Replacement Shocks/Springs

[marco247]

Probably been asked before but what are the replacement shocks and spring options for a 1996 V8?If there are any after market replacements are they comparable/better than the stock items or if replacing are you better off shelling out for the originals?If so does anyone have any indication of prices?

[atgnat]

i would not be in a hurry to try to "improve" a lotus suspension. i have a '98 us spec, and the monroe setup is fine. probably the cheapest option as well. the sport 350 is too harsh to use on the street, and really expensive to boot.

[lotusse89]

The Monroe's are no longer being made, may still be available though.

Lotus ran a program to find a new supplier and came up with Bilstein.
www.lotusespritworld.com/EModifications/Lotus_Suspension.html

I've driven a '99 Sport 350 and a 2003 Esprit V8 and found them both too soft.

[atgnat]

for who? jimmy clark?

[lotusse89]

atgnat said:

for who? jimmy clark?

Too soft for me. My 89SE (with softer springs) has much better damping (read matched) to the springs with my adjustable suspension set on the firmest setting.

The '99 Sport 350 and '03 V8 both felt under damped even for street driving, too much dive under braking and too much roll. For my tastes.

[rob.e]

marco247 said:

Probably been asked before but what are the replacement shocks and spring options for a 1996 V8?If there are any after market replacements are they comparable/better than the stock items or if replacing are you better off shelling out for the originals?If so does anyone have any indication of prices?

Whatever you do DON'T go aftermarket. Lotus employ some of the best chassis engineers in the world so i doubt that any aftermarket supplier could possibly hope to come up with something better.

Take a look at Lotusespritworld. Lotus are midway through a programme with bilstein and eibach producing high quality replacement for the whole range. These should be out soon and by all accounts they are not going to be too pricey either.

www.lotusespritworld.com/EModifications/Lotus_Suspension.html

I replaced shocks and springs on my 98 V8 with the final edition which kato refers to as "2003-04 (US spec)" which i found to be excellent. You have full height adjustability with these - they are super-high quality lightweight alloy dampers.

Hope that helps.

[atgnat]

i had no trouble getting monroes. i bought them a couple of months ago. the tab for 4 was something like $1200. the "final edition" was something like $1000/corner. since i only do 7-8 track days/year, i didn't feel the need to go adjustable. i prefer to find time in the driver.