Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hello,

I have a mid 80s era spyder +2 chassis that has the dampers mounted on the lower wishbone and custom wishbones all from Spyder.

I need to replace my springs to drop ride height. Spyder cannot tell me the poundage of the springs they used to use, and I have read of another member using 200lb springs on their chassis in the same configuration.

I know that the original spring was 96lb but in a different configuration,

I am not clever enough to work out what length I need or poundage , can anyone advise ?

L

Try this:
http://www.pontiacracing.net/js_coil_spring_rate.htm

I also had 2 broken springs on my MK1 Spyder rear springs and asked Spyder what the poundage was but was told they did not know; but they offered to sell me a complete new kit.

I bought 100lb springs but they were too soft and bottomed out so removed the lot, threw them in the corner of the garage in disgust and replaced with Issue 18 struts.

I find it hard to believe that Spyder do not recall what they fitted.

Jason

I assume you still have these parts.ive just paid a small fortune for what I was led to believe was an early Spyder/Ford rear suspension set of components.
Could you please post pictures of yours so I can compare and verify.

Many thanks.

Paul

If it is any help I am currently looking at a +2 with a Mk1 chassis it also has an early
Spyder rear end with the spring / damper connected directly to the wishbone.

I'll put images up when I'm on my other PC if it helps.

According to Spyder they were intended for track use and have limited travel (as can be seen from the images).

Quite how having a standard front end and a very stiff rear effects handling and ride is another matter.

Naturally there was the option of swapping the whole lot for new kit.

I would love to see the difference Vince I too have an early style space frame. I will have to mod it to fit the zetec and mt75 as it was originally for the twink and 4sp.

my rear suspension looks like the mounts for shocks are on the hubs on the forward edge. I may be wrong.

3 general views attached.

One of the things that puts me off this car is that I was advised by Spyder that it is not easy to fit a 5 speed box as it would require too much modification. Can I even assume that a Lotus 5 speed would fit?

Although I "should" be able to replace the rear with a standard strut, I'm not too keen on "should".
As the rear end was not using the top lotocone mount is it even present? As you can see, even on full droop, there does not appear to be a lot of rear suspension travel.

Shame about the chassis and suspension as otherwise its very tempting.

Note the interesting handbrake arrangement!

Vince

I have a early 1990's Spyder chassis in my Plus 2 - it has a oval diagonal tube next to the gear box on the right hand side and i understand this was required to clear the Lotus 5 speed box that I have. The box is certainly close to this tube. It also has the fittings for the twin wishbone suspension like the photographs but has the top spring mount for the standard suspension also (which I use).

cheers
Rohan

didn't know there were so many about !

anyone know the actual spring length ? i am going to order 175lb springs but i need to drop 1.5 inches ! ( and remove all damper travel probably!)
thanks all for advice.

I have kept the oval lower arm but binned the top arm and Spyder hubs.

I have new stainless brake hoses now as the Spyder ones were too long.

Jason.

can you take pictures of the bits your no longer using please

Paul

pauljones wrote:Jason.

can you take pictures of the bits your no longer using please

Paul

I sold the Spyder shafts to a guy on here and replaced them with CV shafts.

In the pic are the top arms and hubs.

vincereynard wrote:3 general views attached.

One of the things that puts me off this car is that I was advised by Spyder that it is not easy to fit a 5 speed box as it would require too much modification. Can I even assume that a Lotus 5 speed would fit?

Although I "should" be able to replace the rear with a standard strut, I'm not too keen on "should".
As the rear end was not using the top lotocone mount is it even present? As you can see, even on full droop, there does not appear to be a lot of rear suspension travel.

Shame about the chassis and suspension as otherwise its very tempting.

Note the interesting handbrake arrangement!

Vince

Vince, checkout Netec's build in a v1 spyder chassis with a zetec/5speed

elan-mods-f31/modified-early-spyder-chassis-t24494.html