New 4.2 owner - need advice on upgrading headlights & shocks
Discussion
Hi Guys,
This is my first posting - so sorry if covered some old topics (have used search facility for other stuff I wanted).
Just bought a 2002 4.2 Cerbera on Thursday, and even though the roads are greasy and covered in crap i haven't stopped smiling yet - what a car!
I'm looking to do some sensible upgrades to the car, and also sort out a few niggles, and wondered if you guys could point me in the right direction.
1. Upgrading the Tuscan style headlights - more power
2. Which shocks should I upgrade to
1. The car is fitted with the "pod" style tuscan lights that fit into the headlight recess, but are about as powerful as holding a bic lighter infront of the car for night driving. Is there a HID or gas discharge type kit that can upgrade the lights? I want to stick with the Tuscan style projector lights as I personally prefer the look.
2. I had Rob Ingleby inspect the car for me (as I wanted to try and ensure I got a good one, very pleased with his service) and he commented that the shocks were past their best and could do with upgrading. From my experience with motorbikes, upgrading the suspension makes a massive difference to how the vehicle rides and handles, and have read various TVR articles about the same.... BUT which is the best shock upgrade? I will be using the car as weekend transport, including some bumpy Peak District and Derbyshire roads, and intend to do the occasional track day or performance driving event. Is there a good recommendation - seen loads of brands (Gaz, Red, etc) but not sure what would be a good mid-range choice?
Thanks for any comments that would help point in the right direction.
I've also joined TVRCC - hope to be at the South Yorks meet on Sunday.
This is my first posting - so sorry if covered some old topics (have used search facility for other stuff I wanted).
Just bought a 2002 4.2 Cerbera on Thursday, and even though the roads are greasy and covered in crap i haven't stopped smiling yet - what a car!
I'm looking to do some sensible upgrades to the car, and also sort out a few niggles, and wondered if you guys could point me in the right direction.
1. Upgrading the Tuscan style headlights - more power
2. Which shocks should I upgrade to
1. The car is fitted with the "pod" style tuscan lights that fit into the headlight recess, but are about as powerful as holding a bic lighter infront of the car for night driving. Is there a HID or gas discharge type kit that can upgrade the lights? I want to stick with the Tuscan style projector lights as I personally prefer the look.
2. I had Rob Ingleby inspect the car for me (as I wanted to try and ensure I got a good one, very pleased with his service) and he commented that the shocks were past their best and could do with upgrading. From my experience with motorbikes, upgrading the suspension makes a massive difference to how the vehicle rides and handles, and have read various TVR articles about the same.... BUT which is the best shock upgrade? I will be using the car as weekend transport, including some bumpy Peak District and Derbyshire roads, and intend to do the occasional track day or performance driving event. Is there a good recommendation - seen loads of brands (Gaz, Red, etc) but not sure what would be a good mid-range choice?
Thanks for any comments that would help point in the right direction.
I've also joined TVRCC - hope to be at the South Yorks meet on Sunday.
Firstly, well done on the purchase and welcome 
Re the headlights, you can upgrade to HID's possible on both dipped and main beam I think, from memory you are looking for a standard H7 kit, one for each if you want to do both sets (I think the H7 is right but I have the old lights so not 100%, sure someone will correct me shortly if not) - also think you might need to do some jiggery pokery in the light control box in order to ensure the dips stay on even when on full beam, think otherwise you get a couple of moments of darkness while the new ones "boot up" due to the slight lag with Hids. It's all there somewhere in the archives.
Shocks are possibly a contentious issue and oft the cause of arguments as to what is best, what is overkill and what is good value (the latter being subjective based on size of wallet). Bottom end (price wise) you are looking at things like Gaz and Protech and possibly the new Racing Reds which I think are around £600 odd, then Nitrons which are more like £1100 and finally Ohlins and Intrax which are around £1700 - who fits them is equally as important, well set up Gaz will wipe the floor with Ohlins thrown on by a monkey. I went with Ohlins and am very happy with them, might have been just as happy with cheaper set but I must have been feeling flush when I ordered them
Re the headlights, you can upgrade to HID's possible on both dipped and main beam I think, from memory you are looking for a standard H7 kit, one for each if you want to do both sets (I think the H7 is right but I have the old lights so not 100%, sure someone will correct me shortly if not) - also think you might need to do some jiggery pokery in the light control box in order to ensure the dips stay on even when on full beam, think otherwise you get a couple of moments of darkness while the new ones "boot up" due to the slight lag with Hids. It's all there somewhere in the archives.
Shocks are possibly a contentious issue and oft the cause of arguments as to what is best, what is overkill and what is good value (the latter being subjective based on size of wallet). Bottom end (price wise) you are looking at things like Gaz and Protech and possibly the new Racing Reds which I think are around £600 odd, then Nitrons which are more like £1100 and finally Ohlins and Intrax which are around £1700 - who fits them is equally as important, well set up Gaz will wipe the floor with Ohlins thrown on by a monkey. I went with Ohlins and am very happy with them, might have been just as happy with cheaper set but I must have been feeling flush when I ordered them
touching cloth said:
Firstly, well done on the purchase and welcome
Re the headlights, you can upgrade to HID's possible on both dipped and main beam I think, from memory you are looking for a standard H7 kit, one for each if you want to do both sets (I think the H7 is right but I have the old lights so not 100%, sure someone will correct me shortly if not) - also think you might need to do some jiggery pokery in the light control box in order to ensure the dips stay on even when on full beam, think otherwise you get a couple of moments of darkness while the new ones "boot up" due to the slight lag with Hids. It's all there somewhere in the archives.
Shocks are possibly a contentious issue and oft the cause of arguments as to what is best, what is overkill and what is good value (the latter being subjective based on size of wallet). Bottom end (price wise) you are looking at things like Gaz and Protech and possibly the new Racing Reds which I think are around £600 odd, then Nitrons which are more like £1100 and finally Ohlins and Intrax which are around £1700 - who fits them is equally as important, well set up Gaz will wipe the floor with Ohlins thrown on by a monkey. I went with Ohlins and am very happy with them, might have been just as happy with cheaper set but I must have been feeling flush when I ordered them
A good and fair assessment but I would add usage as an important factor before specifying shock kits, 3 way Ohlins might not be justified if you are weekend hooning or cruising but for the trackday stars could be handy. Re the headlights, you can upgrade to HID's possible on both dipped and main beam I think, from memory you are looking for a standard H7 kit, one for each if you want to do both sets (I think the H7 is right but I have the old lights so not 100%, sure someone will correct me shortly if not) - also think you might need to do some jiggery pokery in the light control box in order to ensure the dips stay on even when on full beam, think otherwise you get a couple of moments of darkness while the new ones "boot up" due to the slight lag with Hids. It's all there somewhere in the archives.
Shocks are possibly a contentious issue and oft the cause of arguments as to what is best, what is overkill and what is good value (the latter being subjective based on size of wallet). Bottom end (price wise) you are looking at things like Gaz and Protech and possibly the new Racing Reds which I think are around £600 odd, then Nitrons which are more like £1100 and finally Ohlins and Intrax which are around £1700 - who fits them is equally as important, well set up Gaz will wipe the floor with Ohlins thrown on by a monkey. I went with Ohlins and am very happy with them, might have been just as happy with cheaper set but I must have been feeling flush when I ordered them
Echo that, an H7 HID kit will make a huge difference. Another mod is to snip a wire leading to the dim/dip control box in the boot to stop the dipped beam from receiving 7v when on sidelights. It's the black wire with red stripe IIRC. Fitting the HIDs is an easy upgrade though. Access is via the oval panel in the wheelarch.
Congrats on the purchase and welcome
Congrats on the purchase and welcome
Mike,
Welcome to the madhouse.
You'll have to get yourself along to a SYTVRCC meet; next one is this Sunday
Please see http://www.tvrcc-south-yorks.co.uk/future-events.a... for details.
You're lucky in the South Yorkshire area, as there are quite a few, good local specialists (RT Racing in Sheffield, Track Car Solutions in Chesterfield, Advanced Auto Development in Doncaster to name a few).
I was planning on adding a Cerb to my Garage this year, but my eldest is getting married and it's putting a severe demand on my beer tokens.
Welcome to the madhouse.
You'll have to get yourself along to a SYTVRCC meet; next one is this Sunday
Please see http://www.tvrcc-south-yorks.co.uk/future-events.a... for details.
You're lucky in the South Yorkshire area, as there are quite a few, good local specialists (RT Racing in Sheffield, Track Car Solutions in Chesterfield, Advanced Auto Development in Doncaster to name a few).
I was planning on adding a Cerb to my Garage this year, but my eldest is getting married and it's putting a severe demand on my beer tokens.
With reference to upgarding shocks and springs then you are in touching distance of Track Car Solutions (www.track-car-solutions.co.uk)in Chesterfield, have a look at the website then contact Joolz. He is about as good as you get when recommending, fitting and setting up shocks and he is right on your doorstep. He is "Trackcar" on this forum.
Jules.
Jules.
Guys, thanks for the advice.
I'll look into who is selling the HID kits, and also the advice on the light box mods and the wire snip to the side lights (although this may not be necessary with the HID kit?).
I am planning to be at the SYTVRCC meet on Sunday, so maybe see some of you there?
I'll look into who is selling the HID kits, and also the advice on the light box mods and the wire snip to the side lights (although this may not be necessary with the HID kit?).
I am planning to be at the SYTVRCC meet on Sunday, so maybe see some of you there?
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