48 replies to this topic

[Jameshs]

what about fitting the na springs on the vxr shocks?

[Exmantaa]

Yeah - Mr Sod strikes again, lol.

Will try to pop round.

Been looking at the other threads on here and the rear of mine has definitely gone up more than those with Exige suspension.

However, look at this comparison. First pic is Exige suspension as fitted to toreide's car. The second is the VXR stuff on mine.





You'll notice that they look the same except the VXR stuff has 3 grooves in the damper mounting and the Exige has just 1. Perhaps this is because Vauxhall simply re-machined the Exige stuff to fit? If the spring platform of my VXR damper could be moved to where the Exige one is, they'd look the same. My rear ride height would then fall (as I understand it) and I really would then have 'Exige' suspension!

How can I do this? Do I simply buy a spring compressor and then it will all become obvious?? Edit: and if so, is this what I need to buy?

To the ELise shop brackets; ONLY the FRONT will fit on the VX!! Our rear subframe has welded brackets (like the S2)
But the fronts fit perfect and lower the car ~15-20mm. With the same damper travel.

Never saw a VXR rear strut, but my Exige S2 rears don't have those grooves. And my alu spring platform is positioned near the sticker, like the other pic. Lowering the alu platform to the same position will lower your car the same amount, or even a bit more.


Alu platform is held in place by a steel spring clip in that groove. Pre-tension the spring with a suitable tool so the clip comes free, move the clip and release spring tool. Job done.
We have small diameter springs, so you might better look in a motorcycle shop for something suitable. Or use a hydraulic press with a suitable adapter. Or...

Please post some pics before and after. And of course how it handles.

[Retset]

You could try the ultimate in pikey way...... a few jubilee (spelling) clips to compress the springs but I wouldnt advise it lol.

I think not - I still have 2 eyes, 8 fingers, 2 thumbs etc. and was hoping to keep it that way

what about fitting the na springs on the vxr shocks?

One of the reasons I wanted the VXR stuff was uprated spring rates. I fear that NA springs and VXR dampers would not be a match made in heaven ...

[Winstar]

You got any?

you need the right type of spring compressores for the VX springs as they have such a small diameter not all of them will work.

[Retset]

OK .... Looking at p131 of the Draper catalogue .. I can get either:

No.3, N144: Available in my town for £20. They will let me see if they fit.

No.6, N151: I would have to order from somewhere and wait but looks very secure to me.

Any comments on suitability?

Also, anybody know what happens to the spring platform once the spring pressure is off, i.e. how it moves?

[Jameshs]

OK .... Looking at p131 of the Draper catalogue .. I can get either:

No.3, N144: Available in my town for £20. They will let me see if they fit.

No.6, N151: I would have to order from somewhere and wait but looks very secure to me.

Any comments on suitability?

Also, anybody know what happens to the spring platform once the spring pressure is off, i.e. how it moves?

The top one should just slide out by the looks of it

[Retset]

The top one should just slide out by the looks of it

So, once pressure removed, the spring platforms can just be moved by hand? If so, what holds them in place the rest of the time?

[Retset]

Sorry for the bump but I am keen to find out before shelling £20 on compressors tomorrow morning

[Exmantaa]

The top one should just slide out by the looks of it

So, once pressure removed, the spring platforms can just be moved by hand? If so, what holds them in place the rest of the time?

The spring off course.... That's why you need a spring compressor to disassemble it in the first place.

It's just an alu ring sliding over the shock tube, locked in place by a small spring clip in that groove. Same at the bottom. Only there the ring locks on to another alu piece. Once the tension is off (and you made enough space), you can move that one it upwards and slide if of the shock sideways. Then you can take the spring off, followed by the upper alu platform...

And please post here if you find a suitable tool, as I'm now up to making something myself.

[Retset]

A spring clip holds the platform - gotcha - cheers I'm going to see if the chunky Draper ones will fit as that's the only thing I can get without mail ordering. If so I'll do the job tomorrow morning. Elise Parts have also said I can return the bracket set if I buy it and don't mess it up (nice) so I may well do that to take 20mm or so out of the front gap. Back brackets would be scrapped whatever as they are a weld on item ....

[Exmantaa]

Elise Parts have also said I can return the bracket set if I buy it and don't mess it up (nice) so I may well do that to take 20mm or so out of the front gap. Back brackets would be scrapped whatever as they are a weld on item ....

Front ones fit perfect and an ABS bracket is easy. Just look at my pics how I made it.

(I have heard that the VX originally was intended to be lower like the S2 but could not pass final Type Approval due to the headlights being to low... As a quick fix they made different front shock brackets to pass approval, but therefore the NA always looks a bit too high up front. On the later turbo they also raised the back what looked a bit better. Just a rumor...)

[Winstar]

OK .... Looking at p131 of the Draper catalogue .. I can get either:

No.3, N144: Available in my town for £20. They will let me see if they fit.

No.6, N151: I would have to order from somewhere and wait but looks very secure to me.

Any comments on suitability?

Also, anybody know what happens to the spring platform once the spring pressure is off, i.e. how it moves?

Machinie mart do some like the N151 cheaper clicky

[Retset]

Exmantaa: I apologise for asking inane questions twice . Somehow, the 'flip to new posts' thing had taken me past your first very imformative posting. Just seen it and feel silly Unfortunately the N144 jaws proved too much for the spring gap when I took the old unit into MotorWorld. Looks like I'll have to order something smaller. Thanks for all the help and advice. I now an fully confident I can get the back down close to where it was and, if required, knock out some arch gap at the front. OK, so it will cost me a bit more but it still makes a good budget upgrade and I'm well chuffed I'll resurrect this thread once all completed ....

[Jameshs]

whats the improvement with handleing now you have the VXR's fitted?

[Retset]

Just done about 180 miles in it today including lots of nice twisty B roads The ride is now a little firmer. It is still well controlled but not as pleasant as standard if the surface is really bad like some town centres and some really old country lanes. That said, the way the car 'recovers' from the bumps seems better. As far as going round corners goes: It does it brilliantly I cannot detect any body roll - yes, I know there must be some really - and it just goes round anything 'on rails'. I need a real test as I've tried my new wheels and tyres in isolation but the suspension has only been tried with the R888's. Tomorrow is an Activity Day at North Weald. I'm going to put on the standard wheels for the day and that will give me a chance to more equally compare suspensions. Will report back.

[Pidgeon]

Just want to help out here with a few basics about suspension. Don't think of the spring and damper as a single unit. Ascertain the correct spring rates/heights first, then fit some dampers to control them. AFAIAA all four dampers (N/A, T, R and anything Lotus) will be different. VX would not have 'machined grooves into an Exige damper'. When you buy Exige or VXR suspension, you are buying stiffer springs and dampers. I cannot speak for the Exige, but due to the weight balance between a turbo car and an N/A, the spring rates for the rear will be proportionally higher. According to the theory, this will cause the car to oversteer more, so I would beware of the conversion you have fitted. I would start by obtaining more appropriate springs. If lowered springs are available (TMS?) then that is where I would start. I would also ask Faulkners how much they would charge to manufacture a bespoke set - it will be less than you think. There is a potential problem with lowering the car on standard dampers, in that you can run out of travel within the damper. This would not be a problem with lowering brackets (the spring remains in the same position relative to the shock), but needs to be considered if fitting shorter springs or lowering the spring seat. My experience of the VXR suspension is that the increased spring rates will reduce roll, but on less than perfect road surfaces the ride quality was unacceptable.

[Retset]

^^ Interesting reading. I'm with you on the spring rates being proportionally higher on the rear and this is, indeed, true.

I am still confused by the machined grooves but it is obvious they fit an Exige at one end and a VXR at the other and I really wonder if they didn't just say "we only need 65 sets plus spares - let's re-machine the Exige ones ..". The only way to be sure is if another VXR owner could post if they have the rings.

Today, I put the standard wheels and tyres on for a Walshy Activity Day. This was predictably great fun but I really wish I was a bit better

I asked Andy about the upgrade I'd done as I trust him more than me He said it's a good VFM upgrade and replacing my 36K shocks with 9K ones was a good move in any event. I asked him about the rear spring rates and he did indicate it might be a little easier to oversteer.

I asked Andy to drive the course that I managed 1.16.9 on. With me as a passenger (= + 80kg) he managed a 1.10!! He then did the same in a 2008 Elise Supercharged that had standard wheels/tyres (175 fronts) and did a 1.07.4. Given that there was enough room for the supercharger to help knock time off and the fact that mine is too high, I was bloody delighted Andy said the car felt fine but he could detect the roll the extra 2cm ride height is giving and suggested the brackets/spring platform move that I am already proposing.

Incidentally, it didn't look as silly with a 17" front in place! I am becoming convinced that this is a much better upgrade for a Turbo on 17's than for an NA on 16/17's.

When I did the various activities, my feeling was that the car now deals much better with bumps - it's line is less unsettled through bumpy corners than previously and that makes it easier to drive.

I find the car bumpier on nasty roads but they have to be very bad before it is wearing.

My alternatives are

1) Brackets/spring platform - end of story
2) Get GAZ to allow me to play with ride heights/dampers and, best of all, to be new not 36K miles.
3) Get Nitrons for the above reasons and because they are better. I have doubts whether I have the skill level to get the value for my money though ....
4) Go back to my old stuff - no way - too soggy!

Thanks for reading this far

[alanoo]

To the ELise shop brackets; ONLY the FRONT will fit on the VX!! Our rear subframe has welded brackets (like the S2)
But the fronts fit perfect and lower the car ~15-20mm. With the same damper travel.

How can it work with the ABS mount ?

[Retset]

You have to fabricate something. Those who can do this stuff say it is 'easy'! I would need to find one such person I think

[slindborg]

You have to fabricate something. Those who can do this stuff say it is 'easy'! I would need to find one such person I think

Mr Cable and Mrs Tie