Yes I want to corner balance it and lower it 10 or 12 mm as per the Lotus recommended track settings.

But heck, I don't even own a torque wrench yet. It might be a month before I get around to making the changes. When I'm ready I'll ask you all the questions about getting in touch with who, and borrowing what, when, etc.

xtn You know I do. That is why I think so highly of Lotus of San Antonio.

Are you going to Corner balance yours? The local chapter of PCA has the scales.
No kidding - that's worth the $45/year to join PCA just to have access to their scales (and their track days, so we can go beat up on the P-cars).


xtn - All you'll need to corner balance it is the wrenches, scales, a calculator (or spreadsheet in your case), a level floor, and a lot of time. All you'll need to corner balance it is the wrenches, scales, a calculator (or spreadsheet in your case), a level floor, and a lot of time.
You will need hard liquor after you see the factory set up on our cars. You will need hard liquor after you see the factory set up on our cars.
Good point - add a single malt to that list!
What are you freaks doing on the internet at this time of morning on a weekday? GET TO WORK!

xtn To maintain the warranty I was required to have the 1000 mile checkup - cost <$250.

Since then I built a set of ramps - very strong - tested by parking our Astro Van on them. Jack stands are always recommended no matter what. I've always done my own oil changes - changing the oil on the Elise is very easy - everything is exposed once the bottom cover is removed.

I also bought a "3000 lb. aluminum racing" floor jack at Summit Racing - its minimum ground clearance is <4 inches - about $90. Compared with a dealer oil change, a pair of floor jacks would be paid for after your first do-it-yourself oil change. Provided he can get his car up on the Rhino Ramps with that drop!



I know, it really won't be a problem - but his car is loooooooow!

Hah. Yeah, honestly it is a bit tooo low for my liking for street use. So here's a question for ya, if I raise the ride hieight uniformly by adjusting each shock collar the same number of turns, would I screw up any other settings? I'd think no, but I figured I'd check with you guys first. Hah. Yeah, honestly it is a bit tooo low for my liking for street use. So here's a question for ya, if I raise the ride hieight uniformly by adjusting each shock collar the same number of turns, would I screw up any other settings? I'd think no, but I figured I'd check with you guys first.
You should be ok provided that your settings came fine from the factory. Ask CodyMac for input. So here's a question for ya, if I raise the ride hieight uniformly by adjusting each shock collar the same number of turns, would I screw up any other settings?

You'de screw up our whole impression of you as a badass kind of guy. Did YOU get spanner wrenches with your setup?

Cody I'm ordering a couple of these: http://www.speedwaymotors.com/xq/asp...qx/Product.htm I'll let you know if they fit.

I also ordered a Harbor Freight floor jack almost three weeks ago, but it hasn't arived yet.

xtn My car was aligned and corner balanced by the previous owner after the Ohlins were installed, although I was not able to find out to which specs the alignment was done.

You'de screw up our whole impression of you as a badass kind of guy. Did YOU get spanner wrenches with your setup?

Hah! I'm pretty sure I can't fool anyone into thinking I'm a badass. I've given up on that long ago. I've settled for being a down to earth, geeky type with a badass car.

And nope, I didn't get the wrenches. After figuring out which size I need, I'll have to either snag esprit89's or buy some. Hah. Yeah, honestly it is a bit tooo low for my liking for street use. So here's a question for ya, if I raise the ride hieight uniformly by adjusting each shock collar the same number of turns, would I screw up any other settings? I'd think no, but I figured I'd check with you guys first.
You won't really screw anything up, but you will undo any previous corner balancing that was done when the Ohlins were installed. Worst case, it'll go around corners in one direction differently than the other direction.

In other words, it'll probably end up more like the rest of our cars.

IIRC, raising the car will increase front toe in and decrease rear toe in. The net effect is a car having less initial turn-in response (front change) and more likely to swap ends (rear change). Not sure how much it will change - it depends partly on the suspension geometry but where you'll end up depends a lot more on how it was aligned (i.e., was it ballasted properly, was it set up aggressively).

btw - You should be able to get a motorcycle shop to order a wrench from Ohlins. I'd recommend giving Chase a call over at the BMW/Ducati shop in Plano (tell him I sent you) as he races and usually deals directly with Ohlins race support, which is much better than their commercial channels.

eta: If you decide to just go ahead and have everything done again, Ruf quoted me somewhere around $330 for alignment and corner-balancing (which should include setting the ride-height). I'm told they've had an Elise or two in their shop already. Great info! Thx Cody! Cody I'm ordering a couple of these: http://www.speedwaymotors.com/xq/asp...qx/Product.htm I'll let you know if they fit.

I wasn't paying enough attention when moving through the online order process at the above website. Anyone who is interested should be aware that my $13.90 order (two spanner wrenches) incurred a shipping charge of $8.82 (for their STANDARD shipping) and a $2.00 "minimum order charge."

xtn