My LCR Since '05 with Static+ Front Air Lift - Project Gone to a New Home.

Oct 21, 2006
1,226
1
Norfolk
Static+ Air Lift Pics and a Vid…

Well, after a 60’s fancy dress party last night I actually woke up this morning feeling breezy so thought I would crack on with some bits, mainly to get the car ready for Friday’s wheel refurbishment.

I removed the front wheels from the car and took them to Kwik Fit to have the new tyres fitted. Got them home and realised that they’d fitted chrome valves [:@]… I’ll have them changed for the usual black ones on Friday.

Next on the list was to get the front Air Lift system working. The down side is that the compressor simply isn’t strong enough to pump past 20 PSI = No lift… So looks like I’m going to have to buy a new one. Probably will go for a Viair 480cc compressor, but that’ll have to be on next month’s shopping list.

But as I haven’t yet seen the system working, I attached a Schrader Valve, having disconnected the compressor, and used an electric tyre pump I have. Bingo. It’s a little slow lifting (about 15 seconds) but that will become quicker with a better compressor. It’s all air tight and works as it should :funk:

With the wheels back on, I took a few comparison photos. The car is filthy as it hasn’t had a wash before I went away… :whistle:

1). Before…

P1030245.jpg


After…

P1030261.jpg


2). Before…

P1030247.jpg


After…

P1030260.jpg


The next two photos give a complete side view comparison.

Before…

P1030268.jpg


After…

P1030270.jpg


As she sits when low… Mmmm…

P1030265.jpg


Here’s a short video…

http://s667.photobucket.com/albums/vv39/J26-Parkin/?action=view&current=P1030263.mp4

Thoughts…

As you will have heard in the video, it is presently making a creaking noise when in the lowering motion. This is normal immediately after installation apparently. It should settle with a little grease between the coilover spring and plate of the Air Lift Unit.

I think the coilovers could go a little lower but I’ll see how they settle, having just come off the jacks. The system gives me 50 mm of lift at 80 PSI. When driving with the car lifted, you’d never know. With the new bushes and KW coilovers, it’s retained the smoothness and comfort. I don’t have to worry about uneven road surfaces and bumps, as clearance at raised height is as original ride height.

When lowered, it drives just as well (and looks sexual). When on even road surfaces/ motorways it should in theory sit without any issues, but for those that have LCRs, the Under Tray can be an issue on country/bumpy roads when lowered. This was the whole appeal with this kit.

Plans...

A new compressor will be purchased next month. The wheels get done on Friday (can’t wait). Afterwards, the car will get a full detail if the weather holds up…

Once the rear ECS wheel centering plates have arrived, I’ll fit those and mm adjust the height of all four corners so that I can have it sitting evenly and as I want (quite low but functional). Then it'll have its alignment done.

Thanks for reading :)
 
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Oct 21, 2006
1,226
1
Norfolk
Why is it only air on the fronts???

Have a read through pages 14 and 15...

To answer your question in short. It's a front Air Lift system that works in conjunction with your coilover set up to give you 50 mm lift at the front, as and when needed. For example, negotiating speed bumps, multi-storey car parks, bumpy roads, etc.

Google Stance solutions, but as mentioned, everything is referenced in my thread.

James.
 
Oct 21, 2006
1,226
1
Norfolk
Epic. Enough said. Perfect mix of form and function

Thanks EL! Nice to get some positive feedback :)

I look forward to seeing pics of your bumper back on. Defo the right place for the oil cooler. Enjoyed the essay too... should have put that in your thread... :D
 
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EL

Forever Alive
Mar 17, 2008
2,931
1
Bickley, Bromley
Thanks EL! Nice to get some positive feedback :)

I look forward to seeing pics of your bumper back on. Defo the right place for the oil cooler. Enjoyed the essay too... should have put that in your thread... :D

You and me both dude. Yeah was a proper essay right. I thought sod it might as well make it detailed in case anybody else wanted to follow the same route. Same as how you have done with the static solutions kit. Thoroughly enjoyed reading the process and the results speak for themselves
 

t0m

LCR 225
Apr 29, 2007
8,133
7
Kent
Love it James, really good work mate.

Another thumbs up or your updates, always in depth and insightful for all of us reading on :)

Keep it up, lovely car :)
 
Oct 21, 2006
1,226
1
Norfolk
Wheel Refurbishment

Spot anything different???

P1030279.jpg


I had my wheels refurbished in BMW Silver on Friday. I’m glad I didn’t go for High Power Silver, as there’s quite a difference between Cupra Grey and Silver. On any other car, HPS looks so good on this wheel type, but I thought it’d be too bright for the yellow. I wanted to go for a clean look so went silver rather than anthracite, but in the future when the car gets a full respray, I’ll probably go anthracite with matt black plastics and Ovni wing mirror covers. My mind is no way made up, so for now….

Some Pics…

P1030283.jpg


P1030272.jpg


P1030274.jpg


P1030275.jpg


P1030280.jpg


The front coilovers have been lowered by a further 10mm and I think it’s sitting nicely at the front now. With the Air Lift at the front, when lifted, it doesn’t look too high and is driving great :)

I’m still waiting for the ECS rear centering plates to arrive. Once I have them, I’ll fit them and lower the rear a little more so that it sits evenly at all four corners. I have the Powerflex rear beam polybushes to fit as well but I might just pay the garage to fit them when I have my wheel alignment done, as I’ve heard that they are a pig to fit. I’ll see…

In other news, I had a eureka moment at 4 am this morning and worked out why my compressor wasn’t pumping at the flow rate that it should; my switch wire isn’t substantial enough to allow the current to flow as needed. So, I don’t need a new compressor now :) I just need some new wire, which I’ll buy as and when I can find some.

Thanks for reading.
 

RDS

OEM+
Aug 11, 2010
2,276
11
Newcastle upon Tyne
I love the look of this mate, it's good to see someone go against the trend of dark wheels on a yellow car. The silver looks great and this car is an absolute credit to you, it keeps getting better and better. Keep up the awesome work :thumbup:
 

tyrer

OEM
Jun 6, 2010
1,991
1
James I think if you do the mirrors yellow as you said with the matt plastics the whole car will look 'cleaner' I miss my silver mirrors now as they are an underrated part.

Wheel colour is perfect mate, much cleaner than anthracite and as your car is OEM perfect suits it.
 
Oct 21, 2006
1,226
1
Norfolk
They look awesome, top choice for sure. Really compliment the car

Thanks for the comments. Gives you a lift when you get positive comments :)

James I think if you do the mirrors yellow as you said with the matt plastics the whole car will look 'cleaner' I miss my silver mirrors now as they are an underrated part.

Wheel colour is perfect mate, much cleaner than anthracite and as your car is OEM perfect suits it.

I think OEM+ is probably going to become bigger than ever soon, and totally agree that the colour is a great match. Mirror colour change and matt black plastics will look really together. The car has really grown on me again and in the sunshine over the last couple of days it has looked really clean and fresh. Must admit I'd gone through a phase of not liking it too much... Thanks for the positive comments mate :)

I love the look of this mate, it's good to see someone go against the trend of dark wheels on a yellow car. The silver looks great and this car is an absolute credit to you, it keeps getting better and better. Keep up the awesome work :thumbup:

Thanks Richard. It wasn't intended to go the opposite direction to others with darker wheels, as I quite like the combo, but I just couldn't shift the thought of how good your wheels looked in HPS... so it's your fault... :D I hope the wishbones are okay mate?

Thanks to all for the positive comments once again :)
 
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