Suspension Modification Time! (S2 ExigeS)

craignicol · Post by **craignicol** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 10:52 am

Chaps,

I have decided to give my new Exige a suspension upgrade.
By the sounds of things, 1-way nitrons are the dudes to go with (with the Eibach springs)?
However is there anything else would give me a big benefit? Adjustable Front Roll bar?

Also is there any other components needed for this installation to be completed? i.e. camber shims etc??

Thanks in advance

Post by **Shug** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 11:27 am

Speak to Hofmans (Chris Randall)

He'll sell you a set that are valved specifically for your needs, for no more than buying direct from Nitron. Lots of people rave about them, even back-to-back with standard Nitron valving.

For hard use, the race cars have uprated toe-links. Lotus say not necessary on a road car - experience with McKeann's road driving snapping them suggests otherwise.

ARB would be a question of choice - get suspension and geo sorted first, then add one if you feel it warrants it - you'll know from competition experience.

You'll probably be taking shims out if anything, so wouldn't worry overly.

alicrozier · Post by **alicrozier** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 4:53 pm

Nitrons will be cheaper than the 'Lotus way' Craig but you're welcome to try my (standard) 2-way Ohlins with 5 position, stiffer ARB.

Get the toelinks.

tut · Post by **tut** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 5:12 pm

Just ordered mine from Randy.

tut

alicrozier · Post by **alicrozier** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 7:45 pm

...and I forgot to add you can easily flog on the old Exige suspension. Good upgrade for 111R (or now also the K series engined S2's with kit from Geary).

Cisco · Post by **Cisco** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 7:51 pm

Craig,

I've had a run in a couple of cars with the "Hoffmans Spec" one way comp/rebound Nitrons and they feel great, especially where the shock is at, or close to, the bump stop on hard breaking/turn in.

Just can't justify the ~£1500 cost in my own car where I'm just bumbling around on track days and the standard Bilstiens still feel pretty good. The cars I had a shot in with these Nitrons were also lowered around 25mm all round which has got to help, on track at least.

I have the Lotus adjustable arb on my car and have now set it to full hard. I like the way it feels in the dry, however I have found that in slower corners (e.g. KH hairpin) I'm loosing the rear quickly at the limit of adhesion whereas before the inside wheel would just spin up. So I feel the stiffer bar setting needs more care from the driver but probably allows quicker corner speed in the dry at any rate..happy to be corrected on this though.

As mentioned by others I would throw the front camber shims in the bin..there was a bit of chat around about how the front tyres would suffer increased wear as a result.. however I'm on my second car where I've removed these and the result is all good - reduced understeer, especially in wet/greasy conditions - making the car much more enjoyable to drive provided you have a reasonable handle on the car.

I think your car will already have the brace between the inboard toe link mounting points so already much stronger than the earlier na cars ball joint arrangement. The rose joints to which this brace links wore out on my first car ar around 14k miles, so check that. I havn't heard of anyone actually breaking a toe link on an Exige S with the standard brace. Maybe take some additional advice before spending ~£500 on one of the available kits.

HTH & take care,

Frank

Edin430 · Post by **Edin430** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 10:34 pm

What's the softest set up for an S2 Exige?

I'm running the standard set up just now but it's a bit hard sometimes for road use (100% of my driving).

neil · Post by **neil** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 12:10 am

X7LDA wrote:What's the softest set up for an S2 Exige?

I'm running the standard set up just now but it's a bit hard sometimes for road use (100% of my driving).

Looks like you've bought the wrong car. Maybe one of these would be more appropriate

Edin430 · Post by **Edin430** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 1:02 pm

neil wrote:
X7LDA wrote:What's the softest set up for an S2 Exige?

I'm running the standard set up just now but it's a bit hard sometimes for road use (100% of my driving).
Looks like you've bought the wrong car. Maybe one of these would be more appropriate

Nothing wrong with buying a car because you like the look/way it drives etc - different strokes for different folks.

alicrozier · Post by **alicrozier** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 9:52 pm

As long as you're not going to try to run 48's or track then maybe swap with 111R suspension?

I'm sure someone will be only to happy to oblige - with cash you're way!

Edin430 · Post by **Edin430** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 10:11 pm

Might be worth a look into if anyone is interested?

Scottish Elises

Suspension Modification Time! (S2 ExigeS)

Suspension Modification Time! (S2 ExigeS)

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Re: Suspension Modification Time! (S2 ExigeS)

Re: Suspension Modification Time! (S2 ExigeS)

Re: Suspension Modification Time! (S2 ExigeS)

Re: Suspension Modification Time! (S2 ExigeS)

Re: Suspension Modification Time! (S2 ExigeS)

Re: Suspension Modification Time! (S2 ExigeS)

Re: Suspension Modification Time! (S2 ExigeS)