50 replies to this topic

[clipping_point]

VX220 NA = 234 / 268 lbs/in = 42 / 48 N/mm

VX220 Turbo = 275 / 315 lbs/in = 49 / 57 N/mm

VX220 Spax kit = 250 / 350 lbs/in = 45 / 62 N/mm

VX220 NA Nitron kit = 375/475 lbs/in = 68/ 86 N/mm

VX220 Turbo Nitron kit = / lbs/in =

VXR = 300 / 340 lbs/in = 54/61 N/mm

Oehlins = 350 / 400 lbs/in = 63 / 72 N/mm


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S1 Standard = 185 / 220 lbs/in = 33 / 39 N/mm

S1 LSS = 228 / 285 lbs/in = 41 / 51 N/mm

S2 Standard = 228 / 285 lbs/in = 41 / 51 N/mm

S2 LSS = 250 / 325 lbs/in = 45 / 58 N/mm

[clipping_point]

VX220 NA = 234 / 268 lbs/in = 42 / 48 N/mm

VX220 Turbo = 275 / 315 lbs/in = 49 / 57 N/mm (estimated value)

VX220 Spax kit = 250 / 350 lbs/in = 45 / 62 N/mm

VX220 NA Nitron kit = 375/475 lbs/in = 68/ 86 N/mm

VX220 Turbo Nitron kit = / lbs/in =

VXR = 300 / 340 lbs/in = 54/61 N/mm (estimated value)

Oehlins = 350 / 400 lbs/in = 63 / 72 N/mm (estimated value)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S1 Standard = 185 / 220 lbs/in = 33 / 39 N/mm

S1 LSS = 228 / 285 lbs/in = 41 / 51 N/mm

S2 Standard = 228 / 285 lbs/in = 41 / 51 N/mm

S2 LSS = 250 / 325 lbs/in = 45 / 58 N/mm

[mags993tt]

by the way i believe the VXR ohlins springs from lotus are different from the springs on the kit direct from ohlins.

[clipping_point]

We could ask them since we are swedes Dude and I (and Mr Öhlin). He knows them, too. And Perhaps Thorney knows the spring rates on his racer??

[skogshuggarn]

My Öhlins kit (former testcar) uses Eibach spring in front, 47/00-3 A116 C 0015 (is that stock front or rear spring?) and in the back I have a Öhlins spring, 00180-44/57 L223 All the numbers realy don´t tell me that much, buy maybee somebody could translate them? I have been told by the Öhlins reseller here in Sweden that Öhlins R&T uses 43N/mm front (but that may differ from country to country)

[clipping_point]

I had my nitron n/a kit tested before they were fitted.
The fronts are 375lbs/in
The rears are 475lbs/in

Perhaps people can see now why I always whinge about how they are too hard for the road!

Anyone wanting nitrons please note - you can specify them with whatever spring rate you want. I just ordered the vx220 n/a kit and that is what I got.

Do you think the 68/86 N/mm is too hard then? It seems that Lotusspecials have used 100/120 N/mm on race tracks successfully.


Cant you just have a softer damping to compensate??

[barrybethel]

Do I think the nitron n/a kit springs are too hard? Well yes and no. I think it makes the car quite a lot worse on bumpy back roads than when it was standard. The ride quality is much worse too. But. On track it is awesome. And I don't really want to lose that on-track ability. Michael at Tollbar who supplied and fitted them reckons going a bit softer will make a noticeable difference to roll and therefore speed on track - for the worse, obviously. You just can't have it both ways. If I was buying new now I would order a bit softer - maybe similar to the standard vxr.

[clipping_point]

Are there different springs to the VXT set, guess there is? Otherwise that would explain why u think it is too hard, whereas the VXT guys all think it is good.

[barrybethel]

I think the vxt kit has slightly harder rear springs to compensate for the heavier engine & box so I would expect the cars with that kit on to feel similar to mine. Dunno why they don't complain, maybe they don't use it everyday as I do, or go on as many bumpy roads. Maybe they are not as old as me (35 ) or maybe they just don't like admitting in public that someting they have spent over a grand on actually makes the car worse in some situations....

[clipping_point]

Actually, people have pointed out to me that I should use a stiffer anti roll bar as well, together with the stiffer springs. Then you wouldn´t get too much roll either Dunno if this will fit:

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[barrybethel]

Yeah uprated and adjustable anti roll bars are a good idea. When I can afford it I will put one on mine. The Eliseparts ones fit with some minor modification I think - ask Ducatisenna, he's fitted one.

[clipping_point]

Yes, I´ll ask him, when I can afford it, too.... A guy at a swedish forum is running a race elise with 700 /750. On a sprint race/road Elise he runs Nitrons 325/400 and think they suit normal roads well. But I love those B-roads....

[SPLAM]

I had my nitron n/a kit tested before they were fitted.
The fronts are 375lbs/in
The rears are 475lbs/in

Perhaps people can see now why I always whinge about how they are too hard for the road!

Anyone wanting nitrons please note - you can specify them with whatever spring rate you want. I just ordered the vx220 n/a kit and that is what I got.

I have Nitrons on my NA and after i fitted them and went for a drive out of work (mega bumpy B roads) i thought i had wasted my money as the car was a proper bone shaker and hard work to keep in a straight line.

After having it setup properly it is still a bit on the not so comfortable side of firm (but firmly planted to the road) on the lane but IMHO it is an improvement of the original setup as there is no wallowing (hard to explain) over dips and bumps anymore.

Obviously on smooth roads it has made a massive improvement.

I don't think i would go for a softer spring rate as the compromise seems pretty spot on to me.

I guess to hard for one person is someone else's to soft, as Barry said you can order the Nitrons with different spring rates which makes everyone happy, knowing what spring rate to order is another thing altogether though.


Edit;

I guess that is where steves and Clipping points spring rate table will help.

Edited by SamH, 07 December 2004 - 08:56 PM.

[barrybethel]

Sam's point about getting rid of that "wallowing" (I would add "floaty") sensation is a good one. The nitrons remove it altogeather. Which is definetly a very good thing in my book. But I reckon that is more to do with the better, tighter damping rather than the spring rates. I would be amazes if you would lose that benefit if you went down to, say, the vxr spring rates but retaining the nitron dampers.

[clipping_point]

Isn´t it possible to use the Nitron kit fronts at the back of your car....and buy new ones for the front? ...or even fit the standard rears up front (dia? length?)

[garyk220]

CP, I looked into this, but the front springs are shorter than the rears. Additional springs are not that expensive, so I'm thinking of ordering a couple of sets and experimenting with rates. Probably 350/400 initially (similar to Oehlins), and then a set of 325/375 to see how these feel on bumpy roads. It will always be a compromise for road and track driving, but a softer spring, stiffer anti-roll bar and adjustable dampers should give enough adjustability for the driving I do... that's the theory anyway If I decide to lower the car below 110/120, then I'd need to use the stiffer springs similar to those in the standard Nitron kit.

[Foxy]

Did anybody find out what springs are supplied with Nitrons for the VXT? Is the 375/475 (as Dean has) normally supplied for the NA?

[cicastol]

My Nitrons for my N\A are equipped with 375\450 as suggested by Nitron for road\track use

[clipping_point]

Mine are:
VX220 NA Nitron kit = 375/475 lbs/in = 68/ 86 N/mm


...at least I think so??

[Foxy]

Is the spring rate mentioned on the spring itself, or the box they were supplied in?