20 replies to this topic

[coople]

Hi everyone. Well my standard read dampers have leaked out making mid corner bumps....interesting/scary.. I want to get some coilovers so that I can lower the car slightly. The plan will be coilovers, hub bolts, toe links and then get a geo done. I have not tracked this vx yet but hopefully I will get some in next year. As I will be mostly using it on the road I don't want the ride to be too hard and crashy. I know this is a poisoned chalice of a question but what do people recommend? I am thinking Nitron street series. Any other thoughts? Thanks Steve

[turbo boy]

Hi Steve, There seems to be a few choices: 1. Standard Bilsteins 2. Exige Bilsteins 3. Nitron Streets 4. Gaz golds 5. Quantams I have done a lot of research on this and based on the good feedback from friends on here, I'm going to swap my Exige dampers for some Nitron Streets next year 👍

[Pidgeon]

I'd have Bilstein refurbish your standard units.  I found the VXR Bilsteins (possibly Exige equivalent) too harsh for day to day use.  If I was looking at Nitron Street, I'd want to know the spring rates weren't that far enhanced from the original.

Edited by Pidgeon, 19 September 2017 - 07:32 AM.

[SteveA]

3. Nitron Streets 4. Gaz golds 5. Quantams

 

As the OP wants to lower the car, that counts out Exige and Standard Billies

[Samwise]

 

3. Nitron Streets
4. Gaz golds
5. Quantams

 

As the OP wants to lower the car, that counts out Exige and Standard Billies

 

 

If you can afford to (And for something holding the wheels on the car you really should do) there are only 2 real options out of the ones advised above.

 

I have a set of Nitrons for track driving but they have remarkebly good damping for the road too, if they had softer spring rates i'd go as far to say that for a VX they would be quite comfortable.

[coople]

Looking like Nitron street series is the preferred option then so far.

[james_ly]

I had street series and they were good, however for road use I'd still choose Bilsteins. Maybe with front anti roll bar to sharpen up?

[TFD]

Not a tubby (well... sort off) but NSS + 1" ARB here for road use. More comfy then the old bilsteins yet more planted and tight feeling. On 8 clicks from soft front, 6 from rear.

[Rosssco]

I had street series and they were good, however for road use I'd still choose Bilsteins. Maybe with front anti roll bar to sharpen up?

 

I use Bilsteins with stiff front and rear ARB's - very planted and resistant to roll, but still good on our crap roads..

 

The car isn't lower however, but OEM-ish ride height (good for roads!)

Edited by Rosssco, 20 September 2017 - 08:32 PM.

[Nev]

 The plan will be coilovers, hub bolts, toe links and then get a geo done.  

 

Hub bolts won't need replacing.  Perhaps you mean hub carrier bolts?  

[coople]

Hub carrier yes exactly.

[Nev]

The cheapest option is to get your OEM Bilstiens refurbished at the factory. They will be like new when they come back and your car will handle vastly better, remember Lotus do know a thing or two about how to make a car handle, they chose those expensive OEM Bilstiens for a good reason.

 

Lowering the car usually leads to worse handling characteristics (unless you really know what you are doing), if you do so, be aware that you'll likely be making it a slower car...

 

I once test drove a VX220 with "fresh" OEM suspension that hadn't been fiddled with, it was a very planted car.

Edited by Nev, 21 September 2017 - 09:07 AM.

[Code Monkey]

Refurb the standard kit; them Lotus boys is clever with suspension things.

Just had my VXR springs and dampers redone difference was amazing so much more fun to drive.

[chris_uk]

The cheapest option is to get your OEM Bilstiens refurbished at the factory. They will be like new when they come back and your car will handle vastly better, remember Lotus do know a thing or two about how to make a car handle, they chose those expensive OEM Bilstiens for a good reason.

 

Lowering the car usually leads to worse handling characteristics (unless you really know what you are doing), if you do so, be aware that you'll likely be making it a slower car...

 

I once test drove a VX220 with "fresh" OEM suspension that hadn't been fiddled with, it was a very planted car.

 

they wont be like brand new, they will look exactly the same as when you sent them in, the only thing they do is the internal gubbins.. 

 

we send them off for refurb all the time and i have never had a set back which look any different to how they went in.

[chris_uk]

i would suggest, based on my experiences that Gaz Monotubes are worth a look see.. 

 

yep, they perform very well on track, but they also perform excellent on the road too. 

[coople]

I have now fitted the Nitron NTR 46mm 1 way dampers and I have to say first experience with them is very positive. 

[Nev]

 

The cheapest option is to get your OEM Bilstiens refurbished at the factory. They will be like new when they come back and your car will handle vastly better, remember Lotus do know a thing or two about how to make a car handle, they chose those expensive OEM Bilstiens for a good reason.

 

Lowering the car usually leads to worse handling characteristics (unless you really know what you are doing), if you do so, be aware that you'll likely be making it a slower car...

 

I once test drove a VX220 with "fresh" OEM suspension that hadn't been fiddled with, it was a very planted car.

 

they wont be like brand new, they will look exactly the same as when you sent them in, the only thing they do is the internal gubbins.. 

 

we send them off for refurb all the time and i have never had a set back which look any different to how they went in.

 

 

Where did i say they would LOOK like new? I said they'd BE like new (ie functionally).  

[Foxy]

I have now fitted the Nitron NTR 46mm 1 way dampers and I have to say first experience with them is very positive. 

So after all that, you didnt go with the best option

[turbo boy]

I thought NTR were a bit compromised for the road and more track biased?

[Rosssco]

I thought NTR were a bit compromised for the road and more track biased?

 

They are, the Street Series are, er, predictably better on the road. Not to say you can't use NTR's acceptably, especially if you're just an occasional user.