Look what just turned up?

[Alan_M]

Recently just managed to purchase a set of NOS front and rear Armstrong shocks.

The rears turned up today. These even have the Lotus part number on them

[Hawaiis0]

Nice. For those not jammy enough to find unicorn poo, and have to use coil overs, just note how low the coil seat is on the originals.

In my case that equates to the lowest possible setting on Protechs using original springs so no good for trying to lower a car with that combination.

[Sirclip]

Hi Alan,
Is there any chance they have any more of these? If so, I'd be grateful if you could let me know where you bought them. Thanks. Martin

[shaunw]

Yes I'd be interested to know too

[Alan_M]

Sorry, I believe these are one offs. Just someone clearing out their left over parts they had from when they used to own an Excel.

[tezzan]

These must be the ebay ones Alan? Well done - they look perfect! I'm glad somebody on here managed to get one of the sets

[Sirclip]

OK, thanks Alan.

[Lotus Jim]

Is there any chance the forum could get those characterised so we have a data sheet for NOS dampers. Would help specialists to develop dampers with near original specs. It can be done without damaging them.
Jim

[Alan_M]

I believe there are some plans in place and I have offered these for (non-destructive) testing if it helps.
RichardW may have more information.

[richardw]

I believe there are some plans in place and I have offered these for (non-destructive) testing if it helps.
RichardW may have more information.

That's right - AlanM has kindly offered his, I have a NOS rear and Bash has kindly offered his NOS front. The testing is non-destructive! Pete Boole knows of a place that can do it - I need to work out the logistics of the best way to do it once my car has its headlights and rear window back in. The occasion does demand that the transport is a Lotus!!

For what it's worth, I understand that SJ Sports Cars went through the same process to get the Protechs made to the right specification.

Finally, I have unearthed my copy of the 1988 Armstrong catalogue that contains the dampers used on the Elite, Eclat and Excel. The info is mainly dimensional and describes the fittings to the car. It doesn't cover the damping specification unfortunately! There is a cross reference of Armstrong part numbers to Lotus.

If anybody needs any info, just ask.

Cheers, Richard

[shaunw]

Do the Protecs have rubber or poly bushes?

Shaun

[richardw]

I'm pretty sure they are rubber... one of the secrets of the Excel's ride/handling compromise is the level of compliance engineered into in the suspension systems. Rubber is normally less hard than poly and allows more suspension movement before the damper comes into operation, so making the ride feel more supple. I think Mike Taylor only recommends poly for the ARB bushes because of this.

Richard

[KevW]

Re the poly ARB bushes Richard. I'd been told by a Lotus specialist that when switching over to poly bushes to avoid using them on the steering rack they make the steering twitchy. I've no personal experience of them.

[Pete Boole]

I was at LotusBits today and Mike showed me a sample - not yet for sale - of an Excel front damper made to the original Armstrong spec. They are still being dyno tested but it looked good. Might be worth asking Mike what his timescale is for the project.

Pete

[richardw]

I was at LotusBits today and Mike showed me a sample - not yet for sale - of an Excel front damper made to the original Armstrong spec. They are still being dyno tested but it looked good. Might be worth asking Mike what his timescale is for the project.

Pete

Sounds good as long as they are for the original size springs, and not coilovers!

Richard