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Green Ghost · 08-17-2008, 02:47 PM

To me this is what I would do if…

(remember I don’t know what level/how you drive, but you have a Lotus so…)
If #1
Minimum amount of money to spend, road use and a maybe sometime track outing. Get used Track Pack (TP) shocks and a Track Pack or BWR swaybar (said this before but just to be clear, a new swaybar is needed for any new/different shocks you may get). I myself would not get the Sport Pack (SP) Shocks. For a few dollars more the TP shocks are better, the SP shocks (to me) are not worth it.

If you can’t find a TP then get Nitron single adjustment shocks. (you just missed a good deal on a set of these)

Both of these sets up are EZ to use and are fine (better then base and Sport Pack) on the road and OK on the track. You can adjust them soft for say that drive to grammas house over the typical Caltrans smooth freeways and some of the other f-ed up roads and not feel like you wish you had a different car. Or the wife/girlfriend ask you to never take the lotus there again. Then when you get to grams house that’s 5 miles from some smooth grate mountain roads, firm them up (2 minutes max, no tools needed) and have some fun. And the settings are noticeable every click up. You can learn quite a bit with the Track Pack without getting messed up, and if after you go to a track once and maybe get addicted you haven’t A) spent a lot on shocks that you will quickly replace, and B) use these to get better and understand what it is you will want in an expensive shock set when the time comes.

If #2
If you know your going to start going to the track a bit and get better, learn how play with a car, and maybe time your self a bit, but still keep it simple.
Get the Nitron’s.

If #3
If you are going to start going to the track a lot, don’t mind needing tools to make shock adjustments, having a small note pad to keep your setting written down in, timing yourself and try to get every .001 second off the clock you can, bet other people at the track some beer who’s faster, but keep the car good for the street.
Now it goes 2 ways
A) If you are good or a better driver get the Lotus sport Ohlins.
B) If you are a beginner, get the TP not the Nitron’s, get better at driving and then get the Lotus sport Ohlins. Save some money and make learning EZer.

Ifs #1 to 3 are good to go for a little to a lot (20,000 miles+ a year) of road use.

Both the Nitron and Lotus Sport Ohlins are reported to be smother on the road (but not giving up any thing in handling) then both the TP and SP set ups. But they cost more.
There maybe another road based single adjustment shock out there but I don’t know of it. And if I remember right the Lotus sport Ohlins are the cheapest double adjustment shock that’s good (and its vary good).

08-17-2008, 02:47 PM	#22 (permalink)
Green Ghost Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: orange county Posts: 756 Images: 18	To me this is what I would do if… (remember I don’t know what level/how you drive, but you have a Lotus so…) If #1 Minimum amount of money to spend, road use and a maybe sometime track outing. Get used Track Pack (TP) shocks and a Track Pack or BWR swaybar (said this before but just to be clear, a new swaybar is needed for any new/different shocks you may get). I myself would not get the Sport Pack (SP) Shocks. For a few dollars more the TP shocks are better, the SP shocks (to me) are not worth it. If you can’t find a TP then get Nitron single adjustment shocks. (you just missed a good deal on a set of these) Both of these sets up are EZ to use and are fine (better then base and Sport Pack) on the road and OK on the track. You can adjust them soft for say that drive to grammas house over the typical Caltrans smooth freeways and some of the other f-ed up roads and not feel like you wish you had a different car. Or the wife/girlfriend ask you to never take the lotus there again. Then when you get to grams house that’s 5 miles from some smooth grate mountain roads, firm them up (2 minutes max, no tools needed) and have some fun. And the settings are noticeable every click up. You can learn quite a bit with the Track Pack without getting messed up, and if after you go to a track once and maybe get addicted you haven’t A) spent a lot on shocks that you will quickly replace, and B) use these to get better and understand what it is you will want in an expensive shock set when the time comes. If #2 If you know your going to start going to the track a bit and get better, learn how play with a car, and maybe time your self a bit, but still keep it simple. Get the Nitron’s. If #3 If you are going to start going to the track a lot, don’t mind needing tools to make shock adjustments, having a small note pad to keep your setting written down in, timing yourself and try to get every .001 second off the clock you can, bet other people at the track some beer who’s faster, but keep the car good for the street. Now it goes 2 ways A) If you are good or a better driver get the Lotus sport Ohlins. B) If you are a beginner, get the TP not the Nitron’s, get better at driving and then get the Lotus sport Ohlins. Save some money and make learning EZer. Ifs #1 to 3 are good to go for a little to a lot (20,000 miles+ a year) of road use. Both the Nitron and Lotus Sport Ohlins are reported to be smother on the road (but not giving up any thing in handling) then both the TP and SP set ups. But they cost more. There maybe another road based single adjustment shock out there but I don’t know of it. And if I remember right the Lotus sport Ohlins are the cheapest double adjustment shock that’s good (and its vary good).