Shocks - what to buy any why
Discussion
Hi,
Bit of ad odd post this one as I don't have a problem with the car. Recently I have been reading many post all around the lines of "buy some decent shocks - it will transform your car". But, I have always been happy with the handling of the car. Doesn't tramline (much), feels planted at speed, handles bumps and cambers of roads without drama and can corner at speeds that hurt your internal organs.
So, what will I gain by fitting new/decent shocks. As I said, I am happy with the handling and ride of the car but can't help wonder how much happier I could be.
Any comments on what improvements I should expect to see and rough estimates on costs/where is the best place for the tracking/camber adjustments etc. greatly received.
Tim.
Bit of ad odd post this one as I don't have a problem with the car. Recently I have been reading many post all around the lines of "buy some decent shocks - it will transform your car". But, I have always been happy with the handling of the car. Doesn't tramline (much), feels planted at speed, handles bumps and cambers of roads without drama and can corner at speeds that hurt your internal organs.
So, what will I gain by fitting new/decent shocks. As I said, I am happy with the handling and ride of the car but can't help wonder how much happier I could be.
Any comments on what improvements I should expect to see and rough estimates on costs/where is the best place for the tracking/camber adjustments etc. greatly received.
Tim.
Hi
The best thing to do would be to blag a ride in a car suitably equipped with nitrons, protechs , Redlines etc etc and then you can judge for yourself.
Typically most people upgrade as their standard shocks are knackered so obviously the car will be much improved in any case even if they had replaced with std new items.
I would say its money well spent as the std item is just OK and a quality shock / spring will make a big difference to how the car drives and rides.
Matt
The best thing to do would be to blag a ride in a car suitably equipped with nitrons, protechs , Redlines etc etc and then you can judge for yourself.
Typically most people upgrade as their standard shocks are knackered so obviously the car will be much improved in any case even if they had replaced with std new items.
I would say its money well spent as the std item is just OK and a quality shock / spring will make a big difference to how the car drives and rides.
Matt
I've got a Cerb with standard shocks and a Tuscan with Nitrons. Both the same age, the Tuscan has done a few more miles. The Cerb feels fine, but the Tuscan will go round corners a fair bit quicker.
I'll probably leave the Cerb as it is for now, but if the shocks go I'll put Nitrons on it.
I'll probably leave the Cerb as it is for now, but if the shocks go I'll put Nitrons on it.
Edited by YKB on Friday 9th January 14:00
I have Gaz shocks on mine, it does ride much better in my opinion than a later 4.5 with standard shocks..
Although mine has 16 Inch Saturns and the 4.5 had 18 Inch Spiders so that makes a difference in ride comfort aswell..
I guess you can either stick with what you have got if they feel fine to you or try and blag a drive in someone elses with different shocks on to see what the difference is. The profile of tyre and also how well the geo has been done will both be factors in the ride quality aswell..
Although mine has 16 Inch Saturns and the 4.5 had 18 Inch Spiders so that makes a difference in ride comfort aswell..
I guess you can either stick with what you have got if they feel fine to you or try and blag a drive in someone elses with different shocks on to see what the difference is. The profile of tyre and also how well the geo has been done will both be factors in the ride quality aswell..
JensenA said:
Tim - If your happy with the car, then leave it as it is, it sounds like yours is already set up correctly. The "Transforms your cars handling" expression is aimed at those cars that haven't had the suspension correctly Geo'd, and are running around on tired old shocks.
I was explaining this very thing to someone on the phone just the other day.Also to the OP unless you have areas of handling that you wish to improve (most people do) or have dampers leaking/underperforming then you're not going to be able to tell your supplier how to bias a new damper build to suit you, and going for a generic of the shelf kit might make your car different to how it is now and initially lead to you having thoughts of mis-spent money. You might go on to find with some adjustment that ne dampers make your car better, but if you have no real issues with your car right now I suspect you might end up feeling a bit disillusioned ?
My advice for you : wait until you feel you need to change rather than want to try something new just for the heck of it. If you chat to anyone and you tell them that you have no real issues with your car as it is, but they still try to tell you that you would be amazed at what a new kit could do for you I would think very hard about why they want your money so bad ..
- just to clarify : I'm a firm believer in adjustable suspension being of benefit to 90% of car dynamics aware sports car drivers, however for some people its not the right choice at that particular time . I think this is probably one of those cases.
Now this is quite interesting. In the middle of the year, after responding to a thread on here about shocks and handling, I was driving mine and 'suddenly' she felt very difficult to keep in a straight line on rough surfaces. I was later going round a fast motorway link bend and hit a pothole in the road and she jumped about a yard towards the armco.
"Me and my big mouth" I thought at the time but, sure enough, at the next service, knackered front shocks were diagnosed. I had already signed up for SpareRing and was a bit worried as to how she would handle there.
Absolutely no probs was the answer by the end of the day at Spa so I was perplexed as to what 'conditions' actually generate a freeling of no confidence.
After taking advice from God I was pleasantly surprised to find a set of ProTechs sitting under the Christmas tree awaiting fitting.
Will report back when I've summoned the strength, courage and time to fit 'em.
"Me and my big mouth" I thought at the time but, sure enough, at the next service, knackered front shocks were diagnosed. I had already signed up for SpareRing and was a bit worried as to how she would handle there.
Absolutely no probs was the answer by the end of the day at Spa so I was perplexed as to what 'conditions' actually generate a freeling of no confidence.
After taking advice from God I was pleasantly surprised to find a set of ProTechs sitting under the Christmas tree awaiting fitting.
Will report back when I've summoned the strength, courage and time to fit 'em.
trackcar said:
My advice for you : wait until you feel you need to change rather than want to try something new just for the heck of it. If you chat to anyone and you tell them that you have no real issues with your car as it is, but they still try to tell you that you would be amazed at what a new kit could do for you I would think very hard about why they want your money so bad ..
All good advice and kind of along the lines I was expecting - if it ain't broke don't fix it.I managed to get out for a quick blast on Sat - some 50 miles or so, most of which was along twisty, bumpy B roads in-between villages. There is nothing wrong with the handling, it felt great the whole drive so why change it.
Perhaps as Rob kindly reminded me (I just thought I had standard shocks all round) the adjustable avos on the front are helping with the planted feeling.
In any case I think I will forget about the new shocks for now. Question is where do I start my upgrades? I am more than happy with the brakes after the last service (nearly put me through the windscreen – what a difference new pads can make), I guess the engine then??
It just seems so dull to keep saving money for the inevitable maintenance costs.
TimJM said:
trackcar said:
My advice for you : wait until you feel you need to change rather than want to try something new just for the heck of it. If you chat to anyone and you tell them that you have no real issues with your car as it is, but they still try to tell you that you would be amazed at what a new kit could do for you I would think very hard about why they want your money so bad ..
All good advice and kind of along the lines I was expecting - if it ain't broke don't fix it.I managed to get out for a quick blast on Sat - some 50 miles or so, most of which was along twisty, bumpy B roads in-between villages. There is nothing wrong with the handling, it felt great the whole drive so why change it.
Perhaps as Rob kindly reminded me (I just thought I had standard shocks all round) the adjustable avos on the front are helping with the planted feeling.
In any case I think I will forget about the new shocks for now. Question is where do I start my upgrades? I am more than happy with the brakes after the last service (nearly put me through the windscreen – what a difference new pads can make), I guess the engine then??
It just seems so dull to keep saving money for the inevitable maintenance costs.
or spend the extra few hundred and get the 12 second 1/4 mile kit??? that would get you the suspension too
Edited by Robertjp on Monday 12th January 12:51
Edited by Robertjp on Monday 12th January 13:02
Tim,
I was in a similar situation to you a year ago. Car was on standard springs/dampers with a good geo setup and the car handled pretty well. It understeered when pushed really hard but fine most of the time. I switched to double adjustable protechs with much stiffer springs and there was a pretty big difference to be honest. The most surprising aspect was the huge improvement in ride quality (despite the much stiffer springs) coupled with better body control.
My standard dampers were not obviously damaged and seemed to be working fine before the switch FWIW.
However, ss others have said, don't feel compelled to change just for the sake of it.
I was in a similar situation to you a year ago. Car was on standard springs/dampers with a good geo setup and the car handled pretty well. It understeered when pushed really hard but fine most of the time. I switched to double adjustable protechs with much stiffer springs and there was a pretty big difference to be honest. The most surprising aspect was the huge improvement in ride quality (despite the much stiffer springs) coupled with better body control.
My standard dampers were not obviously damaged and seemed to be working fine before the switch FWIW.
However, ss others have said, don't feel compelled to change just for the sake of it.
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