Turbo Emira: Nitron Install & Tuning

[shinoo]

We have a slot with Nitron next week to develop the kit for the i4 Turbo Emira.

We are also getting our Ride & Handling Engineer, Dave T., to help us develop the settings/springs rates/valving.
Dave has worked us for years on Lotus, Ariel and Drakan suspension development. You read about some of his work on our Blog: HERE

Our goal is to create a set-up that works on the bumpy canyon roads. Our CA roads are in poor condition compared to the English roads - so I feel stock cars are often too stiff.

 

[Kaz]

Ok just got back from first live testing of the R1's on my AMG. Short version is these are awesome:

Street and bumpy highway behavior are toned down and comfortable. The stock Sport suspension was really harsh in the rear and you would get these bumpy frequncies up and down in certain roads, the car is just more composed over this stuff.​

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In the canyons there is less body roll and the dampers just feel like they are doing a better job managing the road.​

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Shinoo setup a different front spring rate at 400 and the rears are at 650. Mind you he mentioned the stock Sport setup is 800 (?!) in the rear...don't know why so high compared to the stock fronts. At 400 the front has some good positive feel at turn in, and at canyon speeds mid corner the front just has more control now than before.​

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Going down ACH there are some bumpy spots where you can trigger ice mode, or the modern equivalent where the car is trying to threshold brake over bumpy surfaces while going downhill, it can be a lot. Those sections seem much smoother now and more manageable at high speed to slow down properly.​

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In general the custom setup is really a great compromise for street and canyons. I could adjust to go stiffer but I like the compliant feel that is still sporty enough. I have Brides with harnesses so now the car makes more sense going fast in the canyons, the overall package feels great. For track I would suggest just going the track setup with stiffer springs, it's just a different car at that point (and at that point just get an Exige and go nuts!). @shinoo has more pics, great result very happy!​

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[shinoo]

Peter, thanks for the write up. I was impressed with the car. She turns in well and holds the line easily - even in the bumps. I think this set-up will work for the vast majority of Emira owners. We made several adjustments to land on settings that we (and now you) are happy with.

The Nitrons feature the clicker at the bottom of their dampers to adjust the Rebound (and a bit of Compression). On an Elise, this makes for easy adjustments without wheel removal. We not so lucky with the Emira. Wheels have to come off to adjust the dampers. Not really a big deal but does take extra time...