S2 - Quantum zero dampers - Driveability

[woody]

Pop up to Symington with the car and I'll happily see how it feels.

P.S. is it an early laser blue S2?

[AllanS2]

Pop up to Symington with the car and I'll happily see how it feels.

P.S. is it an early laser blue S2?

Hi mate,

Yeah 2002 S2 laser, that'd be great! free today or tomorrow? gime a text: 07891225516

[woody]

Do you work near Shawfarm industrial estate? Think it might be you who passes me as I cycle in.

[woody]

Just drove it, felt fine from a ride quality and crashiness pov. Probably slightly better than mine on NSS. But I'm not sure how much different a K series S2 should be.

The ride height is miles out though, but didn't have time for a proper look.

[Shug]

Alright Allan? I did mention just to refurb the Billies... I'm about an hour away now, so less straightforward to help you out - never did get a chance to lend you those axle stands with the hassle surrounding my house move.

Obviously difficult to say over the internet if there's something else - certainly when I drove it, all I could feel was one damper shot to hell. Woody's been around a few Elises, so he'd know if there was anything major out of place. Every 'upgrade' damper I've driven on an Elise (and I've tried a few now, although not the Quantums) does increase the stiffness a little and introduces a harsher feel to the suspension - but will in most cases, increase body control on track. I firmly believe that Lotus got it right for the damper tuning for a road only car - it's only on track that you notice the 'better' damper curves of upgrade dampers. All IMO, of course.

[AllanS2]

Hi Shug,

Good to hear from you, hows the new digs? Yes I know I was all set to get the rears refurbed, then got talked out of it by a few people, should probably have kept it stock, at present booked in to Kenny's for alignment next week, it is way out in height. would have set it better myself this weekend but been hellish weather!

not too sure what way to go now? back to stock or percivere with the Quantums? Poll time

[Shug]

House is great mate. Will PM you an address if you want to swing down when the weather is better for a coffee - roads down here are excellent for an Elise.

My 2c? You've spent the money on them, so make sure they are working in range (ride heights set etc) and have them set as close as Eliseparts will go to the billies (softer springs - were they offering this as a no-cost?) Not fair to judge them if they are way off at the moment. Also check what working range they should be at - as a couple of guys have said, they might be topping out if they are designed for 120mm ride height and you're aiming for 140 - that'll clunk away badly. On the S1, the perceived wisdom for aftermarket dampers on road was to aim at 110mm front 120mm rear heights - to avoid the majority of road furniture.

Once they are set up right, you can decide if you can live with them, or whether you take the hit and move them on. It's only really you that can tell what you can live with.

[AllanS2]

Glad to hear, yeah that'd be good!

Thinking the same, get it set correct and take it from there. eliseparts were offering to change the springs for free I'm sure. I think it was Gav who posted earlier said he got his changed FOC, However I don't think they have made a lower spring rate before...

So should I try and get a softer spring from them before I get it set-up properly? make more sense eh?

Bloody hassle and expense! wish I'd just kept it stock now.

[Shug]

Golden rule - change one thing at a time. Get it set up - see what you think. If you want it softer at that stage, change the springs, etc, etc. You might find that with the dampers working in their correct range, it may transform it.

[woody]

It's just occurred to me.... are you sure you fitted the dampers the correct way around, i.e. the fronts are not on the rear? It was a looong way out, may explain a couple of things.

Just to add, it didn't feel at all stiff at the rear for an elise (accept we were two up), but the way I understand the Bilsteins work nothing else at that price level will ride as well. Even the very harsh S2 LSS Bilsteins have a good primary response.

[AllanS2]

No sure they are the correct way round, got them fitted at local garage I use, Steve is pretty clued up, was helping hime fit them, just height is out, needing raised at back and dropped a good bit at the front.

[woody]

No sure they are the correct way round, got them fitted at local garage I use, Steve is pretty clued up, was helping hime fit them, just height is out, needing raised at back and dropped a good bit at the front.

Yeah, the rears are longer than the fronts though. They should be in the ball park out of the box I'd have thought. Pity I didn't have time for more than just a glance on Saturday, you're welcome to pop back up with it before it goes into Kenny Brown's.

[AllanS2]

Cheers for the input Shug,

I'll get it set up as it is and take it from there, if it is still not for me then I'll see what the options are for a softer spring for the rear.

Let you all know the outcome.

Thanks guys

[AllanS2]

I wonder I wonder.... if they are on back to front? we measured them up against the billies, we did notice the spring was very close to the wishbone at the rear, adjusted them by about an inch out of the box.

I'll need to have a look, are you at Prestwick on Sat?

[woody]

I wonder I wonder.... if they are on back to front? we measured them up against the billies, we did notice the spring was very close to the wishbone at the rear, adjusted them by about an inch out of the box.

I'll need to have a look, are you at Prestwick on Sat?

Not sure where I am on Saturday, but will be east coast on Sunday. I'm free most evenings this week though, won't take long to check and swap if required.