It's Springtime !
It's Springtime, but not the fluffy lamb sort, we're talking about those bouncy steel things.
Yes, I know there's nothing wrong with the OEM suspension and whatever I do is likely to impair the legendary Lotus ride, but as you know from the rest of this website the risk of failure isn't going to stop me wondering "what if ?"
HTU is no longer the same old girl that came out of the factory in 1972. And after what I learnt from Pat Thomas about how modern thinking could transform the Elan I just can't resist the idea of an updated Europa.
It might be better, it might be a complete mess but after a year or so thinking about it, I'm going to risk the cash. It's only money and if I don't spend it no doubt someone else will waste it on groceries, paying taxes or restyling the bathroom.
Some folks just can't get their priorities right y'know....
1987 : OEM Springs, 5" rims, 175/70 & 185/70x13 Tyres
27 years later... 6" rims, 205/50x15 tyres, disc brakes
Doing some basic research leaves my head spinning, there are so many recommendations out there. Just looking at the Yahoo group knowledgebase gives me a range of spring rates from standard up to 500lbs/ins (!).
Even more confusingly, there are examples where the ratio of front to rear spring rates (and hence wheel frequencies) also change, which presumably affects the basic under/oversteering characteristics of the cars. I really don't understand that one.
This is not straightforward, I might even have to think for myself. That rarely works well....
Click on the button to follow the installation
