Best dampers?
Best dampers?
Author
Discussion

alinton

Original Poster:

965 posts

265 months

Monday 19th October 2009
quotequote all
So, I bet this has been done to death, but is there a consensus as to the best shocks for a Tuscan S?

I've got Gaz Golds on now, but they're not great.

I have the suspension set up and geometry done at the weekend by a very good specialist, and the car is far, far better now; But not nearly as good as it should be - according to the specialist, and according to me who also drives a Cerb - which is much better.

The guy at OPH says the Gaz's are running too close to their bump stops, and you can't adjust them higher without the car being too high. The adjustment is also a compromise, apparently.

So - any thoughts please? Has anyone REALLY got a Tuscan S well planted and sorted?

Ta as always.

Andy.

RiddleMcFiddle

192 posts

204 months

Monday 19th October 2009
quotequote all
id like to hear more about this.

Im led to believe that the racing reds are the best choice for cost/handling, with the £1000 nitrons being the best choice if money no object.

smile

shapeshifter

1,181 posts

251 months

Monday 19th October 2009
quotequote all
I have a set of racing reds for sale, covered only 2000 miles, to be honest one was leaking and has been replaced with a brand new one. If your interested please mail me. By the way, they were really very good on my Tuscan.

RiddleMcFiddle

192 posts

204 months

Monday 19th October 2009
quotequote all
You have mail.

Tuscanuwe

323 posts

224 months

Monday 19th October 2009
quotequote all
I've got Gaz Golds on now, but they're not great.

I have the suspension set up and geometry done at the weekend by a very good specialist, and the car is far, far better now; But not nearly as good as it should be - according to the specialist, and according to me who also drives a Cerb - which is much better.

The guy at OPH says the Gaz's are running too close to their bump stops, and you can't adjust them higher without the car being too high. The adjustment is also a compromise, apparently.



Fully agreed from my side, Gaz are better that standard bilsteins, but far away
from optimum. Too short way for movements, if you jack up the car, the springs are loose, this cannot be the correct way.

But Nitrons are sooo expensive.


Uwe

shapeshifter

1,181 posts

251 months

Monday 19th October 2009
quotequote all
RiddleMcFiddle said:
You have mail.
No probs, I will pick up my mail at work tomorrow.

dvs_dave

9,040 posts

254 months

Monday 19th October 2009
quotequote all
Nitrons get my vote. Predictable, confidence inspiring, stable at speed, and decent ride too.

rens914

678 posts

260 months

Tuesday 20th October 2009
quotequote all
had a ride in a gaz gold fitted tuscan last week
nothing for me because the backside still feels weak
i'm very happy with my adjusted protech's
rens

Lucozade

2,574 posts

308 months

Tuesday 20th October 2009
quotequote all
had mine fitted with Gaz Golds in April by Topcats Racing. On Friday I had the rears replaced under warranty as they had stopped damping !

Spoke about alternative shocks and was talked out of others for fast road and general track use. The Nitrons are apparently great for full track use.

I do agree that the back end is still about "bouncy" but overall I'm pleased with them over the billsteins.

FLAT 6

480 posts

289 months

Tuesday 20th October 2009
quotequote all
Has to be Nitrons - up-front cost will be more than paid for by flexibility of adjustment. I change mine depending upon what's likely to be in the boot (have to harden up when going to Le Mans) but can keep it super-soft for everyday driving. Setting are easily changed with a small trolley jack - lift by a few inches to reach in over the top of the tyre. Choice of 20 settings.

Get the wallet out!

Basil Brush

5,609 posts

292 months

Tuesday 20th October 2009
quotequote all
I agree with the others and would definitely go for Nitrons. They have been on my car for 5 years now, having been rebuilt a couple of times, and are def worth the cash.

alinton

Original Poster:

965 posts

265 months

Tuesday 20th October 2009
quotequote all
How are they worth the cash if you keep having to get them rebuilt?

A.

Whitey

2,508 posts

313 months

Tuesday 20th October 2009
quotequote all
Basil Brush said:
I agree with the others and would definitely go for Nitrons. They have been on my car for 5 years now, having been rebuilt a couple of times, and are def worth the cash.
Rebuilt a couple of times? Is that to be expected?

I'm probably going to consider Nitrons sometime soon, my original RR shocks although performing fine, must be getting towards the end of their life having covered a massive 28000 miles over 9 years now!! laugh

pete

1,634 posts

313 months

Wednesday 21st October 2009
quotequote all
When I chose my replacement shocks all of the reputable fitters warned me to expect Nitrons to need a rebuild every couple of years, including dealers who sold Nitrons. That experience was backed up by a close friend who had Nitrons on his Griff.

The performance is universally acknowledged to be better than that from Gaz, RR, etc, but it's up to you whether you can be bothered to look after shocks designed primarily for life on a competition car.

Pete

RiddleMcFiddle

192 posts

204 months

Wednesday 21st October 2009
quotequote all
guys - Racing reds are made by nitron, isnt it just their lower budget 'road' set of shocks?

Maybe the RR's are more durable?

Whats the cost of a rebuild per shock?


WhyTwo

1,159 posts

221 months

Wednesday 21st October 2009
quotequote all
I heard that Racing Reds have a reputation for leaking. Anyone any experience of this?

Am considering going for Nitrons but not if they need arebuild every couple of years. I do about 4K a year in mine so maybe they'll last a little longer? How much is a rebuild?

S6 Devil

3,556 posts

262 months

Wednesday 21st October 2009
quotequote all
Nitron rebuild has just gone up from £50 to £6o per shock.

spitfire4v8

4,025 posts

210 months

Wednesday 21st October 2009
quotequote all
All dampers need rebuilding to maintain their performance, nitron are honest and up-front about this but they seem to be getting a hard time for that? Surely the other damper manufacturers who don't give you all the facts should be getting the hard time ? ...

WhyTwo

1,159 posts

221 months

Wednesday 21st October 2009
quotequote all
spitfire4v8 said:
All dampers need rebuilding to maintain their performance, nitron are honest and up-front about this but they seem to be getting a hard time for that? Surely the other damper manufacturers who don't give you all the facts should be getting the hard time ? ...
You make a good point

rens914

678 posts

260 months

Wednesday 21st October 2009
quotequote all
my protechs even got a free rebuild after 3 month's.
but this was bcause for me they were set to soft
the are A1 now
don't know if there's a difference with nitrons
rens