Suspension Mods on Exige S
Discussion
Hi all.
Looking to upgrade the suspension on my 56 plate Exige S (Tour / Sports - not Super Sports).
I'm think of an adjustable ARB, rear track brace and uprated dampers.
Questions are:
1. what dampers - Ohlins / Nitron.....1 way / 2 way. ????
2. is the track brace necessary ?? (I don't tend to hit kerbs hard)
On the adjustment of the dampers do you have to remove the wheels to do this ??
Oh - I use the car mainly for fast road / track use - finding the car rolls more than I'd like and shows a little more understeer than I'd like. I'd also like the car a little lower....
Thanks
Looking to upgrade the suspension on my 56 plate Exige S (Tour / Sports - not Super Sports).
I'm think of an adjustable ARB, rear track brace and uprated dampers.
Questions are:
1. what dampers - Ohlins / Nitron.....1 way / 2 way. ????
2. is the track brace necessary ?? (I don't tend to hit kerbs hard)
On the adjustment of the dampers do you have to remove the wheels to do this ??
Oh - I use the car mainly for fast road / track use - finding the car rolls more than I'd like and shows a little more understeer than I'd like. I'd also like the car a little lower....
Thanks
Right... well which suspension depends on how serious you are and how hard springs you are willing to put up with on road. Everyone on here has their own preferences, so not going to jump in that one, do a search and get a huge mug of coffee and read for hours and giggle about how childish we can be sometimes... we're all very nice though really!
As for the rear brace, I can't believe Lotus still sell a car without one that has the torque and power of the S.... get one fitted for peace of mind, they are cheap and could save you a nasty suspension failure, it does happen, A048's can generate huge loads in high speed corners.
As for adjustment, depends on the make, if they have remote reservoirs etc. I have the big Ohlins and can adjust with the car on the floor no problem.
One simple change is also the motorsport front ARB, helps with the basic roll issues hugely on it's own, damping does different things!
As for the rear brace, I can't believe Lotus still sell a car without one that has the torque and power of the S.... get one fitted for peace of mind, they are cheap and could save you a nasty suspension failure, it does happen, A048's can generate huge loads in high speed corners.
As for adjustment, depends on the make, if they have remote reservoirs etc. I have the big Ohlins and can adjust with the car on the floor no problem.
One simple change is also the motorsport front ARB, helps with the basic roll issues hugely on it's own, damping does different things!
Thanks Speedyellow
I guess I'd think of myself in the "middle" of the pack wrt acceptable firmness.....I will do the occaisional long European trip in it (Le Mans Classic this year) but it's mainly more focussed driving since I live abroad where the speed limit is 35 KPH !!
Looking at the costs of the mods I've planned (including brakes etc) I'm thinking I'd be better off chopping in the current car and picking up a 2nd hand cup / 240r ??
So - what shocks / views on changing the car.......please !
I guess I'd think of myself in the "middle" of the pack wrt acceptable firmness.....I will do the occaisional long European trip in it (Le Mans Classic this year) but it's mainly more focussed driving since I live abroad where the speed limit is 35 KPH !!
Looking at the costs of the mods I've planned (including brakes etc) I'm thinking I'd be better off chopping in the current car and picking up a 2nd hand cup / 240r ??
So - what shocks / views on changing the car.......please !
SpeedYellow said:
As for the rear brace, I can't believe Lotus still sell a car without one that has the torque and power of the S.... get one fitted for peace of mind, they are cheap and could save you a nasty suspension failure, it does happen, A048's can generate huge loads in high speed corners.
Engine power has nothing to do with the rear brace, that's purely a grip issue.(also, as far as I know, Lotus have withdrawn it (after too many joint faliures??)
Scuffers said:
SpeedYellow said:
As for the rear brace, I can't believe Lotus still sell a car without one that has the torque and power of the S.... get one fitted for peace of mind, they are cheap and could save you a nasty suspension failure, it does happen, A048's can generate huge loads in high speed corners.
Engine power has nothing to do with the rear brace, that's purely a grip issue.(also, as far as I know, Lotus have withdrawn it (after too many joint faliures??)
Gooby said:
Scuffers said:
SpeedYellow said:
As for the rear brace, I can't believe Lotus still sell a car without one that has the torque and power of the S.... get one fitted for peace of mind, they are cheap and could save you a nasty suspension failure, it does happen, A048's can generate huge loads in high speed corners.
Engine power has nothing to do with the rear brace, that's purely a grip issue.(also, as far as I know, Lotus have withdrawn it (after too many joint faliures??)
SpeedYellow said:
One simple change is also the motorsport front ARB, helps with the basic roll issues hugely on it's own, damping does different things!
I'm interested by the addition of just a front ARB. Wouldn't this create significant understeer without a change to stiffen the rear as well? Especially in regard of the OP's complaint of understeer.Scuffers said:
Gooby said:
Scuffers said:
SpeedYellow said:
As for the rear brace, I can't believe Lotus still sell a car without one that has the torque and power of the S.... get one fitted for peace of mind, they are cheap and could save you a nasty suspension failure, it does happen, A048's can generate huge loads in high speed corners.
Engine power has nothing to do with the rear brace, that's purely a grip issue.(also, as far as I know, Lotus have withdrawn it (after too many joint faliures??)
I won
Gooby = 1
Scuffers = 0
neener neener neener
Looser, go hang out on seloc - looser.
Do a search in the Seloc forums re toe-link failures and have a look at the uprated link Eliseshop now offer (work of art).
With regards the suspension, speedy's in a better position to answer questions for the Exige but to give you an idea my S1 (760ish KG)runs 400/475 front rear (firmer than standard Nitron recommendation): very firm on the road but with the Nitrons dampers far from at their softest, not uncomfortable. I'm too new to the track day lark to offer any constructive advice other than I know others prefer a firmer set up.
Try taking out some more of the front camber shims to reduce understeer (although I understand some resort to machining of the hubs on the S2 Elise/Exige to get as much asa they want).
With regards the suspension, speedy's in a better position to answer questions for the Exige but to give you an idea my S1 (760ish KG)runs 400/475 front rear (firmer than standard Nitron recommendation): very firm on the road but with the Nitrons dampers far from at their softest, not uncomfortable. I'm too new to the track day lark to offer any constructive advice other than I know others prefer a firmer set up.
Try taking out some more of the front camber shims to reduce understeer (although I understand some resort to machining of the hubs on the S2 Elise/Exige to get as much asa they want).
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