Suspensions

[GronkDaSlayer]

Hi,

Quick question about the Elise 111r.
When I bought it (back in 06) I got the 'sport package' which included the Lotus Sport Wheels and a bit stiffer suspensions among other things.

Anyway, I've been taking the car to the track and I have added a couple things lately (GUT splitter and APR Wing). Now that I have the down force covered for the most part I'm looking at the suspension bits and I'll do brakes later.

I was just wondering if it would be worth it to toss the stock shocks (Bilstein I think they are) for Nitrons which are adjustable (1 way compression & rebound though because the 2 way are out of my budget for now) ?
I must admit that I haven't looked at the stock one but I'm pretty sure they are not adjustable, so I was thinking that I could get some that are a little better in that regard and fit them with medium spring rate.

Suggestions?

Note: I haven't talked about engine mods at all because I want to get the other stuff sorted first like I'd do on my race bikes.

[Uncle Sam]

I would suggest that a brace for the rear suspension is important for regular tracking. For non-adjustable shocks the Bilsteins are pretty good. I would also do the front shim mod.

[fitfan]

i would change what you find limiting you on track...

is a lack of adjustability limiting you? low speed / high speed traction? front, rear? braking? power?

what tires are you running? and how are they reacting to your current set up?

then once you know your goal - it is much easier to get there.

can you identify what you are having to "drive around" ?

[shinoo]

One big advantage with the Nitron's is that the ride height adjustability will give you corner balancing. These cars really respond well to a proper alignment and set-up.

The OE Sport shocks are great on smooth roads and tracks. The Nitrons will give you adjustments so you can tweak the handling to your heart's content, regardless of road conditions.

We will also support your future upgrade needs as we are developing full Nitron rebuilding and revalving service here in the US.

[basstwo]

Originally Posted by shinoo

One big advantage with the Nitron's is that the ride height adjustability will give you corner balancing. These cars really respond well to a proper alignment and set-up.

The OE Sport shocks are great on smooth roads and tracks. The Nitrons will give you adjustments so you can tweak the handling to your heart's content, regardless of road conditions.

We will also support your future upgrade needs as we are developing full Nitron rebuilding and revalving service here in the US.

Shinoo

Are the new Nitron uprights recommended even if ride height is not significantly lower?

[shinoo]

Originally Posted by basstwo

Shinoo

Are the new Nitron uprights recommended even if ride height is not significantly lower?

It is really a track focused product which would suggest lower ride heights. You would not get the full benefits otherwise - except bragging rights about having the coolest uprights!

[GronkDaSlayer]

Thanks for the feedback.

I'm going to try to get to Thunderhill at the end of the month and figure out what is 'missing'. I haven't been to the track with the splitter/Wing setup but I noticed that those 2 things did make some change in the way the car handles.

I'm normally running Proxes 888 as I like them better than the stock Yokohama and I felt like the tires were doing well back in April, exception made of Turn 2 and 3. Turn 2 is a very long U shaped left hander that got my tires squeal quite a bit and Turn 3 is an off camber right hand turn that causes the car to roll a bit much for my taste.
I also got a little spooked in turn 7 (which isn't much of a turn really) because it's a very fast part of the track and the car was pushing towards the outside of the turn at the exit which required me to add a little more turn in. It's probably not an issue but it's a turn where the car just feels not as comfortable as in the other parts of the track.

It's probably wise to go around the track with my current setup and compare with the previous one. This way I should be able to determine if I really need to upgrade the suspensions.

Like I mentioned originally, at this point I just want to focus on the handling parts of the car (tires, suspensions, aero bits) and try to find what works best.

I'll look into those other mods you guys referred to.

[basstwo]

Originally Posted by shinoo

It is really a track focused product which would suggest lower ride heights. You would not get the full benefits otherwise - except bragging rights about having the coolest uprights!

Noted, but with the design as it is, would it actually be a step backwards if say the ride height is set at 120mm? It's supposed to be lighter than the stock lump of iron, right?

Cheers