Ohlins for Toyota Elise?
Discussion
,cheers chaps Just my 2p but........ 2 way adjustable shocks are at least twice as hard to set up as single way adjustable shocks. Single adjustable shocks are hard enough to set up.
I would suggest buying a set of shocks from a reputable company that are valved and matched to suit the car.
My experience is that properly valved and matched Protechs or similar can be better than an off the shelf set of Nitrons or Ohlins.
My advice would be to talk to a company that can dyno test what they sell and valve them to suit your application. People that do this often tell you that even though the shocks might have 25 settings, the range that they are built for is only 5 clicks.
Have a look here http://www.procomp.co.uk/shockdyno.html
I would suggest buying a set of shocks from a reputable company that are valved and matched to suit the car.
My experience is that properly valved and matched Protechs or similar can be better than an off the shelf set of Nitrons or Ohlins.
My advice would be to talk to a company that can dyno test what they sell and valve them to suit your application. People that do this often tell you that even though the shocks might have 25 settings, the range that they are built for is only 5 clicks.
Have a look here http://www.procomp.co.uk/shockdyno.html
Edited by rdodger on Thursday 26th March 22:02
I have a set of 2way adjustable Ohlins valved for a 240R (ex 240R)
They were put on and set up by Plans along with a very agressive geo.
Superb.
Incredible.
They have made the car twice as good as a standard 111R. If you only have one upgrade then buy this one.
Roll on summer and some 888's!
They were put on and set up by Plans along with a very agressive geo.
Superb.
Incredible.
They have made the car twice as good as a standard 111R. If you only have one upgrade then buy this one.
Roll on summer and some 888's!
What is the ride quality on the road like compared to normal, I am very tempted !
Gooby said:
I have a set of 2way adjustable Ohlins valved for a 240R (ex 240R)
They were put on and set up by Plans along with a very agressive geo.
Superb.
Incredible.
They have made the car twice as good as a standard 111R. If you only have one upgrade then buy this one.
Roll on summer and some 888's!
They were put on and set up by Plans along with a very agressive geo.
Superb.
Incredible.
They have made the car twice as good as a standard 111R. If you only have one upgrade then buy this one.
Roll on summer and some 888's!
Stu_00 said:
What is the ride quality on the road like compared to normal, I am very tempted !
Funny you should ask that. I went out in Just1's sport racer at the week end. Going over speed bumps, Just1's SR felt soft as a limo (zige suspension). I had not really thought of it as any different in on road feel but she is a lot firmer. If you dont like it then the suspension is adjustable so soften it up for your commute then when you want a hoon / track, 5 mins a corner and you have a racing set up. Lotus sport supplied a book with the 240R that gave optimum set up for every track in Europe. Gooby said:
I have a set of 2way adjustable Ohlins valved for a 240R (ex 240R)
They were put on and set up by Plans along with a very agressive geo.
Superb.
Incredible.
They have made the car twice as good as a standard 111R. If you only have one upgrade then buy this one.
Roll on summer and some 888's!
They were put on and set up by Plans along with a very agressive geo.
Superb.
Incredible.
They have made the car twice as good as a standard 111R. If you only have one upgrade then buy this one.
Roll on summer and some 888's!
I have a very aggresive geo and the car is quite "twitchy" in a straight line, it becomes stable in the bends, the faster you go the more bedded on to the road it becomes. Odd feeling and I am still not used to it, if you feel unstable in a bend, you go faster. Counterintuitive, and against all your reactions.
Mine are the 36mm (?) smaller diameter Ohlins, Speedyellow replaced them with the larger diameter ohlins and he says they are a considerable amount better!
What is odd is the car didnt feel much different but you get to a bend and you go around it 10% quicker, then 20% quicker then 30% quicker then you loose your nerve. Without a doubt the car is better than me and has more capability than I have nerve, by a mile.
The Bandit said:
Anyone have any experience with the Lotus 2 way Ohlins on their Elise/Exige?
How do they compare to Randy Nitrons for instance?
Possibly interested in buying a secondhand set.
TIA.
I have Randy's nitrons on my Exige and they are superb. Don't know if anyone has done back to back comparisons re Ohlins. The nitrons off may car may well be up for sale in the next week or two - the car is up for sale but I'll probably put the standard stuff back on and sell the Nitrons separately. - PM me for details if you're interested....How do they compare to Randy Nitrons for instance?
Possibly interested in buying a secondhand set.
TIA.
I am thinking that still like my touring set up, but will replace when there worn out.
After my Geo done by plans the cars seems to go well enough round the ring, I think next upgrade will be the AP Brake Discs, Just picked up a Hardtop for the winter, starting to really love the way the Elise looks with the roof Hardtop, and weather is still pretty bad. But sure I wont use it tooo much
Kind regards,
Stuart.
After my Geo done by plans the cars seems to go well enough round the ring, I think next upgrade will be the AP Brake Discs, Just picked up a Hardtop for the winter, starting to really love the way the Elise looks with the roof Hardtop, and weather is still pretty bad. But sure I wont use it tooo much
Kind regards,
Stuart.
Edited by Stu_00 on Friday 27th March 15:41
I had the real deal 46mm Ohlins
and I would only evey buy 2 ways.
Every event I have been on I have ajusted shocks and got faster by miles.
Also if it rains you can just ajust the rebound etc
And on the road you can get a perfect setup with 2 ways.
I dont see the point in 1 ways that much if you want to get the best out of your car road and track.
But if you have valved shocks just for track then 1 ways are fine, but then got great on the road.
As for the 36mm Factory they are the best road set up shock car I have driven.
But not that great on track as to soft.
The Lotus is a road car after all which works well on a track,
So all depends what you want from your car.
and I would only evey buy 2 ways.
Every event I have been on I have ajusted shocks and got faster by miles.
Also if it rains you can just ajust the rebound etc
And on the road you can get a perfect setup with 2 ways.
I dont see the point in 1 ways that much if you want to get the best out of your car road and track.
But if you have valved shocks just for track then 1 ways are fine, but then got great on the road.
As for the 36mm Factory they are the best road set up shock car I have driven.
But not that great on track as to soft.
The Lotus is a road car after all which works well on a track,
So all depends what you want from your car.
mrdemon said:
I had the real deal 46mm Ohlins
and I would only evey buy 2 ways.
Every event I have been on I have ajusted shocks and got faster by miles.
Also if it rains you can just ajust the rebound etc
And on the road you can get a perfect setup with 2 ways.
I dont see the point in 1 ways that much if you want to get the best out of your car road and track.
But if you have valved shocks just for track then 1 ways are fine, but then got great on the road.
As for the 36mm Factory they are the best road set up shock car I have driven.
But not that great on track as to soft.
The Lotus is a road car after all which works well on a track,
So all depends what you want from your car.
I agree. The nitrons are limited by being a set up either for the road or the trackand I would only evey buy 2 ways.
Every event I have been on I have ajusted shocks and got faster by miles.
Also if it rains you can just ajust the rebound etc
And on the road you can get a perfect setup with 2 ways.
I dont see the point in 1 ways that much if you want to get the best out of your car road and track.
But if you have valved shocks just for track then 1 ways are fine, but then got great on the road.
As for the 36mm Factory they are the best road set up shock car I have driven.
But not that great on track as to soft.
The Lotus is a road car after all which works well on a track,
So all depends what you want from your car.
If you want to go with Ohlins then go for the decent, 42mm ones. The 36mm ones are actually quite a cheap, mass produced motorbike damper. You can't get the correct spring rates for them for track use, they can't achieve the necessary damper forces to keep hold of sticky tyres and the quality is poor. They aren't bad on the road but then neither is a stock Bilstein which would be my choice for the money.
When it comes to multi-adjustable dampers, I don't see the merit unless you know how to make use of them and I know VERY few people who do (and I've been going racing since I could reach the pedals).
When it comes to multi-adjustable dampers, I don't see the merit unless you know how to make use of them and I know VERY few people who do (and I've been going racing since I could reach the pedals).
randy said:
If you want to go with Ohlins then go for the decent, 42mm ones. The 36mm ones are actually quite a cheap, mass produced motorbike damper. You can't get the correct spring rates for them for track use, they can't achieve the necessary damper forces to keep hold of sticky tyres and the quality is poor. They aren't bad on the road but then neither is a stock Bilstein which would be my choice for the money.
When it comes to multi-adjustable dampers, I don't see the merit unless you know how to make use of them and I know VERY few people who do (and I've been going racing since I could reach the pedals).
Really only using the ohlins on the road (I am to track driving what custard is to kippers) I would guess that randy is correct. I do love the Ohlins though and if anyone wants my stock bilstiens, make me an offer because they are not going back on the car!When it comes to multi-adjustable dampers, I don't see the merit unless you know how to make use of them and I know VERY few people who do (and I've been going racing since I could reach the pedals).
randy said:
If you want to go with Ohlins then go for the decent, 42mm ones. The 36mm ones are actually quite a cheap, mass produced motorbike damper. You can't get the correct spring rates for them for track use, they can't achieve the necessary damper forces to keep hold of sticky tyres and the quality is poor. They aren't bad on the road but then neither is a stock Bilstein which would be my choice for the money.
When it comes to multi-adjustable dampers, I don't see the merit unless you know how to make use of them and I know VERY few people who do (and I've been going racing since I could reach the pedals).
All I know is my Randy spec dampers are extremely compliant on the road and mustard on track. `Seeing as he's done all the development work for me, I'm not about to arse around with the settings he's come up with. Fit and forget. When it comes to multi-adjustable dampers, I don't see the merit unless you know how to make use of them and I know VERY few people who do (and I've been going racing since I could reach the pedals).
To the OP - I would strongly advise you look into this option before you head down the Ohlins route, especially as the larger 42mm dampers are more expensive than Nitrons anyway.
There's also that certain warm feeling that comes with knowing that you fitted the 'best'. And by that I don't mean per se better than Ohlins, just the 'best' that has been developed by someone who knows the platform/setup inside out.
I've spoken to Randy regarding his Nitrons,by all accounts they're very good but at £1600 fitted and geo'd its just too much money for me to justify.
The Ohlins have been offered at less than half that so i'm prepared to take a chance.Back on Track in Guildford will fit them and do the set up(dont forget they are a Lotus Sport option so they are developed for the car),Steff there has worked with them before and knows what he's talking about.
So,dont worry,i've looked in to it-worse case is they dont suit me/the car and can be sold on
The Ohlins have been offered at less than half that so i'm prepared to take a chance.Back on Track in Guildford will fit them and do the set up(dont forget they are a Lotus Sport option so they are developed for the car),Steff there has worked with them before and knows what he's talking about.
So,dont worry,i've looked in to it-worse case is they dont suit me/the car and can be sold on
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