Newbie loads of questions !

[kneedoon]

Ok thanks, rear toe links seem fine just rotational play that's a result and if you guys recon plain discs do the job they are within tolerance I will just change out the pads and change fluid and maybe hoses.


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[robin]

You said the handling was not right - can you describe what doesn't feel right? Well worth checking that all the wishbones are straight seeing as how you're in there anyway.

[robin]

Thanks Tut

[kneedoon]

Vibes from the steering (however tyres old P6000,s and slightly cracked car sat for 5yrs before I bought it) also clunking noises from front end, damping seemed really poor also backend felt soft to me and not very well balanced although this is my first Elise but I'm sure they should handle allot better than this one did. I am putting allot down to the fact it has old Konis and tyres on it, I will check the wishbones any tips how to do this other than obvious eyeball ?


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[mwmackenzie]

Change the tyres and Konis and go from there as they are your weak points at the moment Clunking will almost certainly be the shocks and the pirelli's were crap when new, cracked old ones will be horrific, AD05 and AD06 Yoko will be a great shout if you're not on a tight budget, or if they do AD08 in S1 sizes then they might be a good shout for road and track.I had RS14 on my S1 and found them them pretty wooden on the road. Mintex 1144 on my S2 and they seem more suited to road use although I do find they can need a touch now and then when soaking to dry them as initial bite when cold in torrential rain can be a bit, numb lol, guess any pad would be the same though.

Mark

[Scottish Scrutineer]

I agree with the comments on Mintex 1144, which I've got on my S2. Good for road use during the summer, but noticeably dead when cold and wet in the autumn.


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Renny

[robin]

You could lay a straight edge along each of the wishbone arms, though that would depend on you having something that'll fit in there; failing that eyeball is good enough - in my experience when they bend, they bend noticeably (though I guess I might not have noticed the bends you cannot see ). A small bend probably doesn't matter too much anyway

They bend when either something hits the wheel face from the outside (as part of a crash) or when the wheel is hit to the end stops hard - e.g. you take off over a hump back bridge and then land hard.

I agree that the rest sounds like dampers and tyres first and foremost.

Cheers,
Robin

[campbell]

I think this thread could easily become a resto wiki. Well done fellas!

Kneedoon, my S1 will be 17 this summer and I've had it from new. 112k miles later, I've had some experiences

All the above is spot on. All I can add is...

Tyres. Change immediately as they will cause / mask various problems. Toyo T1Rs are great value but some say are too soft. Yoko C-drives or Neovas are the official Lotus alternative to the P-zero and both are good but more expensive than Toyos. Fit semi-slick Yoko ADnn'sat your peril!

Exhaust. Robin proposed an S2 manifold and down pipe for mine many years ago. The manifold is easier to fit / remove and I think there was another reason but it's gone! Not sure if any £ savings tho.

Keep us, er, posted

[kneedoon]

Thanks guys all info gratefully received, order being placed tomorrow for parts still debating in my own mind Nitrons or Quantums will make decision by the morning, will keep you posted on progress I'm sure I will be back with more questions..


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[kneedoon]

Took a sponge to the chassis what a difference already !


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[BigD]

I meant to mention geo and setup. It's hard to get somewhere who will bother removing shims etc. Most can't be bothered but that's what you need for a good setup. I removed the shims myself using the manual and a rough alignment app on my phone. The front on mine had virtually zero camber so I took out all the shims to get around -1 degree and about 3 to get roughly -2 on the rear. I used the SELOC wiki for an idea of good setups such as the 240r or 211. (Can't get that on my car but closer is much better than it was) I always intended on then getting it measured at a laser alignment place to check.

To be honest though it feels much better and very neutral so I haven't got round to actually getting the figures.

[UncleRon]

I have recently removed the heads from two 1998 S1 Elise engines and both of them had plastic dowels fitted.I know the history of both these engines over roughly the past 5 years and I suspect both engines were likely to be on their original head gaskets - For info the two engines were about 20,000 units apart in their engine numbers.

If you do not know any of the history and still have the rear clam off I would probably change the head gasket and check the dowels at the same time as changing the timing belt, bearing and water pump whilst the access is so good it is really not a bad job.......

[robin]

Thanks Ron - there you have it, your car probably does have plastic dowels then

Sod's law says you'll find steel dowels - but it's a can of worms - once the head is off, you'll want to measure the liner heights ... and if they're not right, you'll be looking at removing the engine to get the block decked. While you're at it you'll read up on all the things people suggest you do to prevent HGF, you'll want to fit the stiffer oil rail (it's the thing that the head bolts bolt into), a new oil pump (might as well), replace the thermostat with a pressure relief thermostat, you'll want to hardness test the head, you'll agonise over which head gasket to use (there are so many choices). Different people will pipe up with chapter and verse on why you should do one thing; someone else will say the exact opposite. Etc. OR you could just leave it screwed down and worry about it when it fails, knowing that at that point maybe you'll just put your K20 in ...

Cheers,
Robin

[kneedoon]

Wow, now I don't know what to do, I'll get suspension & radiator sorted over the next week or so then make a call, I don't know if I want to completely strip the K series while it's easy or as Robin says run till it pops however I'm heading to Europe in June & would love to take the Elise if I had confidence in it. Im going for a run in Tuts car shortly so that will hopefully inspire me one way or the other ! Thanks for all your advice.


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[Ferg]

Looks like you are getting stuck in!

Don't be in too much of a rush to tear it down. Your wishbones look in great condition BTW. Can't argue with the shock upgrade though, great mod for an S1 but note Robins point about ride height. The operating range of these types of shocks are very small so 'adjustable ride height' really is a misnomer.

I notice you have Pirelli's on there, that would've a good place to spend some cash.

Looks like a great car!