Suspensions on 4Litre versus 5Litre

[TVRFan]

I have just bought a 1999 5Litre after selling my 4Litre 2 years ago. Clearly the new beast is a lot faster, but do I correctly remember that the suspension is different on the 5?

The reason I ask is that it "feels" a hell of a lot stiffer and Im really feeling the bumps on our roads. The 4L seemed a lot "softer".

Is this right? If so, is it crazy to want to make the suspension "slightly" softer, otherwise I might break my back soon!!!!

TVRFan.

[.Markski]

I thought the running gear was the same?

Does your new one have adjustables, they might be set up a bit hard?

[ian8542]

A newer car will feel tighter as the suspension will not be as worn.
The later cars had different dampers from the early cars. Green dampers-early. Yellow dampers-late.

[TVRFan]

It is a 1999 and so was my last one.
Only got it last week, so will look to find out if they are adjustable...

Thanks.

[ian8542]

The 5 litre may have a thicker front anti-roll bar, but that is all.

[TVRFan]

Thanks Ian. Maybe something is wearing out then, will get it checked on next service.

[whitey]

ian8542 said:

The 5 litre may have a thicker front anti-roll bar, but that is all.

It was different suspension and brakes all around aka Griffith 500, but from memory that was more than just the arb?

cheers
Whitey

[bobs4c]

Of course tyres and their pressures can have a significant effect.

[Corin Denton]

whitey said:

ian8542 said: The 5 litre may have a thicker front anti-roll bar, but that is all. It was different suspension and brakes all around aka Griffith 500, but from memory that was more than just the arb? cheers Whitey

I think after 97 all the cars were the same?

[harrow_chim]

Perhaps it's just your memory and what you have got used to - what have you been driving for the two years in between TVRs?

[jonnyb]

After mid 1996 TVR swiched to the 500 chassis and all the running gear then became standard. The exact date varies, mines May 1996 and has the 500 chassis and running gear, much to the local TVR dealers supprise.

[.Markski]

jonnyb said:

After mid 1996 TVR swiched to the 500 chassis and all the running gear then became standard. The exact date varies, mines May 1996 and has the 500 chassis and running gear, much to the local TVR dealers supprise.

Yep, mines an April 1996 and has the same 500 stuff.

[shpub]

.Markski said:

I thought the running gear was the same?

Myth #345 All Chimaeras have the same suspension...

The chassis were amalgamated with the Griffs in 1996 but the shocks and springs remained seperate for some time and changed frequently during the builds. As a result, the cars do have a lot of variety in the suspension design and this does affect the way they feel. It is safe to say that the 500's tend to be a bit firmer than the 400s but that can also be due to other factors like wear and tear, fitting of aftermarket spings/shocks and even tyre pressures and tyre types. In other words, don't assume that they all drive the same. They don't.

I demo'd about 15 Chimpari/Grifferati at Mallory a few years ago... each one had a slightly different feel!

BTW the same is also true for the Griffs as well.

Steve

www.tvrbooks.co.uk

>> Edited by shpub on Friday 3rd September 09:21

[.Markski]

Thanks for clearing that up Steve.

I must have got confused as mine has 500 discs on it and I incorrectly assumed everything else would have been the same.

[TVRFan]

Thank you all for giving your thoughts. I think Steve has put us all straight!

Will check out the tyre pressures too. What should they be for S03's?

Cheers.
TVRFan.

[shpub]

I run at around the 20-23 mark typically a couple of pound below that for the s02. Makes a big big difference.