Elise S1 Springs/dampers

[EliseS1man]

Hi all

 

I'm new to this great forum and would like some tech advice.

 

Just bought a nice Elise S1, 1998 with I think quite stiff suspension.

No doubt great for trackdays(only), but much too harsh for road use, I think.

Could you please help identify the dampers/springs fitted?

 

Front springs marked: Eibach, 32/02 A116 C 0015

Front dampers marked: Bilstein, E.117.C.0007

Rear springs marked: Eibach, 41/03, LOTUS A 117 D 0056 Rear C50

Rear dampers marked: Bilstein, E.117.D.0009

 

Is that what is usually sold as a "S2 upgrade"?

 

Do you have any suggestion to which springs/dampers to go for when you go to track days just a few times a year and don't want the suspension too harsh for everyday use?

 

Thanks for your answers,

 

Victor

(Elan Sprint for last 15 years, now Elise S1, just had to try one of the bonded-alli-ones and I'm not disappointed)

[Martin R]

Victor welcome to MLOC If they are all yellow in colour and none adjustable they will be the Bilstein S2 * upgrade *. They are a bit harsher than the origonal red Koni setup but IMO not unduly so. The only way you could get round this is with adjustable suspension like Gaz Gold or similar. On these you can adjust the dampers to make them a fair bit softer. However on soft settings i expect it will bounce about on the road and ruin the road holding. HTH

 

Edit, pop along to a meet and go out in a few cars to give you an idea. Mine will rattle your teeth out

 

Another edit. Looking at this

 

http://www.bell-colvill.co.uk/LotusShop/De...p?Id=E117C0007H

 

That appears to tally up with the number for a standard S2 Bilstein front damper. The S2 upgrade also appears to have stiffer springs than the Koni S1 set up. I dont know if you could get S2 springs with the same rate as the Koni set up and what difference this will make to the handling etc.

[fentuz]

I had konis, S2 bilstein with eibach std springs and now gaz gold pro.

 

The S2 bilsteins were the most comfortable configuration. the stiffness is in the nature on the car.

[lummo]

Interesting that you find them too harsh for road use - I was looking to change my old Konis for the S2 setup as it is one of the softer options!

 

As Martin says, pop along to one of the meets & compare notes - whereabouts are you based?

[EliseS1man]

Thanks very much all for your informative answers.

And for your invitation to come to events and try other Elises with different suspension setups.

However I'm located in Denmark where Elises are not so common, unfortunately.

 

I tried two S2 Elises at driving courses at Hethel, but don't remember them nearly as stiff as my S1 with appearently a S2 suspension upgrade.

 

However, driving gokarts is great fun. It just seems I will have to remind myself of that!

 

Victor

[Martin R]

Thanks very much all for your informative answers.

And for your invitation to come to events and try other Elises with different suspension setups.

However I'm located in Denmark where Elises are not so common, unfortunately.

 

I tried two S2 Elises at driving courses at Hethel, but don't remember them nearly as stiff as my S1 with appearently a S2 suspension upgrade.

 

However, driving gokarts is great fun. It just seems I will have to remind myself of that!

 

Victor

 

Victor it might be a bit of a drive to an event but you still welcome. My suspension is stiff but perfect on trackdays or smooth roads. Try dodging the pot holes

[fentuz]

Other thing that might affect is the tyre pressure.

1.8bar rear (26PSI)

1.65bar front (24PSI)

[winthattt]

Hi,

 

The suspension should not feel harsh, I have and S1 with the S2 upgrade and even on English roads it's fine. My BMW 118d Msport is HARSH.

 

Check you tyre pressures and make sure you have decent tyres fitted (Yoko, Toyo etc)

 

I'd jack the car up and check for any play (waggle each wheel at 3/9 o'clock and 6/12 o'clock) any play in the wheel bearings, toe links and ball joints may feel like harsh suspension. There should be no play at all.

 

You should not find the suspension harsh, certainly many normal cars with big wheels are much worse. I drive round drains and pot holes in my BMW, if you hit a bump on a corner it jumps out. The Lotus just soaks them up (or gives a litttle flick).