SJ's Springs

[Rusty Wishbone]

Another MOT advisory is rusty springs. My aim is to keep my Elan's (1992 SE Turbo) ride and handling as close to original as possible in the belief that Lotus knew how to make a car handle AND ride well. I see that SJ Sportscars sell 'standard' springs at a pretty reasonable price. Are they the closest that I am likely to find to the original SE springs?

[hatters]

Another MOT advisory is rusty springs. My aim is to keep my Elan's (1992 SE Turbo) ride and handling as close to original as possible in the belief that Lotus knew how to make a car handle AND ride well.

Plus1

[Rusty Wishbone]

I recall that Lotus tended to fit quite soft springs to their cars with firmer dampers, resulting in a comfortable ride. In the late 1980s, I know that their test track was pretty rutted in places, so they had plenty of experience in absorbing those bumps.

This contrasts with AUDI who seem to have stopped fitting springs at all in recent years. I had an A3 Quattro Sport at one point that I got rid of quickly because the ride was so poor. I'm sure that it would have been lovely at the Nurburgring where the roads are as smooth as a baby's bottom, but the roads of Kent & Sussex are as pockmarked as a teenager's chin.

[Rusty Wishbone]

On closer inspection of my rear suspension, I have decided to replace the top links. They have rusted somewhat, and the paint has flaked off. There is some surface rust on the chassis brackets supporting the wishbones, and on the ARB. So I have disassembled the whole suspension so that I can grind off the rust and paint with POR 15. Access is now perfect for replacing the springs & dampers, which also look somewhat rusty.

As I said above, I want to keep the ride & handling as close to original SE Turbo spec as possible. With this in mind, I intend to buy the SJ springs and some dampers that I have yet to decide on. Since originals are no longer available, I seem to have a choice of adjustable dampers. My questions are, what do you all recommend, and how easy is it to set them so that they are as close to the originals as possible? I have never installed adjustable dampers before, but am struck that, if there are 10 settings, there is a 90% chance that I will set them up wrong.

I look forward to the usual range of helpful advice.

[Jeemy]

I bought Gaz adjustable dampers & matching springs from South West Lotus. James, the son, has the same set fitted to his M100. I don't know if he posts here but they are a very friendly bunch and you could talk to him about it. I also bought the polycarbonate (?) bushings which he recommended changing out at the same time.

As ever, I have not fitted them yet, I just bought them when I had the money; but I hope to have them fitted within the month. One note that has been made otherwhere is that the bushings shouldn't be tightened until the car is level, ride height is set and I believe half a tank of fuel and a person in the drivers seat. Otherwise if they are torqued before setting into place they will be permanently strained at standard ride and wear prematurely or worse.

Again this is all from my limited untested knowledge but I hope it helps. I do not know how closely they compare to the original handling but enough people on here have seen Nitron/Eibach or Gaz as an improvement on worn OE equipment, how it compares to the ride when new equipment was fitted is presumably a different matter.

[Rice crispy]

Rusty, i have the SJ springs on mine and Gaz adjustables and i'm really happy with them. it takes about 2 mins to complete a change on all 4 corners.

David

[paulsmithmk]

I have the springs and adjustable dampers from SJ's (I went for the uprated front springs) One thing to watch out for is ride height if you go for this combination - take a measurement of what you have before you start is my advice...

[Rusty Wishbone]

Thanks for the comments. SJ's springs it is, then. I just need to decide on dampers, but it sounds like I can't go wrong with the commonly used adjustable units.

[Rusty Wishbone]

One thing I have tried to understand and failed is how do you adjust the ride height at the rear?

[paulsmithmk]

The adjustable dampers have a base plate the spring sits on that can be moved (same for the front) I would take a measurement of the wheel arches from a given point as a quick guide...

[Rusty Wishbone]

Thank you.

I think that the Service Manual specifies the ride height, as measured from some position beneath the car. I was going to use this. In fact, I have to do that because the car now has no suspension to which I can bolt the wheels!

[paulsmithmk]

it does indeed but I couldn't work it out! Whilst I am sure mine isn't right by the book the ride is now fine - I may get it all done correctly over the winter