Suspension

[paramount1443]

Just bought a 2008 Elise S2 but the ride quality is too hard. Can anybody recommend replacement suspension kit just for softer road use.

[AyBee]

What's it got on it right now?

[paramount1443]

Don`tknow

[AyBee]

First step would be to find out. It may just need to be set-up for road use.

[paramount1443]

Chacked last night they are Bilstein shocks with black springs. Looks original.

[JACK6284]

You may have the Sports" suspension, check the numbers on the shocks and springs to the numbers on Deroure.

http://www.deroure.com/diagrams.asp?MDL=0&MAK=...

[paramount1443]

Think its standard for road use. The number on the strut is something - C-007H
Is it possible to buy softer springs or dampers ?

[JACK6284]

Front Bilstein A122C0007H damper, Eibach A122C0008 spring

Above is the sports suspension reference numbers.

[paramount1443]

So they are not standard road suspensions But stiffer sports type.

[kambites]

Sounds like you have Lotus Sports suspension.

If you want more compliance you could either go to normal S2 Bilsteins or an after-market setup like Quantum Zeros, Nitron Street Series or if you're happy spending more a higher end setup sprung and valved for road use.

[paramount1443]

Many thanks for the info.
Found the Nitron ones on ebay. Would you say they will give a softer ride ?

[kambites]

paramount1443 said:

Many thanks for the info.
Found the Nitron ones on ebay. Would you say they will give a softer ride ?

That's an impossible question to answer. Depending on the model, Nitrons are highly configurable both in terms of static spring and valve rates and in terms of actual user damping adjustment. Most of the higher end Nitrons will be sprung at least as stiffly as your LSS suspension.

If you don't know your way around suspension setup, I'd strongly recommend paying a specialist to provide the parts and set the car up for you. It's a bit of a mine-field.

Edited by kambites on Friday 24th June 15:33

[shirt]

Have you joined seloc yet? May also be worth talking to Hoffmanns

http://www.hofmanns.co.uk/motorsport/suspension/ni...

[paramount1443]

Many thanks again will take the advise

[Leggy]

My S2 had those shocks too. I changed them the standard originals and the improvement was immediately noticeable.
Much more compliant, better over our bumpy roads.
I'm sure nitrons if you get the right set up might be fine, but I didn't want to experiment.

[CardShark]

Have you checked the tyre pressures? Much cheaper than changing your suspension!

I've recently had Nitron Street Series shocks /springs on my S2 and asked for them to be set up biased towards the softer settings as I only use the car for road use. They're still stiffer than what came off though as the speed builds they become much more compliant.

[paramount1443]

Checked tyre pressure. Do you know the the details for standard suspension set up.

[james_gt3rs]

I'd buy some new standard Bilsteins just for road use, you should be able to sell your Exige ones, good market for cheaper stiffer springs for owners of standard cars. Swapping Bilsteins is 2 bolts a side, easy!

[saaby93]

james_gt3rs said:

I'd buy some new standard Bilsteins just for road use, you should be able to sell your Exige ones, good market for cheaper stiffer springs for owners of standard cars. Swapping Bilsteins is 2 bolts a side, easy!

Although it sounds easy - how do you know how far to tighten those bolts?
It's a nyloc nut on the end of each 17mm or so bolt but you cant get a torque wrench in there. Should they be free to rotate? Can you damage the plastic nylon bushes?
When you change the Bilsteins if youre going to change the springs dont you need some small spring compressors too?
Easy job if you have all the kit to hand

[james_gt3rs]

saaby93 said:

Although it sounds easy - how do you know how far to tighten those bolts?
It's a nyloc nut on the end of each 17mm or so bolt but you cant get a torque wrench in there. Should they be free to rotate? Can you damage the plastic nylon bushes?
When you change the Bilsteins if youre going to change the springs dont you need some small spring compressors too?
Easy job if you have all the kit to hand

You don't torque the nut, you hold the spanner on the nut. There is space for the torque wrench on the bolt, you just can't use an extension.(45NM) If you are changing from sport Elise Bilsteins to standard ones, you are changing the whole coilover as the spring rates are different as well as the damper. So no need for spring compressors.

Easy job if you have a jack, 15mm and 17mm spanner, torque wrench, 17mm socket and a spare hour.