4.3 handling

[laz11]

Hi, new to this forum but have spent some time looking at past post's- looks like there is a large TVR quota. Which is good as I will be looking to buy a Griff 4.3 in a month or so, or possibly a 500.

Having read a number of early road tests on the car there seemed to be a common gripe with B road handling especially relating to the rear suspension. Could anyone tell me if this was sorted after the initial cars were released or does it just go with the pleasure of owning one of these beasts? Also can anyone verify the top speed of a 4.3?

Many thanks,
Lawrence

[RAW-SEWedge]

I think they made the suspension changes when production was temporarily halted for 500 development in 93.

I think this consisted of an anti-roll bar on the rear and some setup changes. I’ve got and early 500 and the handling on this is more than capable for road use. When I was looking around for my car I saw a 4.3BV with a rear roll bar retro-fitted so I’m sure that if you find the handling is too scary then you can make the changes to an earlier car that the factory did.

[laz11]

Thanks,

I will just have to wait till I have the car and have driven it for a while. Having looked at various "suspension" threads it seems like there is a whole raft of changes to the set up that people can make if so desired.

[jigs]

Like you, before I bought a 1992 4.3 Griffith I was concerned about the comments regarding handling on B-roads in the early road tests (NB.Only slightly negative comments in early road tests).

I went ahead, bought a low mileage June 1992 model, and resolved to upgrade the rear suspension if necessary.

Have to say after over eighteen months and many miles on very twisty and bumpy roads I'm very impressed with the original suspension setup - firm and never bottoms out, etc.

If the wishbones, bushes, dampers, etc. are all in good condition I would leave it as original.

Top speed should clear 160mph.

[tvr4ever]

I was happy with my Griffiths handling. Though i'm certainly no Schumacher i found the handling ok. A friend had a look at my car and told me that i do have the mounting points for a rear anti-roll bar so why not put one on there. I then bought a used anti-roll bar, new droplinks, a new coat of Hammerite and hey presto mine had a anti-roll bar. I did notice a slightly better handling on VERY bumpy b roads, otherwise i could not feel any difference.

Fred

[2 sheds]

It doesn't take much to upgrade suspension, IMO 10 year old dampers should be replaced anyway, my 92 pre-cat is on its second set ( now running 500 bilsteins and rear anti-roll bar) at only 25,000 miles its about to get new dampers again, yes they seem ok when driving slowly but when pushing a bit they show weakness.
Tim

[simpo two]

Having had a 4.0 and a 500, I found the more pliant ride of the 4.0 better on B-roads. It soaked up the dips and bumps better.

NB As the 500 is (theoretically) rated at 161mph, I'd be surprised if a 4.3 gest to 160.

[icamm]

Had my 4.3 clocked at 157mph at Bruntingthorpe.

[2 sheds]

4.3 & 500 would have a similar top end because at say 5500 rpm they have about the same amount of power, (early 500's would have a bity more), however the 500 would get to max speed quicker due to the extra mid range torque.
Tim.

[tjasper]

A lot of the handling can come from how the car is set up and how it feels to drive. If someone who knows how to set the car up has done a proper job, the handling is fine under pretty much all conditions.

I have an early (94 L) 500 for sale if you're interested. Contact me directly via email before I start advertising the car here.

TreVoR

[simpo two]

icamm said:

Had my 4.3 clocked at 157mph at Bruntingthorpe.

So 3 more mph and I'd have been surprised!

[icamm]

simpo two said:

icamm said: Had my 4.3 clocked at 157mph at Bruntingthorpe. So 3 more mph and I'd have been surprised!

I'll have a word with the Griff next time and see if we can't just manage that

[griffdude]

In the last month I've had ally adjustable Bilsteins+Eibachs from Guglielmi's in Daventry.VERY impressed at a recent track day, significantly faster round bendy bits due to more confidance in the setup. Also as I live 'in the sticks' I've experienced that the b road handling is much more predictable than on the old konis.

[simpo two]

griffdude said:

In the last month I've had ally adjustable Bilsteins+Eibachs from Guglielmi's in Daventry.VERY impressed at a recent track day, significantly faster round bendy bits due to more confidance in the setup. Also as I live 'in the sticks' I've experienced that the b road handling is much more predictable than on the old konis.

Didn't they have Bilsteins as standard? What did they put on '97 models?

[icamm]

Th 4.3's had Koni's as OE. Mines now got Nitrons

[steve-p]

laz11 said:

Also can anyone verify the top speed of a 4.3?

Autocar recorded 161 MPH in the 4.3, but only 158 mph in the 500.

[clarky5150]

My 4.3 has adjustable avos and when i bought it they were on their stiffest setting. All but wide tracks being uncomfortable. If anyone has these on their griff i would like some adjustment settings to work to which provide fairly firm ride but address the problem of being very 'boundy' over bumpy roads. Anything over 70 on my local back lane leaves you hanging on like a rodeo rider!! The springs are standard i believe. Thanks.

[GreenV8S]

When I had AVOs on the S they were extermely harsh, on 7 clicks it felt like I was going to lose fillings. 4 clicks was so soft I got sea sick. So it might be worth starting off in that sort of area and see how you go. But I wouldn't assume yours are valved the same so you might need completely different settings.
Have you tried just softening them off until you are happy with the ride/handling compromise? They're really very simple to adjust.

[jigs]

Simpo nth - are you surprised? - much did you bet?

[Simpo Two]

jigs said:

Simpo nth - are you surprised? - much did you bet?

Me and my shadow...