Improving handling?
Discussion
Hi there,
I've just bought a Cerbera, switching from 16 years of owning various Elise's up to 315 bhp.
The car I'm buying already has poly wishbone bushes and Nitron NTR's, I'd be grateful for any recommendations for improving handling elsewhere on a Cerbera?
A friend has suggested rose jointed ARB drop links.
I've just bought a Cerbera, switching from 16 years of owning various Elise's up to 315 bhp.
The car I'm buying already has poly wishbone bushes and Nitron NTR's, I'd be grateful for any recommendations for improving handling elsewhere on a Cerbera?
A friend has suggested rose jointed ARB drop links.
Ensuring Geometry set up by an expert, preferably someone with experience of race cars, helps. And, not connected to suspension, a Quaife diff helps the rear end to be massively more stable and predictable - would contribute to better lap times, and on the road, to safety. Costly though - can be as much to fit as to purchase.
As Farmyardpants says, I wouldn't bother with the ARB Drop Links - they were fitted to mine when I got it but on the advice of Str8six I swapped them out for standard as they were getting a bit old.
A full geo set up will improve things no end. Ride height is important, mine was far too low when I bought it. It's also running Nitrons and I can tell you that compared to the 2 Tuscan's I owned, the handling is night and day.
The previous owner of my Cerb came from a Noble and really struggled with the handling of the Cerb, I guess it's what you're used to and the Cerb is very very different from a Noble and in this case an Elise.
A full geo set up will improve things no end. Ride height is important, mine was far too low when I bought it. It's also running Nitrons and I can tell you that compared to the 2 Tuscan's I owned, the handling is night and day.
The previous owner of my Cerb came from a Noble and really struggled with the handling of the Cerb, I guess it's what you're used to and the Cerb is very very different from a Noble and in this case an Elise.
As above....I would consider ditching the poly bushes, get the drop links serviced, ensure the camber is set properly, make sure the springs are the right lbs (I think a cerb will be too twitchy with harder springs) and make sure the ride height isnt too low (and is slightly higher at the back than the front). Dont bother with corner weighting etc.
Just getting used to having my suspension adjusted ie front down slightly and back up slightly. It seems to be handling better but it's hard to be objective when using seat of the pants to measure. One thing though..it's definitely better over poor surfaces and bumps. Glides over them whereas before it was worse than a modern bmw.
I've one of each and in my experience the Elise can handle most surfaces better than the Cerbera.
On a reasonably smooth road the Cerbera will allow you to be able to use it's power to leave the Elise sitting but on rough-ish back roads the Elise seems to be able to soak up the bumps and undulations way better.
For what it's worth I'm comparing a '97 4.2 Cerb with an '05 111R Elise, both with fairly stock suspension set-ups.
On a reasonably smooth road the Cerbera will allow you to be able to use it's power to leave the Elise sitting but on rough-ish back roads the Elise seems to be able to soak up the bumps and undulations way better.
For what it's worth I'm comparing a '97 4.2 Cerb with an '05 111R Elise, both with fairly stock suspension set-ups.
I would ask Track V Road to do a full geo setup at their recommended ride height, then use it for 3 months. Once you are used to it, maybe you will start to get a feel for what area you want to improve? The great thing is, it's highly adjustable, and (as mentioned) sensitive enough that you can feel the difference each adjustment makes. And correct tyre pressures (softer than some people expect).
An Marcach said:
I've one of each and in my experience the Elise can handle most surfaces better than the Cerbera.
On a reasonably smooth road the Cerbera will allow you to be able to use it's power to leave the Elise sitting but on rough-ish back roads the Elise seems to be able to soak up the bumps and undulations way better.
For what it's worth I'm comparing a '97 4.2 Cerb with an '05 111R Elise, both with fairly stock suspension set-ups.
Thanks! On a reasonably smooth road the Cerbera will allow you to be able to use it's power to leave the Elise sitting but on rough-ish back roads the Elise seems to be able to soak up the bumps and undulations way better.
For what it's worth I'm comparing a '97 4.2 Cerb with an '05 111R Elise, both with fairly stock suspension set-ups.
Lotus suspension is phenomenally good, I am being realistic with the Cerbera. But rather than buying an Evora (i.e. more of the same but in a practical 2+2) I just fancied something a little different which was more of an occasion to drive.
Ideally I'd also have TVR + Lotus!
JezF said:
Ideally I'd also have TVR + Lotus!
Funnily enough that is exactly what I did through the 80's and 90's when the difference in handling was even more pronounced. TVR for brute force, Lotus for finesse (and fragility). After owning 6 Esprits, I was gutted when they killed it off. The Elise handles just as well, but never did it for me as an overall package. In the meantime, TVR handling has improved massively, so you won't be disappointed. Buy the latest car you can afford as they continually improved.
JezF said:
Sorry, I have no knowledge of ride heights on a Cerbera, but Alan said that he'd made the same mistake many owners do and set the ride height too low.
Depends on the spring rates. With my progressive ones, I've found recently raising it (to get on the chunnel) made it bouncy.Gassing Station | Cerbera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff