Shocks & Springs

[Boatbuoy]

Right, I appreciate that this subject is one of those that appears time and time again. I need to replace the original billy shocks and springs on my 56000 mile '97 R-reg Cerbera. I'm no race engineer, nor am I 'The Stig', but I do understand engineering principles in a logical manner. Whatever I go for I intend to fit myself but will have geometry checked by someone with more nounce!

Over the last year and a bit I've read all sorts about springs and dampers, makes & brands, successes and mechanical failures. But I'm left feeling a little lost. I don't 'track' my car, although I would like to have a stab at Spa one day, it gets a good firm run out on A and B roads but not thrashed like a Max Power Saxo. Reliability is probably the overiding factor as I'm unlikely to notice any minor differences between brands (put it this way, the highly respected indie who just serviced my car asked "how the hell do you drive that?" (rock hard at the front and very soft at the rear) - to me it seems fine, if a little harsh at times. I don't know any other).

So, suggestions please (based on fact rather than opinion if possible). As far as I can make out my options are:

1) Bilstein
2) Racing Red
3) Protec
4) Gaz Nickel
5) Gaz Gold Pro

Nitrons are out of my budget.

Regards,
Olly

[ukkid35]

Very interested in the advice you receive, as I'm in a similar position. I have ancient Avo's on mine, and although I track mine, the drive there and back is just as important.

I'm very keen on VFM as well as ultimate performance, I also need to understand what spring rates I should aim for, although TBH I'm not sure I need to change what's there at the moment.

[Ireland]

AVO shocks are also an option.

I have 9" 375lb and 10" 350lb springs on mine with the AVOs and they are fine for everyday use in that they are comfortable on even the bad roads around where I live but not great on track, a bit too soft there.

A relatively cheap option that's probably worth a look .....

[scotty_d]

I am in the same position i fitted a standard set of shocks i bought of e-bay but for some reason on the spiders the car rides very low on the front end?????

I ran Gaz nickles on my Chim and did not think much of them so that has made me disregard Gaz now.

I bit the bulit and ordered Nitrons on Eibach springs.

How ever my car was on Tuscan AVO's on the rear and non damper adjustable AVO's on the front and it drove very well last year , only changed as one failed and i was left with a pool of oil on the garage floor. They had black springs on them unsure what as there where very tiered.

Edited by scotty_d on Monday 9th April 10:13

[billy no brakes]

Boatbuoy said:

Right, I appreciate that this subject is one of those that appears time and time again. I need to replace the original billy shocks and springs on my 56000 mile '97 R-reg Cerbera. I'm no race engineer, nor am I 'The Stig', but I do understand engineering principles in a logical manner. Whatever I go for I intend to fit myself but will have geometry checked by someone with more nounce!

Over the last year and a bit I've read all sorts about springs and dampers, makes & brands, successes and mechanical failures. But I'm left feeling a little lost. I don't 'track' my car, although I would like to have a stab at Spa one day, it gets a good firm run out on A and B roads but not thrashed like a Max Power Saxo. Reliability is probably the overiding factor as I'm unlikely to notice any minor differences between brands (put it this way, the highly respected indie who just serviced my car asked "how the hell do you drive that?" (rock hard at the front and very soft at the rear) - to me it seems fine, if a little harsh at times. I don't know any other).

So, suggestions please (based on fact rather than opinion if possible). As far as I can make out my options are:

1) Bilstein
2) Racing Red
3) Protec
4) Gaz Nickel
5) Gaz Gold Pro

Nitrons are out of my budget.

Regards,
Olly

I know you say Nitrons are out of your budget, but if you are going to spend money on the Cerb and want it to be really good for track and roads you simply can,t beat Nitrons for the money, I put cheaper ones on and they was ok but failed very quickly so I bit the bullit and put Nitrons on they simply transform the car and I can,t recomend them enough and if you put cheaper ones on you will notice the difference and will always be wondering what Nitrons are like, they are simple to put on just a nut & bolt top and bottom and if you tell Nitron that they are for a Cerb they will set them up so you just bolt them on, normally you will not have to do anything (probarbly get shot down here) just take off old and put on Nitrons, it is best to get tracking done, and then play about with setting for stiffness / softness till you are happy, good luck in what ever you buy and if the shocks are the original ones they will be knackered by now and you will notice the difference straight away.

Gary

[spongy]

Bud,give k-sport a call they do some nice options.not sure if they do units for the cerb yet but they will offer good advice.i have used em loads in the past and always happy with their products.their brake upgrade products are the best ive ever had.

[gruffalo]

This would be my recommendation as well, save up a bit longer and go with the Nitrons, completely transformed my car.

[dempsey]

I replaced Gaz Gold with which I was never happy due to failures and general degrading performance with Racing Red coilovers sourced by Prestige Performance Parts.

I rang around to get advice (Str8six, Neil Garner etc)and there was a favourable concensus.
They're made by Nitron and I guess are aimed at folk like me who can't afford full Nitron prices.

I've found them vastly better on the road (particularly over poor road surfaces- ie most of them) and also excellent on track days.
I had a full geo and tracking setup and lowered the car by nearly 1 cm from factory settings. Any lower and I was hitting too many road humps.

[itiejim]

Personally I'd have racing reds out of the options you have. However, full fat Buttons are worth the money if you want to spend it.

Irrespective of the shocks though I would strongly recommend increasing the spring rate significantly as the standard set up is over damped and under sprung. I put 500 lb springs on the front and 450 lb on the back and found a significant improvement in body control and comfort as the car pitches around less.

[ukkid35]

itiejim said:

Personally I'd have racing reds out of the options you have.

The Usual Suspects are saying on their sites that the Racing Reds are no longer available.

[itiejim]

Give Nitron a call for a chat. I think they've reviewed their product line up a bit but will probably have something of a similar price / quality available.

[podrick]

scotty_d said:

I bit the bulit and ordered Nitrons on Eibach springs.

When I ordered my Nitrons at Xmas i was told Nitron don't offer Eibach anymore, only their own new type springs.
I'm very happy with the setup, totally transformed the car. I did completely rebush the car at the same time so that probably helped aswell.

[scotty_d]

podrick said:

When I ordered my Nitrons at Xmas i was told Nitron don't offer Eibach anymore, only their own new type springs.
I'm very happy with the setup, totally transformed the car. I did completely rebush the car at the same time so that probably helped aswell.

I just ordered them from TVR power, it was Dom i was talking to about them unless they source them from else where or have a good few set of Eibach springs in stock????

[Boatbuoy]

This is all good stuff chaps. I'm reading it all with interest, thank you.

[andydw]

Similar position here, car is currently residing at racing green for an overheating issue whilst I am in Florida doing the Disney thing.

I've asked them to look at the shocks while they have it as the car is badly unsettled by road irregularities and the back end squirms about a fair bit. RG recommend ASTs, I have no experience of these or info on costs, would be interested in any feedback on these units.