Front Suspension on S3 N/A

[85S3NA]

I've owned a 1985 S3 N/A for some years - soon after buying it, the front suspension needed to be replaced - I had to renew the old conical springs with new parallel springs, new dampers and a new assembly brackets (Lotus no longer supplies conical springs) - however, this resulted in raising the front of the car (so that the gap between the top of the tyre and bottom of the wheel arch was around 2.5 inches) - I've tried 2 new sets of Lotus springs, and one set of pattern springs - all with the same result - I've now replaced front and rear springs and dampers with fully adjustable suspension - however, even on it's lowest settings, the gap between the front tyre and wheelarch is 1.5 inches.

This gap is higher than most S3's I've seen on the road (some as low as 0.5 inches) - Chris Neils and SJSportscars have been unable to detect why the front end remains high - does anyone have any ideas as to why this might be ??

[paul c]

HI,?

Sorry if this is too obvious,But i assume you have the 'optional' BBS alloys, and not the smaller OE speedlines?.
Very rare to see an S3 on speedlines now (most assume they were always standard anyhow),but clarifing this may help with any replies.

PAUL C

[lwasson]

I have BBS wheels and have the same problem. The gap is quite large. I've been told not to lower the suspension because it will affect the handling. Still don't like the looks.

louis

[85S3NA]

Yes, the car has the optional BBS alloys, with standard sized Goodyear NCT2's on the front and NCT's on the rear - a couple of years ago I had a Lotus Engineer look at the car at Kinsey Jones (Lotus dealer in Bury, Lancashire, but now ceased trading) - but that didn't shed any light on it either

[southenddc]

any photos?...i have an 86 S3 so would like to compare as ive not really noticed the problem on mine...

cheers

Brett

[paul c]

Good idea that Brett,
With a picture,Louis could get a genuine comparison/ opinion from all S3/turbo owners. Maybe some of us could measure our clearances too?. Will look at mine this weekend (car stored at parents,can't look now).

PAUL C

[lwasson]

I was told today that the reason for the larger wheel well gap is due to the springs required for USA Loti to meet federal bumper and headlight minimum heights. To reduce the gap would require shorter springs. Sw, where do you find shorter springs to fit G-cars??

I like pictures of 83's, espcially of the engine bay. I've got the engine out, and yes I took plenty of pics before it came out, but my car has been so rigged from previous owners its hard to tell how is supposed to really go back together.

Thanks,
louis

[85S3NA]

Thanks for these responses - I'll try to dig some pictures out of the car - in the meantime, the issue can be illustrated by the two pictures of Turbo Esprit's at the bottom of the write up of 1981-86 Turbo Esprit's on www.lotusespritworld.co.uk/EModels/TurboE.html

Even though mine is an S3 N/A, the white model Turbo Esprit shows the ride height of most S3's I see - the bronze model Turbo Esprit shows the kind of ride height mine has (although this one looks even higher than mine!) - the white one just looks much better.

I would be very interested in other S3 owners letting me know what their ride height is (or if easier, the gap between the top of their front tyre and the underside of their front wheelarch)

[lwasson]

My '83 is like the bronze colored car. Currently the engine is out so I can't make the measurement on the 'gap'. The wider 'gap' makes the Esprit look like a kit car. I like the white car too.

louis

[PatHeald]

This one is left hand drive and is probably US spec with raised ride height.



This is a frequently published picture of a very early Turbo. Note the four stud Compromotive wheels.

I would take very little notice of the ride height of this car. It is a publicity photo and Chapman was very fond of filling his cars with bags of cement to make the cars sit lower and look sleeker. I expect that it is full of ballast.



The last pic is my '87 HC Turbo, which has completely standard suspension and seems to be half way between the two.

I do know that the very last HC versions of the S3 had slightly different damping rates. Whether there were any associated changes to the spring length or rate I cannot say.

Edited to add that a quick measure from the underside of my front wheelarch lip to a ruler laid across the tread of the tyre reveals the gap to be 1.75 inches.

Hope this helps,

Pat.

>> Edited by PatHeald on Sunday 26th October 16:28

[paul c]

Mine: 1.5 inch clearance.

PAUL C 83,S3