give up, have a couple of beers, GO FOR IT, do not think of that old crap.....Holy cow...


#2177
Alexander

Edited by #2177, 14 January 2005 - 09:18 AM.

[Foxy]

In the early 80s, a guy imported a yank tank to Switzerland.

It wasn't a metallic red Cadillac was it?

[speedyK]

do  it, try it, do not give up, have a couple of beers, GO FOR IT, do not think of that old crap...

My own experience to date with these authorities is the reason for my very controlled enthusiasm.

When I test drove the Delta-Motor SC Speedster, it felt so right – I was convinced it was the way to go. However, the more I learned about the firm themselves, the less convinced I became – as Ricky will testify.

This, combined with the lack of convincing, Swiss-approved:

– 16" Fronts for A048s
– big brakes,
– harness bar and belts, seat cut-outs
– front splitter
– rear diffuser
together with total lack of any Opel support for fitting 111R/Exige/VXR ABS, is the reason why I have not taken the plunge. I don't consider that to be "old crap"

To date, the Swiss authorities in my Canton have not approved any of these things. I don't want a "half-way house" and I don't want to get half way into somehing that they won't allow me to complete.

The time and effort factors have to be considered too. Without any hassle, I could by a factory-finished SC Exige with all the gear on it (when it is released) and have a new car warranty. Yes, it would cost more than modding the Speedster would if it was allowed, but my sanity would be maintained.

[#2177]

do  it, try it, do not give up, have a couple of beers, GO FOR IT, do not think of that old crap...

This, combined with the lack of convincing, Swiss-approved:

– 16" Fronts for A048s
– big brakes,
– harness bar and belts, seat cut-outs
– front splitter
– rear diffuser
together with total lack of any Opel support for fitting 111R/Exige/VXR ABS, is the reason why I have not taken the plunge. I don't consider that to be "old crap" :

Sorry, I meant the brake light stuff and tank stuff, that you were referring to in your prior posting, when I said old crap.!!


#2177

[Ricky2772]

I could by a factory-finished SC Exige with all the gear on it (when it is released)

that is the point....WHEN will it be released...if ever?!?
...so, will you be able to resist untiiiiiiiil then?

[speedyK]

WHEN will it be released...if ever?!? 

There are quite a few people on SELOC who are convinced from their interactrions with Lotus that this will happen...

...so, will you be able to resist untiiiiiiiil then?     

Well, I still LOVE the standard N/A – but I can see in which direction I want to go. As I said, if I was in the UK the choice would be simple – mod it! I use it purely for fun, but I do want it to be road legal. Don't want to be limited to having to trailer it and use it solely on track which would be the current option in Switz. I think an airbagged, SC Exige (must happen!!!) will be the nearest to a perfect solution I am going to get here in Switz. – unless a miracle happens and, in the present unrelenting drive towards conformity with the rest of Europe, the Swiss agree to accept a German TüV or UK MOT on Speedster mods. Pigs will fly first, I suspect

Lightweight is essential for that insurpassble responsiveness and immediacy that this Lotus chassis delivers – I want to stay with that; new Boxster gets good reviews, but you can't make that extra weight disappear! Keep the weight down and up the bhp is the way But I'm preaching to the converted here!

[speedyK]

BTW, Ricky

Talking of SC Speedsters, still would like to see yours >here<

Ricky vs. Thorney – what a crowdpuller that would be!

[#2177]

Just one info, the kit weighs 17-20 kg. That is nothing compared to other mods. #2177 Alexander