Elise S1 Suspension

[stevefield]

Probably not the first time this question has been asked but here goes anyway. I'm looking to change the std suspension on my s1 but dont know were to start.Would like adjustment including ride height so has any body got any ideas on type/cost and good suppliers.It's not an every day use car so I dont mind if it's a little uncomprimising on the road.Oh and ideally I would like to fit it myself to keep costs down.I have fitted suspension to a couple of RS Fords
so hopefully it wont be much different.

Cheers

steve

[stu2745]

AVO dampers & springs for £375 inc. vat from Motorbuild or at the other end of the price range Nitrons for ~£850 from Eliseparts. Theres Spax, Ledas and LSS in between.
Go to www.lotusbbs.com, register and search the technical Elise archive for more information and setting up info. If you can't find what you want there then ask someone on the technical BBS.
I am just about to replace everything suspension on my car as the potholes have taken their toll (

HTH

Stu, Pangbourne

[stu2745]

www.lotusbbs.com (without the comma!)

[fergusd]

I run Nitrons, love them.

400(r) 325(f) springs, variable damping, variable ride height, quiet !

I've done over 8000 miles on mine and they are still fine (compared to some peoples bad experiences with Leda for example with a rebuild every 3000 miles !)

They do provide a stiffer ride (which I like) but also much better control over the car (roll/damping) . . .

They are costly, but then the car is all about handling . . .

Fd

[jonboy]

I was going to ask if anyone has got that AVO kit - is it any good? At £375, surely too good to be true....

Would recommend Elise Service manual for help on suspension strip/refit - Look for the link on a recent topic (called Elise Service Manual strangely) on this forum, you can download it! if you have immense patience.

JonBoy

>> Edited by jonboy on Sunday 24th November 10:22

[stevefield]

Thanks for the responses but I too would like to know how good the AVO's are as you say seems to good to be true.May have to order a set !

cheers

Steve

[jonboy]

Steve,
Hoping to do the same (ie buy & fit myself) at some point - would be interested to hear how the work goes and what you reckon to the result!

ta

JonBoy

[stevefield]

Got the AVO,s yesterday and fitted them last night.Amazingly simple to fit probably took 2-3 hours.
Anyway they seem pretty good could really do with some advice how to set them up paticularly what dropping the car down to it's arches will do to the cars geometry.

Cheers Steve

[fergusd]

Principal thing you'll find is the toe will be wrong, the more you lower it the more it'll be wrong . . . straight line stablity will be worse, turn in worse . . . resetting the toe alone will make a massive difference.

Ideally you're supposed to change the steering rack height (raise it) proportionally relating to how much you've lowered it. This is to maintain the bump steer characteristics of the front suspension.

You should set the ride height to 10mm lower at the front, standard ride height is 140f/140r, 110f/120r for example is a decent road compromise that should get you over most speed bumps.

Once you've decided on that, set it, bedded it in a little, rechecked it then you should get a geo check/setup with the car laden (2 passengers weight in it + 1/2 tank of fuel - this is IMPORTANT ! - AND the initial ride height should be set laden like this - also IMPORTANT !).

See the Lotus Cars BBS technical archives for more suspension geometry discussion that you will ever need . . . there are many, many different setups you can choose from pure track to pure road, obviously they all have compromises . . .

Fd

>> Edited by fergusd on Wednesday 11th December 22:32

[david warrener]

Hey fellas

I,m just about to order a set of avo's. If I fit them with the height you've suggested will my front splitter(aftermarket b&c) be at serious risk of injury. Plus how do i change the rack height.

[fergusd]

[quoteI,m just about to order a set of avo's. If I fit them with the height you've suggested will my front splitter(aftermarket b&c) be at serious risk of injury.

---

Impossible to say

Plus how do i change the rack height.

The height is set using some wee brackets, you need to get some alternative wee brackets from Lotus, unbolt the steering rack fit the new brackets and set the height . . . best to look in the service manual . . .

Fd