Something to chew on - performance mods.
Discussion
I've been coming here or four years now and one of the most frequent questions aksed here (and elsewhere) is how can I get more performance from my boggo engined (120bhp) S1/S2? What's the cheapest way of getting another 30/40bhp?
Like most people when I first got my car it didn't take long before I wanted a little more straight line performance - the car is pretty quick up to about 70 but thereafter things tail off a bit. Of course I also heard all the arguemnts that Lotus aren't about straight line performance but the corners. Mmmmmm!
So I didn't do anything for a while other than fit a smart new interior and polish the car up so she (occasionally) looked even better than when I bought her. Then by dint of a garage mishap I was going to get a freebie new gearbox so I paid the difference and asked them to put in a c/r box they had in stock. That was great modification number one: the car was instantly more alive and seemed to pull better, particularly in third. Its also a lot easier to keep the engine spinning in the sweet spot so extracting more performance more of the time. I believe the c/r box means the rear wheels see up to 6% more torque - not an amount you'd expect to notice but the car certainly feels keener.
Next up I needed new brake pads so following recommendations put on a set of Mintex 1144. Improvement number 2: I now had much more confidence in the brakes which had more feel and were therefore easier to modulate and keep the wheels from just locking.
And so off to my first track day at Bedford. 'Its harder than it looks' says the instructor as I confidently pull up my harnesses (bought by the missus to keep me safe
. Too bloody right it was - I couldn't believe the speeds cars where whizing past me at going into corners. I cheerfully spent most of the morning spinning and trying to generally keep out of peoples way and in the afternoon improved enough to actually have a car (probably on a warm up/down lap!) move over for me and not have a single spin!!
Next track day it was pouring with rain and I realised just how ham fisted I was (with some kind words from my instructor!). Again though, I managed to get through the afternoon without a spin and also by now started to feel that the car was a bit 'baggy' - that'll be the oe konis on the car from new then.
Time for a suspension upgrade and after casting around for ideas I very nearly committed £500 for some dampers and springs (not Bilsteins). Fortunately I was saved by a U2U out off the blue from someone who should know and urged not to waste my money. Anyway I found a set of lightly used Nitrons and fitted them to the car myself. A little later I did my third track day and couldn't believe the difference. All the bagginess had gone from the car, it was much easier to control it through chicanes and my driving and the car had improved to the extent that I didn't spin all day.
So we now have improved suspension, better brakes and a close ratio box. The car feels considerably different to the one I bought and a whole lot easier to handle. I'm still miles off 'the pace' though and a wet day at Snetterton confirms my driving skills really need some work.
Serious modifications No 3: A Walshy day. Probably the single most cost effective mod of the lot even though I had to drive from Devon to North Weald. By the end of the day I've learnt loads and had a ball too and I go home thinking about the stuff Walshy has taught me.
By now I've got some clonks and bangs through the suspension (which I'd put down to S1 -iness) and the steering has a little movement.
So last winter the car comes off the road and I strip the suspension and replace all the bushes, all the balljoints, the track rod ends, have the rack professionally refurbed and fit the Eliseparts uprated toe link kit. I'm still putting the car back together the day before I have a TD booked at Llandow (little circuit nr Cardiff) and just have time to throw the last few bits on, check the wheels look straightish and head off for an MOT (which the car passes with a compliment on the shiney suspension work
).
No time to properly sort the geo before the TD so I have to trust to it being OKish and head off the next day with a boot full of tools. Serious mod number 4: ALL the crashing, banging, roughness etc you normally associate with S1s has gone - the whole car feels tighter and smoother and the ride even seems to have improved - for that alone it was worth the effort. I spend a day on track without spinning and also managing to keep up with a guy I've always had to let pass me in the past. Understeer is non-existent but I'm also aware that there seems to be more to come - the car doesn't feel settled.
Next mod is to spend two days with fishing line/ poles/ engineers rules etc and sort the geo. Eventually I get there but have no real chance to feel any difference in anger until this week.
The geo was serious mod no5: I'm faster round the track than various Exige Ss/Elise SCs, a Honda Elise, 111Rs etc - all with 120 bhp.
I'm no driving god - never will be and I'm too old to have no fear but the car is so well sorted (bar a bit off fidgeting on one corner) that I can push it harder and brake later than ever knowing that as long as I'm not stupid it'll do as it should.
So now time for more power (I was flat on the floor apart from braking zones for two thirds of the circuit)?
First up I'll fit a set of Carbon Lorraine pads and an uprated ARB and sort the bumsteer. I reckon I've found the limits of Yellowstuff pads (I reckon they're better than the Mintex they replaced) and although they've served me well I could do with a bit more bite from 100ish mph. The ARB and bumpsteer I'm hoping will sort the skittishness I felt on one corner.
I could also do with some better seats that will hold my backside in place (I was using my left foot to push myself into the backseat to prevent myself from what felt like sliding out) and that should help me concentrate more on actual driving through faster corners.
I reckon then I'll be at the stage where I can finally get all I can from the car and will be needing some more power.
The driver still needs lots of mods but when you're rocking backwards and forwards in your seat(whilst trying to stay put in the bloody seat - harnesses 'n all) willing the car to go faster from the apex of a fastish bend having had your foot on the floor in third all the way through, then maybe its time (when the car was on Konis I did the same bend in second!!).
So - the moral of this little tale? Its ALL true what the fast boys say - sort the brakes and suspension before you add power otherwise the fast guys will just regard you as having too much horsepower and too little talent! At least my lack of horsepower covers up the lack of talent!!!
You'll never waste money spent on brakes and suspension and you can use the benefits during the fun part of driving and your car will also stop feel like new.
Like most people when I first got my car it didn't take long before I wanted a little more straight line performance - the car is pretty quick up to about 70 but thereafter things tail off a bit. Of course I also heard all the arguemnts that Lotus aren't about straight line performance but the corners. Mmmmmm!
So I didn't do anything for a while other than fit a smart new interior and polish the car up so she (occasionally) looked even better than when I bought her. Then by dint of a garage mishap I was going to get a freebie new gearbox so I paid the difference and asked them to put in a c/r box they had in stock. That was great modification number one: the car was instantly more alive and seemed to pull better, particularly in third. Its also a lot easier to keep the engine spinning in the sweet spot so extracting more performance more of the time. I believe the c/r box means the rear wheels see up to 6% more torque - not an amount you'd expect to notice but the car certainly feels keener.
Next up I needed new brake pads so following recommendations put on a set of Mintex 1144. Improvement number 2: I now had much more confidence in the brakes which had more feel and were therefore easier to modulate and keep the wheels from just locking.
And so off to my first track day at Bedford. 'Its harder than it looks' says the instructor as I confidently pull up my harnesses (bought by the missus to keep me safe
. Too bloody right it was - I couldn't believe the speeds cars where whizing past me at going into corners. I cheerfully spent most of the morning spinning and trying to generally keep out of peoples way and in the afternoon improved enough to actually have a car (probably on a warm up/down lap!) move over for me and not have a single spin!!Next track day it was pouring with rain and I realised just how ham fisted I was (with some kind words from my instructor!). Again though, I managed to get through the afternoon without a spin and also by now started to feel that the car was a bit 'baggy' - that'll be the oe konis on the car from new then.
Time for a suspension upgrade and after casting around for ideas I very nearly committed £500 for some dampers and springs (not Bilsteins). Fortunately I was saved by a U2U out off the blue from someone who should know and urged not to waste my money. Anyway I found a set of lightly used Nitrons and fitted them to the car myself. A little later I did my third track day and couldn't believe the difference. All the bagginess had gone from the car, it was much easier to control it through chicanes and my driving and the car had improved to the extent that I didn't spin all day.
So we now have improved suspension, better brakes and a close ratio box. The car feels considerably different to the one I bought and a whole lot easier to handle. I'm still miles off 'the pace' though and a wet day at Snetterton confirms my driving skills really need some work.
Serious modifications No 3: A Walshy day. Probably the single most cost effective mod of the lot even though I had to drive from Devon to North Weald. By the end of the day I've learnt loads and had a ball too and I go home thinking about the stuff Walshy has taught me.
By now I've got some clonks and bangs through the suspension (which I'd put down to S1 -iness) and the steering has a little movement.
So last winter the car comes off the road and I strip the suspension and replace all the bushes, all the balljoints, the track rod ends, have the rack professionally refurbed and fit the Eliseparts uprated toe link kit. I'm still putting the car back together the day before I have a TD booked at Llandow (little circuit nr Cardiff) and just have time to throw the last few bits on, check the wheels look straightish and head off for an MOT (which the car passes with a compliment on the shiney suspension work
).No time to properly sort the geo before the TD so I have to trust to it being OKish and head off the next day with a boot full of tools. Serious mod number 4: ALL the crashing, banging, roughness etc you normally associate with S1s has gone - the whole car feels tighter and smoother and the ride even seems to have improved - for that alone it was worth the effort. I spend a day on track without spinning and also managing to keep up with a guy I've always had to let pass me in the past. Understeer is non-existent but I'm also aware that there seems to be more to come - the car doesn't feel settled.
Next mod is to spend two days with fishing line/ poles/ engineers rules etc and sort the geo. Eventually I get there but have no real chance to feel any difference in anger until this week.
The geo was serious mod no5: I'm faster round the track than various Exige Ss/Elise SCs, a Honda Elise, 111Rs etc - all with 120 bhp.
I'm no driving god - never will be and I'm too old to have no fear but the car is so well sorted (bar a bit off fidgeting on one corner) that I can push it harder and brake later than ever knowing that as long as I'm not stupid it'll do as it should.
So now time for more power (I was flat on the floor apart from braking zones for two thirds of the circuit)?
First up I'll fit a set of Carbon Lorraine pads and an uprated ARB and sort the bumsteer. I reckon I've found the limits of Yellowstuff pads (I reckon they're better than the Mintex they replaced) and although they've served me well I could do with a bit more bite from 100ish mph. The ARB and bumpsteer I'm hoping will sort the skittishness I felt on one corner.
I could also do with some better seats that will hold my backside in place (I was using my left foot to push myself into the backseat to prevent myself from what felt like sliding out) and that should help me concentrate more on actual driving through faster corners.
I reckon then I'll be at the stage where I can finally get all I can from the car and will be needing some more power.
The driver still needs lots of mods but when you're rocking backwards and forwards in your seat(whilst trying to stay put in the bloody seat - harnesses 'n all) willing the car to go faster from the apex of a fastish bend having had your foot on the floor in third all the way through, then maybe its time (when the car was on Konis I did the same bend in second!!).
So - the moral of this little tale? Its ALL true what the fast boys say - sort the brakes and suspension before you add power otherwise the fast guys will just regard you as having too much horsepower and too little talent! At least my lack of horsepower covers up the lack of talent!!!
You'll never waste money spent on brakes and suspension and you can use the benefits during the fun part of driving and your car will also stop feel like new.
all good stuff (except can you break it up a bit, it's dam hard to read like that?)
only bits I would add is something almost everybody ignores...
Driver comfort/position...
lost count of the number of peoples cars I have jumped in and though 'how the hell do you drive this thing with the seat like this?'
unless you are totally comfortable in the car, your not going to be able to get the best from it, you may not realise what your doing, but watch a video of yourself and you will soon see what I mean, hanging on to the wheel to stop yourself moving in the car etc.
This also has an effect on how people change gear, most miss-shifts are down to the driver not being secure in the car.
also, consider that (for most of us) out on weight accounts for 10% of the total cars mass, having that parked in a seat too high up does nothing for the balance of the car, dropping yourself a couple of inches down makes a very noticeable difference.
only bits I would add is something almost everybody ignores...
Driver comfort/position...
lost count of the number of peoples cars I have jumped in and though 'how the hell do you drive this thing with the seat like this?'
unless you are totally comfortable in the car, your not going to be able to get the best from it, you may not realise what your doing, but watch a video of yourself and you will soon see what I mean, hanging on to the wheel to stop yourself moving in the car etc.
This also has an effect on how people change gear, most miss-shifts are down to the driver not being secure in the car.
also, consider that (for most of us) out on weight accounts for 10% of the total cars mass, having that parked in a seat too high up does nothing for the balance of the car, dropping yourself a couple of inches down makes a very noticeable difference.
Hadn't mentioned it Scuffers but seats are on the to do list now. I was using my left foot to brace myself hard.
Despite having harnesses I still felt I was about to slide out of the seat on many occasions and as you say it distracts from driving so obviously slows you.
Final items (I think) before power are now, better pads, uprated ARB, better seats and a datalogger.
Despite having harnesses I still felt I was about to slide out of the seat on many occasions and as you say it distracts from driving so obviously slows you.
Final items (I think) before power are now, better pads, uprated ARB, better seats and a datalogger.
TIPPER said:
First up I'll fit a set of Carbon Lorraine pads and an uprated ARB and sort the bumsteer. I reckon I've found the limits of Yellowstuff pads (I reckon they're better than the Mintex they replaced) and although they've served me well I could do with a bit more bite from 100ish mph. The ARB and bumpsteer I'm hoping will sort the skittishness I felt on one corner.
nice progression but i would steer well clear of the carbon lorraine pads : they throw out the worst kind of brake dust that sticks like glue. two people i know have used this - one only needed to refurb the wheels, the other needed to respray some body work as well.give pagid rs42 a go .. i've been happy with them for a good while now even though they rattle around in the brembo calipes. if they don't do it for you, try the rs-18 which are a bit more hardcore again.
Scuffers said:
Driver comfort/position...
lost count of the number of peoples cars I have jumped in and though 'how the hell do you drive this thing with the seat like this?'
unless you are totally comfortable in the car, your not going to be able to get the best from it, you may not realise what your doing, but watch a video of yourself and you will soon see what I mean, hanging on to the wheel to stop yourself moving in the car etc.
Ding to this Simon, I put some 111S seats in my Elise and although they are more comfy, I sit about an inch and half higher in the car which I don't like at all. Tipper and I have been discussing over on SELOC, but I think a set of fibreglass seats will be making their way into my car soon, so I can sit as low as possible but with good reach/leg room...lost count of the number of peoples cars I have jumped in and though 'how the hell do you drive this thing with the seat like this?'
unless you are totally comfortable in the car, your not going to be able to get the best from it, you may not realise what your doing, but watch a video of yourself and you will soon see what I mean, hanging on to the wheel to stop yourself moving in the car etc.
[/quote]
nice progression but i would steer well clear of the carbon lorraine pads : they throw out the worst kind of brake dust that sticks like glue. two people i know have used this - one only needed to refurb the wheels, the other needed to respray some body work as well.
[/quote]
I have to disagree with that, I've been using the recently released road/track version of these.
The little dust they do produce washes off quite easily with some soapy water and a hose.
As I posted over on Seloc they're incredible pads, no noise, hardly any dust and the hotter they get the harder they work.
And good post Tipper, exactly the direction to go, brakes and handling first, sort your driving and THEN think about adding power.
Stan. said:
The little dust they do produce washes off quite easily with some soapy water and a hose.
As I posted over on Seloc they're incredible pads, no noise, hardly any dust and the hotter they get the harder they work.
And good post Tipper, exactly the direction to go, brakes and handling first, sort your driving and THEN think about adding power.
Chris
aceofspades said:
re carbon lorraine and brake dust : i'm only repeating what i've been told by people i know.
what is this new type you guys are talking about ? how do they compare with pagid ?
More information here http://www.hofmanns.co.uk/content/index.asp?id=47what is this new type you guys are talking about ? how do they compare with pagid ?
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