Scottish Elises

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 10:33 am

I've read various posts, but can't find what I want.

What are the factory Geo settings for the S1??

The car is going to CLCM for a quick check up. He said he could use the factory settings, or something i choose. Without knowing what the factory settings are, in relation to everyone else's settings, I don't know what to do.

Basically want nothing too hardcore (a la shug). Car is used for spirited driving, a bit of summer time cruising with my lady, and as many track days as i can manage. Want a good compromise that won't eat the tyres too drastically, but gives me a well sorted car.

Cheers

(And i know Mark from Banchory would be a better bet, but not practical at the moment.

)

Baggy · Post by **Baggy** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 11:12 am

Willie knows the standard settings.

Just make sure you check your tyre pressures.

I got a local garage to stick the car on ramps & check all bjs, tres, toe links & wishbone bushes were tight & in good nick before getting the geo done.

and I sat in the car while he was doing it just to get it as close to as driven as pos.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 11:15 am

so standard settings are best??

i'm running 25R 24F psi. And I want half a tank ish of fuel for it??

Post by **Shug** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 11:41 am

Tom wrote:so standard settings are best??

i'm running 25R 24F psi. And I want half a tank ish of fuel for it??

TBH, you're too early in the learning curve to get much benefit out of anything but the standard setup - you'd notice, but not necessarily benefit from anything more extreme. It's a good road based setup that suits most and does it's best to make the car predictable, without it being understeery. I used to do 64s round KH with the standard geo (and T1-S & Ledas)

It is worth getting things like the balljoints, track rod ends and toe links checked as Baggy suggests, as Wilie will just go ahead and set it up. If there's any play in anything, that means the settings could be miles off (bearing in mind that the standard S1 geo calls for a difference as little as 0.2mm from front to rear of the rim)

Yeah, sit in the car and hold the steering straight - I've personally driven out of CLCM with the wheel 4cm off-centre.... He's great if you're there though.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 11:45 am

Shug wrote:
Tom wrote:so standard settings are best??

i'm running 25R 24F psi. And I want half a tank ish of fuel for it??
TBH, you're too early in the learning curve to get much benefit out of anything but the standard setup - you'd notice, but not necessarily benefit from anything more extreme. It's a good road based setup that suits most and does it's best to make the car predictable, without it being understeery. I used to do 64s round KH with the standard geo (and T1-S & Ledas)

It is worth getting things like the balljoints, track rod ends and toe links checked as Baggy suggests, as Wilie will just go ahead and set it up. If there's any play in anything, that means the settings could be miles off (bearing in mind that the standard S1 geo calls for a difference as little as 0.2mm from front to rear of the rim)

Yeah, sit in the car and hold the steering straight - I've personally driven out of CLCM with the wheel 4cm off-centre.... He's great if you're there though.

sweet

anyone know a friendly place where i can check the other stuff out??

Andy G · Post by **Andy G** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 1:51 pm

Have to say CLCM were awesome with me...might have had something to do with the fact he was after an MP3 player at the time!

Really nice guy though and the set-up was awesome

Post by **ironside** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 2:05 pm

Tom wrote: anyone know a friendly place where i can check the other stuff out??

Do you have a jack? You can check all these things yourself:

Jack the car up with the wheels on at normal tightness. Give them a tug with your hands at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock and again at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock. Any movement here at all is a problem (for the front wheels any movement at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock that doesn't move the steering wheel is a problem.)

Also give the wheels a spin and listen for roughness in the bearing.

If you do have movement then you need to figure out which particular steering/suspension component is worn.

Simon

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 2:09 pm

ironside wrote:
Tom wrote: anyone know a friendly place where i can check the other stuff out??
Do you have a jack? You can check all these things yourself:

Jack the car up with the wheels on at normal tightness. Give them a tug with your hands at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock and again at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock. Any movement here at all is a problem (for the front wheels any movement at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock that doesn't move the steering wheel is a problem.)

Also give the wheels a spin and listen for roughness in the bearing.

If you do have movement then you need to figure out which particular steering/suspension component is worn.

Simon

Cheers.

Andy, can i borrow your jack/garage at some point??

Post by **simon** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 2:09 pm

If you can't stay with the car, don't go to CLCM unless you want your steering wheel squint and your alignment out. That's my only experience with them and it was enough to put me off going back.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 2:14 pm

Right, plan changed. Not bothering for the moment. Will see mark at banchory later. Reason for getting it done sooner rather than later was for the walshy days coming up. Figured if i'm going to learn to drive properly may as well get geo done before.

mac · Post by **mac** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 2:25 pm

or do as I suggested and ask Walshy for ball park settings based on your driving skills.

Mac

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 2:26 pm

yes mac.....

Post by **Shug** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 2:28 pm

Tom wrote:Right, plan changed. Not bothering for the moment. Will see mark at banchory later. Reason for getting it done sooner rather than later was for the walshy days coming up. Figured if i'm going to learn to drive properly may as well get geo done before.

A good idea too.... If it's out, Walshy will mention it. Willie still does a good job, as long as you're there (dunno if it's the YTS guy that get a shot if you go out for a coffee!) Several of the SE1 members swear by him.

That said - I know of me, Simon A and Simon I, who went, left the car and it came out with hellish wheel alignment - the road wheels were all right, just the steering off-centre. We were all not present when he did it.

If it's not doing scary things, then leave it till you have time to choose who you really want to work on it. Things done in a rush, you usually end up regretting it.

mac · Post by **mac** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 2:29 pm

Tom wrote:yes Sir.....

Good to see your learning

Mac

The_Rossatron · Post by **The_Rossatron** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 2:42 pm

Willie did a good job for me, I left him the car overnight and he fitted my tyres too, when I came back all was good.