Big thumbs up to Joospeed & Nitron
Discussion
Fitted my front Nitrons & removed the rear anti-roll bar on Saturday at my friends garage.
Details of handling requirements on previous thread:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=6&h=&t=79035
Well, what can I say...... Fanbleedingtastic - I can't get over the transformation in the feel of the car.
The front now turns in keenly, with minimal body roll rather than washing out as before. The steering is also much more direct and linear in response. Still getting used to the lack of a rear anti-roll bar, but first impressions are that I'm definately getting better traction out of corners.
Having had Elises before I wanted similar handling within reason (obviously Cerb is a lot heavier) - I never thought it would get this close in turn in and steering feel.
The ride is firmer but certainly liveable and I haven't altered it from my first setting of 8 clicks back from fully stiff (oh-er !).
I was a bit apprehensive at first with it being a custom set - I needn't have worried, Joolz and Nitron have sussed my requirements exactly
Worked up a bit of a sweat altering the rideheight - 450lb spring plus c spanner =
What ride heights and damper settings (number of clicks) have others adopted? I have set the same ride height as before - 130mm measured from chassis behind front wheels, although obviously don't know if my std springs had sagged.
Anyone thinking of a suspension upgrade, contact Joolz, you won't regret it! Single best upgrade I have ever made to a car - can't stop
Only problem now is I don't think my brakes will last as long!!
Details of handling requirements on previous thread:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=6&h=&t=79035
Well, what can I say...... Fanbleedingtastic - I can't get over the transformation in the feel of the car.
The front now turns in keenly, with minimal body roll rather than washing out as before. The steering is also much more direct and linear in response. Still getting used to the lack of a rear anti-roll bar, but first impressions are that I'm definately getting better traction out of corners.
Having had Elises before I wanted similar handling within reason (obviously Cerb is a lot heavier) - I never thought it would get this close in turn in and steering feel.
The ride is firmer but certainly liveable and I haven't altered it from my first setting of 8 clicks back from fully stiff (oh-er !).
I was a bit apprehensive at first with it being a custom set - I needn't have worried, Joolz and Nitron have sussed my requirements exactly
Worked up a bit of a sweat altering the rideheight - 450lb spring plus c spanner =
What ride heights and damper settings (number of clicks) have others adopted? I have set the same ride height as before - 130mm measured from chassis behind front wheels, although obviously don't know if my std springs had sagged.
Anyone thinking of a suspension upgrade, contact Joolz, you won't regret it! Single best upgrade I have ever made to a car - can't stop
Only problem now is I don't think my brakes will last as long!!
I've currently got mine set to 20 clicks, so 6 back from full hard I think. Its too jumpy on the road though, so I'll soften it up a few clicks soon....
What camber have people set their cars to? Mine's a 97 4.2 with 16" wheels if that makes a difference.
I've got a set of 16" Tuscan wheels that I might fit (so I can refurbish the originals), but the rear ones will be 10mm further out towards the wheel arches.
So I'm wondering if a bit more negative camber front and rear might help with handling and rear wheel clearance.......
What camber have people set their cars to? Mine's a 97 4.2 with 16" wheels if that makes a difference.
I've got a set of 16" Tuscan wheels that I might fit (so I can refurbish the originals), but the rear ones will be 10mm further out towards the wheel arches.
So I'm wondering if a bit more negative camber front and rear might help with handling and rear wheel clearance.......
trooper1212 said:
I've got mine set at 13 off hard. Originally had them at 10 off, but it was fidgety down the crappy country lanes over my way.
very similar to how mine feels at present - having not had chance to adjust it yet, does the adjustment make quite a difference?
What ride height is yours set at?
on teh nitrons you cvan go from very supple to very hard in about 22 clicks .. but unlike cheaper dampers you can feel teh difference with each click adjust on the car, so if you wind it off say 3 clicks from where it is at the moment you'll instantly notice the effect on the road or track.
joospeed said:
on teh nitrons you cvan go from very supple to very hard in about 22 clicks .. but unlike cheaper dampers you can feel teh difference with each click adjust on the car, so if you wind it off say 3 clicks from where it is at the moment you'll instantly notice the effect on the road or track.
You're not kidding!!!
Adjusted mine last night by 4 clicks (total of 12 from hardest setting) - can't believe what a difference it has made. Rides now far better than even std suspension. Turn in still excellent, although maybe not quite as pin sharp after this latest adjustment - think I may settle by turning back one/two clicks.
Years ago I had a Mk1 MR2 with Koni top adjustables all round - going from fully hard to soft settings there was little perceivable difference, that's why I was taken back with these adjustments.
....now saving for the rear set!!!!
I run my ride height at 110mm front 115mm rear. 8 clicks from fully soft on the road this time of year. Around 8 clicks from full stiff on the track. 1.75 degrees camber, front 1.5 degrees camber rear. A 16th inch of toe in at the front, 8th toe in at the rear. Colin Blower set the car up with 3 degrees neg camber on the front to start with following testing at Mallory Park with tyre pyrometer. This worked great on the track but was a bit duff on the road. I notice more understeer now with less camber (unsurprising) but overall this is a better setting for road and track. Also disconnected rear ARB.
IMHO this is a must have mod for any Cerbera. The car handles superbly and inspires massive confidence on track and road. Traction through and out of corners is nothing short of amazing.
Washy
IMHO this is a must have mod for any Cerbera. The car handles superbly and inspires massive confidence on track and road. Traction through and out of corners is nothing short of amazing.
Washy
.. we started with 3 deg neg on danny l-t's car too .. i think we wound it back from there though eventually! Hi guys,
Just read Washy's old post on insurance! - got me scared as Joo has my Nitron upgrade on order. So rang Mannings expecting to hear the worst, and was VERY pleasantly surprised.
Nitrons, lights,brakes etc, NO additional premium, All I need is an "engineers report" (joo - that means you!) listing the work has been done to a professional standard.
Phew.....cant wait now.
Just read Washy's old post on insurance! - got me scared as Joo has my Nitron upgrade on order. So rang Mannings expecting to hear the worst, and was VERY pleasantly surprised.
Nitrons, lights,brakes etc, NO additional premium, All I need is an "engineers report" (joo - that means you!) listing the work has been done to a professional standard.
Phew.....cant wait now.
Good post Washy, I have a few questions. 
Why was the 3 degrees of -ve camber a bit duff on the road?
What was the camber on the rear at this time?
How low is your car?
On mine, the lower 'A' arms are about parallel with the ground front and rear. I'd like to lower the car more (mainly because it looks groovy) but wonder about the effect on handling with the 'A' arms pointing up (towards the wheel, if you see what I mean). This will have some affect on the roll center height, and I know this can change the handling....
Why was the 3 degrees of -ve camber a bit duff on the road?
What was the camber on the rear at this time?
How low is your car?
On mine, the lower 'A' arms are about parallel with the ground front and rear. I'd like to lower the car more (mainly because it looks groovy) but wonder about the effect on handling with the 'A' arms pointing up (towards the wheel, if you see what I mean). This will have some affect on the roll center height, and I know this can change the handling....
Simon - 3 degrees neg camber seemed to affect the cars ability to self centre on exit from corners. Not something I really noticed on track but got a bit tiresome on the road. Also 3 degrees neg did look a little too aggresive but then that's a matter of taste. I'd prefer to run 3 degrees neg on track but have yet to speak to the man I know with the right kit to find out how much its going to cost me to keep adjusting for each track day. Camber on the rear has always been 1.5 degrees neg. Rear tyre wear rate seems reasonable at this setting too. Front ride height 110mm, rear ride height 115mm. Lower arms are parallel with the ground. I wouldn't go any lower but then I'm after maximum handling ability rather than looks.
I'll be trying some Pirelli P Zero Corsa's soon so I'll let you know how that goes.
On the insurance side of things that's all been sorted now. Seems the insurers have sorted their ideas out. Bottom line now is pretty much free on brakes and suspension. Take a dim view of engine performance improvements greater then 10%.
Washy
I'll be trying some Pirelli P Zero Corsa's soon so I'll let you know how that goes.
On the insurance side of things that's all been sorted now. Seems the insurers have sorted their ideas out. Bottom line now is pretty much free on brakes and suspension. Take a dim view of engine performance improvements greater then 10%.
Washy
Thanks for the reply!
I'm also after best performance/maximum handling, but up to a certain point lower is better (as well as looking good). I also recall that lower 'A' arms parallel to the ground is a good thing.
Going to Bedford on satuday, so hopefully will check camber then (with pyrometer).
What size wheels do you have, be interested to hear about the Pirellis.
I'm also after best performance/maximum handling, but up to a certain point lower is better (as well as looking good). I also recall that lower 'A' arms parallel to the ground is a good thing.
Going to Bedford on satuday, so hopefully will check camber then (with pyrometer).
What size wheels do you have, be interested to hear about the Pirellis.
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