Discussion
Dear All,
I'm the guy who recently drove home from Holland in the 1971 Vixen S3.
Hello!
The car did not skip a beat the whole way home. Not a bad motorway cruiser either. The drive home was an excellent shake down and I've learnt a lot about her, as I think she's learnt a lot about me. The idea is to eventually replace my 350Z with this as its a bit more civilized and everyone will not try to race me at every opportunity. I'll miss the modern refinements but I'm looking forward to a real driving experience.
The best bit on the drive home was the mass of thumbs up, waves and smiles the car caused. The icing on the cake was being followed by a Ferrari Testarossa boarding the Chunnel - people completely ignored the Ferrari and came to chat with me and admire the car instead. WIN!
The car is presently sitting with my mechanic as it'll need some adjustments for the UK (headlights etc..) we're stumped on the shock absorbers/ spring set up. It's got Spax Coilovers on the rear and what looks like AVO on the front. It looks like its front light (the nose is pointing a little high and the rear is sitting a bit low) but perhaps this is pointing to the springs on the rear being too soft?
I've used Google for the OEM settings for the front and its given me some options - and I've look on John Upham site and that's been helpful. I'm essentially looking for a Fastroad occasional Trackday set-up. I think I've been spoiled by the 350Z, but the Vixen is the same weight as a Caterham so I'd suspect that it has the same comfortable sort of ride? I'd be very grateful for any input.
I also gather one should move to the S3 quad shocks/springs set up? I do not suspect thats its an easy job but should it be a priority?
Thanks,
J
I'm the guy who recently drove home from Holland in the 1971 Vixen S3.
Hello!
The car did not skip a beat the whole way home. Not a bad motorway cruiser either. The drive home was an excellent shake down and I've learnt a lot about her, as I think she's learnt a lot about me. The idea is to eventually replace my 350Z with this as its a bit more civilized and everyone will not try to race me at every opportunity. I'll miss the modern refinements but I'm looking forward to a real driving experience.
The best bit on the drive home was the mass of thumbs up, waves and smiles the car caused. The icing on the cake was being followed by a Ferrari Testarossa boarding the Chunnel - people completely ignored the Ferrari and came to chat with me and admire the car instead. WIN!
The car is presently sitting with my mechanic as it'll need some adjustments for the UK (headlights etc..) we're stumped on the shock absorbers/ spring set up. It's got Spax Coilovers on the rear and what looks like AVO on the front. It looks like its front light (the nose is pointing a little high and the rear is sitting a bit low) but perhaps this is pointing to the springs on the rear being too soft?
I've used Google for the OEM settings for the front and its given me some options - and I've look on John Upham site and that's been helpful. I'm essentially looking for a Fastroad occasional Trackday set-up. I think I've been spoiled by the 350Z, but the Vixen is the same weight as a Caterham so I'd suspect that it has the same comfortable sort of ride? I'd be very grateful for any input.
I also gather one should move to the S3 quad shocks/springs set up? I do not suspect thats its an easy job but should it be a priority?
Thanks,
J
Moto said:
octanetorque said:
The idea is to eventually replace my 350Z with this as its a bit more civilized
Liking your definition of "civilized" Regards dampers. I've just rebuilt my S3 rear suspension and replaced the 4 Spax (leading 2 only with coils) with 4 x Avo's all with 90lb coils. Prior to rebuild the car felt good, after it feels better again. Whether this is due to the 4 x coil setup or that Avo's working better than the very old Spax, or because I replaced the rubber bushes with Superflex - I can't say. Probably a combination of all.
As already said, you will need the longer pivot bar which means uprights off, so may as well replace bearings, UJ's as well as check integrity of quills and hub flanges (both my hub flanges were bent. So you'll probably end up doing a full rebuild. Cost me £1500 to do it all - Adrian supplied the Avo's & coils and a local guy fitted the bearings & machined solid spacers. The rest is pretty straight forward.
Moto
On the subject of suspension - I've followed Adrian@'s advice and moved to a four-rear set up adjustable AVOs all round, poly-bushes, and springs. Quills are a new one - I have a feeling I'll be hearing all about that tomorrow - Uprights I've heard have an integral fault and worth replacing - how do we know if they're needed to be replaced?
Rad has gone in for a refurb, had a finger width hole in the bottom - amazing to make it back from Holland. I feel this car and I will get along swimmingly!
Adrian was also saying something about 8000 miles from a set of springs/dampers!?
Moto said:
Could be wrong but I thought the general thinking for uprights was the original design is OK for up to 150 ish bhp. If that's right then the first question is, what are you planning with the engine.... if anything?
If you're not planning to upgrade the engine significantly then crack testing the uprights is what was recommended to me.
I'm not going to be droping an LS2/302/Essex/Duratec in there any time soon - the Kent seems revvy enough, and I'm happy going a cosy 60-65mph on the M-ways. The Vixen is agile an glides over poor surfaces - like a caterham. and I like how there's just loads of feel in the steering and chassis. I may consider a trick cam, rebore and a type-9 in the future.If you're not planning to upgrade the engine significantly then crack testing the uprights is what was recommended to me.
I'll investigate the David Gerald & Exactly options of Uprights and see how big of a smile my bank manager makes...
prideaux said:
I spoke with David Gerald today and Doug can supply new uprights in modern alloy casting from the later model spec which may require the brake back plate changing to fit i am told these are just over £600 including the VAT they have been strengthened some what but if its the age of the material thats a greater issue that creates the fatigue a set of these should be good for another 25 years
Will have to save up my beer tokens (going tea Total the doctor will be pleased)
A
I'll be going bicycle total if I'm not careful. This is the part where you tell me its £600 for each upright replacement, isn't it?Will have to save up my beer tokens (going tea Total the doctor will be pleased)
A
That being said I'd rather spend the money on having all this done properly and as someone's already said - its an investment. I do intend to keep this car for sometime and I imagine that its a total hoot on track.
Does anyone have the link for that video of the uprights failing on the Vixen? And any good videos of the Vixen being driven hard?
prideaux said:
...these are things we all should i suppose look at when buying a car has this work been done however we tend to be taken in by the shiny bits and the Engine and shocks thinking if it aint broke dont fix it rather than will it break?
A
That's the right attitude. I'd much rather spend the money now, add a bit of capital value and feel safe in the thing as I pull 5G in a bend! I'm just aware that I've driven it once and yet I'm spending (probably) about £3000 in its first 3 weeks of ownership...A
While I've got the suspension in bits, is it worth uprating the brakes? Any suggestions? Calliper change to fit vented discs, I think would be the answer, along with some fast road material. I see kits are available, but not looking for a Stirling Moss/Brembo special just yet.
Thanks as always,
J
Latest update...
Trying to put front suspension on, discovered that the driver side wishbone is bent/warped - chassis geometry is still spot-on (luckily) so just awaiting new wishbone(s) from Adrian@
In other news I discovered that the Speedo is off a Lotus-Cortina - which is awesome except that I need to have a temporary replacement as mine seems a bit...optimistic...Does anyone know the diameter of the speedo and what else might fit? Any trusted refurbishers?
Happy Easter!
Trying to put front suspension on, discovered that the driver side wishbone is bent/warped - chassis geometry is still spot-on (luckily) so just awaiting new wishbone(s) from Adrian@
In other news I discovered that the Speedo is off a Lotus-Cortina - which is awesome except that I need to have a temporary replacement as mine seems a bit...optimistic...Does anyone know the diameter of the speedo and what else might fit? Any trusted refurbishers?
Happy Easter!
prideaux said:
Not sure of Diameter but Google the Guage shop Alan does great work he has done all mine for the Tuscan and they are like new
A
That's useful, thanks!A
In other news - I do a bit of motorway driving, I'm considering a 5/6-Speed 'box or Overdrive system (Laycock?) for Christmas.
Any experience in fitting these? Would both of these require a body-off & engine out exercise? Any benefit of one over the other? One more Historically acceptable than the other?
Thanks as always and happy Chocolate Egg eating!
J
tomtrout said:
The box slides out from underneath. I would have thought you would be better off with the 5 speed sierra type 9 box than an overdrive system. The original four speed box is a delight. Worth thinking about before diving in with a 5 speed conversion.
I totally enjoy the 4 speed box - I'm just investigating options/seeking sh*t-stirring opinions... Gassing Station | TVR Classics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff