AVO & Protech shock absorbers & SJ Springs

[theelanman]

I only asked......
just confused with no commitment, no purchase, no group buy......
just sounded more like a wish list than anything constructive.....

[Nige]

In the interests of being fair I make a plea to get this thread back on topic. Choice is a good thing and options for rejuvenating suspension that is at least 14 years old this year is something we will all need if we want to keep our cars on the road. Regardless of what anyone else might think it seems clear to me that the springs best suited to the end use of the car need to be selected first and then a suitable level of damping to control the springs needs to be arrived at. My concern over simply fitting adjustable dampers and fiddling (the only current option) is how do you really know what you have done. I would have thought it more than likely that the damping provided by the stock dampers when new, was probably optimum for the stock springs when new, for the market the car was sold into when new, that doesn't mean it can't be better or at least different depending on what the car is to be used for.

I'm interested in progress on this development as much as I'm interested in progress on other developments. The one that most closely meets what I want for my car is the one I will choose, but it will be great to have that choice.

[thewheelrestorer]

Blimey !!! I've been such a busy bee I've not had chance to catch up........

All this guy seems to get is a load of bollocks from a few people on here. Including 2 people creating new accounts just to make fun

Yeah there's always a few people in life that want and like to spoil the party !

[How many others are bothering their arses./quote]
Hmmm let me think.........................

Not to put words in anyone's mouth but I got the impression that this was just a list to gauge interest in general.

It was, or is, or ?

what do we have so far?..
no research, no development, no initiative??????

I've used my experience and initiative to contact AVO and SJ sportcars and I've discussed the technical details on the ONLY current available damper and uprated (front)spring........is this a good enough start for you?

Im just confused about putting my name on a list that just isnt going to happen,

Another Very Negative response... isn't it ?

I only asked......
just confused with no commitment, no purchase, no group buy......
just sounded more like a wish list than anything constructive.....

Constructive Bull sh1t, there's plenty of that flying around !!

Does anyone blame me for not being arsed to continue........?

I've had a good offer on my Elan in px for a Porsche, A Car with a reasonable sporting pedigree in standard trim, designed very well , but with a whole heap of replacement improvement tuning parts available, clubs and possibly friendly forums??

[Nige]

[theelanman]

I've used my experience and initiative to contact AVO and SJ sportcars and I've discussed the technical details on the ONLY current available damper and uprated (front)spring........is this a good enough start for you?

????..... ......not really a discussion if youre only talkin about 1 thing......
the only thing I was askin for was fact or concrete evidence.....sorry if I put it the wrong way....Ive read the thread several times and I cant see anything other than ifs, buts and maybe's......
sorry if Ive got the wrong end of the stick.......probably me just being thick.....hence why Ive not added my name to the list

sorry

[Exbury]

Its an interesting thread and I have learnt some things from it but I certainly dont have the interest at the moment for any change in suspension set-up. Sorry, but I will keep reading!

Yes I also disagree with the nit picking from both sides, it seems like TWR you have managed to get a cyber-personaility clash with a few members here. I must admit its very rare for anyone on the LEC to have umbrage with anyone else compared to other car forums. Hopefully the picking will disappear and the discussions continuing, I know people will have their own points of view based on individual experience, so while its nice to see lots of discussion and debate I start turning off when people start to snipe and pick at each other which is a shame as generally its on an interesting topic where peoples experiences actually make fascinating reading (at least for me). I know we dont want a forum devoid of humour or emotion but no please.

TWR, in the interests of those who might be interested in a list maybe a clear summary or bulletpoints of what you would like to explore will help some wavering folks decide if they would be interested.

Peace to all

Who is to know what is possible until one has attempted the impossible and succeded.

[thewheelrestorer]

Exbury

TWR, in the interests of those who might be interested in a list maybe a clear summary or bulletpoints of what you would like to explore will help some wavering folks decide if they would be interested.

The availability of straight replacement and / or uprated shocks and springs is currently very poor. I've also attempted to ascertain the exact criteria and technical values that have been put forward to Bilstein & Eibach, but have not succeded , and I've been told it's only a level of interest thread at this stage!

This thread was and is to discuss the current shock absorber units and springs availble from AVO & SJ Sportcars.

I've attempted to not tread on toes, as seemingly one has to prove ones worth to be worthy on the LEC forum! by asking several questions openly:

What exactly do people want, when they say "I would be interested in better handling" and also who has AVO's and / or Sj Springs fitted and what exactly is the car doing or not doing, and what could be better.

I sense a lot of people do not want to ruin the ride? and the Bilstein / Eibach combo on the other thread was hanging a lot more toward track day & a full race set up, which will ruin the ride comfort 100%

Now, every time I seemingly attempt to explain my experiences and / or knowledge from my professional and personal Motorsport Racing, Road Tuning, and employment positions I sense..... and have also been told I'm blowing my trumpet !!?? I don't know how else to say that for years, not just the odd weekend...but for years my job was to direct , design, and tailor suspension packages to suit customers needs for road cars. This on top of countless laps of race circuits gives me a lot of ground and experience.

Getting back on thread........I now know that the AVO shock can be made to accept a different coil spring than the original size , and also possibly the damping characteristics can also be changed to suit peoples needs, especially if I'm right in thinking a better controlled shock and spring with a similar ride quaility can be made this would be not only popular but also a safe option. People could trust the package without wondering if it would ruin the way the car drives for them.

I've already ascertained the AVO shock body can use a lower spring platform for a universal 2.25ID spring, also the top mounting we need to make to suit this spring because I think the Bilstein & Eibach criteria is set to use the original? I'm not sure....I'm not allowed to ask...I know nuffink !!

The SJ front spring was a questimated experiment for the track, and was never properly tested. A stiffer front ONLY spring will assist the car under braking reducing the dive, but the extra resistance under cornering will make the front "Push" or understeer. If the springs are to be changed all 4 need doing accordingly.

The AVO shock is platform adjustable, the lower spring platform is on a thread and can be raised or lowered to set the desired ride height, which means for those of you that DO NOT want to lower the car this can be done.

Obviously this type of fitting, and set up can only be done by people that know what they are doing and not Quick Fit!

When I have more Time, and this is currently a problem, I had planned to re contact AVO and further discuss the criteria for a good ride quality but with better control (LEss body roll, squat under acceleration, and also less dive under braking etc...) because I think the current shock Valving may be too stiff?


It's difficult for me..........to sumarise and bullet point, as this is a complex subject....but hopefully this may answer your question and clear up what this particualr thread is set out to acheive.

In the meantime.......for sure the idiots can keep ranting but it does, and would turn anybody off......... if they persist in being silly!

I see many members who have been here for many years and it's quite suprising that what I regard personally as the most important part of a sportscar (The Handling) has not been tackled before, and even the current available parts not much knowledge is known about them?

Later.............

[Sy V]

You just don't get it do you?

...I will be contacting my old employers KONI, ...I spent a whole day tuning a set of Spax shocks on an Opel Manta 15 years ago...I once put a set of 7"x 16" wheels with 205/45/16 on a Mark 1 rear engined MR2...I think I know of these guys, there are a few besoke manufactures in the Sheffield area...I've had several cars where I change the standard springs for brand new ones...after many years of circuit Racing I've reached such a level of personal exhileration...I've been a member of approx 5 other forums...I always take a very long time to tune in to a new car...I've done several test sessions since...A successful Circuit racers goal is to not make the car do anything silly...everytime it rains I win trophies...unyet I can still outrun most folk on the road...today I drove a customers car...I didn't like the feel of it...a 535 MS wouldn't be for me either...too heavy and lardy to throw around...Also KONI produce a patented technology called FSD used on Mr. Hamiltons F1 Mclaren...I'll make some enquiries soon...Don't get confused people...for those that don't know...I just need to get the top mounts made...I won't be keeping eager people in the dark like some...The top mounts I will look at getting designed and made...It's not what , but who you know...I've got buddies who work in F1...we should be able to make both types of mounts...I used to do this as a full time profession...It' s so easy when you know how to ride a bike...I've been such a busy bee...I've used my experience and initiative to contact AVO and SJ sportcars...is this a good enough start for you?...I've had a good offer on my Elan in px for a Porsche, A Car with a reasonable sporting pedigree...I've attempted to not tread on toes...my experiences and / or knowledge from my professional and personal Motorsport Racing, Road Tuning, and employment positions...I'm blowing my trumpet...This on top of countless laps of race circuits gives me a lot of ground and experience...I know nuffink...

[thewheelrestorer]

I start turning off when people start to snipe and pick at each other which is a shame as generally its on an interesting topic where peoples experiences actually make fascinating reading (at least for me). I know we dont want a forum devoid of humour or emotion but no please.

In the interests of being fair I make a plea to get this thread back on topic.

All this guy seems to get is a load of bollocks from a few people on here. Including 2 people creating new accounts just to make fun.

[thewheelrestorer]

AVO & Protech Update!1

FAILURE !!!

Sorry to those who had genuine interest in understanding the different types of suspension and what it does etc...but my Lotus is sold and so in light of all the abuse from the usual suspects I've swung to stopping all invovlement in this development.

I wish all the best of luck to those that are waiting for alternative replacement aftermarket parts for their car now and in the future.

I think (IMO) looking at threads as far as 4 years old with desires for replacement and upgraded suspension it could still be going on in 4 years time, I just hope some progress will of been made as it's not too difficult to acheive.

At Least some of my work established how the Sj front springs were made and not rears ? and also that the Avo shock will accept a univeral race coil (2.25") if a suitable top mount could be made, this would suit the track day boys.... Anyone wanting to follow this route ...speak to Nigel at AVO he may be able to advise or even produce a number of top mounts to be used for the racer coils and he also will be able to advise on a suitable set of front and rear spring rates to suit your requirements....


The Elan has good potential for upgrading I will say, A few years back I purchased one of those MX5 things !!! For £2000 and sold it for £3850 !! (This was the reason as it's not my bag..So it was worth buying)...but these cars have a good reputation of Handling well !! Which I thought was very very over rated and I think the Lotus is also a little rose tinted by todays standards but certainly 200% better than the Japanese copy of the original Elan!

Au revoir!

[theelanman]

to this end....what results have you got?....how far did you get?.....who are your contacts?.....
basically just so that one of us can pick up from where you left off....no point starting all over again
cheers
g

[Nige]

All the best, bye.

[Specky]

TTFN

[GeoffSmith]

So long, and thanks for all the fish.

[lotos]

So long, and thanks for all the fish.