SEAC Improvements

[anthonysant]

Following the posting;

SEAC is home, thank you Track V Road and The Trim Technician:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I have had a number of people ask what was done to the car while it was off the road for 6 months and my plans for the future, so here goes.........

What needed to be done;
• Brake Master cylinder – bad / no brakes
• Exhaust manifold – cracked and leaking
• Alternator not charging battery
• New throttle cable (it snapped!)
• Repair handbrake could not get through the MOT

What I wanted to be done;
• Update and modify the suspension to except Coil Over ‘Nitrons’ dampers and springs
• Replace seats
• Reupholster and re-polish dash

What still needs to be done;
• Upgrade / replace the ECU
• Replace and sort out the Cooling hoses
• Tidy up engine bay
• Prevent exhaust from grounding as it passes under the back axel
• Replace roof seals etc

The work that was done over the winter at Track V Road in Clitheroe by Ian and his colleagues;

All of the bits were replaced to get the car through its MOT, the handbrake now works, the battery charges, the accelerator peddle works, the brakes stop it and it has a shiny new stainless steel manifold – which I am sure make it sound better!!

We also upgraded the suspension, the 'before and after' pictures below show what was done

The suspension before:
Front





Rear


The Suspension now:
Front


The new Lower Wishbone can just be seen along with the new bracket at the top.


A better picture of the new top bracket

Rear


The difference to the handling and ride is amazing and has been well worth it

Now on to planning the next jobs .......

[rev-erend]

Looking very nice .. and very expensive suspension you have them.

Hope it was worth it.

[anthonysant]

The way the car feels and handles now compared to how it was, is amazing

Before the work was done, the car sagged to one side by quite a considerable amount, when we looked at the cost of solving this problem, it was not a lot more to do it with the ‘ Adjustable Coil overs’

So was it worth the expense – yes I believe it was and I would recommend it to anyone as it has added to my enjoyment of the car more so that any engine modifications could for the money

[pwd95]

Very nearly went & bought that car a couple of years ago. Bought the 450SE instead. Interesting setup.

[carob]

They look like very good mod's.

Would be good to see them at the BBWF, are you taking the SEAC along?

Rob

[combine]

anthonysant said:

The way the car feels and handles now compared to how it was, is amazing

Before the work was done, the car sagged to one side by quite a considerable amount, when we looked at the cost of solving this problem, it was not a lot more to do it with the ‘ Adjustable Coil overs’

So was it worth the expense – yes I believe it was and I would recommend it to anyone as it has added to my enjoyment of the car more so that any engine modifications could for the money

I've done similar to my front and back with similar shocks , just had her back from doing new rear nitron coilovers , expensive but had to be done , handling is improved greatly which means a faster safer seac !

[Campbell]

Looks liek they have done a nice job in there, have you got some full size pics of the front wishbones...
Do you know what rateing the springs are...front and rear...

Cambelt

[anthonysant]

I have a few more pictures showing the suspension, but none of them show the front wishbones

I will check with Ian (@ Track V Road) and see if I can get the other information for you

We will be coming to BBWF on the Saturday and are looking forwarded to meeting you all, so you are welcome to have a look then

I would also love to hear more about your ECU upgrade, that is one of the next jobs we are looking at and it would be great to hear how it has worked on a SEAC.

[GV]

I will check with Ian (@ Track V Road) and see if I can get the other information for you

I'd like to know what the spring rates are for the front and rear. I've just replaced my rears with a pair of GAZ's but the ride is very bouncy and believe the spring rates on the rear are too soft....

[combine]

Front spring rates - 900 , back spring rates 250.

[GV]

combine said:

Front spring rates - 900 , back spring rates 250.

Thanks for the info Steve I've got 700's on the front and 275's on the rear...

[combine]

No problem , only got the info on the back rates on Thurs as thats when I drove her back in the rain !

[GV]

combine said:

No problem , only got the info on the back rates on Thurs as thats when I drove her back in the rain !

How is the ride & handling compared to the old setup with those spring rates?

[TOPTON]

GV said:

I will check with Ian (@ Track V Road) and see if I can get the other information for you

I'd like to know what the spring rates are for the front and rear. I've just replaced my rears with a pair of GAZ's but the ride is very bouncy and believe the spring rates on the rear are too soft....

If the ride is too bouncy on the back, have you tried turning the re bound up to max adjustment on the damper for a test. It sounds like maybe the rebound you have now is allowing the spring to bounce around on it's own with no resistance up or down fron the damper.

[GV]

TOPTON said:

If the ride is too bouncy on the back, have you tried turning the re bound up to max adjustment on the damper for a test. It sounds like maybe the rebound you have now is allowing the spring to bounce around on it's own with no resistance up or down fron the damper.

I'm going to try that later although I've spoke to the helpful guys at GAZ who want me to bring my car down so they can take a closer look at the stuff they have supplied for the front & rear. I'm getting closer - it's just a shame it's taking longer than necessary to get where I want to be.

[combine]

GV said:

How is the ride & handling compared to the old setup with those spring rates?

The front is like a different car ie smooth , no rattling , and goes round corners nicely . Only just had the back done so a bit of a learning curve but again no banging over drains/holes in road , have taken back up two clicks to experiment .My other car is a cornerweighted fully adj caterham 7 that goes round corners like nothing else so the seac is always going to be less agile ! Seven doesn't sound quite the same though !

Edited by combine on Monday 14th May 19:00

[TvR Driver]

Wow That looks great - thats my next stage of the master plan ..............

PS when you picked up your car was the mica red 450se still sitting in the corner !! I must ring them tomorrow !!! i need it back for le mans ....

[anthonysant]

Your car is going to be great, I have seen it slowly be rebuilt over the past few months.

What is the spec of the engine, it looks impressive.

I have been looking forward to seeing it finished, let me know when you are going down to get it and I will try and get over, I live only about 15 minutes away from Track V Road

I will bring the SEAC and we will ask Ian to put it on the ramp and you can have a proper look at the modifications he did