Now actually an owner
- mynamesnotbob
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Now actually an owner
Hi folks - following on from my previous wanted ad, just thought I'd add a proper hello now I am all set up with ownership
In Cheshire with an Atom 4, I didn't want to wait really so went used and picked up one that was fairly close to the spec I had in mind.
Car was bought in Dec and has spent the winter in the garage being pulled apart as I like to tinker and detail a lot. Previous owner had changed various bits like added some cooling, changing gearbox bushings, pedals stuff like that
I needed to redo a few of those bits as they weren't how I wanted them, and added bits like turbo jackets, steering wheel controls for stuff like indicators lights etc, swapped in various factory carbon bits, changed decals etc
Also spent a lot of time detailing, the car seemed to have been dry wiped a lot so there was lots of marring on from etc, so its been a full strip down detail, lots of PPF replaced and ceramic coatings throughout - so its now protection on protection which seems to make cleaning much easier
Took advantage of the good weather this week and have done plenty of driving, really impressed and its everything I hoped. A few little niggles to sort or get used to but otherwise very happy, hugely impressive cars
Anyway here's the car, I normally do a build thread with all my other cars, but not sure if that's a thing here?
In Cheshire with an Atom 4, I didn't want to wait really so went used and picked up one that was fairly close to the spec I had in mind.
Car was bought in Dec and has spent the winter in the garage being pulled apart as I like to tinker and detail a lot. Previous owner had changed various bits like added some cooling, changing gearbox bushings, pedals stuff like that
I needed to redo a few of those bits as they weren't how I wanted them, and added bits like turbo jackets, steering wheel controls for stuff like indicators lights etc, swapped in various factory carbon bits, changed decals etc
Also spent a lot of time detailing, the car seemed to have been dry wiped a lot so there was lots of marring on from etc, so its been a full strip down detail, lots of PPF replaced and ceramic coatings throughout - so its now protection on protection which seems to make cleaning much easier
Took advantage of the good weather this week and have done plenty of driving, really impressed and its everything I hoped. A few little niggles to sort or get used to but otherwise very happy, hugely impressive cars
Anyway here's the car, I normally do a build thread with all my other cars, but not sure if that's a thing here?
Re: Now actually an owner
Hello
Saw your car on Instagram - very smart.
How did you attach your GoPro? Looks like it is attached to the plastic panel but I though that was a bit flimsy?
I’d be interested to see what you’ve done on heat management and also the steering wheel controls.
Cheers
Rob
Saw your car on Instagram - very smart.
How did you attach your GoPro? Looks like it is attached to the plastic panel but I though that was a bit flimsy?
I’d be interested to see what you’ve done on heat management and also the steering wheel controls.
Cheers
Rob
GR Yaris CP for when it rains, Atom 4 for when it doesn’t.
- mynamesnotbob
- Posts: 85
- Joined: Sun Jun 13, 2021 8:57 pm
- Location: Cheshire
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Re: Now actually an owner
Cheers! Are you the RobFitz off of SELOC?robfitz wrote: ↑Tue Mar 29, 2022 10:25 am Hello
Saw your car on Instagram - very smart.
How did you attach your GoPro? Looks like it is attached to the plastic panel but I though that was a bit flimsy?
I’d be interested to see what you’ve done on heat management and also the steering wheel controls.
Cheers
Rob
Go Pro I fab'd a bracket - I don't like stick ons or suction cups, so between the roll hoop is a support strut - I created a carbon plate, bracket and carbon plinth to mount to via a ball mount
Right angle steel section cut out:
Bent into shape and welded
Carbon sheet cured then cut to shape
Mount Done
In Place:
With cam:
Car has 4 USB power over it, that I can switch on and off, GoPros set to auto record on power detect so I just flick a switch they power on and start recording
Steering wheel controls are this, wireless so I can get to indicators, horn, flash etc - all OEM controls remain and these augment them, cameras also switched from the wheel - will do a proper guide if people want - I went a bit overboard to make it all 100% reversible so install could have been sped up and obviously wanted to fab it up in carbon so it matched and to save some weight (OK it was just to look good)
Re: Now actually an owner
Welcome, and good work!
Atom 3.5R, Black+Red flashes, CF front & rear wings, CF bonnet & mud guards. Bristol
Re: Now actually an owner
Hi
Yes used to have an Elise with a K20 on ITBs, got the Atom just in time for winter last October…
That is very neatly done, like the camera on button idea in particular
I’d be interested in more detail - is your wheel removable?
Cheers
Rob
Yes used to have an Elise with a K20 on ITBs, got the Atom just in time for winter last October…
That is very neatly done, like the camera on button idea in particular
I’d be interested in more detail - is your wheel removable?
Cheers
Rob
GR Yaris CP for when it rains, Atom 4 for when it doesn’t.
- mynamesnotbob
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- Joined: Sun Jun 13, 2021 8:57 pm
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Re: Now actually an owner
I know K20's on the Elise well, have had a few and have swapped a few for others, lovely things - especially and NA S1
Yep the wheel is removable, its a wireless system so I can do my light from the bedroom, or scare kids when they get to close the car and you have your wheel with you when grabbing a coffee - will do a write up, its pretty simple in reality for the normal switching.
I am planning some fancier stuff maybe with boost/maps and an aftermarket ECU which would be switched over CAN, but for now I am using relay switching for all I need so if you can splice connectors its simple. Will stick in a right up in the technical section at some point
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Re: Now actually an owner
Nice car, congrats! Definitely interested in a build thread personally, think it's very interesting. Also be good to hear how you find it vs the Exige platform (s3 you had?).
Wait list for Atom 4, Lotus Exige 420
Re: Now actually an owner
Congrats! Is this Simon's old car? I know he'd made some really good changes to the car so it sounds like you've taken a very good car and made it even better. There are a few of us on here that have come from the K20 Elise/Exige platform... I suppose it's a logical progression in insanity
- mynamesnotbob
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Re: Now actually an owner
Apologies in advance for the really really long answer!CharlesM505 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 29, 2022 8:01 pm Nice car, congrats! Definitely interested in a build thread personally, think it's very interesting. Also be good to hear how you find it vs the Exige platform (s3 you had?).
Quite a few over the years, I had an S1 Exige (VHPD), S1 Exige (SC Honda K20), S2 S220, S2 S with komo 280 kit, S3, then a Cup260 which as a complete rebuild - on all of them they were rebuilt over the years to various levels.
Comparing them is tricky, as its biased as always. Driving there are some clear similarities, quite rear biased, trail braking a must, weight transfer important etc. I am a huge fan of the Lotus 111 platform, so its not me complaining about a car
Driving is much like the Exige - powerful energy transfer seems to be key, load the brakes, increase steering angle, trail brake to apex, etc - very similar - but I am finding the turn in more positive on the Atom. Exige S3 is really harmed by the very high C of G. Exige S3 is easier to drive fast, both are fun at all speeds, I don’t find either scary as some claim
Atom performance is a leap above any factory Exige, you need an S1 or early S2 with a K20 swap plus JRSC or Rotrex to get close to the power to weight. No exige has the smack around the face of the Atom, combined with being exposed its just more visceral . Brakes bite better on Exige as said elsewhere, stopping power actually better on Atom due to low weight so not an issue and better feel, just a difference to remember as you approach the first junction!
Both are event cars in a very different way, Exige gives you that mini group C feel, fishbowl windscreen, seeing the arches pointing to the centre of the car. Atom delivers its theatrics in a different way, seating position more purposeful (but better IMO) and lack of anything pointless or bodyworky add to the drama - both feel special in different ways
Exige v6 platform wins on sound and practicality without doubt
So as for the cars, Exige is best all rounder, Atom way more ballistic, but very well handling in A4 form, both cars quite similar in driving style needed – feels an easy transition
Build quality: Ariel is in another league, plan and simple -good components, well put together with care – frankly a joy to work on and look around compared to Lotus. Working on it is easier, Lotus designed for build not maintenance, Ariel I think were forced to do both due to lack of production line – so to do it at the Ariel factory, means its transferable to home mechanics. Not putting Lotus down, but the short sighted build quality has really got me down over the years
Support: Again Ariel are in another league. Lotus factory used to be good, now no form of communication, all parts on back order etc. Dealers also pretty bad IMO, they are now just service centres. Ariel ring up the factory have a chat and job done – a real pleasure as they seem so happy to help. However the Lotus community is amazing, from the specialists to the owners, the wealth of knowledge is outstanding, you want setup info – loads out there. You want to swap an engine, again a hundred guides and likely mates to show up for the swap. Got a niggle, someone has it before and tells you how to fix. With an Atom you will have a greater reliance on the factory both for talking through and doing if you don’t spanner – just the way it is. But I have had zero issues, just a setup question BTW. I was just blown away by the help. I would however like access to service guides, wiring diagrams etc that I can get with any other manufacturer
Reaction: Lotus always got a good reaction, they weren’t seen like a Porsche, but still seen as good cars so I didn’t get any negativity. But the Atom is treated with a whole new form of love. Driving this week I have never spoken to so many strangers, bikers, roadworks have been opened up for me so they can look, buying petrol is a 30 minute affair. Huge love for it, and brightens peoples days – it can slip into a bit of ‘leave me alone’ if you are naturally an introvert though!
Overall, I love the Atom. As an only car it would suck. But not only is the performance epic and a league above an exige, its just a blast to drive, its really enjoyable. Being forced to just drive, being so exposed to the world like you are is much more like a mountain bike ride – its sort of like a meditation as the experience is so different from any other car.
I accept its stupid, pointless, too much power, I’ll never use it, etc – but I adore it. Sitting against the M5 – its just the perfect two car garage, between the two I have everything with little cross over apart from obscene power and both I never want to stop driving
- mynamesnotbob
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- Joined: Sun Jun 13, 2021 8:57 pm
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Re: Now actually an owner
Yep I think there is plenty of cross over with the K20 Exiges in mentality! An SC'd K20 in an Exige bodied car is just lovely - really enjoy doing the swaps on them TBH, just happy to move on to another car for driving!Preseh wrote: ↑Wed Mar 30, 2022 11:22 am Congrats! Is this Simon's old car? I know he'd made some really good changes to the car so it sounds like you've taken a very good car and made it even better. There are a few of us on here that have come from the K20 Elise/Exige platform... I suppose it's a logical progression in insanity
Yes car was Simons, he looked after it and factory were happy to endorse so all seemed good. He clearly loved it and that's always nice to see
I'll be doing work on the power retardation over time that he was starting, but it appeared to be a correlation rather causation in the data. Just looking at selective sensor data without seeing the Fuel, Ignition, Boost tables in the ECU means its tricky to actually point to root cause, the engine does't 'turn down power' it retards ignition, boost levels, amends fuelling etc and those could be triggered by IAT's, AFR's, but unlikely cyl head temp would be the first driver to cause the engine to apply the correction tables.
Without getting access to those tables in the ECU mean its guess work at this stage, but I've certainly never mapped a car like that (other than a pure protection feature, but then you'd be going into protection mode), of course it could 100% be that I just don't have access to what's driving it at present - something to work on in the future. But either way the work he did on protecting coolant lines and induction tubes was well worth it I'd say, and well worth it for any car that is used hard
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