New Lotus Suspension...

[Jonathan]

Just got me grubby hands on a set (minus front springs.... ) - I must say I haven't had a chance to look at them closely until now and I am well impressed with the build quality and finish of the items.

Who has them who has used the lowering function on them as well ?

One thing I was a little curious about was the fact the rears lower more in proportion than the fronts...it's 2:1 (ie the rears go down 15mm the fronts 7.5mm)....why ? I would have thought the lowering would be uniform ?

The way my car stands atm is the front is too high (dunno why perhaps becuase the dampers are totally gone and they're bounding too much) by about 10mm and the car is actually pitching UP slightly - wonder if I lower the car all around (as planned) if this'll make the problem worse !

Bit curious...wondered if anyone else has seen this ?

[Artie]

Just got me grubby hands on a set (minus front springs.... ) - I must say I haven't had a chance to look at them closely until now and I am well impressed with the build quality and finish of the items.

Who has them who has used the lowering function on them as well ?

One thing I was a little curious about was the fact the rears lower more in proportion than the fronts...it's 2:1 (ie the rears go down 15mm the fronts 7.5mm)....why ? I would have thought the lowering would be uniform ?

The way my car stands atm is the front is too high (dunno why perhaps becuase the dampers are totally gone and they're bounding too much) by about 10mm and the car is actually pitching UP slightly - wonder if I lower the car all around (as planned) if this'll make the problem worse !

Bit curious...wondered if anyone else has seen this ?

Jonathan,

I'm not sure about the Lotus Dampers but the AVO dampers I got for my Esprit have the same function on lowering, where the rears have far more lowering capacity than the fronts. I find the car is less inclined to roll as much now with the car lowered but the ride quality has suffered a little. I may raise the car back up a couple MM to see where the best compromise is! Pics? I've considered replacing the AVO's with the Lotus dampers as they designed the cars, they know a thing or two about how it's supposed to perform.

Artie

[Jonathan]

dont talk to me about AVO !

hehe if the garage was up you could see - I had them on the GT3 ages ago and they were terrible.

[Artie]

dont talk to me about AVO !

hehe if the garage was up you could see - I had them on the GT3 ages ago and they were terrible.

What was the problem? I guess I'm not noticing a difference as the stock shocks were shot, 2 were completely empty of liquid and one had a bent piston rod! I have found that they bottom out quite readily in back but I raised the rear up a little and seems to have fixed the problem.

Artie

[Jonathan]

What was the problem?

Easy answer - the AVO damper is not compatable with the standard Esprit front spring - the platform simply cannot be lowered enough to achieve even the standard ride heigh (rides about 1/2" too high).

They'll work with shorter / saggy springs but overall I had a nasty experience with them not being compatable.

I thought loads of people had these new shocks fitted to their cars now ?

Or has no-one played with the lowering aspect ?

[Artie]

Easy answer - the AVO damper is not compatable with the standard Esprit front spring - the platform simply cannot be lowered enough to achieve even the standard ride heigh (rides about 1/2" too high).

They'll work with shorter / saggy springs but overall I had a nasty experience with them not being compatable.

I thought loads of people had these new shocks fitted to their cars now ?

Or has no-one played with the lowering aspect ?

Oh I see, I replaced the 3 foot tall stock springs with Eibach springs which are smaller diameter and a progressive rate spring. Iirc, they are 350lb rear, and 300lb front. I don't seem to like the ride quality too much and may consider other options shortly.

Artie

[jfitz981]

Artie,

What part of the ride quality do you not like? Too stiff ?

[Artie]

Artie,

What part of the ride quality do you not like? Too stiff ?

No, I think the car sits a bit low even at full height in front so I scrape everything! I also hear the tires scrape the inner fender when fully compressed over bumpy roads. They aren't too stiff, actually pretty cushy to be honest at the low setting, I've actually stiffened them up to level 5 front and 7 rear(out of 8 positions) to keep them from bottoming out, with the springs I chose they seem well suited, perhaps the shocks are just a tad too short in front...I may try adding a spacer to raise them up about 1/2" and see if that helps.

Artie

[rens914]

I have the same problem with my front dampers

i cant lower them enough

i have a contact at KONI in the Netherlands

he is going to build me new dampers that can lower more

a custom job

they are going to cost me about

[SE Owner :-D]

Jonathan,

I have the new Lotus Eibach/Bilstein stuff including rear polybush kit. Fitted by Strattons.

Mid laden standard height adjustments and geo.

Feels superb and the ride is fantastic. I can't see anything 'aftermarket' being as good and 'meant to be' for the Esprit.

With regard height - a very learned chap esprit owner once said to me ' they sit high and lower at speed'.

Good enough for me.

Rog