Lowered springs?
Discussion
Les Twig's company has Leda adjustables on the web site:
www.cars.u-net.com/lotus/esprit.htm
Also, moto-concept has some:
www.moto-concept.de/en/autos/lotus/esprit/artikel_esprit_detail.php?item_id=15115
I think also SPAX make a shock with an adjustable base plate that fits the esprit. No experience of any of these, but i am looking at the moment myself as i have very rusty springs
Some info on spax here:
http://members.cox.net/shokwave/adjustablerearshocks.htm
Let me know how you get on - i'd be interested in how the car feels if you change from the factory spec.
I doubt the sport350 spec suspension would be any use to you, and that was designed with a totally different wheel/tyre setup (ie completely different unsprung weight) and the GT3 is anyway a lighter car.
regards
Rob
>> Edited by rob.ellis on Thursday 27th March 16:35
www.cars.u-net.com/lotus/esprit.htm
Also, moto-concept has some:
www.moto-concept.de/en/autos/lotus/esprit/artikel_esprit_detail.php?item_id=15115
I think also SPAX make a shock with an adjustable base plate that fits the esprit. No experience of any of these, but i am looking at the moment myself as i have very rusty springs
Some info on spax here:
http://members.cox.net/shokwave/adjustablerearshocks.htm
Let me know how you get on - i'd be interested in how the car feels if you change from the factory spec.
I doubt the sport350 spec suspension would be any use to you, and that was designed with a totally different wheel/tyre setup (ie completely different unsprung weight) and the GT3 is anyway a lighter car.
regards
Rob
>> Edited by rob.ellis on Thursday 27th March 16:35
Hi,
All I can say, is proceed with extreme caution. The balance on an Esprit is very sensitive to change and no one I know who has lowred their car has been pleased with the results, and unfortunately, you can't try 'em before you buy 'em.
The most I would do is get the 'Euro' spec springs, which are lower, from an overseas supplier such as Steve at SJSportscars. These were designed specifically for the car.
Also, note, that any lowered springs will adversely affect the ride quality. You may end up with a suspension which rattles the fillings from you teeth. Good Luck...Jim'85TE
>> Edited by lotusguy on Thursday 27th March 16:53
All I can say, is proceed with extreme caution. The balance on an Esprit is very sensitive to change and no one I know who has lowred their car has been pleased with the results, and unfortunately, you can't try 'em before you buy 'em.
The most I would do is get the 'Euro' spec springs, which are lower, from an overseas supplier such as Steve at SJSportscars. These were designed specifically for the car.
Also, note, that any lowered springs will adversely affect the ride quality. You may end up with a suspension which rattles the fillings from you teeth. Good Luck...Jim'85TE
>> Edited by lotusguy on Thursday 27th March 16:53
Thanks both of you - yes, I'm concerned NOT to upset the ride/handling - but every time I walk to my car I see this huge gap between the tyre and arch that needs to be lowered!
I contacted Eibach who make the OEM springs - but they said they couldn't help me as Lotus had asked them not to (umm, that's what OZ told me when I rang them as well).
And yes - it would be nice to hear what someone else feels like who has done it. There was that chap with the black SE who had lowered his and put spacers on from Motor-Concept, but I can not find where he was on the Forum to get in touch and ask him.
Spacers would be nice as well - to save upgrading the wheels - Motor-Concept do 40mm front and 50mm back which would take my 7*17 and 8.5*17 to 8.5 and 10.5 - I wonder why they don't do 40mm front and back as that would give 8.5 and 10 - the same as the 18" OZ split rims and all V8's. The offset's different front and back otherwise you could put 40mm on both - actually, if that was the case, you could put the back wheels (which are 8.5) on the front - and then just space up the front wheels and put those on the back!
I contacted Eibach who make the OEM springs - but they said they couldn't help me as Lotus had asked them not to (umm, that's what OZ told me when I rang them as well).
And yes - it would be nice to hear what someone else feels like who has done it. There was that chap with the black SE who had lowered his and put spacers on from Motor-Concept, but I can not find where he was on the Forum to get in touch and ask him.
Spacers would be nice as well - to save upgrading the wheels - Motor-Concept do 40mm front and 50mm back which would take my 7*17 and 8.5*17 to 8.5 and 10.5 - I wonder why they don't do 40mm front and back as that would give 8.5 and 10 - the same as the 18" OZ split rims and all V8's. The offset's different front and back otherwise you could put 40mm on both - actually, if that was the case, you could put the back wheels (which are 8.5) on the front - and then just space up the front wheels and put those on the back!
Hi Doors,
are you searching me?
I own a 91 MY black Esprit SE with S4 wheels and dampers with adjustable spring plates and spacers (50 mm front and back!) from moto-concept fitted by Ramspott + Brandt, a good and competent Lotus garage in Wiesbaden (near Frankfurt). You can see pictures of my car at www.lotusespritworld.com, owners, Stephan Riedl.
I think it's important to fit the same spacers at the front and the back. You can see, it works fine an looks good with the S4 wheels. The 'low' stance of the car has been adjusted by myself to a height of circa 60 mm lower than before. After this, I had to remove a little material where the front bumper is fitted with the mudguard because the front wheels wheted in fast driving curves. Driving the car now is much more better than before. The road-holding is excellent. You can adjust the hardness of every shock-absorber individually with a little regulator within a few seconds, without having to remove the tires.
Cheers
Stephan
are you searching me?
I own a 91 MY black Esprit SE with S4 wheels and dampers with adjustable spring plates and spacers (50 mm front and back!) from moto-concept fitted by Ramspott + Brandt, a good and competent Lotus garage in Wiesbaden (near Frankfurt). You can see pictures of my car at www.lotusespritworld.com, owners, Stephan Riedl.
I think it's important to fit the same spacers at the front and the back. You can see, it works fine an looks good with the S4 wheels. The 'low' stance of the car has been adjusted by myself to a height of circa 60 mm lower than before. After this, I had to remove a little material where the front bumper is fitted with the mudguard because the front wheels wheted in fast driving curves. Driving the car now is much more better than before. The road-holding is excellent. You can adjust the hardness of every shock-absorber individually with a little regulator within a few seconds, without having to remove the tires.
Cheers
Stephan
Hi there, I've just bought some shocks off a guy for my 1990 turbo. He said that they were off an S4 but with a shorter pistion length. I bought them really cheap. Iam getting them hopefully tommorrow. Not sure yet whether i'll fit them. If they are different from my others and they're lower than yours, you can have them if you want. I have been looking a adjustables. Try PNM Engineering 0151 630 6101 and ask for Pete. Make sure you mention my name (DAVE WALTERS). We're doing a bit of a project together. Let you know if it comes off. should save people lots of dough.
Anyway, he can source adjustable platform shocks that you can adjust on the car really cheap and they're good. Spax are another option I think these are about £90 each (adjustable)and £60 each (fixed). The new ones Pete has located are much cheaper. He's going to put them on his project race when he get round to it.
He's just ordered springs for me for approx £40/each.
Give him a ring, it's only a phone call and believe me, you won't be sorry.
He sells new, recon, reman and used parts and is the most helpful guy i've come across.
Cheers,
Dave Walters
Anyway, he can source adjustable platform shocks that you can adjust on the car really cheap and they're good. Spax are another option I think these are about £90 each (adjustable)and £60 each (fixed). The new ones Pete has located are much cheaper. He's going to put them on his project race when he get round to it.
He's just ordered springs for me for approx £40/each.
Give him a ring, it's only a phone call and believe me, you won't be sorry.
He sells new, recon, reman and used parts and is the most helpful guy i've come across.
Cheers,
Dave Walters
ps. Forgot to mention but the guy Iam buying the shocks from is doing a 350 sport conversion. He said that he would touch adjustable shocks which is similar to what Lotusguy said. He added that Lotus are renowned for their handling so why question the experts. Adjustable shocks would have to be set up exactly with the weight of each spring. If set up wrong which isn't hard to do, the car will handle like a motor-home or a whale! Which evers worse!
Cheers,
Dave Walters
Cheers,
Dave Walters
Thanks Dave - I'll call him - and are you saying, don't go near adjustable shocks? Would lowering the height with shortend springs upset the handling? or is that more down to the shocks?
Anyway - £40 a corner to get lowered springs sounds very reasonable to me to get the look I want!
Keep us posted on your 'project'
Doors.
Anyway - £40 a corner to get lowered springs sounds very reasonable to me to get the look I want!
Keep us posted on your 'project'
Doors.
Doors said: Thanks Dave - I'll call him - and are you saying, don't go near adjustable shocks? Would lowering the height with shortend springs upset the handling? or is that more down to the shocks?
Anyway - £40 a corner to get lowered springs sounds very reasonable to me to get the look I want!
Keep us posted on your 'project'
Doors.
Iam not technical with this sort of stuff either. Iam just ordering the same springs as before as my ride height is low enough. There's no reason why you couldn't buy shorter springs though.
My S4 shocks just arrived this morning. Let you know how I get on.
I see you've taken my advise on your wheels which is good. Now just think of all that money you can spend on other bits or just keep in your pocket for now.
Make sure you buy rear rear light conversion because I'm banking on your rear licience plate holder.
Cheers,
Dave Walters
Thanks Dave - the rear lights are going ahead - just have to wait until July for the panel from Steve at SJ. Then we can deal on the plate if you still want it then.
As for the wheels - I saw some 18" Oz Saturns for sale (not really what I wanted, but they're 10" at the back which is what I want) - so may well have the GT3 wheels for sale after-all (although they're growing on me - as they're very shiny and look great from a distance!). They've got reasonably new tyres on them (only just bought the car) but don't know what - I'll check. Let me know if you're still interested - need to know whether selling the GT3's and buying the OZ -I'll have any money to buy the tyres - or I'll be really stuck! Oh, I'm getting some new seats as well - which is actually where all my £ is going at the moment - black leather with red alcantara centre bits.
Doors.
As for the wheels - I saw some 18" Oz Saturns for sale (not really what I wanted, but they're 10" at the back which is what I want) - so may well have the GT3 wheels for sale after-all (although they're growing on me - as they're very shiny and look great from a distance!). They've got reasonably new tyres on them (only just bought the car) but don't know what - I'll check. Let me know if you're still interested - need to know whether selling the GT3's and buying the OZ -I'll have any money to buy the tyres - or I'll be really stuck! Oh, I'm getting some new seats as well - which is actually where all my £ is going at the moment - black leather with red alcantara centre bits.
Doors.
stephan said: Hi Doors,
are you searching me?
Cheers
Stephan
Stephan,
I must admit it looks the bizz without the cat sleeping area above the top of the wheel!:-)
I was looking at mine the other day trying to picture a lowered version and yours is the look I was imagining!
Just wanted to say how nice it looked.
John
94 S4... not for much longer.
To jconsta6:
Thank you - and your car looks fine too! But why ... not for much longer?
To Doors:
Please correct me if I'm not right: I think the front and the rear tracks of the S4 and the SE are the same. So I think it's better to fit the same spacers at front and rear to constant the relation of the tracks.
Cheers and a nice weekend (we have sunny weather with 20° C - it's Esprit-weather. I will make a trip to the Nurburgring)
Stephan
Thank you - and your car looks fine too! But why ... not for much longer?
To Doors:
Please correct me if I'm not right: I think the front and the rear tracks of the S4 and the SE are the same. So I think it's better to fit the same spacers at front and rear to constant the relation of the tracks.
Cheers and a nice weekend (we have sunny weather with 20° C - it's Esprit-weather. I will make a trip to the Nurburgring)
Stephan
Doors said: Thanks Dave - the rear lights are going ahead - just have to wait until July for the panel from Steve at SJ. Then we can deal on the plate if you still want it then.
As for the wheels - I saw some 18" Oz Saturns for sale (not really what I wanted, but they're 10" at the back which is what I want) - so may well have the GT3 wheels for sale after-all (although they're growing on me - as they're very shiny and look great from a distance!). They've got reasonably new tyres on them (only just bought the car) but don't know what - I'll check. Let me know if you're still interested - need to know whether selling the GT3's and buying the OZ -I'll have any money to buy the tyres - or I'll be really stuck! Oh, I'm getting some new seats as well - which is actually where all my £ is going at the moment - black leather with red alcantara centre bits.
Doors.
Doors,
Any bits off yours I have first refusal. Will send you an e-mail.
What size tyres do you need for your new wheels. I'll have a look at this end.
cheers,
Dave Walters
Doors,
Try this link
www.andywhittaker.com/lotus/frontgrille.htm
for the grille mesh.
Hope this helps
Alan
89 Turbo
Try this link
www.andywhittaker.com/lotus/frontgrille.htm
for the grille mesh.
Hope this helps
Alan
89 Turbo
With suspension mods experience is the key.
Adjustable suspension is great when you need to set the car up for different tracks or you can have one setting for the road one for the track.
If you haven't got the experience (or know someone who has)to set up the car correctly, you may end up with a car that handles worse than before.
You may be able to get a set from a Sport 300 or 350 but these cars have different weights and balances from yours.
Buy a set especially made for the car or get fully adjustable ones which are setup by an expert for your driving style.
Adjustable suspension is great when you need to set the car up for different tracks or you can have one setting for the road one for the track.
If you haven't got the experience (or know someone who has)to set up the car correctly, you may end up with a car that handles worse than before.
You may be able to get a set from a Sport 300 or 350 but these cars have different weights and balances from yours.
Buy a set especially made for the car or get fully adjustable ones which are setup by an expert for your driving style.
Hi Doors,
I did it 2 years ago. There are two ways to fix the mesh - the complicated one, which takes more time and an easy one, for lazy guys like me.
Ok, let's start: Many others told me, that it's not worthwhile to remove the front bumper in order to fix the mesh. And I thougth: why not leave the old mesh inside? I made a copy of each of the 5 openings. After that I cut the new mesh (from Foliatec) ca. 3 mm larger on each side. Than I jamed the new one between the old mesh and the edge of the bumper. The new mesh has round holes with a diametre of ca. 6 mm. Because the old mesh is black, you cannot see it through the new one. To make sure that it holds, I fixed it additionaly with some rivets on the old mesh.
Good luck.
Cheers
Stephan
I did it 2 years ago. There are two ways to fix the mesh - the complicated one, which takes more time and an easy one, for lazy guys like me.
Ok, let's start: Many others told me, that it's not worthwhile to remove the front bumper in order to fix the mesh. And I thougth: why not leave the old mesh inside? I made a copy of each of the 5 openings. After that I cut the new mesh (from Foliatec) ca. 3 mm larger on each side. Than I jamed the new one between the old mesh and the edge of the bumper. The new mesh has round holes with a diametre of ca. 6 mm. Because the old mesh is black, you cannot see it through the new one. To make sure that it holds, I fixed it additionaly with some rivets on the old mesh.
Good luck.
Cheers
Stephan
Gassing Station | Esprit | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff