Continuing on from here:
http://www.vx220.org...opic=58288&st=0
I can now start up a last for those who want one a set of either:)
The kit will come with 2 options:
Tie rod only kit
- 2x tie rod bars
- 2x brackets
- 2x long bolts
- 2x hub carrier bolts
- 4x lock nuts
- 8x washers
- 4x rubber dust boots
- 4x spherical joints
- 8x bracket nuts
-16x bracket washers
-8x bracket bolts
-6x bumpsteer adjustment washers (1/2/3mm)
-4x lock nuts
-4x custom machined collets (including the required grooved facing for indentation on subframe)
This kit will replace the standard VX/VXT tie rod kit and is the first VX220 specific kit that I'm aware of.
Kits for the Elise include this http://www.tadts.com/shop/ and the EliseParts one for, both of which are £285 including the dust covers delivered. As a one off group buy I've arranged £225 delivered, which for a by far better kit is a great price. After the limited group buy they will only be available from dealers so will be at least as much as, if not more than the kits out at the moment.
Tie rod kit with subframe bracing
The next level of the kit not only features the standard tie rods but also includes a brace which runs between the subframe lower limbs. I am told the VX and Toyota engined Elise/Exige subframes flex a significant amount under hard cornering as the subframe is not particularly strong, obviously this isn't a great idea...
In the Exige S Lotus supply as standard a brace between the subframe legs to prevent this from occurring, I've not been able to find a decent photo of it but it looks something like this:
The kit with bracing will feature a similar bar to the tie rods which will equalise force between the two sides of the car and prevent any flex in the subframe. It will be attached to the same subframe bracket on the subframe but feature a buttress to prevent leverage over a longer bolt which is not a great idea on the Lotus kit.
Such a brace is a particularly popular upgrade in Japan and the US but I'm not even aware of anyone other than Lotus supplying it even for the Elise in the UK. I've been told it makes the kind of difference which you can feel even if you're not a driving god. The additional weight of the bar and extra joints should be about 1kg. Having this bar is an extra £100 and will cost £325 delivered which seems a bit of a no brainer to me really.
I'll be sticking a thread up in the group buy forum shortly to get a list together
Availability will be as quickly as possible the tie rod kit should be ready once the bars come back from the US on 9th December. The brace bars will be a couple of weeks after that.
Please add your names to the list below:
Muncher - Full Brace Kit
Edited by Muncher, 22 November 2007 - 12:54 PM.
well in paul.
