16 replies to this topic

[Mr Z Ombie]

Having just got back from a great trip again to Le Mans, I am thinking maybe time for some upgrades. I went with 2 others, one in an Exige s and the other was a brand new Exige 350 sport. Both supercharged and both incredibly quick.

 

One thing I noticed the most is how absolutely crap my suspension in. The car crashed and bangs over every single type of road surface and is dam right scary to drive at speed. When one of the others were behind be they said the rear of mine was all over the place. Obviously I'm not going to be able to match acceleration with a 2.2 n/a but would like a little (lot) more power.

 

So my questions are;

1) what suspension should I upgrade to (will need shocks and springs as all knackered)

2) Engine mods - what, how and gain

3) what's it likely to cost? 

4) Do it in stages or full on all at once.

 

Any advice, help and recommendations welcome as well as experience from going from standard to modded

 

Cheers

 

Andy

 

 

 

[quimbles]

matt bentleys in your area for suspension upgrade / refresh and a geo, that will make a big difference.  Nitrons are £700 upwards plus the geo and any other bits.

 

power id go ITB hahaha but then i would say that.

 

realistically supercharge it. £4 - £6k at a guess / power you want.  Could probably DIY it for less.

[turboluca]

Vxt

[james_ly]

Definitely drop in to Matt Bentley and he will tell you what suspension bits need replacing.

[pete-r]

Do some searching on here options as lots of in depth discussion has taken place on various ways to go. Suspension I've found whether it's quantum, nitron or whatever, getting the setup right is the most important thing. Engine if you want value for money then the sc is the only way to go. Others go ITB and I see why but it's a much more complex upgrade to fit and it's more money if you can't DIY.

[Rosssco]

Depending on the age and condition of your suspension (probably old by now), a suspension refresh with new bushes and ball-joints, plus refurb of your original Bilsteins (or upgrade to Lotus spec units from the Elise / Exige if you want something stiffer) is you best bet if you use your car mostly on the road.

 

A supercharger install will give you the power to match the Loti, and cant be argued with for VFM.. You might just enjoy your car with fresh suspension and tyres (and ensure your brakes a fully healthy, maybe a pad upgrade), so perhaps this in the short term, then the SC is something better to do over the winter if you feel you need the go. Its easy to be seduced once you've had a ride in a higher powered car, but seems less important when driven in isolation I find.

[gaffer1986]

  power id go ITB hahaha but then i would say that.  

I'd say that too.

[Nev]

Zombie, don't assuming buying new suspension will necessarily make your car better. I'd seriously consider a refub of what you have and a good geo, for 1/3 of the price and most likely just as good as some brand new 3rd party  £1500 to £3000 setup someone will gladly sell you at vast profit.

 

 

Edited by Nev, 21 June 2017 - 01:20 PM.

[Code Monkey]

Consider your use of the car if is primary road use then recommend refurbishment at least is what worked for me.

The guys at Lotus know few things about these cars.

[Sdf1965]

Zombie, had very similar issues with my NA, didn't inspire confidence and not knowing a great deal about the history of the car had to assume all bushes, ball joints, tie rods etc were approaching 14 years old (03 plate). I don't have a garage so spoke to Chris at Jon Seals and dropped car off at for a full refurb. Glad I did, one rear shock had a broken spring, spring retaining collar on the other very rusted and so it went on. All parts replaced, included a spitfire tie rod set, quantum shocks, powder coated wishbones, bushes, track rods, hubs and a full geo Driving the car back with new parts all round was a revelation, far better ride, body control etc Not cheap however I intend keeping the car for the foreseeable and regard it as essential maintenance and I no longer have the concern something's going to let me down or worse break!

[Tibbles Stryker]

Might be better to buy an already sorted modified vx. A lot have been done already and they will work out cheaper 👍

[NickB787]

IMHO if you know the car keep it and do any work you want on it at least you know where you stand.

[Mattyboi]

IMHO if you know the car keep it and do any work you want on it at least you know where you stand.

 

This.

 

I looked into supercharging and i didnt see any cars which were as I wanted or to my ideal spec. Although the other cars were all nice, they all needed something else doing. If you have a good base car its normally better, and cheaper, to mod what you have.

[PaulCP]

IMHO if you know the car keep it and do any work you want on it at least you know where you stand.

Sometimes the cheapest way in the medium/long term. At least you're not buying potential trouble

[gaffer1986]

IMHO if you know the car keep it and do any work you want on it at least you know where you stand.

Sometimes the cheapest way in the medium/long term. At least you're not buying potential trouble

Agreed, especially with these old cars, there is inevitably many problems with any purchase. Depends how fussy you are too. And what things you care about.. Rattles are an example of something some except and others resolve.

[Mattyboi]

For me it was always something in the spec that it didnt have, for example a swanky re-trim and carbon dash parts. Alot of cars dont have it and mine does, or they'd have that but not a toe link upgrade. Or have both of those but have basic coilovers. There always seemed to be something which needed doing or changing that was about a grand. That always made it a better option to supercharge mine should I want to*.

 

*Which I do, fingers crossed for next march!!

Edited by Mattyboi, 23 June 2017 - 07:43 AM.

[ditonics]

Vxt

This