Shocks

[dbebb55]

Bear with me...this is my first post on this forum. My new Spax shocks [front] are junk. Has anyone tried Protec shocks from Steve at SJ? My new Spax raised the front about an inch and wollow like crazy. I hate them. How about Leda shocks. Are they pricey?

Thanks for the imput

Dave

90SE

[karmavore]

I've heard good things about Gaz shocks, the ones Marcus sells. I plan on buying them sometime soon. I have tried to get LEDA opinions a few times but have gotten no responces.

[abrussich]

I have a set from Marcus on my 89 Esprit Turbo. The difference compared to the OEM units is day and night. Along with the shocks you may want to replace the springs. I am currently using my car for auto-X and occasional light track use and went for a heavier set of springs. The street ride is a bit harsher but not unliveable.

The adjustable rebound and height setting of the dampers is a very nice feature indeed. Makes it possible to eliminate the notorious list to right or left depending on which side of the pond you hail from.

I have had them on the car for almost a year and about a dozen track sessions and no problems or complaints. Build quality seems excellent and fitment was a piece of cake.

If in the U.S. you may want to purchase your springs seperately to save a few bucks. There is a supplier in Washington state that can get them for you at about $50 a piece.

In short, go for the Gaz units from Marcus. You will be very happy with the performance and Marcus is a great guy to deal with.

Al B.

Houston, Tx

89 Esprit turbo

I've heard good things about Gaz shocks, the ones Marcus sells.  I plan on buying them sometime soon.  I have tried to get LEDA opinions a few times but have gotten no responces.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[ragingfool35]

If in the U.S. you may want to purchase your springs seperately to save a few bucks. There is a supplier in Washington state that can get them for you at about $50 a piece.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

contact info for this dealer?

chris

90 SE

[abrussich]

contact info for this dealer?

chris

90 SE

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I breifly tried to hunt down the reciept for the purchase without success. Will try a bit harder over the weekend.

Al

[ragingfool35]

I breifly tried to hunt down the reciept for the purchase without success. Will try a bit harder over the weekend.

Al

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

any luck?

[superdavelotus]

I would recommend Avo shocks from PNM. They are fully adjustable in both ride height and damping. They cost approx

[bimyb10]

Bear with me...this is my first post on this forum. My new Spax shocks [front] are junk. Has anyone tried Protec shocks from Steve at SJ? My new Spax raised the front about an inch and wollow like crazy. I hate them.  How about Leda shocks.  Are they pricey?

Thanks for the imput

    Dave

    90SE

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have fitted protec shocks from SJ to my '89 turbo, with new front springs (kept original rears) very impressed with build quality and after finally fitting and resetting ride height, am very pleased with results. Although only used so far on road, made annual trip down A4 to castle coombe (club lotus day) very enjoyable, maybe with new clutch I shall finally brave the circuit next year ;o)

regards Paul

[Paul C]

I would recommend Avo shocks from PNM. They are fully adjustable in both ride height and damping.

I got these from PNM too, nice ride, easy to adjust, good value

[karmavore]

Protec

Leda

Gaz

AVO

..didn't realize there where so many choices.

[EspritFactFile]

Protec

Leda

Gaz

AVO

..didn't realize there where so many choices.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Don't forget Spax, Koni, Bilstein, OEM...

Also, other than the OEM, will *any* of these allow you to use the stock springs un-modified? So far, all that I have talked to say the springs need replacing because the perches are different diameter or at a different height than stock. Les Twigg offers Leda with different perches, but the stock springs still need to be cut because they are too long. Leda are still expensive. Bilstein are even more so.

Les tells me that all these adjustable shocks tend to be more setup of for track as they are stiffer than OEM even at their softer setting.

Spax have issues with ride height in front on many Esprits and have had quality issues in the past. They claim to have fixed these problems, but who knows. Also, they are painted an ugly yellow which looks like it belongs more in a slammed ricer than an Esprit.

[karmavore]

Don't forget...

Spax,

forgotton per the subject of the post.

Koni,

As far as I know Koni doesn't make a (off the shelf) damper for the Esprit.

Bilstein,

Per LEW these are no good on 4-pots.

OEM...

Goes with out saying...

Feeling snarky. :-P

Lucas.

[TSD]

How did you set up the AVO shocks? I guess ride height according to spec with the driver in the car... But what about the damping? How hard/soft? front vs. back damping? vs. OEM shocks?

I'm considering this upgrade at some point as my front end seems to float a bit under spirited driving, and understeers a wee bit, but wouldn't trust myself to get the settings right. Last thing I want to do is screw up the legendary lotus handling

[karmavore]

Good question. ..but I question how much "legendary Lotus handling" any of us really experience. Especially if we're driving on the street.

Here's my plan:

1) Have a real Esprit race engineer do the work (Kirt @ Hypersport)

2) Tell him I want it lowered .5-1 inches (for looks)

3) Tell him I want the "lean" dialed out.

4) Tell him to make it work as well as possible given those parameters.

5) Oh, and keep it as supple as possible too.

Lucas.

Edited June 27, 2005 by karmavore

[abrussich]

To those looking to purchase springs for their beloved Esprits in the U.S. I offer the numbers blow. The first is the manufacturer who you can speak to in order to determine the proper size and rate, the second is a supplier. Good luck, sorry it took so long to find the info.

H&R Springs 1-888-827-8881 They can provide names of suppliers or you can call

Turner Motor Sports, (Mass.) 1-800-280-6966 (1) ask for Doug. Price for front coils was 65$ plus S&H.

Or call BMP Design, 1-800-648-7278 (1)(2) ask for Jason.

The following is a section of the H&R website chart for 60mm (I.D) race springs carrying a metric designation.

H&R #, length, load, load in lbs., marking, price (from 07/2004)

RF250030 250 30 171 250-30 65.00ea.

RF250040 250 40 229 250-40 65.00ea.

RF250050 250 50 286 250-50 65.00ea.

RF250060 250 60 343 250-60 65.00ea.

RF250070 250 70 400 250-70 65.00ea.

RF250080 250 80 457 250-80 65.00ea.

RF250090 250 90 514 250-90 65.00ea.

The following is the 2.5 inch listing of the same range. Note: length is now shown in inches.

HR#, length, rate, block height, load at block, weight, price(from 07/2004)

RF25100175 10 175 3.23 934 2.41 65.00ea.

RF25100200 10 200 3.23 1054 2.48 65.00ea.

RF25100225 10 225 3.62 1105 2.93 65.00ea.

RF25100250 10 250 3.58 1255 2.97 65.00ea.

RF25100275 10 275 3.66 1352 3.12 65.00ea.

RF25100300 10 300 3.66 1793 3.20 65.00ea.

RF25100350 10 350 3.86 1665 3.56 75.00ea.

RF25100375 10 375 3.94 1779 3.50 75.00ea.

RF25100400 10 400 4.06 1850 3.94 75.00ea.

I am running the RF250060 rates on the front and the ride, albeit a bit harsher than stock, is not unbearable. I am using the 60/70 rate units from Marcus on the rear. Shocks are Gazmatics from Marcus.

The car is used as a daily runner, Auto-X regular, and on an occasional track day.

hope this is of some help and again,I apologize for the delay.

Al B.