I finally finished restoring a 1964 Elva MK7S sport racer, it took almost a year. There aren't any shop manuals or exact specifications for the frame and suspension to follow, so at times I looked at old photos and books either
about the Elva or period racing. The car weighs 1100 lbs and is powered by a 200 hp Lotus Twin Cam. It has a Hewland transmission, and coil over shocks. I stripped 6 coats of yellow paint from the fiberglass body, and crack checked
every piece of frame rail, and suspension. Replaced any parts that were found stressed and repaired cracked welds. Built a seat with side bolsters, rewired the car and put in a fire system for Vintage racing. I set the suspension
where I thought it would work best. Boy was I off. I put the car on the track at Pitt Race Track during the PVGP and it was diabolical. First it would not turn in and I ran right off the end of the front straight. Then after some suspension
moves, the car oversteered off the track in the last turn. After each track session, I made adjustments that I thought would remedy the ill handling. Now after 3 track sessions, I have softened both sway bars, reduced rear springs from 325 to 275added more negative camber, softened shocks front and back and kept lowering tire pressure from a start at 21 psi, now I'm using 15 psi.
I believe that some members also Vintage race, (I think someone sold a Chevron), and would appreciate any suggestions. The car is handling pretty well now and the rest is for me to learn how to go fast with this car.
about the Elva or period racing. The car weighs 1100 lbs and is powered by a 200 hp Lotus Twin Cam. It has a Hewland transmission, and coil over shocks. I stripped 6 coats of yellow paint from the fiberglass body, and crack checked
every piece of frame rail, and suspension. Replaced any parts that were found stressed and repaired cracked welds. Built a seat with side bolsters, rewired the car and put in a fire system for Vintage racing. I set the suspension
where I thought it would work best. Boy was I off. I put the car on the track at Pitt Race Track during the PVGP and it was diabolical. First it would not turn in and I ran right off the end of the front straight. Then after some suspension
moves, the car oversteered off the track in the last turn. After each track session, I made adjustments that I thought would remedy the ill handling. Now after 3 track sessions, I have softened both sway bars, reduced rear springs from 325 to 275added more negative camber, softened shocks front and back and kept lowering tire pressure from a start at 21 psi, now I'm using 15 psi.
I believe that some members also Vintage race, (I think someone sold a Chevron), and would appreciate any suggestions. The car is handling pretty well now and the rest is for me to learn how to go fast with this car.
