Advice on Springs / Nitrons

[peter_melichar]

Hi all,

Firstly just wanted to say a BIIIIG THANKS to Paul/Martin at Austec. Brought my car in first thing in the morning last saturday for a little tune-up ( Cerb 97 4.2, that is) as despite having fitted new HT racing leads and new spark plugs she just wouldn't like to idle nicely. Had injectors cleaned and one throttle pod exchanged - 2hrs later she felt like new !! Smooth throttle response - perfect idle ! SUPERB JOB, AUSTEC !!!

However, I was also advised that my front springs have collapsed. As I just spent the best part of £5k on new cams, etc... I don't quite fancy another £1k bill for new nitrons/springs (missus would be outraged!), hence my question: Is it possible to fit new springs only ? If yes, what are my options ?

Any advice much appreciated !
Pete

[gazzab]

springs ar relatively cheap. TVRs own springs are ok. You could go part of the way ie if you have standard shocks why dont you fit two AVOs at the front with new springs. ie make best use of the labour costs AND AVOs are just over a hundred per qtr?
Gary

[peter_melichar]

tx Gary,
any idea where I could get those Avos + Springs from ? I'm in south east london.

Kind regards,
Pete

[gazzab]

APM - albeit fit n supply. not just supply.

[Steve_T]

I'd talk to Paul at Austec - 01293 531080. I expect they'd be your closest specialist and I know they have supplied and setup AVOs in the past. If I remember right, they're also part of the TVRCC Gaz specialists list mentioned in this month's Sprint.

Steve.

[gazzab]

I see APMAUTO has posted under the other suspension thread. Drop him a mail. I know he used to price his AVOs very keenly.

[the gazman]

This is always so difficult, loads of money spent and now saggy springs.
You could just do the front end but Paul is right to suggest a full kit, he is actually saving you money because stiffening up the front always has an effect on the back and consequently handling suffers and going back a second time to have the other half plus geo check would be more expensive than doing it all in one go.IMHO.

BTW the latest Gaz Cerb kit and spring rates were developed by Steve Howard at Euphoria racing and Andy at APM.

[alderley]

peter_melichar said:

Is it possible to fit new springs only ? If yes, what are my options ? Any advice much appreciated ! Pete

I have experimented for the last three years with spring rates. My original front springs were effectively only 200 lbs. I tried various spring rates. Joolz (Trackcar) advised me that 450 was the highest stiffness I should go for. I expected a bumpy ride but in fact it is good - even on very bumpy roads. I originally found that once free of their springs I could test the shock absorbers properly. What a shock (no pun intended) I got!!You may find your shock absorbers are not as good as you expect. For a good SMOOTH ride quality for normal driving I now have a set up almost as good as my old Jag XJ6. 450 lb springs front, 350 rear, cheap (single adjustable) AVOs. set to 8 clicks front and 6 clicks rear. Most importantly a pair of Steve Heath rose-jointed drop links for front antiroll bar. On the race track I will be using much stiffer shock absorber settings. Trackcar solutions can post springs to you. Changing them is potentially dangerous unless you know what you are doing but a local garage could swap springs over, surely. Or you could give Trackcar a ring. I think the correct setup is very much personal taste, taking into account the state of your local roads and the use the car will be put to. I hope this helps.

[Cyclone1]

Peter,

Have a look here - [url]http://trackcarsolutions.net/shop/index.php?act=view[/url]

It's a very good price for a pair of front Nitrons, alternatively browse the site and look at the other options available.

[keithyboy]

alderley said:

. . . Changing them is potentially dangerous unless you know what you are doing . . .

Waddya mean - I love playing with spring compressors Got a few mates in the trade with a few stories to tell too

[greenv8s]

keithyboy said:

Got a few mates in the trade with a few stories to tell too

I have a cousin who wanted to find out how strong his spring compressors were, so he put a heavy spring on and kept tightening them up to see what happened. The end of the spring compressor went through the brick wall of the garage, through the brick wall of the house, through the interior partition wall and out the living room window, ending up embedded in a tree. Luckily it didn't collect anybody along the way.

[peter_melichar]

Many thanks guys for all your replies !

Pete