2003-04 Air Dam Effects
Discussion
I've been driving a 2003-1/2 Esprit for about 2 weeks in the beach cities of Southern California. Before taking delivery, I asked the dealer to remove the air dam, with the intent of remounting it if the car was manageable around town. In short, it is, but only after memorizing the "forbidden streets & bumps" that the nose grounds out on.
In 2 weeks I'm due to take the Esprit on a 100 mile round-trip, where speeds will most certainly hit 100 MPH - but probably not much faster.
My questions are: 1. Has anybody driven this model Esprit at 60 plus MPH without the air dam attached, and if so, what are the effects on handling? Does front end lift grow so much that the car is twitchy or dangerous? The bottom of the Esprit does look rather like an airfoil - pretty smooth and flat with little venting. 2. Is the car drivable around town, air dam attached, without it becoming a "wear item", i.e. destroyed through road and object contact.
Thanks in advance for your advice.
Jay
In 2 weeks I'm due to take the Esprit on a 100 mile round-trip, where speeds will most certainly hit 100 MPH - but probably not much faster.
My questions are: 1. Has anybody driven this model Esprit at 60 plus MPH without the air dam attached, and if so, what are the effects on handling? Does front end lift grow so much that the car is twitchy or dangerous? The bottom of the Esprit does look rather like an airfoil - pretty smooth and flat with little venting. 2. Is the car drivable around town, air dam attached, without it becoming a "wear item", i.e. destroyed through road and object contact.
Thanks in advance for your advice.
Jay
well i have messed with the bodywork on my whole
car and have done over 150mph like it is now and
172mph in standard form, all speedo readings so
probably off, but not by loads.
so you wont even notice, get to around 140ish and
the wing comes into play and it feels really stable
i have been told, the gt3 felt really solid over 150mph
car and have done over 150mph like it is now and
172mph in standard form, all speedo readings so
probably off, but not by loads.
so you wont even notice, get to around 140ish and
the wing comes into play and it feels really stable
i have been told, the gt3 felt really solid over 150mph
as for drivable round town "YES". uk has a massive speed bump fetish
and my esprit is lowered 3" rear and 2" front, just ALWAYS take bumps
on a 45 degree angle and the same down again,,,you get used to it. and
if it does hit alot, the reaplcement piece is not expensive at all from
the uk, if you know where to look, think i had the whole section inc the
rubber and the grp lip and it was £100, but the rubber itself is cheaper.
will take you a long time to destroy it
and my esprit is lowered 3" rear and 2" front, just ALWAYS take bumps
on a 45 degree angle and the same down again,,,you get used to it. and
if it does hit alot, the reaplcement piece is not expensive at all from
the uk, if you know where to look, think i had the whole section inc the
rubber and the grp lip and it was £100, but the rubber itself is cheaper.
will take you a long time to destroy it
here is a pic matey.
www.showoffyourcar.com//cars/LOTUS/12941.jpg
i have hired it 1/2" now on front, just toooo low
www.showoffyourcar.com//cars/LOTUS/12941.jpg
i have hired it 1/2" now on front, just toooo low
Jay:
Until you hit higher speeds, you'll be fine without the front air dam. How about installing the less costly front air dam from the earlier Esprit V8. For a little $$$ it looks better then the plain front end and becomes a sacrificial lamb when you catch a speed bump or driveway entrance. For what it's worth.
Mark Pfeffer
www.LotusCarClub.org
Until you hit higher speeds, you'll be fine without the front air dam. How about installing the less costly front air dam from the earlier Esprit V8. For a little $$$ it looks better then the plain front end and becomes a sacrificial lamb when you catch a speed bump or driveway entrance. For what it's worth.
Mark Pfeffer
www.LotusCarClub.org
I've installed the air dam. The lower 3 inches is very soft rubber about 0.35 inches thick that hangs down to a little more than 2 inches above the pavement, on a level surface. It seems to be designed to slip over bumps, sacrificing itself in the process. I think as long as I don't smash the two-piece painted composite lip that attaches with the air dam, just under the front bumper, then I'll be OK. The rubber piece is made to be replaced and can easily be shaped from raw stock with a sharp knife.
If you ever do shatter the composite, you may want to heed Mark's advice. The good thing about the earlier air dam is that it has some flex as well (for times like loading the car onto a transporter for a trip to the dealer for service). It's a two piece affair that has some give in the middle.
Remember to, however, that the 2003-2004 was a direct copy of the Sport 350 dam, so therefor, is probably designed with higher performance in mind. But, if you don't regularly drive 100mph or more, the effects would probably not be appreciated.
ErnestM
Remember to, however, that the 2003-2004 was a direct copy of the Sport 350 dam, so therefor, is probably designed with higher performance in mind. But, if you don't regularly drive 100mph or more, the effects would probably not be appreciated.
ErnestM
The older style (non-Sport 350) air dam is easily repaired with epoxy and paint. I had a rip across one bolt hole (too many curbs I guess) which I fixed with epoxy, sanded both sides and sprayed with some satin black plastic spray paint from Home Depot and it looks better then new.
I too like the Sport 350 dam but too many driveways and speed bumps around here.
Mark
I too like the Sport 350 dam but too many driveways and speed bumps around here.
Mark
Gassing Station | Esprit | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff