Bilstein/Eibach suspension Version 2

[Nige]

As I've just locked the original thread because it had gone completely off topic. I am opening this thread to allow those who have an interest into what is being being proposed by Bob Brown to register their interest. That is a range of springs potentially from road to full race and damping to suit the selected springs for their car dependant on how you want to use it. There is hope that given enough interest it may be possible to gain Lotus interest and input into this.

There are already off the shelf adjustable dampers by both AVO and Pro-Tech available for our cars and stiffer front springs are available from SJ sportscars. A number of people here have these fitted and I am not aware of any particular concerns. However, discussion of other suspension mods or suspension theory in general should kept in appropriate other threads or a new thread started.

Bobs original first post is repeated in full below:

I was holding off on this untill the exercise had been completed but I feel it may be time to get some feed back from you guys as to the interest.
This should be similar to the solution that Lotus in conjunction with Eibach and Bilstein came up with for the Esprit all be it I have asked them to look at it as a track day car not the standard road car.
http://www.lotusespritworld.co.uk/EGuid ... nsion.html
IF and it may be a really big if, there is enough interest we may be able to take this one level further and get Lotus involved and get some real testing done.
This may be easier to manage than the Esprit project as there are less suspension options in Elan like only two, Fed and the rest of the world.

I am in the process of sorting a solution working with Eibach and Bilstein.
I supplied Eibach with a set of standard springs and dampers for them to work with and as they work very closely with Bilstein it seemed appropriate they supply the dampers.
Eibach have specified a spring setup they feel should give an improvement for both the road car and on the track.
It uses two race springs per corner, main spring and a helper spring and this combination it being matched to a suitable damper by Bilstein and I have asked if they can specify a mono tube damper as they have some advantages over twin tube dampers for track use.
To understand any thing to do with suspension which is a very complex subject one fundamental need to be remembered: the spring controls the car and the damper controls the spring, hence dampers are matched to the spring not directly to the car.

The springs used are from Eibachs race range and as such opens up a full range of race springs, the dampers may need to be valved to suit any changes in spring rates but as I am trying to use a mono tube damper this should not be a problem.
Also the use of mono tube dampers allows the dampers to rebuilt which means they can be restored to factory without replacing the whole unit.

I know others are looking at the same thing but from different suppliers, XiPHiAS springs to mind (pun not intended) and KW but I started this some time back and have not pushed either Eibach or Bilstein as the cost to me to date has been just about zero (petrol and time to get the parts to Eibach).
As it stands I am waiting on Bistein with regards to suitable dampers and then the package should be complete.

Ho hum Pandora's box

[Sy V]

Thanks Nige,

Let's hope we can keep the unwanted input out of this thread.

Bob

Please be aware of my interest and support in your work with Bilstein/Eibach/and Lotus (hopefully).

[bobbrown]

Nige

Your link to the Esprit site has got a bit missing http://www.lotusespritworld.co.uk/EGuid ... nsion.html

Bob

[Elanlover]

Interested pending more details and approximate costs.

[G UK]

I'm most certainly interested!!

[RichardK]

Most interested, ££ dependant....

[Dico]

Deffo want them.

List or no list?

[chris.t]

very interested!

[ailwyn]

Those interested, with all the usual caveats
1. Nige
2. Sy
3. Elanlover
4. G UK
5. RichardK
6. Dico
7. Chris.T
8. Ailwyn

[abmunro]

Those interested, with all the usual caveats

1. Nige
2. Sy
3. Elanlover
4. G UK
5. RichardK
6. Dico
7. Chris.T
8. Ailwyn
9. A B Munro

[Specky]

Bob,

I've just thought of another question...

If you're going for the SE, which Chassis have you got in mind...

Cos I just thought, when I did the four point weigh I never said what chassis I had...


TTFN

[bobbrown]

Specky pm sent

Those interested, with all the usual caveats

1. Nige
2. Sy
3. Elanlover
4. G UK
5. RichardK
6. Dico
7. Chris.T
8. Ailwyn
9. A B Munro
10. bobbrown

[Specky]

Got the PM

Those interested, with all the usual caveats

1. Nige
2. Sy
3. Elanlover
4. G UK
5. RichardK
6. Dico
7. Chris.T
8. Ailwyn
9. A B Munro
10. bobbrown
11. Specky

TTFN

[Monty]

Go away for 2 minutes and a 2nd thread is born

Those interested, with all the usual caveats

1. Nige
2. Sy
3. Elanlover
4. G UK
5. RichardK
6. Dico
7. Chris.T
8. Ailwyn
9. A B Munro
10. bobbrown
11. Specky
12. Monty

[rip]

Go away for 2 minutes and a 2nd thread is born

Yup, because the other one was being spammed with
I'd better **** off before I get accused of doing the same to this one...or post on topic.

I have no intention of tracking mine & do not really want to make the ride any harsher. I doubt that the springs & dampers have been changed, so that makes them over 18 years old & I guess a little tired. I expect this is a subjective question, but would upgrading it be important enough to add it to my list of upgrades which is already getting too big?

[ektrolleyboy]

Any updates?
I'm mad, keen (as some say) to get hold of proper, modern, lowered suspension made just for the ELAN. This is clearly a market that has no competition so far.
Someone can make some money from this if they're clever and put the work in.

My money is ready to go for my set! Hurry...

Put me on the list.

[bobbrown]

Those interested, with all the usual caveats

1. Nige
2. Sy
3. Elanlover
4. G UK
5. RichardK
6. Dico
7. Chris.T
8. Ailwyn
9. A B Munro
10. bobbrown
11. Specky
12. Monty
13. ektrolleyboy

[JIMBO]

Thanks Nige,

Let's hope we can keep the unwanted input out of this thread.

Bob

Please be aware of my interest and support in your work with Bilstein/Eibach/and Lotus (hopefully).

Bob,
You have my support, and if I have any money left after a turbo upgrade, also a customer.
Regards
Jim

[thewheelrestorer]

BOB
Any News on the work Bilstein & Eibach are doing ?

Are they producing 2.25ID top mounts ? or are you sourcing these elsewhere ?

Only I may be making some to be used with the AVO shocks, so it would be pointless if they are already on the drawing board?

Regs
Roger
TWR

[bobbrown]

BOB
Any News on the work Bilstein & Eibach are doing ?

Are they producing 2.25ID top mounts ? or are you sourcing these elsewhere ?

Only I may be making some to be used with the AVO shocks, so it would be pointless if they are already on the drawing board?

Regs
Roger
TWR

Simple do not intend to use that diameter