V8 Saturns on 92 SE .

[Esprit Novice]

Hi Everybody & Anybody.

My Lovely 92 SE , which has standard suspension , wearing a beautiful set of V8 Saturns....does in my strict opinion , have a ride to knock my mother`s teeth out ( & they`re not false ; )and the handling of a dingy .

I`m exaggerating...but something is not quite right.

But then these wheels weren`t designed for this suspension and vica versa....so can anybody help PLEASE .

In my ideal Lotus World , I would prefer a much softer ride than normal ( I don`t go 165 MPH or on the track ) ...and obviously I want the handling to be sublime.... but I do want to keep the Saturns .

I`m prepared to have new shocks & springs , adjustable rear top links , or whatever else , to make sure the geometry etc etc., gets back in balance...but I don`t know what , or where from .

Does anybody have the answers....because I really do love this car and want it to be just right , for me anyway .

Many Thanks ,

Paul .

ps; I`m also looking for a pair of comfy black seats if anyone`s got any for sale

>>> Edited by Esprit Novice on Monday 10th January 23:35

>>> Edited by Esprit Novice on Monday 10th January 23:38

>>> Edited by Esprit Novice on Monday 10th January 23:40

[karmavore]

I would guess that your 15 year old dampers are likely worn and new units, even sotck units, would go along way to a provide a better, softer, ride.

My experience with lowered cars and big wheels certainly has been if it looks good, it hurts.

Luke.

[Esprit Novice]

Thanks Luke ,

You are right...they do look good and they do hurt

The service history shows , that the front springs were replaced fairly recently...but I "guessed" that , with the V8 Saturns having very little tyre depth to cushion.... & technically higher pressures , that I need to compensate even further somehow , by going to an even softer spring damper set up than standard ?

Is this the way to go , or am I way off the mark ?

I wonder if the V8 had harder or softer spring ratings , even though I appreciate , it would have other considerations like weight etc., to adjust to as well ?


Cheers ,

Paul.

[karmavore]

Softer springs feel like the wrong way to go.

I think a matched set of springs and adjustable stiffness dampers is what you need. I had a setup like this on my Honda that were adjustable from the trunk and from under the hood that would allow you to go from cadallic yacht like sailing to hard as nails F1 jarring.

[jk1]

Esprit Novice said:

Hi Everybody & Anybody. My Lovely 92 SE , which has standard suspension , wearing a beautiful set of V8 Saturns....does in my strict opinion , have a ride to knock my mother`s teeth out ( & they`re not false ; )and the handling of a dingy .

You definitely have a problem but V8 size tires/wheels will not cause the car to ride that hard or handle like a "dingy". I would look first to the dampers being worn out, then suspension bushings along with the rest of the suspension components.

It could also be the tires. What brand and size are they and how old are they?

There have been many SE owners who have gone to the V8 wheels without the symptoms you describe.

Good luck,
Jim

[karmavore]

I find it odd that your springs were replaced. I've never heard of a spring going bad.

Luke.

[njgsx96]

First off, what are you used to driving? the Lotus by default doesn't have a smooth as silk ride. However, it shouldn't be THAT bad. As mentioned, dampers, could be tires, possibly the bushings as well.

[Esprit Novice]

Hi Guys ,

Thanks for your advice and help .

The tyres , are the standard V8 Michelin pilots ( FR 235/40/ZR17 R 285/35 ZR 18 )...and the front springs were replaced by part number AO82C4226F , due to one of the front springs , actually been broken .

It definitely isn`t as pliable as a standard SE...and reminds me of my 1968 Elan , when I first got it , which had been set up for the track .

It was also hard on the front and bump steered , until I put standard softer springs back on and corrected the ride height . It is now wonderful again , just like a Lotus should be .

Obviously with my Esprit , I`ve got these alien Saturns on , combined with me being a big "road softie", wanting to find happier ground .

But the car is definitely harder than normal ( even though I`v dropped the tyre pressures below the normal 29 psi min` )...and it`s most definitely "twitchy" with bump steer - a did drive a V8 with Saturns on recently...and it was wonderful .

So , I`ve got to look at springs, dampers , bushes etc...but what manufacturers exactly and has anyone ever slightly softened theirs a little more , albeit at the expense of out & out cornering performance ?

Many Thanks for your help ,

Cheers ,

Paul .

>> Edited by Esprit Novice on Tuesday 11th January 10:04

>> Edited by Esprit Novice on Wednesday 12th January 10:09

[sanj]

Esprit Novice said:

the front springs were replaced by part number AO82C4226F , due to one of the front springs , actually been broken .

I don't show A082C4226 in any of my parts lists, which makes me wonder if this is a Sport 350 part number. If so, that would go a long way towards explaining the harshness. Anyone out there know the part numbers for the Sport 350 suspension bits?

Cheers,
Sanj

[Callaway]

Paul (EspritNovice)

Sorry to go off topic a bit but do you have any pics of your 92 with the saturn rims you could post or send to my email address at [e-mail]? Thanks in advance!

-Erik

[rob.e]

sanj said:

Esprit Novice said: the front springs were replaced by part number AO82C4226F , due to one of the front springs , actually been broken . I don't show A082C4226 in any of my parts lists, which makes me wonder if this is a Sport 350 part number. If so, that would go a long way towards explaining the harshness. Anyone out there know the part numbers for the Sport 350 suspension bits? Cheers, Sanj

The parts nos are on LEW. Those are NOT sport 350 part numbers.

www.lotusespritworld.com/EModifications/suspension.html

[Esprit Novice]

Thanks All , for your efforts .

I`ve traced the spring part number to South West Lotus Centre , as an aftermarket Lotus equivalent for a 1992 SE Highwing .

Having said that , I`ve also found out , that there are up to 5 different springs for that era , depending on chassis number , whether you have air con or not...and I could add , whether you have V8 Saturns fitted , or have removed your spare wheel also .

My car is further complicated , as it was the Lotus Development Car for the S4...hence has power steering , so that could throw things a bit as well .

So , it`s a minefield...and I wonder if someone has already crossed it , before I lose a limb or two .

Cheers Paul .

[danny tattersall]

Sorry I can't help with you problem Paul but I can understand the springs having been replaced - my 93 SE Highwing had 3 broken springs when I replaced the suspension with adjustable LEDA coilovers last year! The reason I replaced them in the first place was that the handling was a little 'floaty' at high speed. Pretty obvious why now really!!

Hope you sort it out.

Danny.

[Esprit Novice]

Hi All .

The plot ( springs ) thicken...further investigation shows , the front near side spring to have a row of red marks for identification purposes...and the off side to have just one yellow one ( even though grime & rust could be hiding some ) .

It seems ominuos , that the two are different...and might explain some handling difficulties .

Does anybody know , the colour coding for the different spring ratings ?

Cheers Paul .