Adjustable rear camber...WOW!!
Discussion
Hi all,
Last night, Calvin Hamada, Dave Cammack ('89SE, '78S1) and I installed custom made adjustable rear upper suspension links on Calvin's '90SE and my '85 Turbo.
This all started back in April when Dave went to buy S4 adjustable rear links from Lotus for his SE to accommodate the V-8 wheel and tire package he bought for the car. Lotus wanted $400.00USD for them! Having just spent several thousand dollars for the tires and wheels, a BOV, upgraded Chip etc, Dave didn't want to buy them at that price.
Dave is a Gunsmith and a good machinist in his own right. We were discussing the issue one day, when another friend mentioned a Hot Rod customizer here in town who did custom links for Hot Rods. Dave approached them and found they could customise a setup for the Esprit. Dave worked with them to develop a link which has twice the adjustability of Lotus own link - 0°25' vs 0°50' for the Lotus link. Also, since the 'G' cars have a shorter link, the S4 link will not work, but the shop made a shortened version suitable for these cars as well. Dave approached us to see if we could drop the price with multiple sets, so several of us came on board. Dave then got the pieces professionally powdercoated and installed fresh bushings using some custom dies which he made. Total price for the pair - $160.00USD.
I installed the Dunlop SP8000's on my car in a 245mm rear size (10mm wider than stock) last year and thought the car handled great, even on the track. But, after 5,000 mi., I noticed slightly more wear on the outside of the tire than the inside. So, last night when we installed the new links, we increased the rear camber from -0°30' to -1°25' and WOW! The car feels so much more solid in the rear, which I didn't think was possible. The difference was very noticable right away.
Best of all, when I track the car in the future, I'll be able to dial-in the track for better handling in less than 30 min. This is definitely an upgrade I'd recommend. I haven't heard from Calvin yet to get his first impressions, but he dialed in slightly less negative Camber (-1°0') because he's still running stock tire sizes, so I can't say whether his improvement is as dramatic or not...Calvin??
>>> Edited by lotusguy on Friday 27th June 17:45
Last night, Calvin Hamada, Dave Cammack ('89SE, '78S1) and I installed custom made adjustable rear upper suspension links on Calvin's '90SE and my '85 Turbo.
This all started back in April when Dave went to buy S4 adjustable rear links from Lotus for his SE to accommodate the V-8 wheel and tire package he bought for the car. Lotus wanted $400.00USD for them! Having just spent several thousand dollars for the tires and wheels, a BOV, upgraded Chip etc, Dave didn't want to buy them at that price.
Dave is a Gunsmith and a good machinist in his own right. We were discussing the issue one day, when another friend mentioned a Hot Rod customizer here in town who did custom links for Hot Rods. Dave approached them and found they could customise a setup for the Esprit. Dave worked with them to develop a link which has twice the adjustability of Lotus own link - 0°25' vs 0°50' for the Lotus link. Also, since the 'G' cars have a shorter link, the S4 link will not work, but the shop made a shortened version suitable for these cars as well. Dave approached us to see if we could drop the price with multiple sets, so several of us came on board. Dave then got the pieces professionally powdercoated and installed fresh bushings using some custom dies which he made. Total price for the pair - $160.00USD.
I installed the Dunlop SP8000's on my car in a 245mm rear size (10mm wider than stock) last year and thought the car handled great, even on the track. But, after 5,000 mi., I noticed slightly more wear on the outside of the tire than the inside. So, last night when we installed the new links, we increased the rear camber from -0°30' to -1°25' and WOW! The car feels so much more solid in the rear, which I didn't think was possible. The difference was very noticable right away.
Best of all, when I track the car in the future, I'll be able to dial-in the track for better handling in less than 30 min. This is definitely an upgrade I'd recommend. I haven't heard from Calvin yet to get his first impressions, but he dialed in slightly less negative Camber (-1°0') because he's still running stock tire sizes, so I can't say whether his improvement is as dramatic or not...Calvin??
>>> Edited by lotusguy on Friday 27th June 17:45
Hi,
Several people have contacted me to inquire about getting a set of these links. I am more than happy to approach Dave to see if he wants to have more sets made up. I cannot quote a price as the price extended to us was a courtesy amongst club members and I simply can't speak for Dave in this regard. The price may stay the same, maybe it will go either up or possibly even down, I just can't say, except that I am certain it will be well under the price for Lotus own links, which aren't even an option for 'G' car owners. One thing necessary to fix the price will be the total number of sets to be produced. I will only act as an intermediary, so Dave may want the requests prepaid to insure that all sets produced are spoken for, I don't know. This will be totally up to Dave. I will see if I can get a pic of the link so everyone has an idea of what to expect.
But, be assured this is a quality part certainly rivaling, if not exceeding the quality of Lotus own links. And, for 'G' car owners, the existing S4 adjustable link is not even an option as it is too long. If you have either an S1 or S2 Esprit, this link will not work for you as the upper link configuration is completely different and no camber adjustability can be added to these cars. For S3 and Turbo owners, this link will work excellently and for SE owners, the link will be identical save the fact that it will be longer (the same length as the S4 link). You will need to factor in an alignment after installing these links. We had the luxury of having a camber gauge at hand when we converted our cars, so we could set them accurately. If you are converting to these links, the thing to do is match them in length with your existing links, that way, you'll be at factory spec until you can have the link adjusted professionally with a proper tool, of course, once set, this camber won't change unless you want it to. Also, it should be noted that this link differs from many adjustable links in that it does not adjust via a rotating center shank, rather, you need to remove one end, loosen the locknut, and rotate it to lengthen (adding '+' camber) or shorten (adding '-' camber) it. We chose this configuration to avoid extraordinary design and machining costs. But, it is fully adjustable and makes a huge difference in the handling and ride quality, especially on the 'G' model cars where no adjustment option was ever available before.
I have already shot a message to Dave and will reply to the group once I've heard from him. In the interim, please direct any inquiries, or requests to climb aboard to me at: zman874931@aol.com , I'll reply as soon as I get the final details. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE
>> Edited by lotusguy on Saturday 28th June 17:08
Several people have contacted me to inquire about getting a set of these links. I am more than happy to approach Dave to see if he wants to have more sets made up. I cannot quote a price as the price extended to us was a courtesy amongst club members and I simply can't speak for Dave in this regard. The price may stay the same, maybe it will go either up or possibly even down, I just can't say, except that I am certain it will be well under the price for Lotus own links, which aren't even an option for 'G' car owners. One thing necessary to fix the price will be the total number of sets to be produced. I will only act as an intermediary, so Dave may want the requests prepaid to insure that all sets produced are spoken for, I don't know. This will be totally up to Dave. I will see if I can get a pic of the link so everyone has an idea of what to expect.
But, be assured this is a quality part certainly rivaling, if not exceeding the quality of Lotus own links. And, for 'G' car owners, the existing S4 adjustable link is not even an option as it is too long. If you have either an S1 or S2 Esprit, this link will not work for you as the upper link configuration is completely different and no camber adjustability can be added to these cars. For S3 and Turbo owners, this link will work excellently and for SE owners, the link will be identical save the fact that it will be longer (the same length as the S4 link). You will need to factor in an alignment after installing these links. We had the luxury of having a camber gauge at hand when we converted our cars, so we could set them accurately. If you are converting to these links, the thing to do is match them in length with your existing links, that way, you'll be at factory spec until you can have the link adjusted professionally with a proper tool, of course, once set, this camber won't change unless you want it to. Also, it should be noted that this link differs from many adjustable links in that it does not adjust via a rotating center shank, rather, you need to remove one end, loosen the locknut, and rotate it to lengthen (adding '+' camber) or shorten (adding '-' camber) it. We chose this configuration to avoid extraordinary design and machining costs. But, it is fully adjustable and makes a huge difference in the handling and ride quality, especially on the 'G' model cars where no adjustment option was ever available before.
I have already shot a message to Dave and will reply to the group once I've heard from him. In the interim, please direct any inquiries, or requests to climb aboard to me at: zman874931@aol.com , I'll reply as soon as I get the final details. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE
>> Edited by lotusguy on Saturday 28th June 17:08
I am slated for new rears soon. My rears are almost getting to the point of replacement and well past the prime road stick. Don't get me wrong the tires are okay just past the prime (below 1/2 wear). The car handles well and it does not understeer as much but that could be because of the need for fresh rears. In any case one does not get adjustable links of our cars for $160 everyday and at that price it included installation and camber adjustment with the driver in the car. I wish I had a drive on lift in my garage.
We are truly fortunate that Dave Cammack had made both the part and his car hobby facility available for this modification. I wish I owned a multi bay facility with just about every tool and device.
Calvin
We are truly fortunate that Dave Cammack had made both the part and his car hobby facility available for this modification. I wish I owned a multi bay facility with just about every tool and device.
Calvin
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