My Esprit V8 project time to post a thread
Discussion
anti-roll bar all painted up, new poly bushes and hardware at ends
Mine is a 1981 model so had the horrible trunion upright, all fixed now with a Canley classic setup. Still not perfect as the lower mount has issues of rocking in the lower arm, and no rubber boots to protect the bearing. Can`t say I am 100% happy with it but it will do for now until I fit the latter arms and uprights. I have the uprights so if anyone has some lower arms going cheap?
Ok so lets get to the ball ache of the front suspension, lost lots of pics so will have to make do with what I have.
Front lower arms, I cut the lower rubber spring seat off to mount the air spring direct to the lower arm.
So far things are looking good, platform perfect size this is going to be too easy, or so I thought.
Still looking easy, all though top mount looks tricky as no access to bolt the top mount.
Here is when it all starts to go pair shaped, raising the lower arm to check suspension travel things go to s
te!
This pic you can see the angle is all wrong.
Even the dampers clashed with the lower spring seat.
Even cutting access for the adjuster don’t help as the air spring also hits the adjuster.
I also found the front Protec dampers still longer than my original front items, Steve at sjsportscars was great in taking these back, and a Special set was ordered. This took ages and when I did get them they were still wrong! hassle I didn’t need, Gaz sell them on ebay so brought some.
These turned out to be wrong again!!! They were not the type or size I ordered!! fk wits! Ok so lets get them fitted regardless, wasted way too much time. Near 2 months.
Top spring seat again had to be hacked off, and inspection hole cut in chassis to gain access to top mounting bolts, this was a total arse and still is a nightmare to do the bolts up. I am not happy with it and will look into a better solution another day. Loss of photos again so gaps again.
Lower arms, cut the spring seat off completely and now using the coilover to mount the bag, cut hole to gain access to anti-roll bar nut.
Ever fitted the anti-roll bar to a 81 Esprit? If so you know what a total sod it is! This hole makes it a piece of cake.
Canley classic lower joint tacked in place, she`s not going to move now, also helps put some strength back into the arm.
I also welded the top of the lower arm to box it up to make it stronger as seen in the arrow highlight.
Top arms just touched the air bag, this again was a lot of work to fix. They are pressed plate steel.
First I boxed the outside.
Then had to cut the inner section out, hence why I welded the outside first. I welded some tube half into the arm.
They are now double skinned and boxed so should be stronger than the originals in my opinion, no doubt some people sure to chime in if they disagree.
Not pretty but they work, new bushes fitted. Not really happy with the homemade look. Will get some custom made latter.
Some heat shielding from the exhaust, twin 3” bore is not easy to route in a small space.
The rats nest! Still lots to sort out…….
Water pump moved to the front, now electric.
That’s it for now……….
Mine is a 1981 model so had the horrible trunion upright, all fixed now with a Canley classic setup. Still not perfect as the lower mount has issues of rocking in the lower arm, and no rubber boots to protect the bearing. Can`t say I am 100% happy with it but it will do for now until I fit the latter arms and uprights. I have the uprights so if anyone has some lower arms going cheap?
Ok so lets get to the ball ache of the front suspension, lost lots of pics so will have to make do with what I have.
Front lower arms, I cut the lower rubber spring seat off to mount the air spring direct to the lower arm.
So far things are looking good, platform perfect size this is going to be too easy, or so I thought.
Still looking easy, all though top mount looks tricky as no access to bolt the top mount.
Here is when it all starts to go pair shaped, raising the lower arm to check suspension travel things go to s
te!This pic you can see the angle is all wrong.
Even the dampers clashed with the lower spring seat.
Even cutting access for the adjuster don’t help as the air spring also hits the adjuster.
I also found the front Protec dampers still longer than my original front items, Steve at sjsportscars was great in taking these back, and a Special set was ordered. This took ages and when I did get them they were still wrong! hassle I didn’t need, Gaz sell them on ebay so brought some.
These turned out to be wrong again!!! They were not the type or size I ordered!! f
k wits! Ok so lets get them fitted regardless, wasted way too much time. Near 2 months.Top spring seat again had to be hacked off, and inspection hole cut in chassis to gain access to top mounting bolts, this was a total arse and still is a nightmare to do the bolts up. I am not happy with it and will look into a better solution another day. Loss of photos again so gaps again.
Lower arms, cut the spring seat off completely and now using the coilover to mount the bag, cut hole to gain access to anti-roll bar nut.
Ever fitted the anti-roll bar to a 81 Esprit? If so you know what a total sod it is! This hole makes it a piece of cake.
Canley classic lower joint tacked in place, she`s not going to move now, also helps put some strength back into the arm.
I also welded the top of the lower arm to box it up to make it stronger as seen in the arrow highlight.
Top arms just touched the air bag, this again was a lot of work to fix. They are pressed plate steel.
First I boxed the outside.
Then had to cut the inner section out, hence why I welded the outside first. I welded some tube half into the arm.
They are now double skinned and boxed so should be stronger than the originals in my opinion, no doubt some people sure to chime in if they disagree.
Not pretty but they work, new bushes fitted. Not really happy with the homemade look. Will get some custom made latter.
Some heat shielding from the exhaust, twin 3” bore is not easy to route in a small space.
The rats nest! Still lots to sort out…….
Water pump moved to the front, now electric.
That’s it for now……….
I love both standard and modified Lotuses. I.M.o I think there is room for both it all depends what you want. As we all know production cars are built to a cost to maximise profit and can be improved on. If you want to build something thats your own. engineered by you to have fun with and not to just store to make money in the future I say fair play to you. It looks fantastic so far keep up the good work.
mmgt said:
I love both standard and modified Lotuses. I.M.o I think there is room for both it all depends what you want. As we all know production cars are built to a cost to maximise profit and can be improved on. If you want to build something thats your own. engineered by you to have fun with and not to just store to make money in the future I say fair play to you. It looks fantastic so far keep up the good work.
cheers bud, totally agree if it flicks your switch then let it be
As you may know I have been having issues with the pneumatic air solenoid valves. They are leaking air around the body joint and solenoid.
Red arrows in pic.
I brought a pair on ebay from a uk seller cheapish, and a pair from china on ebay even cheaper, yes I know buy cheap buy twice! Well yes its true they are crap!
They did work to start with but have got worse over a short period of time to the point of not working at all just clicking.
They other pair are following the same route and I expect them to die any day soon! Does any one use this type at work? Or use them at all on cars? I would be interested to still use this type if you can get them in a reliable quality. I think the other pair I brought most likely came from china as well. They work really fast and can have the car off the deck and ready to go in around 2 seconds! The kids love it! and so do I looks pretty cool!
The problem I found after taking them apart is a small O ring leaks and also around the whole solenoid body joint.
I tried to seal them with some silicone, but I don’t know if it would have worked as its still just clicking when I fitted it back onto the car.
really appreciate any info on these if some one has any knowledge they could share?
Red arrows in pic.
I brought a pair on ebay from a uk seller cheapish, and a pair from china on ebay even cheaper, yes I know buy cheap buy twice! Well yes its true they are crap!
They did work to start with but have got worse over a short period of time to the point of not working at all just clicking.
They other pair are following the same route and I expect them to die any day soon! Does any one use this type at work? Or use them at all on cars? I would be interested to still use this type if you can get them in a reliable quality. I think the other pair I brought most likely came from china as well. They work really fast and can have the car off the deck and ready to go in around 2 seconds! The kids love it! and so do I looks pretty cool!
The problem I found after taking them apart is a small O ring leaks and also around the whole solenoid body joint.
I tried to seal them with some silicone, but I don’t know if it would have worked as its still just clicking when I fitted it back onto the car.
really appreciate any info on these if some one has any knowledge they could share?
To elaborate, the engine is tremendous.
As you are now seeing, the suspension is utter, utter rubbish.
For the sake of having it look broken when it's parked up you're missing out on what is an excellent chassis. Old knackered suspension will indeed feel terrible, why not put some good suspension on there and have a chassis that can handle that engine?
As you are now seeing, the suspension is utter, utter rubbish.
For the sake of having it look broken when it's parked up you're missing out on what is an excellent chassis. Old knackered suspension will indeed feel terrible, why not put some good suspension on there and have a chassis that can handle that engine?
OlberJ said:
To elaborate, the engine is tremendous.
As you are now seeing, the suspension is utter, utter rubbish.
For the sake of having it look broken when it's parked up you're missing out on what is an excellent chassis. Old knackered suspension will indeed feel terrible, why not put some good suspension on there and have a chassis that can handle that engine?
why? I want to try air and if I dont like it can put springs back on no big deal. Calm down.As you are now seeing, the suspension is utter, utter rubbish.
For the sake of having it look broken when it's parked up you're missing out on what is an excellent chassis. Old knackered suspension will indeed feel terrible, why not put some good suspension on there and have a chassis that can handle that engine?
OlberJ said:
Trying to do you a favour is all. That and have something on the road i'd actually look to buy.
That could be fantastic. With the air suspension and all that brings, it's a disappointment. Why make it worse when you can make it so much better?
I think you are missing the point here? its my car and I chose to do it! because thats what I want.........That could be fantastic. With the air suspension and all that brings, it's a disappointment. Why make it worse when you can make it so much better?
OlberJ said:
And if you post it on a public site....you'll get public opinion.
That suspension, ruins that car.
yes I will and have no issues with your opinion, you have made it clear you dont like the car, I get it.That suspension, ruins that car.
Phew! for a moment I was worried I had ruined it because I had cut holes in the wooden bumper!
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