dbebb55 Posted June 8, 2005 Report Share Posted June 8, 2005 Bear with me...this is my first post on this forum. My new Spax shocks [front] are junk. Has anyone tried Protec shocks from Steve at SJ? My new Spax raised the front about an inch and wollow like crazy. I hate them. How about Leda shocks. Are they pricey? Thanks for the imput Dave 90SE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karmavore Posted June 8, 2005 Report Share Posted June 8, 2005 I've heard good things about Gaz shocks, the ones Marcus sells. I plan on buying them sometime soon. I have tried to get LEDA opinions a few times but have gotten no responces. Quote Luke Colorado, Super Spy. - Lotus Owner No Longer 1987 Zender Widebody 560SEC | 1994 Lotus Esprit S4 | 2013 Honda Fit EV (#269) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abrussich Posted June 9, 2005 Report Share Posted June 9, 2005 I have a set from Marcus on my 89 Esprit Turbo. The difference compared to the OEM units is day and night. Along with the shocks you may want to replace the springs. I am currently using my car for auto-X and occasional light track use and went for a heavier set of springs. The street ride is a bit harsher but not unliveable. The adjustable rebound and height setting of the dampers is a very nice feature indeed. Makes it possible to eliminate the notorious list to right or left depending on which side of the pond you hail from. I have had them on the car for almost a year and about a dozen track sessions and no problems or complaints. Build quality seems excellent and fitment was a piece of cake. If in the U.S. you may want to purchase your springs seperately to save a few bucks. There is a supplier in Washington state that can get them for you at about $50 a piece. In short, go for the Gaz units from Marcus. You will be very happy with the performance and Marcus is a great guy to deal with. Al B. Houston, Tx 89 Esprit turbo I've heard good things about Gaz shocks, the ones Marcus sells. I plan on buying them sometime soon. I have tried to get LEDA opinions a few times but have gotten no responces. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ragingfool35 Posted June 16, 2005 Report Share Posted June 16, 2005 If in the U.S. you may want to purchase your springs seperately to save a few bucks. There is a supplier in Washington state that can get them for you at about $50 a piece. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> contact info for this dealer? chris 90 SE Quote chris90SEjust because I don't CARE doesn't mean I don't UNDERDSTAND Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abrussich Posted June 16, 2005 Report Share Posted June 16, 2005 contact info for this dealer? chris 90 SE <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I breifly tried to hunt down the reciept for the purchase without success. Will try a bit harder over the weekend. Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ragingfool35 Posted June 24, 2005 Report Share Posted June 24, 2005 I breifly tried to hunt down the reciept for the purchase without success. Will try a bit harder over the weekend. Al <{POST_SNAPBACK}> any luck? Quote chris90SEjust because I don't CARE doesn't mean I don't UNDERDSTAND Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superdavelotus Posted June 24, 2005 Report Share Posted June 24, 2005 I would recommend Avo shocks from PNM. They are fully adjustable in both ride height and damping. They cost approx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bimyb10 Posted June 24, 2005 Report Share Posted June 24, 2005 Bear with me...this is my first post on this forum. My new Spax shocks [front] are junk. Has anyone tried Protec shocks from Steve at SJ? My new Spax raised the front about an inch and wollow like crazy. I hate them. How about Leda shocks. Are they pricey? Thanks for the imput Dave 90SE <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I have fitted protec shocks from SJ to my '89 turbo, with new front springs (kept original rears) very impressed with build quality and after finally fitting and resetting ride height, am very pleased with results. Although only used so far on road, made annual trip down A4 to castle coombe (club lotus day) very enjoyable, maybe with new clutch I shall finally brave the circuit next year ;o) regards Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul C Posted June 25, 2005 Report Share Posted June 25, 2005 I would recommend Avo shocks from PNM. They are fully adjustable in both ride height and damping. I got these from PNM too, nice ride, easy to adjust, good value Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karmavore Posted June 25, 2005 Report Share Posted June 25, 2005 Protec Leda Gaz AVO ..didn't realize there where so many choices. Quote Luke Colorado, Super Spy. - Lotus Owner No Longer 1987 Zender Widebody 560SEC | 1994 Lotus Esprit S4 | 2013 Honda Fit EV (#269) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EspritFactFile Posted June 25, 2005 Report Share Posted June 25, 2005 Protec Leda Gaz AVO ..didn't realize there where so many choices. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Don't forget Spax, Koni, Bilstein, OEM... Also, other than the OEM, will *any* of these allow you to use the stock springs un-modified? So far, all that I have talked to say the springs need replacing because the perches are different diameter or at a different height than stock. Les Twigg offers Leda with different perches, but the stock springs still need to be cut because they are too long. Leda are still expensive. Bilstein are even more so. Les tells me that all these adjustable shocks tend to be more setup of for track as they are stiffer than OEM even at their softer setting. Spax have issues with ride height in front on many Esprits and have had quality issues in the past. They claim to have fixed these problems, but who knows. Also, they are painted an ugly yellow which looks like it belongs more in a slammed ricer than an Esprit. Quote Cheers, KFM Esprit Fact File Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karmavore Posted June 26, 2005 Report Share Posted June 26, 2005 Don't forget... Spax, forgotton per the subject of the post. Koni, As far as I know Koni doesn't make a (off the shelf) damper for the Esprit. Bilstein, Per LEW these are no good on 4-pots. OEM... Goes with out saying... Feeling snarky. :-P Lucas. Quote Luke Colorado, Super Spy. - Lotus Owner No Longer 1987 Zender Widebody 560SEC | 1994 Lotus Esprit S4 | 2013 Honda Fit EV (#269) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSD Posted June 26, 2005 Report Share Posted June 26, 2005 How did you set up the AVO shocks? I guess ride height according to spec with the driver in the car... But what about the damping? How hard/soft? front vs. back damping? vs. OEM shocks? I'm considering this upgrade at some point as my front end seems to float a bit under spirited driving, and understeers a wee bit, but wouldn't trust myself to get the settings right. Last thing I want to do is screw up the legendary lotus handling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karmavore Posted June 26, 2005 Report Share Posted June 26, 2005 (edited) Good question. ..but I question how much "legendary Lotus handling" any of us really experience. Especially if we're driving on the street. Here's my plan: 1) Have a real Esprit race engineer do the work (Kirt @ Hypersport) 2) Tell him I want it lowered .5-1 inches (for looks) 3) Tell him I want the "lean" dialed out. 4) Tell him to make it work as well as possible given those parameters. 5) Oh, and keep it as supple as possible too. Lucas. Edited June 27, 2005 by karmavore Quote Luke Colorado, Super Spy. - Lotus Owner No Longer 1987 Zender Widebody 560SEC | 1994 Lotus Esprit S4 | 2013 Honda Fit EV (#269) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abrussich Posted June 28, 2005 Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 To those looking to purchase springs for their beloved Esprits in the U.S. I offer the numbers blow. The first is the manufacturer who you can speak to in order to determine the proper size and rate, the second is a supplier. Good luck, sorry it took so long to find the info. H&R Springs 1-888-827-8881 They can provide names of suppliers or you can call Turner Motor Sports, (Mass.) 1-800-280-6966 (1) ask for Doug. Price for front coils was 65$ plus S&H. Or call BMP Design, 1-800-648-7278 (1)(2) ask for Jason. The following is a section of the H&R website chart for 60mm (I.D) race springs carrying a metric designation. H&R #, length, load, load in lbs., marking, price (from 07/2004) RF250030 250 30 171 250-30 65.00ea. RF250040 250 40 229 250-40 65.00ea. RF250050 250 50 286 250-50 65.00ea. RF250060 250 60 343 250-60 65.00ea. RF250070 250 70 400 250-70 65.00ea. RF250080 250 80 457 250-80 65.00ea. RF250090 250 90 514 250-90 65.00ea. The following is the 2.5 inch listing of the same range. Note: length is now shown in inches. HR#, length, rate, block height, load at block, weight, price(from 07/2004) RF25100175 10 175 3.23 934 2.41 65.00ea. RF25100200 10 200 3.23 1054 2.48 65.00ea. RF25100225 10 225 3.62 1105 2.93 65.00ea. RF25100250 10 250 3.58 1255 2.97 65.00ea. RF25100275 10 275 3.66 1352 3.12 65.00ea. RF25100300 10 300 3.66 1793 3.20 65.00ea. RF25100350 10 350 3.86 1665 3.56 75.00ea. RF25100375 10 375 3.94 1779 3.50 75.00ea. RF25100400 10 400 4.06 1850 3.94 75.00ea. I am running the RF250060 rates on the front and the ride, albeit a bit harsher than stock, is not unbearable. I am using the 60/70 rate units from Marcus on the rear. Shocks are Gazmatics from Marcus. The car is used as a daily runner, Auto-X regular, and on an occasional track day. hope this is of some help and again,I apologize for the delay. Al B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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