Bilstein kits for an S1

[Nick J]

I have just treated myself to a set of S2 Bilsteins for my S1. I have just ordered the Lower shocker mounts from Eliseparts.com

http://www.eliseparts.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=164&products_id=302 

They guy at Elise parts said that I may need to raise the steering rack to reduce the Bump Steer that the lower suspension will create.

Has anyone done this conversion? Did they experience Bump Steer? Is it worth doing?

Thanks Nick

[porteouz]

Those brackets come with the S2 to S1 billie kit. Dont know what their talking about with bump steer ive had no problems. Its a piece of piss to change them takes about an hour, if that. I done mine a month ago and im very happy with them the difference is incredible. Alot less noise and alot less body roll. How much did you pay for the kit? Bell & colville gave me mine for £450 inc vat inc delivery inc brackets. Let us know how you get on

[Nick J]

porteouz said:

Those brackets come with the S2 to S1 billie kit. Dont know what their talking about with bump steer ive had no problems. Its a piece of piss to change them takes about an hour, if that. I done mine a month ago and im very happy with them the difference is incredible. Alot less noise and alot less body roll. How much did you pay for the kit? Bell & colville gave me mine for £450 inc vat inc delivery inc brackets. Let us know how you get on

I paid a similar amount by the time I have got the brackets delivered. Glad you think it is worth while. I find the Koni's make the car like a space hopper when you hit a bump at speed, it sends you all over the place.

They have said that the ride height is also reduced, have you any idea how much lower it is? If I get the brackets tomorrow i'll fit them over the weekend.

[Ikemi]

Nick J said:

They have said that the ride height is also reduced, have you any idea how much lower it is? If I get the brackets tomorrow i'll fit them over the weekend.

It's 10mm lower all round I'm currently waiting for my set to arrive, as front dampers are on back order - High demand!

ETA: Remember to get a decent geo setup done on the car after fitting the new shocks!

Edited by Ikemi on Friday 17th August 12:27

[porteouz]

Its supposed to be 10mm, Mines has went down a bit but wouldnt say its as much as 10mm, But it wont be far off. Youll love them mate! Enjoy

[Nick J]

I have just finished fitting the S2 Bilstein suspension to my S1 and the difference is amazing. They are such an improvement over the original Konis. Turn in is much better, ride feels firer than before but not crashy. and it has lowered the car by 30mm all round so it looks much better sat lower.

Not had a chance to give a proper run out, will do that at the weekend.

Anyone thinking about it should do it.

[martinho]

Hi Nick,

I had standard S2 dampers and springs fitted to my S1 111S by Specialised Paintwork and I purchased the Eliseparts kit. HOWEVER, using the kit meant that once fitted I had uneven ride height front to back. After discussions with Geary (Eliseparts), Specialised, and SteveB (SELOC) Specialised ordered rear brackets directly from Lotus. With correct brackets the S1 111S went from a ride height of 160mm to 140mm and was even front to back. I still have the Eliseparts brackets but they're not fitted to the car!

Friendly advice before you fit them, just check you have all the right parts. SteveB is the best resource to consult, particularly if you haven't purchased a kit from Steve which includes the brackets.

Martin.

[Talkwrench]

Nick J said:

Has anyone done this conversion? Did they experience Bump Steer? Is it worth doing?
Thanks Nick

I have done this conversion using the full Elise Parts kit. It is superb but the lowered ride height definitely induces some bump steer that wasn't previously present. If you look at the front suspension with the new shock & springs you can clearly see why.
The ideal is to have the steering track rod parallel with the ground when the car is sitting level. As standard, it virtually does. With the lowered car it sits angled upwards towards the wheel. This means that as the wheel articulates up and down, the effect on the ideal toe in as the track rod end moves up and down is much more dramatic.
It isnt dangerous or anything, just a little unnerving when you are hooning it over the moors. Undulations are particularly noticeable. I had a full geo done after fitting mine and ended up rsising the front ride height which helped alot but I will definitely lower the car and either raise the rack or fit the raised steering arms this winter and have the geo done again.

[Nick J]

I have not really driven the car yet but I am aware of the Bump steer issues that I may have. I will test it out and see if the rack needs raising, if so I will get this done.

It has lowered the car evenly all round on the brackets that I got from Elise parts, so I am happy with the overall result. The car is lowered by getting on for 30mm, this is much lower than the 10mm that I nwas told, but their is not rubbing of the arches.

Overall very pleased

[cinqster]

Nick J said:

I have not really driven the car yet but I am aware of the Bump steer issues that I may have. I will test it out and see if the rack needs raising, if so I will get this done.

It has lowered the car evenly all round on the brackets that I got from Elise parts, so I am happy with the overall result. The car is lowered by getting on for 30mm, this is much lower than the 10mm that I nwas told, but their is not rubbing of the arches.

Overall very pleased

Nick, I did mine about 6 months back using the Eliseparts mountings and mine dropped evenly about 30mm too. Bare in mind that the S1 had something like three different ride heights during it's production, progressively getting higher - I'll wager yours is a late model 99-00 (4x4 looker) like mine.

I've fitted the anti-bumpsteer kit and the difference is noticable which suprised me, given the small change in rack height (about 8-10mm max IIRC) Not to tricky a job to do if you have the patience and are handy with a drill. A tip that I discovered is to make a wooden wedges. With the new brackets installed and the rack bolts finger tight push the wedges into the rack box section under the rack to raise it - makes it a single person operation and it makes sure the rack is a high as possible.

Be VERY careful now on speed humps - you may as well throw away your front numberplate now! I'd say the conversion has actually slowed down my urban road speed -open roads are a real blast now but I've had had the front clam ground out at speed on A roads!

Edited by cinqster on Wednesday 22 August 00:34

[Nick J]

cinqster said:

Nick J said:

I have not really driven the car yet but I am aware of the Bump steer issues that I may have. I will test it out and see if the rack needs raising, if so I will get this done.

It has lowered the car evenly all round on the brackets that I got from Elise parts, so I am happy with the overall result. The car is lowered by getting on for 30mm, this is much lower than the 10mm that I nwas told, but their is not rubbing of the arches.

Overall very pleased

Nick, I did mine about 6 months back using the Eliseparts mountings and mine dropped evenly about 30mm too. Bare in mind that the S1 had something like three different ride heights during it's production, progressively getting higher - I'll wager yours is a late model 99-00 (4x4 looker) like mine.

I've fitted the anti-bumpsteer kit and the difference is noticable which suprised me, given the small change in rack height (about 8-10mm max IIRC) Not to tricky a job to do if you have the patience and are handy with a drill. A tip that I discovered is to make a wooden wedges. With the new brackets installed and the rack bolts finger tight push the wedges into the rack box section under the rack to raise it - makes it a single person operation and it makes sure the rack is a high as possible.

Be VERY careful now on speed humps - you may as well throw away your front numberplate now! I'd say the conversion has actually slowed down my urban road speed -open roads are a real blast now but I've had had the front clam ground out at speed on A roads!

Edited by cinqster on Wednesday 22 August 00:34

Mine is a 2000 X plate so it did ride far too high. I have driven it more now and think the steering is ok but could do with the rack raising on it a little. I will get the rack raiser blocks.

Im so impressed with the way it drives now, so much better than before.