Replicate OEM Suspension - S2/RowSE/NA(part) - Not USA

[BFG in the BRG]

Solty909 wrote

I do not know whether Tony has tried LEDA as a shock maker. I spoke to Matt Courtage @ LEDA in Derby who seemed very interested in helping us. He told me they had made a special order for a gent in the USA who needed M100 dampers for his Elan there and they had helped out the Land Rover owners club with their ambulances, by making 200 shocks for them as like our O/E parts there were no longer available. Could I suggest we give them a run instead of Protech. Best wishes Peter

Anyway

1. Denny - Full set (front & rear)
2. Woody - Full set (front & rear)
3. M100_DMM - Full set (front and rear) - NA
4. BFG in the BRG - Full set (front and rear) - SI
5.Texas2201 2 rear springs if that is possible - I only recently fitted adj AVO's to the rear
6. Speed-demon - Full Set
7. Gee0 - Rear dampers and springs
8. daveA - Full set (front & rear) - SI
9. ashm - full set (front & rear)
10.DavidEJM - full set (front & rear) - SI
11.Cliff - Full Set (front & rear) - SI
12. saska - Full Set (front & rear) - SI
13. saska - Full Set of Springs + rear dampers - SI
14. JonT - Full set (front & rear) - SI
15. Avonvilla - Full Set (Front & Rear) - SI

[ashm]

Solty909 wrote

I do not know whether Tony has tried LEDA as a shock maker. I spoke to Matt Courtage @ LEDA in Derby who seemed very interested in helping us. He told me they had made a special order for a gent in the USA who needed M100 dampers for his Elan there and they had helped out the Land Rover owners club with their ambulances, by making 200 shocks for them as like our O/E parts there were no longer available. Could I suggest we give them a run instead of Protech. Best wishes Peter

Anyway

1. Denny - Full set (front & rear)
2. Woody - Full set (front & rear)
3. M100_DMM - Full set (front and rear) - NA
4. BFG in the BRG - Full set (front and rear) - SI
5.Texas2201 2 rear springs if that is possible - I only recently fitted adj AVO's to the rear
6. Speed-demon - Full Set
7. Gee0 - Rear dampers and springs
8. daveA - Full set (front & rear) - SI
9. ashm - full set (front & rear) - SI
10.DavidEJM - full set (front & rear) - SI
11.Cliff - Full Set (front & rear) - SI
12. saska - Full Set (front & rear) - SI
13. saska - Full Set of Springs + rear dampers - SI
14. JonT - Full set (front & rear) - SI
15. Avonvilla - Full Set (Front & Rear) - SI

[Denny]

If those who are Still Interested could annotate their entry with SI it would be appreciated.

1. Denny - Full set (front & rear) - SI
2. Woody - Full set (front & rear)
3. M100_DMM - Full set (front and rear) - NA
4. BFG in the BRG - Full set (front and rear) - SI
5.Texas2201 2 rear springs if that is possible - I only recently fitted adj AVO's to the rear
6. Speed-demon - Full Set
7. Gee0 - Rear dampers and springs
8. daveA - Full set (front & rear) - SI
9. ashm - full set (front & rear) - SI
10.DavidEJM - full set (front & rear) - SI
11.Cliff - Full Set (front & rear) - SI
12. saska - Full Set (front & rear) - SI
13. saska - Full Set of Springs + rear dampers - SI
14. JonT - Full set (front & rear) - SI
15. Avonvilla - Full Set (Front & Rear) - SI

[woody]

1. Denny - Full set (front & rear) - SI
2. Woody - Full set (front & rear) -S1
3. M100_DMM - Full set (front and rear) - NA
4. BFG in the BRG - Full set (front and rear) - SI
5.Texas2201 2 rear springs if that is possible - I only recently fitted adj AVO's to the rear
6. Speed-demon - Full Set
7. Gee0 - Rear dampers and springs
8. daveA - Full set (front & rear) - SI
9. ashm - full set (front & rear) - SI
10.DavidEJM - full set (front & rear) - SI
11.Cliff - Full Set (front & rear) - SI
12. saska - Full Set (front & rear) - SI
13. saska - Full Set of Springs + rear dampers - SI
14. JonT - Full set (front & rear) - SI
15. Avonvilla - Full Set (Front & Rear) - SI
Cheers,
Woody

[Gee0]

1. Denny - Full set (front & rear) - SI
2. Woody - Full set (front & rear) -S1
3. M100_DMM - Full set (front and rear) - NA
4. BFG in the BRG - Full set (front and rear) - SI
5.Texas2201 2 rear springs if that is possible - I only recently fitted adj AVO's to the rear
6. Speed-demon - Full Set
7. Gee0 - Rear dampers and springs, maybe fronts too if the price is right- SI
8. daveA - Full set (front & rear) - SI
9. ashm - full set (front & rear) - SI
10.DavidEJM - full set (front & rear) - SI
11.Cliff - Full Set (front & rear) - SI
12. saska - Full Set (front & rear) - SI
13. saska - Full Set of Springs + rear dampers - SI
14. JonT - Full set (front & rear) - SI
15. Avonvilla - Full Set (Front & Rear) - SI

[discovery]

1. Denny - Full set (front & rear) - SI
2. Woody - Full set (front & rear) -S1
3. M100_DMM - Full set (front and rear) - NA
4. BFG in the BRG - Full set (front and rear) - SI
5.Texas2201 2 rear springs if that is possible - I only recently fitted adj AVO's to the rear
6. Speed-demon - Full Set
7. Gee0 - Rear dampers and springs, maybe fronts too if the price is right- SI
8. daveA - Full set (front & rear) - SI
9. ashm - full set (front & rear) - SI
10.DavidEJM - full set (front & rear) - SI
11.Cliff - Full Set (front & rear) - SI
12. saska - Full Set (front & rear) - SI
13. saska - Full Set of Springs + rear dampers - SI
14. JonT - Full set (front & rear) - SI
15. Avonvilla - Full Set (Front & Rear) - SI

16. Discovery-Rear Dampers only - S1

[PAUL30]

1. Denny - Full set (front & rear) - SI
2. Woody - Full set (front & rear) -S1
3. M100_DMM - Full set (front and rear) - NA
4. BFG in the BRG - Full set (front and rear) - SI
5.Texas2201 2 rear springs if that is possible - I only recently fitted adj AVO's to the rear
6. Speed-demon - Full Set
7. Gee0 - Rear dampers and springs, maybe fronts too if the price is right- SI
8. daveA - Full set (front & rear) - SI
9. ashm - full set (front & rear) - SI
10.DavidEJM - full set (front & rear) - SI
11.Cliff - Full Set (front & rear) - SI
12. saska - Full Set (front & rear) - SI
13. saska - Full Set of Springs + rear dampers - SI
14. JonT - Full set (front & rear) - SI
15. Avonvilla - Full Set (Front & Rear) - SI
16. Discovery-Rear Dampers only - S1
17. Paul30 - full set front and rear - SI

[stevieshag]

1. Denny - Full set (front & rear) - SI
2. Woody - Full set (front & rear) -S1
3. M100_DMM - Full set (front and rear) - NA
4. BFG in the BRG - Full set (front and rear) - SI
5.Texas2201 2 rear springs if that is possible - I only recently fitted adj AVO's to the rear
6. Speed-demon - Full Set
7. Gee0 - Rear dampers and springs, maybe fronts too if the price is right- SI
8. daveA - Full set (front & rear) - SI
9. ashm - full set (front & rear) - SI
10.DavidEJM - full set (front & rear) - SI
11.Cliff - Full Set (front & rear) - SI
12. saska - Full Set (front & rear) - SI
13. saska - Full Set of Springs + rear dampers - SI
14. JonT - Full set (front & rear) - SI
15. Avonvilla - Full Set (Front & Rear) - SI
16. Discovery-Rear Dampers only - S1
17. Paul30 - full set front and rear - SI
18. Stevieshag- Rear dampers & springs depneding on time line. SI

[M100_DMM]

1. Denny - Full set (front & rear) - SI
2. Woody - Full set (front & rear) -S1
3. M100_DMM - Full set (front and rear) - NA - SI
4. BFG in the BRG - Full set (front and rear) - SI
5.Texas2201 2 rear springs if that is possible - I only recently fitted adj AVO's to the rear
6. Speed-demon - Full Set
7. Gee0 - Rear dampers and springs, maybe fronts too if the price is right- SI
8. daveA - Full set (front & rear) - SI
9. ashm - full set (front & rear) - SI
10.DavidEJM - full set (front & rear) - SI
11.Cliff - Full Set (front & rear) - SI
12. saska - Full Set (front & rear) - SI
13. saska - Full Set of Springs + rear dampers - SI
14. JonT - Full set (front & rear) - SI
15. Avonvilla - Full Set (Front & Rear) - SI
16. Discovery-Rear Dampers only - S1
17. Paul30 - full set front and rear - SI
18. Stevieshag- Rear dampers & springs depneding on time line. SI

[kmckmc]

1. Denny - Full set (front & rear) - S1
2. Woody - Full set (front & rear) -S1
3. M100_DMM - Full set (front and rear) - NA - S1
4. BFG in the BRG - Full set (front and rear) - S1
5.Texas2201 2 rear springs if that is possible - I only recently fitted adj AVO's to the rear
6. Speed-demon - Full Set
7. Gee0 - Rear dampers and springs, maybe fronts too if the price is right- S1
8. daveA - Full set (front & rear) - S1
9. ashm - full set (front & rear) - S1
10.DavidEJM - full set (front & rear) - S1
11.Cliff - Full Set (front & rear) - S1
12. saska - Full Set (front & rear) - S1
13. saska - Full Set of Springs + rear dampers - S1
14. JonT - Full set (front & rear) - S1
15. Avonvilla - Full Set (Front & Rear) - S1
16. Discovery-Rear Dampers only - S1
17. Paul30 - full set front and rear - S1
18. Stevieshag- Rear dampers & springs depneding on time line. S1
19. kmckmc - front/rear springs and rear dampers - S2

[discovery]

Any progress?

[saska]

Any progress?

Just to let you know I've received the prototype dampers from Gaz.
They are adjustable for damping & spring seat height (we know what this should be for OEM).
Max and min damping dynos were included but I've yet to work out the math on which setting is closest to OEM.
We've got the dynos for the OEM dampers Inkitin sent to Gaz so this shouldn't be a problem. The dyno profiles (curves) look pretty good though.
Cursory examination of the dampers shows they look dimensionally good but I need to measure them more closely.
They have a good sized conical bump stop in the correct position of travel both front & rear with strong & welded support washers.
Think I need to get another frt & rear spring to match the new Lotus ones I have here and put the shocks & springs on a car. The S2 currently has v. good suspension, even though slightly sagged in ride height, so think I'll fit the Gaz dampers & new springs to this one as it makes the best comparison. I'd rather put them on the SE as it's suspension is well knacked (136K miles) but that will make comparison harder. Am also more familiar with the S2 closer to the limit (wet & dry) so think this is the thing to do.
David at Gaz is on holiday until 19 Sept and I'll ring him then.
Will advise when I know more.

[JonT]

Any progress?

Just to let you know I've received the prototype dampers from Gaz.
They are adjustable for damping & spring seat height (we know what this should be for OEM).
Max and min damping dynos were included but I've yet to work out the math on which setting is closest to OEM.
We've got the dynos for the OEM dampers Inkitin sent to Gaz so this shouldn't be a problem. The dyno profiles (curves) look pretty good though.
Cursory examination of the dampers shows they look dimensionally good but I need to measure them more closely.
They have a good sized conical bump stop in the correct position of travel both front & rear with strong & welded support washers.
Think I need to get another frt & rear spring to match the new Lotus ones I have here and put the shocks & springs on a car. The S2 currently has v. good suspension, even though slightly sagged in ride height, so think I'll fit the Gaz dampers & new springs to this one as it makes the best comparison. I'd rather put them on the SE as it's suspension is well knacked (136K miles) but that will make comparison harder. Am also more familiar with the S2 closer to the limit (wet & dry) so think this is the thing to do.
David at Gaz is on holiday until 19 Sept and I'll ring him then.
Will advise when I know more.

Sounds promising.

[inkitin]

Not wishing to be the instigator of anybody putting pressure on Tony to progress this project but I thought I would report back on some "repairs" I've had done on my Elan today, at the same time as a service, MoT (passed - great!) and a few other odds and ends.

Quite a few months back I was fortunate enough to acquire a complete brand new set of four Elan spring assemblies, two new (or as near to new as makes no difference) Elan rear dampers and two brand new Elan front dampers. Those of you who've been following this thread may know that one each of these front and rear dampers were tested by Gaz.

All of this lot, except the front dampers, were fitted today. The front dampers weren't included because I already had federal front dampers which, as Tony's testing established, have the same characteristics as the original SE ones. Sorry, the front dampers have already gone.

The effect of theses changes is that the whole car now sits between 1 and 2 inches higher than it did. This is noticeable both visually and by the fact that the door "hits" the protective pad on my garage wall much higher than before. I haven't managed to give it some real beans yet but the evidence of the drive back from having them fitted is that the whole car feels much more stable, planted and the ride has improved considerably.

If this project has the same effect as I've just found, and I've no reason to think that it won't, then I think anybody who goes through with it will be well pleased.

[JonT]

Sounds good inkitin. I could definitely do with some more ground clearance! Tony - any news on how the Gaz units are coming along?

[saska]

Tony - any news on how the Gaz units are coming along?

Got 4 prototype dampers here and now 4 springs (springs were late). I've measured all of them and they look to be fine dimensionally.
The spring seats are adjustable with locking rings and 2 tools supplied, so setting OEM ride height is no problem. They're steel with a 2 layer nickel coating.
Bump stops are 40mm (1 2/3") with lower half conical.
Done the math on the shock dynos and the fronts look very good -- 6 clicks down from max is within 5% on all parameters, some within 2%.
The rears aren't quite as close but in discussion with David @ Gaz he'd like me to try them on a car before going the other way on the valving.
On the current rear prototype, if we set MinF (resistance to extension) correctly then MaxF (resistance to compression) is slightly firmer than OEM.
For reference the MinF is a much larger value than MaxF and the rears are much softer than fronts.
OEM Fronts: MaxF 135 / MinF 513
OEM Rears: MaxF 73 / MinF 238
Will put them on the S2 in the next week or so and see what they're like. I'll take some photos and post them before fitting.
Need to look at N/S/F anyway as I've a faint graunching noise @ over 40MPH particularly when turning right that goes away when turning left. Think it might be wheel bearing or CV Joint as it is car speed related not engine speed so somewhere in final drive/driveshaft/bearing.
Inkitin -- glad you got sorted -- let us know what it's like when you've had a chance to try it properly.

[JonT]

Need to look at N/S/F anyway as I've a faint graunching noise @ over 40MPH particularly when turning right that goes away when turning left. Think it might be wheel bearing or CV Joint as it is car speed related not engine speed so somewhere in final drive/driveshaft/bearing.

IIRC LH driveshafts were on the aftersales list if you end up needing a new one.

[Brit-Car-Nut]

Need to look at N/S/F anyway as I've a faint graunching noise @ over 40MPH particularly when turning right that goes away when turning left. Think it might be wheel bearing or CV Joint as it is car speed related not engine speed so somewhere in final drive/driveshaft/bearing.

IIRC LH driveshafts were on the aftersales list if you end up needing a new one.

JonT: You are right. There were 49 available in March.

C100R0001F Driveshaft Assy LH B3 99.00 + VAT

Basically, you contact Lotus, tell them where to send them, pay them by credit card and the parts will go to your dealer for you to collect or have them ship them to you.

Look here: http://www.clublotus.co.uk/news/club-ne ... -2011.aspx

[inkitin]

I could definitely do with some more ground clearance!

I know what you mean. I can now go over speed bumps at 6mph instead of 3mph.

let us know what it's like when you've had a chance to try it properly.

Will do but the way the weather's shaping up at the moment, that might end up being Spring, next year!

[saska]

Have fitted new springs and prototype dampers. The N/S/F wheel bearing was making the graunching noise so have changed both front wheel bearings -- figured if one was going the other might have its hat & coat on. The graunching noise is gone.
Even though the dampers are nickel coated I clear wax oiled the bodys to give a bit more corrosion resistance.
Haven't measured ride heights yet but I set the spring seats the same height as the OEM dampers are above the lower mounting points.
Took the car up the Greenodd to Coniston road, the Holker Mosses and the Lyth valley road.
The car is an S2 with stock exhaust, an Everest, Michelin Pilot sports and Hi-Spec brakes all round.
Some first impressions:
1. The noticeable rising of the front under hard acceleration in 1, 2 & 3 is gone. It just goes.
2. Under emergency braking the car previously pulled a bit left initially and then was a bit squirrelly down to a stop. Now it stops straight and true -- the nose doesn't drop as much either.
3. Holker Mosses is a quite quick but laterally uneven surface -- previously you had to steer the car to keep it on line. This has gone.
4. While the stock suspension just removed was pretty good and normally had almost no understeer you could provoke understeer by going fast through an S bend -- the understeer appearing as the weight transitioned from one side to the other. The Coniston road has quite a few fast, open S bends and I went there and back. Couldn't provoke the understeer either way.
5. Ride. I think the fronts are perfect as they are. 6 clicks down from max matches the dynos of the OEMs almost perfectly. The rears are harder to set as they are so light in both the spring and the damper. I initially set them at 10 clicks from max and noticed the rear was a bit jiggly (a scientific term) over bumps -- set the rears softer at 12 clicks down from max and this is much improved. i changed the setting before returning from Coniston and, if anything, tried harder to get understeer in the S's but again failed. The sedate ride home along the A590 was comfortable.
I'll do some more testing in the wet when I can and measure ride heights at the weekend.
Think the new springs have much to do with the rising under acceleration and squirrely under emergency braking. Think this is worth doing just for those 2 things.
The rest of the stuff is harder to quantify but there are cars that inspire confidence and those that don't. The car (with previous suspension) was pretty good but with the new springs & dampers just inspires confidence, goes where you point it with very little correction required even when going too quickly into a corner or over uneven surfaces.