lsb 0 Posted January 20, 2009 Report Share Posted January 20, 2009 Hi, As the weather is warming up (slightly) I hope to be able to get my car onto a circuit fairly soon. I was hoping that a few of you that have been able to spend some time on track would be kind enough to share your thoughts/experiences on a good track set up. I am thinking along the lines of : Suspension settings; both bump and rebound Anti roll bar settings Ride height Rear wing setting ( as i have the aerokit) and of course tyre pressures. If anyone has spoken to the Lotus motorsport team about this perhaps you would be kind enough to share their advise. I know that different types of circuits require a different set up (especially aero) and different drivers have different styles but hoped for advise on a good starting point for a neutral handling car or a set up that you like. Thanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bibs 11,410 Posted January 20, 2009 Report Share Posted January 20, 2009 I've moved your topic to the 'track setup' section where I hope you'll get a better response and it will be a better reference for the future. If you read some of the other topics in here they will be able to tell you a few things about the car on specific tracks, but it's also good general knowledge. There's also a specific thread about tyre pressure here and please add your thoughts to this thread about a day at Lotus learning about setup Quote 88 Esprit NA, 89 Esprit Turbo SE, Evora, Evora S, Evora IPS, Evora S IPS, Evora S IPS SR, Evora 400, Elise S1, Elise S1 111s, Evora GT410 Sport Evora NA For forum issues, please contact the Moderators. I will aim to respond to emails/PM's Mon-Fri 9-6 GMT. Link to post Share on other sites
lsb 0 Posted January 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2009 Thanks Bibs, I was not sure which section to put it in, I guess the title Track set up should have been a good clue !! I have already read the other threads but as some are quite old or it has been a while since a new post; I would start a topic where every part of the cars setup can be discussed in one place and different opinions/experiences compared. p.s I have already answered re. the idea of a lotus set up day - think it's a great idea, count me in !! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
[email protected] 1 Posted January 20, 2009 Report Share Posted January 20, 2009 Hi As you mentioned in your initial post, car set-up is a very personal thing, some people like a stiff setup (Jo for example) whereas others perfer a softer setting (Paul?). The advice given in the Handling supplement supplied with the car is a good starting point and also gives some hints as to the best sequence to go about the "personalisation" of the set-up. My observation would be that there isn't a short-cut to this and if you are to get the most out of the car, you need to go through the set-up pain. Book a couple of track days at the same location, take a set of tools and be prepared to tinker with the car between sessions - don't forget to make a note of what you change and whether you felt this to be an improvement or not. You should home in on a set-up you like quite quickly. From personal experience I would say that you need to beware of "subjective" judgements as these can mislead you - I went down a set-up route that was leading to a slower car because I was trying to get the car to behave like my previous one rather than what was quickest for the Lotus. I know this wasn't the answer you were looking for, but I do think it is the best way to go. Get out there and have some fun whilst setting up the car! Quote Saving up for a sequential gearbox Link to post Share on other sites
pgn340r 22 Posted January 21, 2009 Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 (edited) Agree with Del, setup is personal thing and is very much dependant on your own driving style/preferences. Only way really is by trial and error. Just don't try to adjust too many things at once. Take your time until you get a set up that suits you and definately leave the rear wing adjustments to the very last. Just remember if you are only doing track days the object is to have fun and not be spending your time in the garage playing around with settings amd losing valuable track time. My advice is unless you are in race series where every 1/10th second counts, once you have a basic set up, leave it alone and have fun just driving the car. If you really want to see significant improvments in the speed of your car you can't beat more driver training. Paul Edited January 21, 2009 by pgn340r Quote Link to post Share on other sites
[email protected] 1 Posted January 21, 2009 Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 Good point made by Paul - Driver training is by far the most performance enhancing change you can make - a better driver will drive any car better, regardless of set-up. Quote Saving up for a sequential gearbox Link to post Share on other sites
lsb 0 Posted January 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 Thanks chaps, I have been having driver track day coaching for the last year or so (used to track a 250 bhp caterham) and will continue to do so this year, obviously helps a great deal. I've read the manual concerning set up but originally wondered if during time and experience the recommended settings had been adjusted. Thought some of you may have had some favourite settings that would be worth a try. Think I'll give the motorsport guys a call. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pgn340r 22 Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 When I initially spoke to the Motorsport Department they suggested starting off with the following initial adjustments: soften bump by 5 clicks soften rebound 8 click soften Front anti-roll bar 1 notch. Paul Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lsb 0 Posted January 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 When I initially spoke to the Motorsport Department they suggested starting off with the following initial adjustments: soften bump by 5 clicks soften rebound 8 click soften Front anti-roll bar 1 notch. Paul Thanks Paul, Would I be correct in thinking that the aforementioned settings are from back from the stiffest damper setting ? Are these applicable both front and rear or front only ? Thanks again. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pgn340r 22 Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 (edited) No, this is the adjustment from the standard factory settings which should be as follows from full stiff: Compression: Front 10 Rear 12 Rebound: Front 8 Rear 11 Front roll bar should be set in the centre of the 5 holes. See how you get on. Paul Edited January 22, 2009 by pgn340r Quote Link to post Share on other sites
[email protected] 1 Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Hey Paul, you haven't told him about your booster cushion though - surely that will affect the handling Quote Saving up for a sequential gearbox Link to post Share on other sites
pgn340r 22 Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Del, Only effects the handling when acting as a catch tank for when the colostomy bag is full thereby transferring more weight to the rear of the car. Paul Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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