Tam very 'crashy' after Nitrons fitted!

Tam very 'crashy' after Nitrons fitted!

Author
Discussion

ChrisPap

395 posts

153 months

Tuesday 26th August 2014
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I should point out that my complaint started in May 2013, so it it may be possible they hadn't heard anything prior to that, but I doubt it!

spitfire4v8

3,990 posts

180 months

Tuesday 26th August 2014
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Yes if you reduce the spring rates, and fit big rubber bushes like the standard dampers have then you'll get a better ride, but the problem is that you could run these uprated springs on nitrons of old with no or very few issues. Something has changed, and not for the better ..

chris watton

Original Poster:

22,477 posts

259 months

Tuesday 26th August 2014
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spitfire4v8 said:
Yes if you reduce the spring rates, and fit big rubber bushes like the standard dampers have then you'll get a better ride, but the problem is that you could run these uprated springs on nitrons of old with no or very few issues. Something has changed, and not for the better ..
So you think that perhaps there is a problem with the actual shocks, valves maybe?

Anyway, I have spent way too much on this car for one year, in some cases making it worse rather than better, so I am cutting my losses for this year and will wait 'till next year to try and sort it out.

Spending a fortune doesn't always mean the result is a better car, I have learnt.....

Basil Brush

5,061 posts

262 months

Tuesday 26th August 2014
quotequote all
spitfire4v8 said:
Yes if you reduce the spring rates, and fit big rubber bushes like the standard dampers have then you'll get a better ride, but the problem is that you could run these uprated springs on nitrons of old with no or very few issues. Something has changed, and not for the better ..
The same spring rates as I have on my now 10 year old Nitrons. My car was used as a daily for about 6 of those and is much more compliant than the over damped standard set up. It's actually too soft with them wound right down and gets a bit chattery at the back on hard cornering.

MrChips

3,263 posts

209 months

Tuesday 26th August 2014
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Chris if you're ever down near Berkshire then you're welcome to come out in my Tuscan. It's running 375front/300rear springs, and specifically road based valving was put in when I ordered them direct from nitron.

I'm really pleased with them, and actually with the damper adjustment set anywhere less than 10from soft, they actually ride softer than the original bilsteins.

I have been out in other tvr's with the standard Nitrons and also found them to be a little harsh (not overly so, but definitely felt very fast road/track biased), but I'm now really happy with my new set up.

SergSC

508 posts

161 months

Wednesday 27th August 2014
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In the end I couldn't decide between:
- Sag spec bilstein in custom tam fittment (from hhc)
- latest spec bilstein
- Protech doubles
- AST from RG

So I treated the selection as what it is, a lottery. Method was whoever gets back to me claiming stock first wins. Its the only way... biggrin

Should have my new ASTs by the morning. Sure hope I wont be disappointed...

chris watton

Original Poster:

22,477 posts

259 months

Friday 29th August 2014
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SergSC said:
In the end I couldn't decide between:
- Sag spec bilstein in custom tam fittment (from hhc)
- latest spec bilstein
- Protech doubles
- AST from RG

So I treated the selection as what it is, a lottery. Method was whoever gets back to me claiming stock first wins. Its the only way... biggrin

Should have my new ASTs by the morning. Sure hope I wont be disappointed...
Did they arrive? smile

MartinB7

123 posts

204 months

Friday 29th August 2014
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I would suggest trying Meteor Motorsport who seem well respected for their opinions on springs and dampers, they are an authorised Nitron service agent so have a lot of useful experience.

Good Luck

Martin

SergSC

508 posts

161 months

Friday 29th August 2014
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chris watton said:
Did they arrive? smile
They did indeed, but you'll have to wait till the ~10th for news on whether the gamble paid off or not... all 3rd party reports would seem to suggest it will, but we know all about 3rd party reports, right? smile

It will go in for shock fittment, geo, engine mounts, tb tune up, alternator belt adjustment, and now the horn has just stopped working and I dont even know where tf it is supposed to be located. It aint gonae be a cheap month... at least the ride over there involves the Duke's which isnt bad for shock before and after tests. smile

QBee

20,905 posts

143 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
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Horn in my 99 car is in the "mouth", near the air filter, in front of the radiator. So look at the front of the car, passenger side inducator, nine inches to your left.

chris watton

Original Poster:

22,477 posts

259 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
quotequote all
QBee said:
Horn in my 99 car is in the "mouth", near the air filter, in front of the radiator. So look at the front of the car, passenger side inducator, nine inches to your left.
Yep - Mine too. Just bought two new horns and had them fitted - common problem, apparently because of where they're located.



As for shocks - I will have to wait, and can't drive the Tam until my windscreen is re-seated anyway (condensation on inside after it rains since re-trim frown) -so it's stuck in the garage for now.....

Ando74

90 posts

218 months

Sunday 31st August 2014
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Well I've just had new Bilsteins and Eibach springs fitted and set up (by HHC) and I was pleasantly surprised by the difference and improvement on the journey home. Need to do a few more miles for a full evaluation, but the improvement was significant so far. However, they replaced a set of Protechs which I'm not sure were working as they should of been anyway so can't compare to Nitrons etc. For me though I just wanted the car set up properly with good handling for weekend runs and predominantly road use, I don't think I'd get the benefit or use out of a fully adjustable set up. Although you can of course adjust ride height with the bilsteins, albeit not quite as easily as Nitrons etc.
Anyway, pleased with the results and with the service from HHC who always do a good job from my experience. smile

Ant.

5,254 posts

280 months

Sunday 31st August 2014
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Ando74 said:
Well I've just had new Bilsteins and Eibach springs fitted and set up (by HHC) and I was pleasantly surprised by the difference and improvement on the journey home. Need to do a few more miles for a full evaluation, but the improvement was significant so far. However, they replaced a set of Protechs which I'm not sure were working as they should of been anyway so can't compare to Nitrons etc. For me though I just wanted the car set up properly with good handling for weekend runs and predominantly road use, I don't think I'd get the benefit or use out of a fully adjustable set up. Although you can of course adjust ride height with the bilsteins, albeit not quite as easily as Nitrons etc.
Anyway, pleased with the results and with the service from HHC who always do a good job from my experience. smile
Do you know what rate Eibachs you have had fitted?

Ando74

90 posts

218 months

Sunday 31st August 2014
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Ant. said:
Do you know what rate Eibachs you have had fitted?
Blue on the back, green on the front. Which is the original/standard spec I think, but I forget the actual numbers?

ChrisPap

395 posts

153 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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Blue is 230 lbs/in (standard back)
Green is 195 lbs/in (standard front)

Ant.

5,254 posts

280 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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ChrisPap said:
Blue is 230 lbs/in (standard back)
Green is 195 lbs/in (standard front)
Thought the std rears were white? They are on mine, which are even softer at around 150lbs/in....

Miss VXTamora

37 posts

115 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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White & Green on mine......

chris watton

Original Poster:

22,477 posts

259 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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Miss VXTamora said:
White & Green on mine......
I absolutely love your Tam! smile

ChrisPap

395 posts

153 months

Tuesday 2nd September 2014
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This could be wrong but I believe the White spring which came on the cars originally were parallel while the late update light blue springs are suppose to be a similar rate but conical to prevent a fault with the originals.

I can't say the rate of the white ones because I never got the chance to test them, but I have tested the new springs and they are green 195 and blue 230.

Miss VXTamora

37 posts

115 months

Wednesday 17th September 2014
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SergSC said:
They did indeed, but you'll have to wait till the ~10th for news on whether the gamble paid off or not... all 3rd party reports would seem to suggest it will, but we know all about 3rd party reports, right? smile

It will go in for shock fittment, geo, engine mounts, tb tune up, alternator belt adjustment, and now the horn has just stopped working and I dont even know where tf it is supposed to be located. It aint gonae be a cheap month... at least the ride over there involves the Duke's which isnt bad for shock before and after tests. smile
Any news with these, pleased or not........