s1 suspension

[swannynhb]

hi guys, thought id pick your brains once again...i need to change the terrible red koni's on my S1. Cant afford Nitrons, and to be honest my driving skill probably wouldnt do them justice, is the £400ish gaz kit any good? as always any thoughts based on actual experience of the gaz kit is most welcome.

[lee111s]

Get the s2 Bilstein dampers/Eibach springs kit.

Just changed mine from the red Koni's and it's like a whole new car.

Cost me about 450 quid I think plus fitting.

[Strangely Brown]

Bell & Colvill have an offer on the S1 -> S2 upgrade at the moment. £440.43 inc VAT and delivery (may be only for SELOC members?)

[Moospeed]

Protech might be worth a look. Considering these for mine at the moment.

£517.50 which includes springs PP and VAT

[piooly]

Moospeed said:

Protech might be worth a look. Considering these for mine at the moment.

£517.50 which includes springs PP and VAT

I have these and find them very good for the money. For road and track, cant fault them. Just make sure that if you order, check what ride height you wish to run at. If you want 100mm front, 110mm rear as per a sport 160, ask for the shorter overall damper length as supplied to a guy in Bournemouth. They will know what you are on about. If you dont go for the shorter length, when you drop the ride height the springs will not be under compression when the wheel is off the floor.

[swannynhb]

lee111s said:

Get the s2 Bilstein dampers/Eibach springs kit.

Just changed mine from the red Koni's and it's like a whole new car.

Cost me about 450 quid I think plus fitting.

lee, did you need any kind of new mounting brackets? elise parts do a S1-S2 kit but its £655, where did you get yours from?

[fatwomble]

Some good feedback coming from those who have the GAZ gold pro fitted, I'm waiting to Oulton on the 21st Feb to see how they compare to S2 Bilies on mine.

[Phil. S.]

I'm delighted with my Gaz Golds, both on and off the track. They feel at least as good as my Bilsteins on the road (which were in very good condition, so not comparing knackered Billies with new Gaz). I only changed as I needed stiffer springs with a lower ride height and sticky tyres, but couldn't justify spending £1100 on Nitrons on a car that only does a few track days a year. Excellent value for money imho.

[lee111s]

swannynhb said:

lee111s said:

Get the s2 Bilstein dampers/Eibach springs kit.

Just changed mine from the red Koni's and it's like a whole new car.

Cost me about 450 quid I think plus fitting.

lee, did you need any kind of new mounting brackets? elise parts do a S1-S2 kit but its £655, where did you get yours from?

Got mine from Bell and Colville dude..440 quid came with everything required including the brackets. I've just had my geo done today after letting them settle in for a few weeks and it's unreal how much more stable the car is now.

[TIPPER]

You don't say what you use your car for. If its a road car and never used on track then Billies all the way - fit and forget.

[swannynhb]

road use mainly, 2 track days a year max

[Phil. S.]

If it is mainly for road use and you haven't lowered the car and/or fitted A048s or R888s, then as Tipper says Billies are hard to beat, especially with the offer B&C have. If you have lowered the car or put sticky tyres on the Bilsteins may not cope on the odd track day you do, so it may then be worth looking at other options with stiffer springs (mine are 375 and 450, and provide an excellent compromise between road and track).

[swannynhb]

thanks to everyone for your comments, looks like i'll be going for the s2 billies!

[lee111s]

swannynhb said:

thanks to everyone for your comments, looks like i'll be going for the s2 billies!

You won't regret it