Newbie needs advice on Springs & Dampers

[TroonSprint]

I am rebuilding a '71 Sprint coupe from a heap of (mostly new) parts that I bought. Never having driven an Elan, I am looking forward to the ride/handling balance for which the car is famed. In the parts I have bought there are new suspension components purchased, I guess, quite a few years ago, as the car has been undergoing restoration by the PO since 1977!

In my photo you can see the front dampers I have, and a front and rear spring, the rear spring is at the top of the photo, the front spring in the middle. I haven't pictured the rear dampers, but they are adjustable Konis. I have adjustable spring seats for the rear springs.

The front springs are 13.5" long, with an ID of 1 7/8". They are marked as rated at 115 lb.
The rear springs are 12" long, with an ID of 2 5/16". They are marked 12E 100S - could they be 100 lb rate?

I need to know if these components are going to give me the car as it should be, or if it will ride too hard, like a race car. I will only use it for street driving. If you think I should go for something else, please make some sensible suggestions. I'm not new to car restoration, but this is my first Elan.

Thanks,
Mike

[UAB807F]

Hi Mike,

I think you have slightly uprated springs there although I haven't got the manual handy to confirm it. From (hazy) memory I think it's something like 75lbs/ins front and 67lbs/ins rear. If you have the workshop manual it does state in there the spring rate, together with the wire diameter/no. of coils/free and fitted lengths, it's a very comprehensive specification. So if I'm right on the rates then you'll be slightly hard with those springs.

Personally I'd not worry about it because I doubt you'd notice the difference in normal driving, although if you do want "exactly" how it used to be you'll need both new springs and dampers, because the originals weren't adjustable either for damping or spring pre-load/ride height. And that will be a noticeable bill !

The reason I'd say "try what you've got" is because I've recently fitted springs & dampers recommended by Kelsport and they are 175lbs front, 140lbs rear, so considerably higher than what you have. And although that sounds high, when I spoke with Pat he talked me through a range going up to 225lbs/ins rating.

Personally I think the ride is transformed so I would suggest you rebuild with what you have, try it on the road and then make your decision about if you really want softer springs on the car.

Brian

[memnon]

Hi,
I'd second that above...

Standard elan front springs are too soft, they are almost coil bound which means that there is very little travel up through the spring/damper unit before they run out of shock absorption from the spring.... that means the damper is doing all the work.

[stevebroad]

Once the springs are coil bound the dampers don't do any work as the suspension is now locked solid!

[AHM]

Mike,
I'd go with what you have. You don't appear to be able to get the correct dampers with the annoying consequence that the nose is too high on the original springs.

What you have looks good and is adjustable so you can get the height correct.

[TroonSprint]

Thank you guys. I'll stick with what I have been given. I appreciate your advice.

Mike