Evora S to 410 suspension

[Fasteddie]

Hi, just looking at the 410 suspension in the shop and wondered

A) are these an upgrade from the standard S fitment?

B) will they straight swap?

C) if I'm going to go to the trouble of swapping shocks are there any others out there with a similar value proposition?

 

I'm not looking for anything severe, I rarely track if at all but saw the shocks and thought maybe the car deserves a new set at that price.

[jerzybondov]

There may be some alignment considerations too - not sure if they’re a straight swap? Also bear in mind things like bushing rates etc are all designed to work in synchrony with spring rates and dampers etc - changing just one part of that puzzle might have unexpected results!

[jep]

There is no such thing as an upgrade of Lotus suspension for road use. 

Suspension, ride and handling are the dynamics at the heart of every Lotus. Each model will have been expertly assessed to be as good as it can be for the characteristics that Lotus desired for that car. 

You are wise to seek advice, I'd speak to known experts like Hangar111, Steve Williams, Lotus on Track etc....before buying any parts 

Justin 

 

[EGTE]

I concur with Jep. 

Put it this way, I used to have Exe-TC 3-way adjustables on a 911 - considered by most to be far and away the best you could have (£8000 retail, which is NOT what I paid, but they were not cheap) - and the Evora was way, way better than that!

Don't forget that suspension tuning also involves the bushings as well.

[Spinney]

I have a set of 4 low mileage GT 410 dampers at a good price if you are interested 

[Bruss]

Are they the same length and fitment as S1 Evora? 

[Spinney]

I believe so Paul but maybe Bibs could confirm that. 

[Fasteddie]

Thanks all, I'll save my money and leave it as is

[electro_boy]

@Fasteddie, I’ve talked to a couple folks who all said for a road car it’s really hard to beat the Lotus standard damping on the S1 and they would recommend just sticking to the standard damper. Even when I was trying to give them my money they discouraged me from changing the dampers.  So it looks like Lotus did a really good job. 

For a track work yes sure the S1 can be improved but road manners will suffer. 
 

@Bruss, if I remember correctly you use ES Motorsport to work on your car? They currently have my car in at the moment, it’s getting the dampers swapped out for the 410 dampers as I’m wanting to do more track work and want sportier handling.  I haven’t had a detailed chat about it but I think they swapped over without too much trouble.  If you want to ask them for more info tell them you’re calling about Jai’s car, Orange Evora S1. 

Sorry @Spinney I already had bought mine before yours were up for sale otherwise would have gone for them. 

[Bruss]

Thanks Jairaj. I have Nitrons on at the moment which are excellent for track and for the road. There is just one thing, I am no longer doing track works since  Covid. I am almost decided thatI may no longer do long road trips and tracks at the end, but will continue to do occasional track days. The Nitrons ‘knock’ ( the billiard ball sound) at slow speed over potholes type bumps. It has been a compromise I am willing to accept for a track focussed car, but now it may be that I need something knock free for more road use. The sport billies may be just the thing.

Is there anyone who has the GT 410 dampers can comment on how much they rattle or knock over slow speed bumps?

 

[Spinney]

My GT 410 dampers never rattled or knocked over slow speed bumps and I only changed to something a bit softer to help my elderly creaking frame! 

[Bruss]

Thanks Brent.  I prefer the stiffer ride (insert joke of choice) and the slow speed knock of the Nitrons is lost on the road when travelling on faster roads. It’s just the in town slow speed stuff that I notice it. The GT dampers may be worth me changing too as my old man compromise. Can you drop me a note of how much you are looking for. 

 

[Spinney]

Message sent Paul. 

[electro_boy]

Hi All, thought I would give an initial thoughts on the new suspension.

Sport 410 dampers and springs are much stiffer than the S1 NA dampers and springs.  Around town the car is less comfortable and has more harshness over bumps but once you get a a bit of speed and hit some corners you instantly feel the increased cornering performance.   There is a lot less lean in the corners so on quick succession corners, the car feels more composed and a lot more agile as it doesn't roll all the way one way and then back the other way.

For sure the bias has shifted away from road and is more track / sport focussed.   That silky beautifully judged damping that breathes with the road is still there but you need to start pushing the car through some lovely bends to find it.   I felt previously the S1 NA suspension felt special even at 30 mph around town.   Now it feels stiff and harsh until I find some open road.   Don't get me wrong its not crazy stiff and bouncing away like mad but it is tuned such that it only makes sense at speed.

I want to use my car less of an everyday car and more for special Sunday drives and track days so this change really makes sense to me.  For anyone that firmly uses their car as a road only or as a daily, stick with the original suspension it really is amazingly well judged (and I kind of miss it).  But for anyone happy to make the compromise for better cornering ability its worth it.

 

 

[TdM]

I was chatting to Steve Williams about dampers and he said much the same thing. He thought the 410 dampers were too stiff for the road. He's got his own personal Evora road car and had considered fitting them but decided against it.

Seems that RaceShocks are currently developing a new system for the Evora (self branded 'Core') based on TracTive dampers which is hoped will be a better balance for the road. I've asked to be kept informed as my suspension is now near 80k miles old and could do with a spruce up.

[EGTE]

Those dampers are now for sale. They look good, but the Core+ ones are not cheap (!!!).