What's the ultimate suspension set up?
Discussion
Can it be quantified? Any of you regular track day guys seen lap times improve following suspension mods? Given a completely standard (factory original) set up, is there a definite mod package, e.g. shocks, springs, bushes, ARB's, maybe revised wishbones, that will guarantee a step change in cornering performance??? taking it a step further, what about rim/tyre widths, maybe camber?? Sticky tyres are a bit of a given.... Anything else??
I know the ultimate cornering ability/grip on the Chim is limited by chassis/suspension geometry design, but where does (if it's possible) the step change come from? Beastie corners like a pregnant pig with dodgy legs, and that's compared to my old ZS180 (awesome round corners), and my daily drive VR6... Never mind the Noble I drove yesterday (bugger, didn't mean to mention the Noble again)
I know a set of Nitrons and a full Geo is often the standard answer, but what's the ultimate set up??? Is there one? Does anyone know? Why is that Noble so fecking quick (bugger, mentioned it again
)
I know the ultimate cornering ability/grip on the Chim is limited by chassis/suspension geometry design, but where does (if it's possible) the step change come from? Beastie corners like a pregnant pig with dodgy legs, and that's compared to my old ZS180 (awesome round corners), and my daily drive VR6... Never mind the Noble I drove yesterday (bugger, didn't mean to mention the Noble again)
I know a set of Nitrons and a full Geo is often the standard answer, but what's the ultimate set up??? Is there one? Does anyone know? Why is that Noble so fecking quick (bugger, mentioned it again
)m4tti said:
Did the noble feel significantly quicker.
Yep, seriously so, not in a straight line, but it consumed corners, like it straightened the road out. My Chim is slightly tweaked, but the two cars are so different in feel that it's impossible to say which one is quicker to a hundred, although on paper they're probably similar.. But get off the dual carriageway and onto B roads, and the Noble is light years ahead, as someone said (or something similar) on another thread, you don't have to drive it round corners, you just think what you want to do and it does it. I doubt there's many other cars on the planet that could get from A-B across country.. or continents for that matter, as quick as that thing can. The driving experience was sublime... you have to try one...Chilli
Full four wheel alignment is a must first, done by someone who knows how to set up a Chim. Mat Smith can do you one for under £100, and it transforms the handling from trying to kill you, to fun. Good tyres next of course, at the correct pressures, and see what he says about shocks. The standard Billies are very good for road use, just need to be sure they are in A1 nick.
Having said all that, Beastie still won't corner like a Nob-le. Too much power at the back for too little weight.
Having said all that, Beastie still won't corner like a Nob-le. Too much power at the back for too little weight.
Chilliman said:
m4tti said:
Did the noble feel significantly quicker.
Yep, seriously so, not in a straight line, but it consumed corners, like it straightened the road out. My Chim is slightly tweaked, but the two cars are so different in feel that it's impossible to say which one is quicker to a hundred, although on paper they're probably similar.. But get off the dual carriageway and onto B roads, and the Noble is light years ahead, as someone said (or something similar) on another thread, you don't have to drive it round corners, you just think what you want to do and it does it. I doubt there's many other cars on the planet that could get from A-B across country.. or continents for that matter, as quick as that thing can. The driving experience was sublime... you have to try one...Chilli
QBee said:
Full four wheel alignment is a must first, done by someone who knows how to set up a Chim. Mat Smith can do you one for under £100, and it transforms the handling from trying to kill you, to fun. Good tyres next of course, at the correct pressures, and see what he says about shocks. The standard Billies are very good for road use, just need to be sure they are in A1 nick.
Having said all that, Beastie still won't corner like a Nob-le. Too much power at the back for too little weight.
Thanks Anthony, this isn't an attempt to get Noble like handling, that would be completely impossible, regardless of upgrades. I'm simply trying to establish what the generally acknowldged optimum set up is before shelling out some hard earned and then finding out it's not the best.... I have suspension issues under WOT, beasties into the squirm and scare you shiHaving said all that, Beastie still won't corner like a Nob-le. Too much power at the back for too little weight.
less thing under hard acceleration, and I'm sure the right set up would eliminate this... plus give alot more traction, which is also currently an issue I need to get this sorted before I fit the twin turbo kit
phazed said:
Oi, are you blind!
Sorry Peter, I spent about half an hour replying I'm off (away) tomorrow, got about 5-6 days off from around the 3rd July, then not back til mid August.. Should have at least 3 weeks off then, so would be great to come down
I'm seriously interested in the suspension upgrades... probably a stupid question, but in terms of percentage performance increase, what's possible? 
Cheers,
R.
Chilliman said:
Sorry Peter, I spent about half an hour replying
I'm off (away) tomorrow, got about 5-6 days off from around the 3rd July, then not back til mid August.. Should have at least 3 weeks off then, so would be great to come down I'm seriously interested in the suspension upgrades... probably a stupid question, but in terms of percentage performance increase, what's possible?
Cheers,
R.
Feels a hell of a lot more planted and on track it's not just the fact that you can go faster around bends, you feel so much more secure at illy speeds.I'm off (away) tomorrow, got about 5-6 days off from around the 3rd July, then not back til mid August.. Should have at least 3 weeks off then, so would be great to come down
I'm seriously interested in the suspension upgrades... probably a stupid question, but in terms of percentage performance increase, what's possible? Cheers,
R.
Must be a genuine 30-40% improvement.
See you in August,, I look forward to it!
Er, back to the original question.
Probably;
Tubular front wishbones,
Updated springs, 20-30% firmer,
Poly bushes
Good dampers, Nitrons or Monos, (without going to silly priced specialist items),
Extra 0.5 degree camber.
Neutral toe in,
Correct ride height and geo,
Wider wheels,
R1Rs
Power steering,
Better drop links, Leven or similar adjustable items,
Polybush anti roll bar
Mine runs all that apart from the wishbones that are on the shopping list!
Probably;
Tubular front wishbones,
Updated springs, 20-30% firmer,
Poly bushes
Good dampers, Nitrons or Monos, (without going to silly priced specialist items),
Extra 0.5 degree camber.
Neutral toe in,
Correct ride height and geo,
Wider wheels,
R1Rs
Power steering,
Better drop links, Leven or similar adjustable items,
Polybush anti roll bar
Mine runs all that apart from the wishbones that are on the shopping list!
Edited by phazed on Tuesday 18th June 23:11
The ultimate suspension is one that gets the car to do what YOU want it to, not what someone else thinks you want it to do. The only way you will even come remotely close to that is discussing you and your car and your driving with someone who knows what they're talking about. Go find that person and have a chat. You can poly bush this and rose joint that , neutral toe (whatever that is?) and correct ride heights (whatever they are?) but if you want a loose sloppy car advise to stiffen this and flatten that is not going to help ok so that's taking things to a silly extreme, but you need to accurately convey what your car is doing, and what you want it to do, to someone who can help.
ok so that's taking things to a silly extreme, but you need to accurately convey what your car is doing, and what you want it to do, to someone who can help.Edited by spitfire4v8 on Wednesday 19th June 07:49
Me too! spitfire4v8 said:
The ultimate suspension is one that gets the car to do what YOU want it to, not what someone else thinks you want it to do. The only way you will even come remotely close to that is discussing you and your car and your driving with someone who knows what they're talking about. Go find that person and have a chat. You can poly bush this and rose joint that , neutral toe (whatever that is?) and correct ride heights (whatever they are?) but if you want a loose sloppy car advise to stiffen this and flatten that is not going to help ok so that's taking things to a silly extreme, but you need to accurately convey what your car is doing, and what you want it to do, to someone who can help.
^^ + 1 ^^ You also need to accept that tuition and or lots of practice are required to make a Chimaera go around corners on rails! Taken me 7-years Sprint/SPeed Hillclimbing in the Chim to be anongst some of the very quick TVR Speed Champ drivers. Some circuits.hills, I'm still nearly last!! ok so that's taking things to a silly extreme, but you need to accurately convey what your car is doing, and what you want it to do, to someone who can help.Edited by spitfire4v8 on Wednesday 19th June 07:49
It is NOT down to having the latest specced suspension..........but it does go some way. The poor-old-nut-behind-the-wheel is the first thing that needs "sorting".
Good luck.
Trev two Tivs.
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