Who's got a T350 with Nitrons/suspension upgradein Yorkshire

[bumcrack]

Driven a few 05 T350 now, the only thing which puts me off is the suspension; I'd be looking to sort out the suspension with some sort of upgrade like Nitron’s/aftermarket setup.

Has anyone in Yorkshire gone down this route with their T350?

I'm looking for a passenger ride, just to see how much of an improvement there actually is, before spending over a grand

Regards

Ad

[targarama]

What about the suspension?

[jerrytlr]

targarama said:

What about the suspension?

I'm increasingly suprised by the -ve comments there are on this board about the T350 suspension.

I had an S2000, then an Rx8, before the T350. Both cars are widely regarded as having excellent suspension setups. Going to the T350 - yes it is not as compliant, but the 350 has much quicker turn in than both, feels supremely planted in corners, and has excellent control over even quite significant undulations and bumps in the road. When I first got it I was very impressed with how well it rode on the country lanes around where I live.

As far as I know my car is 100% standard. I haven't even bothered checking the tyre pressures for a while as it seems to work so well (must do that this w/e!).

Perhaps I just don't drive the car hard enough to find its limits? Maybe I am just lucky?

Anyway - I am 99% certain a standard T350 can be made to handle very well indeed, on quite a variety of surfaces.

That's not to say it wouldn't be even better with upggraded shocks, of course...

Cheers

Jerry

[hollowpockets]

jerrytlr said:

targarama said:

What about the suspension?

I'm increasingly suprised by the -ve comments there are on this board about the T350 suspension.

I had an S2000, then an Rx8, before the T350. Both cars are widely regarded as having excellent suspension setups. Going to the T350 - yes it is not as compliant, but the 350 has much quicker turn in than both, feels supremely planted in corners, and has excellent control over even quite significant undulations and bumps in the road. When I first got it I was very impressed with how well it rode on the country lanes around where I live.

As far as I know my car is 100% standard. I haven't even bothered checking the tyre pressures for a while as it seems to work so well (must do that this w/e!).

Perhaps I just don't drive the car hard enough to find its limits? Maybe I am just lucky?

Anyway - I am 99% certain a standard T350 can be made to handle very well indeed, on quite a variety of surfaces.

That's not to say it wouldn't be even better with upggraded shocks, of course...

Cheers

Jerry

agreed

[madbadger]

Best thing to change is the wheels. With correct set up the handling is spot on

[tail slide]

jerrytlr said:

targarama said:

What about the suspension?

I'm increasingly suprised by the -ve comments there are on this board about the T350 suspension.

.....Anyway - I am 99% certain a standard T350 can be made to handle very well indeed, on quite a variety of surfaces.

That's not to say it wouldn't be even better with upggraded shocks, of course...

Cheers

Jerry

Agreed.

IF settings are correct, it's extremely good even against Lotus etc.

The std cheap dampers are the only weak spot. Two of mine failed - leaking - after 6,000m from new, apparently quite common. Rather a silly part for TVR to save money on IMO.

[hexhamhc]

The standard replacement dampers available through TVR dealers are the new units developed by Bilstein. I think that they will last a lot longer now and the ride/handling should be even better. The absolutely crucial thing with all TVRs is that the alignments are spot on, if the tracking, camber, castor or even the tyre pressures are not accurately set your car can feel horrid! A standard T350 should feel quite a well sorted car even on poor roads. Hope this helps. Tony

[tail slide]

Bilsteins smart move by dealers.

Good to meet you last year Tony - hope you get at least one spare weekend to fly up Harewood Hill again this year.

Edited by tail slide on Saturday 3rd March 22:08

[bumcrack]

targarama said:

What about the suspension?

I see the basic problem as a lack of compliance on bumpy roads, the 05 car is better than pre 05, but it’s still doesn’t do a very good job of soaking up the bumps and allowing you to get the power down exiting bends on anything other than smooth asphalt. Even driving in a straight line at 60 on some B roads can be hard work. Also noticed the Sagaris is the first car to have its suspension set up with Blistein input and shocks and is generally considered better handling and more complaint machine
The suspension is not meant to be firm for the sake of it or because it’s a sports car, it’s meant to absorb bumps, keep the wheels in contact with the road surface at all times and provide some ride comfort on all surfaces.
The cars I’ve been in so far don’t do this; I’m thinking a suspension upgrade is the way forward for manly road driving, the OE setup seem a bit biased towards the track.

Before some of you overreact, I’ve constantly read and seen posts regarding the overly firm ride and main questions about Nitron’s and suspensions upgrades on this forum, plus most magazine reviews mention something of a similar view, so please don’t think I’m having a dig.

I’d still like a ride in a well setup T350 with Nitron’s or aftermarket setup if possible

Regards

[earlyriser]

hexhamhc said:

The standard replacement dampers available through TVR dealers are the new units developed by Bilstein. I think that they will last a lot longer now and the ride/handling should be even better. The absolutely crucial thing with all TVRs is that the alignments are spot on, if the tracking, camber, castor or even the tyre pressures are not accurately set your car can feel horrid! A standard T350 should feel quite a well sorted car even on poor roads. Hope this helps. Tony

Are these the same new Bilstein dampers fitted as OE on the Sagaris?

[hexhamhc]

Not exactly as the Sagaris damper is longer and has bigger bush eyes. But yes in another way as they are produced to the same standard by the same company specifically for that TVR model. Hope this helps, Tony

[s6boy]

[quote=bumcrack I’m thinking a suspension upgrade is the way forward for manly road driving
[/quote]


Explain yourself sir, are you saying that those of us with standard suspension don't drive like Men on the road.

[Horse_Apple]

bumcrack said:

targarama said:

What about the suspension?

I see the basic problem as a lack of compliance on bumpy roads, the 05 car is better than pre 05, but it’s still doesn’t do a very good job of soaking up the bumps and allowing you to get the power down exiting bends on anything other than smooth asphalt. Even driving in a straight line at 60 on some B roads can be hard work. Also noticed the Sagaris is the first car to have its suspension set up with Blistein input and shocks and is generally considered better handling and more complaint machine
The suspension is not meant to be firm for the sake of it or because it’s a sports car, it’s meant to absorb bumps, keep the wheels in contact with the road surface at all times and provide some ride comfort on all surfaces.
The cars I’ve been in so far don’t do this; I’m thinking a suspension upgrade is the way forward for manly road driving, the OE setup seem a bit biased towards the track.

Before some of you overreact, I’ve constantly read and seen posts regarding the overly firm ride and main questions about Nitron’s and suspensions upgrades on this forum, plus most magazine reviews mention something of a similar view, so please don’t think I’m having a dig.

I’d still like a ride in a well setup T350 with Nitron’s or aftermarket setup if possible

Regards

I've just driven through Belgium and found the T350 on standard shocks to be exemplorary.

Belgium has the worst roads in the known universe and the worse drivers. In essence it is the ultimate car test as you need to get through that God forsaken place as swiftly as possible while diving in and out of potholes, grooves, bumps and humps and at the same time taking serious evasive action every 50 metres to avoid the horrific and random driving techniques of the locals. They really should have stuck to butchering innocent Africans, hosting battles and making chocolates and bypassed this driving mallarky.

Getting back on track, I had Ohlins on the Griff which made a vast improvement but the T350 is in another league. I'm yet to find a B road that presents any issues at 60mph however bad the surface. Are you sure your speedo was working and not under reading by about 50%?

[earlyriser]

hexhamhc said:

Not exactly as the Sagaris damper is longer and has bigger bush eyes. But yes in another way as they are produced to the same standard by the same company specifically for that TVR model. Hope this helps, Tony

Thanks Tony

It seems opinion is divided (as always) on here. Nonetheless there does seem some agreement that early t350 suspension is not as well sorted as later versions and that a damper upgrade might help. Bilstein/Gaz/Protech all seem similarly priced and each will do a good fast road driving job. Personally I'm not interested in them being 'adjustable' but am interested in a good standard set up - Lotus managed it ok, on a budget, with non-adjustable Konis

[manc dwarf]

hexhamhc said:

The standard replacement dampers available through TVR dealers are the new units developed by Bilstein. I think that they will last a lot longer now and the ride/handling should be even better. The absolutely crucial thing with all TVRs is that the alignments are spot on, if the tracking, camber, castor or even the tyre pressures are not accurately set your car can feel horrid! A standard T350 should feel quite a well sorted car even on poor roads. Hope this helps. Tony

Tony's boys fitted these for me the other week. There's a real difference to the ride and handling and the car darts about a lot less at speed on uneven surfaces. Made me much more confident in it and the car much nicer to drive.

[earlyriser]

manc dwarf said:

hexhamhc said:

The standard replacement dampers available through TVR dealers are the new units developed by Bilstein. I think that they will last a lot longer now and the ride/handling should be even better. The absolutely crucial thing with all TVRs is that the alignments are spot on, if the tracking, camber, castor or even the tyre pressures are not accurately set your car can feel horrid! A standard T350 should feel quite a well sorted car even on poor roads. Hope this helps. Tony

Tony's boys fitted these for me the other week. There's a real difference to the ride and handling and the car darts about a lot less at speed on uneven surfaces. Made me much more confident in it and the car much nicer to drive.

Paul, I think I might follow you and as they are direct OE replacements I'll do it myself.

[Mr John]

earlyriser said:

It seems opinion is divided (as always) on here. Nonetheless there does seem some agreement that early t350 suspension is not as well sorted as later versions and that a damper upgrade might help. Bilstein/Gaz/Protech all seem similarly priced and each will do a good fast road driving job. Personally I'm not interested in them being 'adjustable' but am interested in a good standard set up - Lotus managed it ok, on a budget, with non-adjustable Konis

Agreed.
Lotus are renowned for their ride and handling.
My last Two cars were both Elise's mk1 and mk2, both were leagues ahead of my T350.
The car is a 53 plate by the way.
Although the Elise is a great deal lighter, mid engined and hasn't got 350bhp to contend with.
I do feel the T350's suspension is a weak point on the car, and have spent alot of time researching (mainly on here lol) before I opt to upgrade it.
Probably going down the Nitron route, but also considering the Ohlins.
All this reading up is fine, but ultimately would have loved a back to back test with cars fitted with Gaz, Nitron's, Ohlins and even the new Bilsteins before parting with my hard earned.

[mr lock pick]

I am also looking at up-grading suspension as I feel the standard set up on a T350c is crap. On local roads you simply can't push the car hard, it feels like it may just take off. The tyres simply spend too much time in the air as apposed to the tarmac.

I have spoken to Warren at Topcat and he recommends the GAZ-GOLD. For those of you who suggest that the handling is perfect on standardb cars, are you really pushing your T350 on country roads or just possing! Lets be honest you do not have to be an F1 driver to feel and know that the handling on standard car just isn't good enough. If any of you have had GAZ-GOLD fitted to a T350c please let us know.

[Daftlad]

mr lock pick said:

I am also looking at up-grading suspension as I feel the standard set up on a T350c is crap. On local roads you simply can't push the car hard, it feels like it may just take off. The tyres simply spend too much time in the air as apposed to the tarmac.

I have spoken to Warren at Topcat and he recommends the GAZ-GOLD. For those of you who suggest that the handling is perfect on standardb cars, are you really pushing your T350 on country roads or just possing! Lets be honest you do not have to be an F1 driver to feel and know that the handling on standard car just isn't good enough. If any of you have had GAZ-GOLD fitted to a T350c please let us know.

Maybe your standard car has shagged supension or the geo is not correctly set up.?

It maybe that those who suggest that the supsension is fine, either have sorted cars, or just dont drive like Tw@ts on the public highway.

I am sure Topcats will take a grand of your hard earned and you will notice the difference. Similarly, I'm sure someone who knows what they are doing will inflate your tyres correctly and set the car up as it should be, and again you willl notice the diference - unless the original supension is shagged of course...

But I'm sure you would have noticed that..........F1 driver or otherwise.

[vyt]

Daftlad said:

It maybe that those who suggest that the supsension is fine, either have sorted cars, or just dont drive like Tw@ts on the public highway.

That's my thought. If you can unsettle a properly setup T350 on the road then maybe you shouldn't be on the road.