Improvements to S Handling
Discussion
At the recent Rockingham event I was lucky enough to take the S round the track (pg 23 in Sprint 
). It was really noticeable that the later cars & my mate's Elise were so much better round some of the the corners. OK OK so that's what you expect but it got me thinking about what can be done to improve the handling of the S & where is it compromised ?
Electronics is my game rather than mechanical/automotive but would love to know more. From what I have picked up ( correct me if I'm wrong ):
- Driver. Not much I can do about this one other than lessons !
- Tyres. Loads of stuff on the forums about tyres but what about the sidewalls ? I've heard th S likes the higher sidewalls rather than low profile but is this still true if you have adjusteable dampers to provide some of the compliancy ? Is it a zero sum or do they work in different axes ?
-Dampers Again lots on dampers on the forum. I have nitrons which made a big difference so I assume other than setting them up properly there is not much to be done here ?
-Geometry How much does a badly set-up car affect the handling ? Seems a bit of a black art to me
-ARB I put on the rose jointed ARB drop links, but this was mainly because it was a wee project I could do myself and they look the business. I can't honestly say if they made a difference but satisfaction of seeing them there was well worth the money
I assume the steering configuration has it's ultimate limitations (i.e. semi-trailing arms) but did TVR get the set-up absolutely right ? Are there improvements to be had by moving things such as the pick up points around ? Probably not practical but interesting to know anyway
I'm also getting a roll bar fitted (condition set by the missus for keeping the car after our firstborn arrives next year ). Will the additional stiffness help ?
There's a lot of info around concerning engine upgrades, which is always welcome, but not so much on the mysterious 'handling'. Any experts around ?
Cheers
). It was really noticeable that the later cars & my mate's Elise were so much better round some of the the corners. OK OK so that's what you expect but it got me thinking about what can be done to improve the handling of the S & where is it compromised ? Electronics is my game rather than mechanical/automotive but would love to know more. From what I have picked up ( correct me if I'm wrong ):
- Driver. Not much I can do about this one other than lessons !
- Tyres. Loads of stuff on the forums about tyres but what about the sidewalls ? I've heard th S likes the higher sidewalls rather than low profile but is this still true if you have adjusteable dampers to provide some of the compliancy ? Is it a zero sum or do they work in different axes ?
-Dampers Again lots on dampers on the forum. I have nitrons which made a big difference so I assume other than setting them up properly there is not much to be done here ?
-Geometry How much does a badly set-up car affect the handling ? Seems a bit of a black art to me
-ARB I put on the rose jointed ARB drop links, but this was mainly because it was a wee project I could do myself and they look the business. I can't honestly say if they made a difference but satisfaction of seeing them there was well worth the money
I assume the steering configuration has it's ultimate limitations (i.e. semi-trailing arms) but did TVR get the set-up absolutely right ? Are there improvements to be had by moving things such as the pick up points around ? Probably not practical but interesting to know anyway
I'm also getting a roll bar fitted (condition set by the missus for keeping the car after our firstborn arrives next year ). Will the additional stiffness help ?
There's a lot of info around concerning engine upgrades, which is always welcome, but not so much on the mysterious 'handling'. Any experts around ?
Cheers
Have to say I think the handling of the S is pretty good. Elise is a real benchmark car for handling, and really in a different league.
I'm no expert, but I would suggest getting the tracking and alignment sorted would be a good, and fairly inexpensive, first step. Then I'd have some lessons. I reckon my S is still a long way ahead of me...
Martin
I'm no expert, but I would suggest getting the tracking and alignment sorted would be a good, and fairly inexpensive, first step. Then I'd have some lessons. I reckon my S is still a long way ahead of me...
Martin
When I bought my S3 the left front tire was really worn on the inside only. When checking the front wheel alignment, the camber angle was 1 degree out of spec. Toe-in and right camber were almost correct. After just adjusting the left front camber the car steers so much lighter. Before I had to pull it around roundabouts with 2 hands on the wheel, now it's easy to do this 1 handed. A BIG diffence.
Br, Han
Br, Han
My S was pretty much like a go cart and handled great because the 4 wheel alignment was spot on, I'd get yours checked and if necessary adjusted. David Gerald have the rear shims if required.
If you want a local expert you can trust, drop me a PM
If you want a local expert you can trust, drop me a PM
Edited by the gazman on Thursday 13th September 11:31
My S seems to go round corners quite well, and over the years it's had more suspension kits on it than most, in fact i'd wager it's probably had more suspension variations on it than any other S in the world 
I notice you have a V8S aswell .. good choice
they make great track cars and you can esily bring them up close to the standard of the modern TVRs if you have a clear goal and are prepared to do a bit of home-tweaking on the set-up to get it just right for you. my car and I have grown/evolved over the last 4 years but I'm always trying out new stuff. At the moment I have different brands of damper front and rear and it's the best it's ever been! I just need to replicate the valving relationship into one brand of damper now to make a matched set lol.
The semi trailing arm rear end isn't as bad as you might think, and the balance of the car in the wet is fantastic. They dont have too much camber change through the suspension movement either.
As a budget chassis it's blinking good, just needs a bit more torsional rigidity for serious spring rates, but for all sensible rates it works just fine and dandy IMO.
I notice you have a V8S aswell .. good choice
they make great track cars and you can esily bring them up close to the standard of the modern TVRs if you have a clear goal and are prepared to do a bit of home-tweaking on the set-up to get it just right for you. my car and I have grown/evolved over the last 4 years but I'm always trying out new stuff. At the moment I have different brands of damper front and rear and it's the best it's ever been! I just need to replicate the valving relationship into one brand of damper now to make a matched set lol.The semi trailing arm rear end isn't as bad as you might think, and the balance of the car in the wet is fantastic. They dont have too much camber change through the suspension movement either.
As a budget chassis it's blinking good, just needs a bit more torsional rigidity for serious spring rates, but for all sensible rates it works just fine and dandy IMO.
Don't get me wrong guys - I don't think the handling is poor, but I like a tinker and probably like most of you, the S is a hobby as much as it is a mode of transport. I probably know just enough to be dangerous with a set of spanners and the aim is to try and improve the car although I know it's never going to handle like an elise . I've had some work done on the engine and have plans for the interior but this is one area I know very little.
This is the most encouraging comment >
Mr Gazman - I'll take you up on that offer as I'll need a helping hand, as I said I'm dangerous with a set of spanners
What about the rollbar ? Will it make any difference ?
and the aim is to try and improve the car although I know it's never going to handle like an elise . I've had some work done on the engine and have plans for the interior but this is one area I know very little.This is the most encouraging comment >
trackcar said:
... you can esily bring them up close to the standard of the modern TVRs if you have a clear goal and are prepared to do a bit of home-tweaking on the set-up to get it just right for you.
Just what I wanted to hear Mr Gazman - I'll take you up on that offer as I'll need a helping hand, as I said I'm dangerous with a set of spanners
What about the rollbar ? Will it make any difference ?
Hi Kenny, Having been in other S's without rollbars, it does make the car feel much more solid and reduces the skuttle shake, but not sure if it affects handling. Might be best to ask Peter, he might remember whether his car handled better after he had the roll bar fitted.
Congrats on your news of the new arrival mate, over the moon for you, good luck and pass our congrats to the missus too, lets catch up soon. Anton has just started school, time flies mate, enjoy the early years as they go by so quickly...
Later
Mike
PS, Ill have to get that 2 way radio from you sometime, might be an excuse to meet up and have a beer.
Congrats on your news of the new arrival mate, over the moon for you, good luck and pass our congrats to the missus too, lets catch up soon. Anton has just started school, time flies mate, enjoy the early years as they go by so quickly...
Later
Mike
PS, Ill have to get that 2 way radio from you sometime, might be an excuse to meet up and have a beer.
gifdy said:
Don't get me wrong guys - I don't think the handling is poor, but I like a tinker and probably like most of you, the S is a hobby as much as it is a mode of transport. I probably know just enough to be dangerous with a set of spanners and the aim is to try and improve the car although I know it's never going to handle like an elise . I've had some work done on the engine and have plans for the interior but this is one area I know very little.
This is the most encouraging comment >
Mr Gazman - I'll take you up on that offer as I'll need a helping hand, as I said I'm dangerous with a set of spanners
What about the rollbar ? Will it make any difference ?
and the aim is to try and improve the car although I know it's never going to handle like an elise . I've had some work done on the engine and have plans for the interior but this is one area I know very little.This is the most encouraging comment >
trackcar said:
... you can esily bring them up close to the standard of the modern TVRs if you have a clear goal and are prepared to do a bit of home-tweaking on the set-up to get it just right for you.
Just what I wanted to hear Mr Gazman - I'll take you up on that offer as I'll need a helping hand, as I said I'm dangerous with a set of spanners
What about the rollbar ? Will it make any difference ?
Hey Mike - haven't heard from you for a while ! Sorry mate, completely forgot about the radio...as you say, excuse to meet up for a beer and catch up ! Junior is due in Jan so I have 3 months to sort out the S. May be difficult for a while afterwards.
I was hoping the rollbar would stiffen things up a bit so the handling is a bit more predictable. Thing is there are so many things interacting for all I know it could have the opposite effect. Anyhoo plan is to get it fitted over the winter and sort out the chassis while I'm at it.
Going to any meets in the near future ?
- kenny
I was hoping the rollbar would stiffen things up a bit so the handling is a bit more predictable. Thing is there are so many things interacting for all I know it could have the opposite effect. Anyhoo plan is to get it fitted over the winter and sort out the chassis while I'm at it.
Going to any meets in the near future ?
- kenny
I'm quite happy with the way mine handles, driver needs a lot more work though! If there is one thing I'd change it would be increased roll stiffness, because it does still wallow a bit but the springs are about as hard as I'd want to go without compromising it on bumps.
PS drop links on mine made a noticeable difference, if yours didn't then check that the inboard ARB mounts are OK. People say the rollover bar stiffens the chassis up no end and so on. Can't see why it would from the design, and it certainly didn't on mine. It does increase the road noise into the cabin though which might give a perception that it's a stiffer/harsher ride, or something.
PS drop links on mine made a noticeable difference, if yours didn't then check that the inboard ARB mounts are OK. People say the rollover bar stiffens the chassis up no end and so on. Can't see why it would from the design, and it certainly didn't on mine. It does increase the road noise into the cabin though which might give a perception that it's a stiffer/harsher ride, or something.
Edited by GreenV8S on Thursday 13th September 23:10
gifdy said:
Hey Mike - haven't heard from you for a while ! Sorry mate, completely forgot about the radio...as you say, excuse to meet up for a beer and catch up ! Junior is due in Jan so I have 3 months to sort out the S. May be difficult for a while afterwards.
I was hoping the rollbar would stiffen things up a bit so the handling is a bit more predictable. Thing is there are so many things interacting for all I know it could have the opposite effect. Anyhoo plan is to get it fitted over the winter and sort out the chassis while I'm at it.
Going to any meets in the near future ?
- kenny
Not sure about any meets soon, Im a bit busy these days and the car is in having the radiator done at the moment and not sure when its going to be ready! I was hoping the rollbar would stiffen things up a bit so the handling is a bit more predictable. Thing is there are so many things interacting for all I know it could have the opposite effect. Anyhoo plan is to get it fitted over the winter and sort out the chassis while I'm at it.
Going to any meets in the near future ?
- kenny
Will let you know if I am, you still on the same mobile number??
Later
Mike
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