82 replies to this topic

[Muncher]

OK, I've had some indications of pricing now and I believe the finished items will be ready in 2 weeks time. Once it's here I'll be doing some more testing with it but it's pretty much the final product.

The kit will come with 2 options:

Tie rod only kit

- 2x tie rod bars
- 2x brackets
- 2x long bolts
- 2x hub carrier bolts
- 4x lock nuts
- 8x washers
- 4x rubber dust boots
- 4x spherical joints
- 8x bracket nuts
-16x bracket washers
-8x bracket bolts
-6x bumpsteer adjustment washers (1/2/3mm)
-4x lock nuts
-4x custom machined collets (including the required grooved facing for indentation on subframe)

This kit will replace the standard VX/VXT tie rod kit and is the first VX220 specific kit that I'm aware of.

Kits for the Elise include this http://www.tadts.com/shop/ and the EliseParts one for, both of which are £285 including the dust covers delivered. As a one off group buy I've arranged £225 delivered, which for a by far better kit is a great price. After the limited group buy they will only be available from dealers so will be at least as much as, if not more than the kits out at the moment.


Tie rod kit with subframe bracing

The next level of the kit not only features the standard tie rods but also includes a brace which runs between the subframe lower limbs. I am told the VX and Toyota engined Elise/Exige subframes flex a significant amount under hard cornering as the subframe is not particularly strong, obviously this isn't a great idea...

In the Exige S Lotus supply as standard a brace between the subframe legs to prevent this from occurring, I've not been able to find a decent photo of it but it looks something like this:


The kit with bracing will feature a similar bar to the tie rods which will equalise force between the two sides of the car and prevent any flex in the subframe. It will be attached to the same subframe bracket on the subframe but feature a buttress to prevent leverage over a longer bolt which is not a great idea on the Lotus kit.

Such a brace is a particularly popular upgrade in Japan and the US but I'm not even aware of anyone other than Lotus supplying it even for the Elise in the UK. I've been told it makes the kind of difference which you can feel even if you're not a driving god. The additional weight of the bar and extra joints should be about 1kg. Having this bar is an extra £100 and will cost £325 delivered which seems a bit of a no brainer to me really.

I'll be sticking a thread up in the group buy forum shortly to get a list together

[Winstar]

Muncher What route is the subframe brace tie bar taking around the cat pipe and how much clearance are they leaving for aftermarket exhaust/manifolds?

Edited by Winstar, 18 November 2007 - 09:58 PM.

[Muncher]

Muncher

What route is the subframe brace tie bar taking around the cat pipe and how much clearance are they leaving for aftermarket exhaust/manifolds?

It passes through under the curve of the downpipe, it isn't that close to the main body of the cat so aftermarket ones shouldn't be an issue (my Scorpion one is fine). It doesn't pass underneath the cat but parallel behind it closer to the engine. Obviously you can't cater for every choice of aftermarket exhaust but should there be any problems I imagine a refund will not be an issue. If you move it too close to the front of the car it gets close to the engine mount, too far down and it is in danger of touching the undertray, too far back and it gets closer to the cat, too far up and it gets close to the cat downpipe. I've asked for it to be in the position which has the most clearance all round, I think the closest it comes to anything is about 35-40mm but I'll know for sure when it arrives in a week or two.

[l14mha]

good work paul.... let the group buy begin. liam you have pm.

[hamlet]

very good!! You can already add me in the list for the group buy cheers

[myhifi]

very good!! You can already add me in the list for the group buy

cheers

Very serious kit. Can't wait for the order. Do you have any idea of a timeframe for the group buy and delivery ?

Also, what about maintenance of the rods, are they easy to replace ?

Thank you.

[siztenboots]

very good!! You can already add me in the list for the group buy

cheers

Very serious kit. Can't wait for the order. Do you have any idea of a timeframe for the group buy and delivery ?

Also, what about maintenance of the rods, are they easy to replace ?

Thank you.

This bar is mentioned as a optional extra on the Exige range " A rear double shear track control arm brace ", in theory it should transfer 50% of the load to the opposite corner lower wishbone bolt . I am sure when I looked at something similar for a VXT it would not fit.

[Winstar]

This bar is mentioned as a optional extra on the Exige range " A rear double shear track control arm brace ", in theory it should transfer 50% of the load to the opposite corner lower wishbone bolt . I am sure when I looked at something similar for a VXT it would not fit.

That was my point if you look at the exhaust route on the VX it passes directly between the subframe at exactly the level that the lotus style brace would go.

So it's going to need bends in it a bit like strut braces on front engines cars with McFerson (Spelling?) struts, altough I've not had chance to have a look where it's going to go yet.

Edited by Winstar, 19 November 2007 - 02:49 PM.

[Spitfire Engineering]

very good!! You can already add me in the list for the group buy

cheers

Very serious kit. Can't wait for the order. Do you have any idea of a timeframe for the group buy and delivery ?

Also, what about maintenance of the rods, are they easy to replace ?

Thank you.

Rod Maintenance! what maintenance?

High spec alloy then hard anodized, HE stainless insert, no maintenance required. even the teflon and kevlar doped race rod-ends are maintenance free.
If you break one you will of course be able to obtain a replacement though if you do break one you probably have half the rear suspension hanging off as well.










joking, the links are designed to fail before chassis damage.

All the other components are either 304 or 315 stainless with the exception of the bolts which are 10.8 but we have these plated to our specification.

The kit will be fully supported, any spares, periodic replacement of new nitrile boots for example we will be available at sensible prices through Paul for those who purchased a kit.

While I am here I must apologise for the delay, the more we looked into the differences the more it became obvious that the best route was to start again with an all new set of components for the VX, missing holes, different positions of support panels on the chassis etc meant using the Elise kit was a compromise and that is not what we do.
Every component has now been redesigned especially for the VX, the new inner bracket for example is deeper, stronger and also has the facility to accept the cross brace bracket.

The biggest problem you will have is to decide wether to fit the kit or put it on your desk.

As for the brace, Paul has found the best position across the chassis, the extra brackets will utilise this position. It is possible (if the Lotus is anything to go by) that there are several minor variations in reality, but we can look at this once identified and try to work around it.
The Lotus solution is not ideal anyway as the bolt is only supported 100% by the brace while in direct opposition withe toe-link, the use of a chassis mounted bracket to support both is a superior solution.

S.E.S

Edited by Spitfire Engineering, 19 November 2007 - 04:31 PM.

[myhifi]

Very serious kit. Can't wait for the order. Do you have any idea of a timeframe for the group buy and delivery ?

Also, what about maintenance of the rods, are they easy to replace ?

Thank you.

Rod Maintenance! what maintenance?

High spec alloy then hard anodized, HE stainless insert, no maintenance required. even the teflon and kevlar doped race rod-ends are maintenance free.
If you break one you will of course be able to obtain a replacement though if you do break one you probably have half the rear suspension hanging off as well.

...

Pardon my english, I was asking about the rod-end (ball joint like part). You have answered my question.

Thank you very much for the prompt answer.

Hope you will be able to solve the last issues and that the buy starts soon. Bye.

[andyroo]

Looks fantastic. Why am I so skint

[Muncher]

This bar is mentioned as a optional extra on the Exige range " A rear double shear track control arm brace ", in theory it should transfer 50% of the load to the opposite corner lower wishbone bolt . I am sure when I looked at something similar for a VXT it would not fit.

That was my point if you look at the exhaust route on the VX it passes directly between the subframe at exactly the level that the lotus style brace would go.

So it's going to need bends in it a bit like strut braces on front engines cars with McFerson (Spelling?) struts, altough I've not had chance to have a look where it's going to go yet.

It will certainly fit the NA, the VXT I can't be 100% of yet but will be once the prototype bar gets to me.

[csl_freak]

Im up for one mebbe two kits, but will you be willing to ship to Switzerland ? (after being paid of course)

[Muncher]

Im up for one mebbe two kits, but will you be willing to ship to Switzerland ? (after being paid of course)

I don't see any problem with that, it may cost a few pounds more but doesn't make any difference to me.

[csl_freak]

Im up for one mebbe two kits, but will you be willing to ship to Switzerland ? (after being paid of course)

I don't see any problem with that, it may cost a few pounds more but doesn't make any difference to me.

A prince among men, just let me know how i get the money to you and all that

[kipper]

Great work Muncher..put me down for the tie rod kit including the brace (when you have the design finalised)

[Mouldy]

Hi Muncher did I see there that the rear tie rod kit would NOT fit he later turbo (March 2004 for example )? If it does, I would be interested in the kit too..I have Nitrons and 888s Thanks Cliff

[Muncher]

Hi Muncher
did I see there that the rear tie rod kit would NOT fit he later turbo (March 2004 for example )?

If it does, I would be interested in the kit too..I have Nitrons and 888s

Thanks
Cliff

It will fit your car, it's just that the hub carrier has a slightly different recess so we need to make a specific collet for them, it may take a couple of weeks extra to be ready but on the other hand it may not actually take any longer.

[Muncher]

Group Buy Thread Here

[jasvxt]

Would like the full kit Muncher, but the uncertainty of the addtional track control arm brace fitting the Turbo, is putting me off, although i would more than likely still order the standard kit, i would prefer the full kit