I want to improve track handling...
Discussion
Without ruining road handling (too much)
I've done another track day, actually it was an academy day with motorsport-events, tottaly awsome and highly recommended.
First is suspension, the shocks on the car now have adjustable fronts but not on the back, I've slowly over time wound them up (fronts) and now at over half way up they seem stiff but not too stiff, still alot of body roll, front to back on gas and breaks, side to side in turns.
Thniking about Steve Heath's drop links, some say best thing, some say it just helps longevity of the bushes. Comments?
The next thing is, new shocks, springs, Spax etc very expensive, anyone know a good, not so expensive option?
Last is breaks, the pads are fine, disks worn but still in tollerance (just). I can lock them up (of course) but sometimes (probably when hot) I stand on them and, well, very weak. Can anyone tell me the best option of break up-grade?
Any and all suggestions greatly appricated!
By the way, at the academy day we spent lots of time doing high speed cornering, over steer city, spins everything. everyone says Chims are bad in this situation but a little practice and I had it down! SO MUCH FUN!
I've done another track day, actually it was an academy day with motorsport-events, tottaly awsome and highly recommended.
First is suspension, the shocks on the car now have adjustable fronts but not on the back, I've slowly over time wound them up (fronts) and now at over half way up they seem stiff but not too stiff, still alot of body roll, front to back on gas and breaks, side to side in turns.
Thniking about Steve Heath's drop links, some say best thing, some say it just helps longevity of the bushes. Comments?
The next thing is, new shocks, springs, Spax etc very expensive, anyone know a good, not so expensive option?
Last is breaks, the pads are fine, disks worn but still in tollerance (just). I can lock them up (of course) but sometimes (probably when hot) I stand on them and, well, very weak. Can anyone tell me the best option of break up-grade?
Any and all suggestions greatly appricated!
By the way, at the academy day we spent lots of time doing high speed cornering, over steer city, spins everything. everyone says Chims are bad in this situation but a little practice and I had it down! SO MUCH FUN!
overhere said:
Without ruining road handling (too much)
I've done another track day, actually it was an academy day with motorsport-events, tottaly awsome and highly recommended.
First is suspension, the shocks on the car now have adjustable fronts but not on the back, I've slowly over time wound them up (fronts) and now at over half way up they seem stiff but not too stiff, still alot of body roll, front to back on gas and breaks, side to side in turns.
Thniking about Steve Heath's drop links, some say best thing, some say it just helps longevity of the bushes. Comments?
The next thing is, new shocks, springs, Spax etc very expensive, anyone know a good, not so expensive option?
Last is breaks, the pads are fine, disks worn but still in tollerance (just). I can lock them up (of course) but sometimes (probably when hot) I stand on them and, well, very weak. Can anyone tell me the best option of break up-grade?
Any and all suggestions greatly appricated!
By the way, at the academy day we spent lots of time doing high speed cornering, over steer city, spins everything. everyone says Chims are bad in this situation but a little practice and I had it down! SO MUCH FUN!
I've done another track day, actually it was an academy day with motorsport-events, tottaly awsome and highly recommended.
First is suspension, the shocks on the car now have adjustable fronts but not on the back, I've slowly over time wound them up (fronts) and now at over half way up they seem stiff but not too stiff, still alot of body roll, front to back on gas and breaks, side to side in turns.
Thniking about Steve Heath's drop links, some say best thing, some say it just helps longevity of the bushes. Comments?
The next thing is, new shocks, springs, Spax etc very expensive, anyone know a good, not so expensive option?
Last is breaks, the pads are fine, disks worn but still in tollerance (just). I can lock them up (of course) but sometimes (probably when hot) I stand on them and, well, very weak. Can anyone tell me the best option of break up-grade?
Any and all suggestions greatly appricated!
By the way, at the academy day we spent lots of time doing high speed cornering, over steer city, spins everything. everyone says Chims are bad in this situation but a little practice and I had it down! SO MUCH FUN!
Why not run the car into Andy at APM Liphook and get him to check the alignments, in my experiance they can make a massive difference to the track handling. If the rear shocks need replacing he may have suggestions.
If you have body roll then there are two ways of addressing it. The easiest way is to get the ARBs working correctly by taking out all the play that the rubber bushed drop links provide so that as soon as the body starts to roll, the arbs start to correct it. The alternative is to change the spring/shock settings so that they perform the anti roll function. The disadvantage is that this is usually at the expence of the ride as the shocks and springs need to be stiffer to address the roll issue. To be honest, while upgrading the shocks/springs can give other benefits I do believe that it is often done to address an ARB problem which can be an expensive way of doing it.
why dont you just get some steve heath ARB drop links?
www.pistonheads.com/lotus/default.asp?storyId=11701
www.pistonheads.com/lotus/default.asp?storyId=11701
Thanks for all the relplies! I think the Steve Heath drop links are my first thing to try, the fitting looks daunting! but will try it myself, unless someone talks me out of it ;-)
What about breaks, and advice on a break upgrade that won't cost the earth? I'm thinking of a simple 260 to 280 from up-grade and leave the backs as they are. a set on ebay right now. Any thoughts?
What about breaks, and advice on a break upgrade that won't cost the earth? I'm thinking of a simple 260 to 280 from up-grade and leave the backs as they are. a set on ebay right now. Any thoughts?
overhere said:
Thanks for all the relplies! I think the Steve Heath drop links are my first thing to try, the fitting looks daunting! but will try it myself, unless someone talks me out of it ;-)
What about breaks, and advice on a break upgrade that won't cost the earth? I'm thinking of a simple 260 to 280 from up-grade and leave the backs as they are. a set on ebay right now. Any thoughts?
What about breaks, and advice on a break upgrade that won't cost the earth? I'm thinking of a simple 260 to 280 from up-grade and leave the backs as they are. a set on ebay right now. Any thoughts?
Before you start buying any bits off ebay, you really need to understand a bit more about the subject . You'll find this book an authoritive tome on the matter and worth every penny of its modest puchase price.
As a bonus after reading it, not only will you understand how best to upgrade the mechanical system that slows down your car, you'll also know how to spell brakes.
I want to say thanks to Sparkythecat for the two books suggested, we all want the quick easy answer, but PH is not the answer but good sugestions, gotta do the re(f*ing)search, and this place is an awesome place for suggestions.
The banter is good too :-)
I've decided to do the drop links myself (with help) and, lets face it, breaks are not rocket science. I did a full front-back break job about 10 years ago on my Golf GTi, the breaks on the Chim are Sierra breaks.
it's easy to take the car into Austec (:-() or Fenhurst, or where ever and pay the man, but reasonably easy jobs I like to do, and like to save the XS £££.
Ebay is a great reasorce, but buying disks and stuff, I don't know what the difference is between that stuff and paying more fron a top source.
any thoughts? is a disk a disk?
Thanks
Jack
The banter is good too :-)
I've decided to do the drop links myself (with help) and, lets face it, breaks are not rocket science. I did a full front-back break job about 10 years ago on my Golf GTi, the breaks on the Chim are Sierra breaks.
it's easy to take the car into Austec (:-() or Fenhurst, or where ever and pay the man, but reasonably easy jobs I like to do, and like to save the XS £££.
Ebay is a great reasorce, but buying disks and stuff, I don't know what the difference is between that stuff and paying more fron a top source.
any thoughts? is a disk a disk?
Thanks
Jack
1. ARB - Steve Heath drop links are the mutts nuts. Had them fitted for me a few weeks back and the handling has been transformed to the point where the suspension upgrade I was considering has been demoted on my priority list !
2. Brakes - My Chim had been ugraded by the previous owner to Black Diamoned drilled and grooved all round with RED stuff pads. Personally i would probably have gone with grooved not drilled but they are an amazing set of stoppers. The pads need a bit of warming up (they are still ok when cold though) but when warm they are just fantastic. Combine with DOT 5.1 and braided brake hoses for full effect.
2. Brakes - My Chim had been ugraded by the previous owner to Black Diamoned drilled and grooved all round with RED stuff pads. Personally i would probably have gone with grooved not drilled but they are an amazing set of stoppers. The pads need a bit of warming up (they are still ok when cold though) but when warm they are just fantastic. Combine with DOT 5.1 and braided brake hoses for full effect.
overhere said:
Bigdods, that's great news, i'll do the drop links, can I ask how much it cost to have the fitted?
Red stuff, green stuff, what's the diff?
Ta
Jack
Red stuff, green stuff, what's the diff?
Ta
Jack
I can honestly say no idea...had them done while the chim was having a service and all the driveshaft gaiters changed - as they had her in bits anyway It made sense. Just checked the bill and although not listed seperately if I add all the other costs together The additional cost appears to be £4. Blimey that was a good deal !
As far as the reds are concerned Im getting excellent mileage out of them (and I drive it like its stolen!) and while they do work best when they are hot they still grip well enough when cold. Yes they do have a fair bite on them but that suits my driving style :-) Even when they are relatively cold they can get you back from *ahem* high speeds to zero fast enough to bruise the shoulder with the seatbelt !
Never tried greens so cant comment on them.
Edited by bigdods on Saturday 18th November 00:13
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