Lotus Elan

Camber settings on a elan

PostPost by: holywood3645 » Fri Sep 22, 2023 10:22 pm

I'm wondering what front and rear camber people are running on their elans?

In the manual I see the front are slightly +
Which I'm close but my rear are running slightly over -1 Deg
Thoughts?
James
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PostPost by: bitsobrits » Sat Sep 23, 2023 12:29 am

Some context would be good: Are you running stock ride height? Stock springs? Stock tire sizes?
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PostPost by: Roland » Sat Oct 07, 2023 1:02 pm

James,

I am not sure this helps but my car is running with its original chassis that was refurbished by Spyder 20 years ago, it hasn't done many miles since and the chassis should be dimensionally ok. I am running TTR fast road suspension all round and running with wishbones at the front horizontal and just off the horizontal (ie running slight higher than horizontal) at the rear.

Camber:

Front: 0.2 deg NS, 0.3 deg offside. Manual says zero to 1 deg positive. My preference would be to run slightly negative and it will do that if I go lower at the front but I find it too low for normal road use.

Rear: -1.0 deg both side. Manual says zero to 1 deg negative.

Hope this helps.

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PostPost by: trw99 » Sat Oct 07, 2023 7:44 pm

These are the readings done on my stock Sprint, original chassis and suspension.

All round Michelin FF XAS new a couple of thousand miles before the tracking was done a few weeks ago.

Tim
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PostPost by: Roland » Sat Oct 07, 2023 8:03 pm

Tim,

Noticed you have some toe out on the rear left side. I have had toe out at the rear before and it has caused me issues with handling.

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PostPost by: alan.barker » Sun Oct 08, 2023 4:39 am

Imho the way to correct that is fit an ajustable Wishbone.
As for Camber what do people do.
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PostPost by: holywood3645 » Sun Oct 08, 2023 4:59 am

I'm working on an camber adjustment modification that won't cost a fortune.
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PostPost by: alan.barker » Sun Oct 08, 2023 5:06 am

Hi James,
That sounds good please keep us informed
Alan
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PostPost by: 661 » Sun Oct 08, 2023 8:41 am

As a rough guide;
Road car 5.5" front, 6" rear
Front Camber -1
Toe in a few minutes
Rear Camber -0.5
Toe in 2.5 mm each side


Race car on Dunlops ( less on Avons) 26R height
Front Camber -1.5
Toe in 0.5 mm each side or less
Rear Camber about -0.75
Toe in 4.5 mm each side



Tim, I'd be concerned about your rear toe out.
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PostPost by: Roland » Sun Oct 08, 2023 9:43 am

James,

Interested to see the camber design.

I would like to fit camber adjustment at the front but with a road car I didn't want to use a rose jointed type solution, worried it will get harsh. I see Spyder have a camber solution for the front where you can use a standard or PU type bush.

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PostPost by: alan.barker » Sun Oct 08, 2023 11:33 am

Thinking about it the Wishbones at the back could be made to adjust Camber and Tow In. In TVR Style.
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PostPost by: Roland » Sun Oct 08, 2023 2:24 pm

Alan,

Not sure of the TVR arrangement? The TTR racing set up uses an adjustable rose type joint on the inner wishbone bushes, that should give camber and toe. OK for a race set up but it might get harsh on the road. TTR the selves steered me away from using it.

I have seen a couple of posts on here where an adjustable top mount has been fabricated but then you will dispense with the Lotocone. Again fine for a race car but on the road it might not be fun.

My car runs standard size Michelin XAS's and I am about to switch to Pirelli Cinturato's. They are both a period type tyre with rounded shoulders unlike modern tyres. I can see camber getting critical if you run a wide modern tyre but I wonder if it is less critical with the tyres I use.

R
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PostPost by: alan.barker » Sun Oct 08, 2023 3:16 pm

True TVR is double Wishbone at rear.
I think if the front and rear tubes on the rear Wishbone are adjustable in length. Then Toe in and Camber would be possible to adjust. Plus keep Lotacone at top.
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PostPost by: trw99 » Mon Oct 09, 2023 10:00 am

[quote="alan.barker"]Imho the way to correct that is fit an ajustable Wishbone.
As for Camber what do people do.
Alan[/quote]

In my case, Alan, I wish to keep the car in its original condition.

The rear wishbone with the problem has a slight bend in one arm, probably caused by a PO jacking that corner incorrectly, which is what I assume is causing the mis-alignment. I shall have it straightened and re-test.

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PostPost by: alan.barker » Mon Oct 09, 2023 1:24 pm

Hi Tim,
Sure i like to do the same. Nice to know that it is just a bent Wishbone easy to fix.
My idea of adjustable Wishbone is to correct a small problem with the Chassis.
Please let us know results when it's been straightened.
Cheers
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