Suspension swap.

[DavieK]

We curently have LSS on the S160 and have been looking around for cheap replacements when they do eventually go, will a set of S2 bilsteins be a backwards step ? whats worth looking at ?


Oh im too tight to buy Nitrons and as I'll probably either never or rarely be on track with the car i think it would be pretty pointless.


Cheers


Davie

[kpb]

When I upgraded my Elise I spoke to suspension Guru Steve Butts and he advised me on the S2 billy's with Eibach progresive springs preloaded and modified by him and with all the brackets supplied rather than the LSS kit as being a better set up,
It wasnt too expensive and the ride is great for the road and a bit of track time as well as the brackets can be moved to lower the car if required ( I have set mine at 110mm and 120mm.
I am in Aberdeen if you want to compare the cars or PM me if you want Steve's details
Cheers
Kinnon

[campbell]

Not sure if Kinnon's kit is a custom variation but I - as with many others - have the Steve Butts S2 for S1 Bilstein kit and some 18 months after fitting it I am still amazed at the quality of ride, handling and lack of clonky noises compared to the 3 different sets of suspension I had previously.

From what you describe of your general motoring, I can't see how you can do much better. Most other kits involve tinkering with adjusters etc and this is just pointless for general motoring. And then if left without adjusting for a while they seize anyway.

If you wanted the ride hard-hard-hard, you could be extravagant and get S2 LSS. Bilstein core, fully adjustable platforms, however very very firm. Not bouncy. But firm.

It is said that standard S2 Bilstein kits like Steve's actually achieve a general performance on a par with the original S1 Koni LSS. Can't say for sure based on experience, I'm afraid.

[mwmackenzie]

I'm running the S2 LSS and don't find them that hard, a bit firmer than my old konis and no cluncks or rattles... I find them great for day to day running with the occassonal track outing

[campbell]

I'm running the S2 LSS and don't find them that hard, a bit firmer than my old konis and no cluncks or rattles... I find them great for day to day running with the occassonal track outing

I guess I am just getting old Mark!

Don't get me wrong...I love the way Robin's and Neil's cars feel on this setup but for some of the non-exciting places I have to take my Elise I just wondered how long before a filling dislodged or internal bleeding ensued

The point to reinforce here though is that the S2 LSS is *brilliantly* valved and setup by Lotus, as you would expect, so whilst hard it does not bounce. No matter what I did to my old Spax adjustables I could never get the blend right.

[mwmackenzie]

I'm running the S2 LSS and don't find them that hard, a bit firmer than my old konis and no cluncks or rattles... I find them great for day to day running with the occassonal track outing

I guess I am just getting old Mark!

Don't get me wrong...I love the way Robin's and Neil's cars feel on this setup but for some of the non-exciting places I have to take my Elise I just wondered how long before a filling dislodged or internal bleeding ensued

The point to reinforce here though is that the S2 LSS is *brilliantly* valved and setup by Lotus, as you would expect, so whilst hard it does not bounce. No matter what I did to my old Spax adjustables I could never get the blend right.

Hahahaha.... down at SLS a few times a week and all filling still in tact

[graeme]

It is said that standard S2 Bilstein kits like Steve's actually achieve a general performance on a par with the original S1 Koni LSS. Can't say for sure based on experience, I'm afraid.

There's not much between the two. I had them on different cars though, so can't compare directly. I can say there is no major difference in ride, but the Billies are quieter. Both are good on the road where a bit of roll and compliance is required, and both are good on T1-Rs on the track, but hopelessly undersprung for R888s or A048s; sticky tyres + soft springs creates massive body roll, even with the S160 ARB.

Both kits are really only good compared to standard S1 Konis, which are probably non-existent now (and rightly so), and certainly not in the same league as Nitrons.

/2p

[DavieK]

So if i was eventually to go doen the rout of Bilstiens with the Eibach springs etc. can i buy a second had set of Bilsteins and then get the springs fitted or is it a job lot ?

[kpb]

Unless you know the history of second hand unit's I would stay clear of them and start with new.
£450 appx would set you up with a new set.
Cheers
Kinnon