ground clearance

[pistolpete]

SO I have an Excel SE and have always felt the ground clearance was a bit too low , maybe it had been lowered I don't know. So can anyone tell me what the dimensions should be. I have 135mm under the diff and the same under the anti roll bar at the front, which is 80mm under the rubber on the front spoiler. SO on to tyres that is with 205/55 and this would get even lower with 205/50. I have tried both and prefer the 50's the car seems more responsive but I seem to bottom out a lot !

[Lotus-e-Clan]

There is a laden ground clearance dimension in the Service Notes ...I can't get to mine atm - but I think it is about 150 mm (or is it 5 inches?) and definitely measured at (below) the lower edge of central chassis spine.

Measure yours at the same place (with I person or 4 bags of 20kg cement on board), then you can properly compare

[amarshall]

Service Notes: TDC page 2: Ground Clearance (below exhaust system) 122mm. / 4.8 in.

[pistolpete]

Ok thanks so mine is 115 mm to the exhaust so that's 7mm lower than it should be and that's with 55 section tyres, which are larger dia that standard so with 205/50 I'm 12mm lower, no wonder it handles so nicely and it scraps the road a lot. Also with no one in it .
So the next thing is to increase the height , can it be done but carefully winding up the the shocks, or does it need to have corner scales?
It does seem odd the measurement is to the exhaust and not the chassis?

[AndyC]

Angus has given ground clearance which was being discussed, but if you want the suspension settings, then that's a different matter.
With car at ride height (so I guess that's with weight of fuel, driver and passenger)
155-165mm to bottom of front crossmember.
180-190mm to bottom of rear-most lower link chassis bracket.

[pistolpete]

Ok thanks so it least I can understand why the lower profile tyres are an issue than no one else has, I need to increase my ride height

[jeff.fenton]

I seem to remember that the automatic Excels were fitted with spacer rings above the front springs, to lift the front on account of the heavier gearbox. Does anyone know if correct, and if so dimentions. Jeff.

[Hawaiis0]

I seem to remember that the automatic Excels were fitted with spacer rings above the front springs, to lift the front on account of the heavier gearbox. Does anyone know if correct, and if so dimentions. Jeff.

I believe you are correct on the spacers. Ride height Dimensions remain the same IIRC

[amarshall]

Referring back to the OP. I run 205/50/15 all the time and don't have huge problems with clearance. Occasional graunches from the centre box on overly tall speedbumps or very aggressively sloped ones, but not with alarming regularity. I also find that my speedo is bang on with that tyre size when compared to GPS.

[CHRISYD]

ive just fitted the fibreglass front spoiler/splitter to my excel as mine was missing. looks great but now i cant get my trolley jack under now and i catch it on the slope going into work!!!

[Esprit2]

(Snip)... but now i cant get my trolley jack under now and i catch it on the slope going into work!!!

Steer the wheels to full lock, and a gap will open between the wheel and the body. Depending upon the direction you steer, the gap may be to the front of the tire, or behind it. Roll the jack in through the gap. It helps not to buy the biggest jack in the store.

Approach the slope diagonally, not straight on. Catch it with one wheel first, then as the car starts to rise up the slope, you can turn into it more.

Regards,
Tim Engel

[MrCoolA]

Get a couple of plank ends, drive onto them and voila clearance

[CHRISYD]

yes, there are ways round any problem.......just another load of faffing about.