suspension mods 88 turbo

[lottylotus]

anybody got any advice on adjustable suspension for my 88 turbo, i would like to lower it slightly at the rear,my last two s1 esprits really looked the part ( slightly lower at the rear) or will i be creating problems to the handling

regards nigel

[Jonathan]

Yeah - don't use AVO !

What you gotta remember is setup correctly as per factory, tucking the back down will mess it up if you ask me - if you're gonna lower it, do it all round in equal measures.

In which case you might as well get the new Lotus shocks which will offer this, or imo the best way is to fit shorter springs.

Check out my garage page for the work I did on the suspension - if you go for new shocks from 3rd party for heaven sakes ensure they are the same dimensions for the ride height, the rears are pretty easy but I cannot think how adjustable fronts can be made for the original springs as the lower spring cup is as low as it can get. This is what AVO got wrong.

[lottylotus]

thanx, i will check out the lotus ones

[mchlrodrigues]

What you gotta remember is setup correctly as per factory, tucking the back down will mess it up if you ask me - if you're gonna lower it, do it all round in equal measures.

. . . the rears are pretty easy but I cannot think how adjustable fronts can be made for the original springs as the lower spring cup is as low as it can get.  This is what AVO got wrong.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Don't go with Spax either. They'll start to squeak in no time at all.

I'd maintain the same relative ride height F/R, i.e. lower the car the same amount all around, perhaps 3/4". Go much more than that and the lower arms are going to be angled, with the inner pivot points lower than at the wheel, which will screw up your camber curve.

Even with threaded adjusters, you're going to need shorter springs to get much adjustment on the front.

[abrussich]

I have an 89 which a short while back recieved a full set of new OEM dampers and coils. At that time I also replaced all bushings. I then started to use the car in Auto-X and found out that the stock settings left the car with a very bad understeer in hard cornering. The car was plowing through the turns terribly. I am no expeert driver but I do have enough track time and set up knowledge to know that the fault was largely in the car. If I understand correctly I believe the factory setup on the Esprit does include a slight bit of understeer to begin with, which is fine for normal street driving, but woefully inadequate for anything like Auto-X.

I then replaced the dampers and coils with a set of adjustable gas dampers, purchased through Marcus at P.U.K. in Germany. I replaced the front bushings with a set of urethane ones from SJSports cars, U.K. and the rear upper and lower bushings with a set of tapered bushings developed by a friend here in Texas.

I lowered the car 1 1/2" all around as a starting point. From there I adjusted the drivers side untill the car would sit level with driver in-place and then, after several go arounds on the course, found that raising the rear a half inch eliminated almost all of the understeer problem. Another positive result, primarily thanks to the tapered bushings, was that I can now tell when the rear is about to break loose. On the OEM bushings the car would just break away without telegraphing where or when it was going to break away.

Now all I do is set the stiffness on the dampers to suit the conditions and do not have to worry about the rest of the set up. The car works very well and is such a pleasure to drive. More importantly I now feel much more confident with the car when on the track because I know what to expect.

Two other things to consider are having good tires and if you really are going to get hardcore, the addition of adjustable upper control arms for the rear.

Another consideration that you will have to take into account is the coil rates you choose. I have a more agressive set then most would choose who are primarily going to keep the car for street use. If you are planning on going the full monty with your suspension take some time and have a chat with Marcus. He is very knowledgable and a good fellow to chat with. He should be able to help get you the set up that will work best for you.

If you are interested in the tapered bushings and would like to know more about the specifics of how they work contact Wally Newcomb at Star Motor Cars in Houston, Tx. (713-868-6831).

Tell him Al sent you. Hope this is of some help, good luck.

Please note I have just given you a quick overall of what was done. If you are not sure of how to go about making the changes or adjustments then by all means do have a good shop help you out. The wrong settings can land you in serious trouble.

Al "phonse" B.

89 Turbo Esprit

Houston, Tx

Edited November 8, 2005 by abrussich