Comments of recent Wevo and Elephant Racing upgrades.

[drsimonwong]

Just installed Chuck's triangulated strut brace and thought I'd post some comments on my car general road use.

Recently had suspension completely overhauled. Elephant Racing 23/30mm torsions, ball joints, polybronze bearingsand a arm thingies, revalved Konis, turbo tierods, Wevo engine and transmission mounts and transmission coupler. -1.5 and 2.0 front rear camber. Lowered beyond Euro spec. height. Wevo shifter still to be done. 7+8x16 on road tyred, 2800lb porker.

-Steering is significantly more direct, communicative and quicker.
-Car stays flat everywhere/all the time and the acceleration and slowing is smoother/quicker.
-Stability increased and ride is very good at speed.
-Ride is more jiggly at lower speeds but not harsh. Tested on poor quality roads, ride quality is down as a passenger, less so as a driver. But certainly much better than I was led to believe-perhaps the weight of my car?
-Bumps are felt more but the car is faster to re settle.
-A few chirpy noises from the suspension. Possibly the bushings need more grease but it's not very bad.
-Transmission noise is much higher with whinging noticable but not out of character with the car. Certainly nothing the volume control on the stereo can't fix.
-Shifting is significantly better because of the reduction in the engine/transmission movement from the Wevo mounts. Less slop and significantly less baulking. In the past my first gear selection was often completely blocked -especially when hurrying at light changes. This block out is now reduced to a slight hesitation that moderate pressure overcomes.
-There was some improvement with the coupler alone but the "block out of 1st" still existed. Currently cured with the engine/transmission mounts. My mechanic believes they will really come into their own when running hard as the heat of a hot engine/transmission will have less side effects on the Wevo mounts.

Overall a good result with acceptable compromises for the road. Overall cost higher than anticipated, but it always is isn't it....?

On first track event this weekend since rebuild so will post on this soon!

Simon

[bigchillcar]

simon,
sounds like your original shift coupler was simply out of adjustment..there's an enormous degree of variability in the design. it often takes several adjustment attempts to get one 'just right'.
ryan

[drsimonwong]

Ryan,

It's very likely you are correct. What I did notice after installing the Wevo couple prior to the Wevo mounts was an improvement but will the occasional grind or block out in 1st. Post Wevo mounts this has dissappeared.

Simon