suspension fitting
Discussion
the time has come for new dampers. I can't afford nitrons etc, so think it'll be AVOs.
Anyway, are the dampers easy to fit?
(excuse my ignorance here) When I buy will I just get the damper or will they come with the spring as well?
I have had a wee look and it doesn't seem impossible to remove/fit them. I have changed dampers on my hillclimb fiesta before but obv the elise is a wee bit different. Safe to try by myself or better put it to the garage (local garage, not a Lotus garage)?
thanks in advance
t_t
Anyway, are the dampers easy to fit?
(excuse my ignorance here) When I buy will I just get the damper or will they come with the spring as well?
I have had a wee look and it doesn't seem impossible to remove/fit them. I have changed dampers on my hillclimb fiesta before but obv the elise is a wee bit different. Safe to try by myself or better put it to the garage (local garage, not a Lotus garage)?
thanks in advance
t_t
that's not what i'm asking. I've gleaned enough info from people with AVOs to think its worthwhile buying them. I can't afford Nitrons.
Also, on other cars (I know elise is very different) AVOs are very good. I know a number of championship winning Caterhams running on them for example.
Also, on other cars (I know elise is very different) AVOs are very good. I know a number of championship winning Caterhams running on them for example.
What about putting S2 suspension on there instead?
About £500-600 IIRC
Edit>> To answer your question
. Fitting shouldn't be too dramatic, you should get springs as well and the should be fitted so all you need to do is jack it up, take of the old ones, put on the new and get a geo done somewhere. Shouldn't be too hard a job if you're familiar with a socket set and have some spare time.
>> Edited by cuzza on Wednesday 18th May 10:22
About £500-600 IIRC
Edit>> To answer your question
. Fitting shouldn't be too dramatic, you should get springs as well and the should be fitted so all you need to do is jack it up, take of the old ones, put on the new and get a geo done somewhere. Shouldn't be too hard a job if you're familiar with a socket set and have some spare time. >> Edited by cuzza on Wednesday 18th May 10:22
cuzza said:
What about putting S2 suspension on there instead?
About £500-600 IIRC
Edit>> To answer your question
>> Edited by cuzza on Wednesday 18th May 10:22
good, I hoped it wouldn't be too difficult. there is garage not far from me who get a good write up for geo checks.
Where's best to buy S2 stuff from? Hangar?
tuscan_thunder said:
that's not what i'm asking. I've gleaned enough info from people with AVOs to think its worthwhile buying them. I can't afford Nitrons.
Also, on other cars (I know elise is very different) AVOs are very good. I know a number of championship winning Caterhams running on them for example.
Avo havn't put the necessary work into the elise to get the damping right it's as simple as that. They may have done the ground work with Caterham but they havn't with the Elise.
If you can't afford the Nitrons then go for an S2 Bilstien setup. Of course you could just ignore me
tuscan_thunder said:
What about putting S2 suspension on there instead?
About £500-600 IIRC
Edit>> To answer your question
>> Edited by cuzza on Wednesday 18th May 10:22
good, I hoped it wouldn't be too difficult. there is garage not far from me who get a good write up for geo checks.
Where's best to buy S2 stuff from? Hangar?
Are you kidding???
Changing shocks is a pig of a job.
Tuscan'
I'd stick with Lotus spec stuff for what it is worth buddy. The S2 set up is supposed to work really well on the (lighter!) S1. Hundreds of sets tried and tested. It's where my money will go when the time comes! I think Nitrons are overkill for most people if they were being totally honest!
Little more info on the S2 set up for you matey:
Steve Butts supplies the s2 suspension kits for the S1. His e mail address is: sb@sophos.com
If your car is an early 98 car (pre chassis #3580) then it will be at 140/140 as standard, if it is a late car then it will be at 160/160.
He supplies three versions of the kit all giving different ride heights. All parts are supplied by Lotus with the exception of the front brackets used
on the 110/120 and 100/110 kits, and rear brackets used on the 100/110 kit. Those brackets are supplied by Bernard Scouse and are stainless steel laser cut.
All of his kits set the front of the car lower - called rake. Rake has been proven to give extra front downforce in wind tunnel testing, and Lotus
used rake themselves on the Sports Suspension (LSS) they used on the Exige, 340R, Sport 160 and Sport 190.
All ride heights are approximate, being dependant on tread depth, car loading, etc..
125/135 This kit is the same as the Lotus supplied version of the kit,except that the springs are set such that the rear of the car will be
approx 10mm higher. It uses S2 dampers, S2 rear springs and VX220 front springs, S2 rear top suspension mounts are also supplied.
110/120 This kit uses new S2 springs and dampers together with Bernard Scouse's front top mounts. This kit will work on any Elise, but you will need to tell Steve what your current ride height and/or chassis number is so he can set the rear spring position on the damper body correctly. Early cars pre-chassis number #3580 will have a ride height of 140/140 and later cars 160/160.
100/110 This kit uses new S2 Dampers, VX220 front springs and S2 rear springs together with Bernard Scouse's stainless steel laser cut front top mounts and rear top mounts.
Once fitted you should as a minimum get the toe checked on all four wheels, since changing the ride height will affect this, and incorrect toe gives
poor handling and premature tyre wear. Better, you should get a full geo check done. Steve recommends: front camber 1 deg neg, front toe OUT 15 minutes total, rear camber 2 deg neg, rear toe IN 1 deg total.
When lowering the car you may notice more front bumpsteer, more likely when going for the lower ride height option. If this is an issue then fitting of
the steering rack raising plates is recommended (Lotus Part number A111H0021F 10 notch 1.05+vat each, 2.46 total).
The prices are:
125/135 510 GBP
110/120 525 GBP
100/110 540 GBP
(Most of this post has been blatantly ripped from Russ on MLOC - cheers mate!)
Hope it helps.
If these work out a bit more pricey than Avos I would wait until you've saved the extra for the Bilstiens - worth it I reckon.
Dunc
I'd stick with Lotus spec stuff for what it is worth buddy. The S2 set up is supposed to work really well on the (lighter!) S1. Hundreds of sets tried and tested. It's where my money will go when the time comes! I think Nitrons are overkill for most people if they were being totally honest!
Little more info on the S2 set up for you matey:
Steve Butts supplies the s2 suspension kits for the S1. His e mail address is: sb@sophos.com
If your car is an early 98 car (pre chassis #3580) then it will be at 140/140 as standard, if it is a late car then it will be at 160/160.
He supplies three versions of the kit all giving different ride heights. All parts are supplied by Lotus with the exception of the front brackets used
on the 110/120 and 100/110 kits, and rear brackets used on the 100/110 kit. Those brackets are supplied by Bernard Scouse and are stainless steel laser cut.
All of his kits set the front of the car lower - called rake. Rake has been proven to give extra front downforce in wind tunnel testing, and Lotus
used rake themselves on the Sports Suspension (LSS) they used on the Exige, 340R, Sport 160 and Sport 190.
All ride heights are approximate, being dependant on tread depth, car loading, etc..
125/135 This kit is the same as the Lotus supplied version of the kit,except that the springs are set such that the rear of the car will be
approx 10mm higher. It uses S2 dampers, S2 rear springs and VX220 front springs, S2 rear top suspension mounts are also supplied.
110/120 This kit uses new S2 springs and dampers together with Bernard Scouse's front top mounts. This kit will work on any Elise, but you will need to tell Steve what your current ride height and/or chassis number is so he can set the rear spring position on the damper body correctly. Early cars pre-chassis number #3580 will have a ride height of 140/140 and later cars 160/160.
100/110 This kit uses new S2 Dampers, VX220 front springs and S2 rear springs together with Bernard Scouse's stainless steel laser cut front top mounts and rear top mounts.
Once fitted you should as a minimum get the toe checked on all four wheels, since changing the ride height will affect this, and incorrect toe gives
poor handling and premature tyre wear. Better, you should get a full geo check done. Steve recommends: front camber 1 deg neg, front toe OUT 15 minutes total, rear camber 2 deg neg, rear toe IN 1 deg total.
When lowering the car you may notice more front bumpsteer, more likely when going for the lower ride height option. If this is an issue then fitting of
the steering rack raising plates is recommended (Lotus Part number A111H0021F 10 notch 1.05+vat each, 2.46 total).
The prices are:
125/135 510 GBP
110/120 525 GBP
100/110 540 GBP
(Most of this post has been blatantly ripped from Russ on MLOC - cheers mate!)
Hope it helps.
If these work out a bit more pricey than Avos I would wait until you've saved the extra for the Bilstiens - worth it I reckon.
Dunc
dss123 said:
heaps of useful stuff
ok, thanks guys for all your help.
I will contact this Steve guy and see what he recommends. Think it'll have to wait another month til I can afford Bilsteins but might be best to go for them.
one small question: how much will a geo check cost?
thanks again
t_t
Well, I am Mr avarage with the use of an Elise. Here is my advise, and I have been looking to replace my suspension for 6 months- Just changed now to S2 setup!
Blisten S2 - is for you!
Cheap - just don't bother!
Nitron - Very good, but over the top!
Olins - love the idea, but totally over the top!
I am doing 3 track days this year. Old suspension was ok but, damper started to leak, and of course there were noisy.
Setting car up: get it done by a garage with lazer equipmet, they set all 4 wheel at same time (they start with rear ones), only problem is, they must know how to use it.
I know an excellent garage in Lincoln. They charge 35 quid, all the local dealers take their customers' car there, and charge them 100
PS. Non laser tracker can also set up 4 wheels together but come on, do it properly, we are in 2005!
francelise
Blisten S2 - is for you!
Cheap - just don't bother!
Nitron - Very good, but over the top!
Olins - love the idea, but totally over the top!
I am doing 3 track days this year. Old suspension was ok but, damper started to leak, and of course there were noisy.
Setting car up: get it done by a garage with lazer equipmet, they set all 4 wheel at same time (they start with rear ones), only problem is, they must know how to use it.
I know an excellent garage in Lincoln. They charge 35 quid, all the local dealers take their customers' car there, and charge them 100
PS. Non laser tracker can also set up 4 wheels together but come on, do it properly, we are in 2005!
francelise
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