S1 GAZ shock absorbers-Any good?
Discussion
Never heard of them. Which isn't a good sign. If they are cheap, they'll be cheap for a reason, and I'd be very surprised if they were at all well setup for the liz.
There are two very good options at two price levels (the S2 dampers, or nitrons). Why would you even consider some no name brand instead?
Just done a search on that brand, and they are a super cheapy one. Here's a thread about them on another lotus board. The guy calling them bobbins posts here too, so he might way in :
www.british-cars.co.uk/cgi-bin/gen5?runprog=lotusbbs&mode=archiveth&subject=2001&subjectar=2001&thread=200409230451424121
So anyway I suggest you don't do it
Replacing springs & dampers is a DIY job provided you have access to a trolley jack. However it's advisable to get a fully geometry alignment done afterwards, especially if you have set the ride height to something different to original.
Am sure somebody said the Gaz kit is based on rebadged yellow Konis, so is effectively Lotus Sport Suspension. If this is true then my advice would be not to do it.
Having driven on original red Konis, upgraded to S2 (Bilstein dampers & Eibach springs), then replaced that car with one already on S1 Koni LSS, I can say categorically, anything Koni-based is a real disappointment after the Bilsteins.
The essence of the Elise is its unbelievable handling and the last thing that should be compromised. You wouldn't stick remould tyres on it to save a couple of hundred quid would you? Same argument!
Graeme
Save for the S2 stuff. Steve Butts will source them and set them to the ride height of your choice. Or if you're really hard up, buy some S2 stuff off an S2 owner upgrading to Nitrons or S2LSS.
Am sure somebody said the Gaz kit is based on rebadged yellow Konis, so is effectively Lotus Sport Suspension. If this is true then my advice would be not to do it.
Having driven on original red Konis, upgraded to S2 (Bilstein dampers & Eibach springs), then replaced that car with one already on S1 Koni LSS, I can say categorically, anything Koni-based is a real disappointment after the Bilsteins.
The essence of the Elise is its unbelievable handling and the last thing that should be compromised. You wouldn't stick remould tyres on it to save a couple of hundred quid would you? Same argument!
Graeme
Save for the S2 stuff. Steve Butts will source them and set them to the ride height of your choice. Or if you're really hard up, buy some S2 stuff off an S2 owner upgrading to Nitrons or S2LSS.
GCCK said:
Replacing springs & dampers is a DIY job provided you have access to a trolley jack. However it's advisable to get a fully geometry alignment done afterwards, especially if you have set the ride height to something different to original.
Am sure somebody said the Gaz kit is based on rebadged yellow Konis, so is effectively Lotus Sport Suspension. If this is true then my advice would be not to do it.
Having driven on original red Konis, upgraded to S2 (Bilstein dampers & Eibach springs), then replaced that car with one already on S1 Koni LSS, I can say categorically, anything Koni-based is a real disappointment after the Bilsteins.
The essence of the Elise is its unbelievable handling and the last thing that should be compromised. You wouldn't stick remould tyres on it to save a couple of hundred quid would you? Same argument!
Graeme
Save for the S2 stuff. Steve Butts will source them and set them to the ride height of your choice. Or if you're really hard up, buy some S2 stuff off an S2 owner upgrading to Nitrons or S2LSS.
If its for track work, surely he'd be better getting S2 LSS rather than the road dampers.
Not sure about S2LSS. Know that Steve Butts was looking into it.
Think the outcome was that it lowered the car too much and the spring rates were too high for most situations. The Std S2 stuff has the same spring rate as S1LSS - fine for std use on S2 as it's heavier than S1.
As a DIY job, budget £540 for S2 springs & dampers, £100 or a geo and get other bits checked out for wear, e.g. bushes (wishbone & anti roll bar), rear toe links & track rod ends. May want to consider a stiffer anti-roll bar too (Eliseparts).
Graeme
Think the outcome was that it lowered the car too much and the spring rates were too high for most situations. The Std S2 stuff has the same spring rate as S1LSS - fine for std use on S2 as it's heavier than S1.
As a DIY job, budget £540 for S2 springs & dampers, £100 or a geo and get other bits checked out for wear, e.g. bushes (wishbone & anti roll bar), rear toe links & track rod ends. May want to consider a stiffer anti-roll bar too (Eliseparts).
Graeme
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