Another 'shocks' thread (trust me)

[Chilliman]

Right, here's the thing. And just to try and clarify 'what's what'. The hydrollic thingy in the middle of the spring isn't a shock absorber. It's a damper. The shock absorber is the spring. Yes thats right. The spring absorbs the shock, and the hydraulic damper thingy controls the rate of spring compression and rebound. So, a stiffer spring won't absorb shock (like a pothole) as well as a softer spring. That's coz it's softer. Hence why 'softer suspension' is a more comfortable ride... apparently. However, on the basis that a 'softer' spring will 'bounce' more than a stiffer spring, then you can 'dampen' this out with right damper. That's the hydrollic thingy inside the spring. This means that after going over a pothole you don't spent the next half a mile getting seasick. So, what does all this mean? It means that if you get adjustable dampers that have lots of different damping settings (changes the compression and rebound characteristics of the springs), and variable rate springs (screw a thingy down and it changes their length, hence their 'stiffness', then you're fooked. Coz you'll spend weeks fecking about adjusting them, probably without a clue what you're doing, and driving like a lunatic in the process...

Anyway, that's my take on the whole shock absorber thing... rightly or wrongly. Apologies if anything I've said is incorrect or misleading. I'm probably talking boox, I usually do

Just to say, if you're looking to renew your suspension (as I am), find an expert, don't just go out and buy the most expensive stuff you can find. It might be top quality, but it might also not be what you need

Sincerely yours and confused as always,

Chilli

[s p a c e m a n]

Do you want to be really confused? You can get 4 way dampers so that you can have high/low speed compression control and high/low speed rebound control, this means that you can control the pitch and roll of the car separately to its bump damping

[QBee]

Nail on the head Chilli. You won't ever take the Beastie on the track, so your requirement is for a fast, planted but comfortable road set-up. As you say, ask an expert and get the right answer, as well as saving yourself some money.

[Chilliman]

QBee said:

You won't ever take the Beastie on the track

Incorrect A. We'll be coming to a track near you... soon (well it might not actually be near you but it will be soon )

[Chilliman]

s p a c e m a n said:

Do you want to be really confused? You can get 4 way dampers so that you can have high/low speed compression control and high/low speed rebound control, this means that you can control the pitch and roll of the car separately to its bump damping

Pitch is my biggest problem at the moment. It's why I lose steering under WOT in 1st and 2nd... That said, it focuses the mind and induces face splitting grins

[s p a c e m a n]

Ah see, if you had 4 way damping you would be able to sort that whilst still keeping it reasonable for pot holes. Go spend more money and I'll have your old suspension

[QBee]

Chilliman said:

s p a c e m a n said:

Do you want to be really confused? You can get 4 way dampers so that you can have high/low speed compression control and high/low speed rebound control, this means that you can control the pitch and roll of the car separately to its bump damping

Pitch is my biggest problem at the moment. It's why I lose steering under WOT in 1st and 2nd... That said, it focuses the mind and induces face splitting grins

Pitch is my issue too, thanks to nice stiff rear dampers, and stuffed front ones that need replacing. To lose the car behind from my rear view mirror all I have to do is brake hard, and all I can see behind is sky!! I just need a new pair of front adjustables.
Sounds like you need a set of adjustables all round, then you can set them reasonably stiff for the road, and stiffer still for the track. All you have to do is twiddle the knobs! It's easy.
I'd love to see the two of you on track. Do let me know when you plan on dipping the toe.

[SILICONEKID343HP]

Chilliman said:

Pitch is my biggest problem at the moment. It's why I lose steering under WOT in 1st and 2nd... That said, it focuses the mind and induces face splitting grins

I`f you don`t want to spend 2.5k plus vat buy these and discuss spring rates These have the new uprated 46mm pistons.

http://www.tvrpower.co.uk/store/slug/nitron-race-p...

Edited by SILICONEKID343HP on Monday 8th July 22:56

[QBee]

SILICONEKID343HP said:

Chilliman said:

Pitch is my biggest problem at the moment. It's why I lose steering under WOT in 1st and 2nd... That said, it focuses the mind and induces face splitting grins

I`f you don`t want to spend 2.5k plus vat buy these and discuss spring rates These have the new uprated 46mm pistons.

http://www.tvrpower.co.uk/store/slug/nitron-race-p...

Edited by SILICONEKID343HP on Monday 8th July 22:56

Errr, they look to me like race shocks. Rock hard, good for the track, horrible on the roads of Norfolkshire. Tell me I have read it wrong Daz, and I will apologise.

[phazed]

Richad. You are welcome to try my setup, take it for a decent drive and get the feel for stiffer springs and decent dampers. At least you'll know if you like that sort of ride or require softer/firmer settings!

[SILICONEKID343HP]

QBee said:

Errr, they look to me like race shocks. Rock hard, good for the track, horrible on the roads of Norfolkshire. Tell me I have read it wrong Daz, and I will apologise.

I can make it handle like a Citroen BX and mine are race shocks .

These are mine NTR 1 the cheaper ones

http://www.nitron.co.uk/Automotive/TVR/Chimaera

[rickprice]

I have Gaz Golds, with which I am not particularly impressed. They are like rock and, I think, a little low (although I could get that adjusted). Adjusting them myself, without a ramp or geometry set up, is difficult.

I live near Cambridge - anyone know of a suspension specialist near me?

Rich

[s p a c e m a n]

No, but if you're looking to get rid of them I'm after a cheap set

[QBee]

rickprice said:

I have Gaz Golds, with which I am not particularly impressed. They are like rock and, I think, a little low (although I could get that adjusted). Adjusting them myself, without a ramp or geometry set up, is difficult.

I live near Cambridge - anyone know of a suspension specialist near me?

Rich

Go to Mat Smith Sports Cars at Downham Market. Straight up the A10, about 45 minutes from Cambridge. If you ask, he will do it while you wait so you can watch what he does and you can test the car.
He's a TVR specialist, knows how to set the car up to your requirements and can adjust it for you. If they are "like rock" you have probably got them adjusted too stiff. He will also adjust your ride height and show you, with the car on the ramp, how to adjust them for stiffness.
He can also do a full four wheel alignment and corner weights without it bankrupting you - you will be amazed the difference a good alignment makes to the way the car handles.
01366 386004

[rickprice]

Many thanks. I work in Peterborough once a fortnight so might divert there one day.

Cheers.

[Else]

SILICONEKID343HP said:

I can make it handle like a Citroen BX and mine are race shocks .

These are mine NTR 1 the cheaper ones

http://www.nitron.co.uk/Automotive/TVR/Chimaera

They look good, do they have rubber mounting bushes or spherical joints?

Andy

[SILICONEKID343HP]

Else said:

They look good, do they have rubber mounting bushes or spherical joints?

Andy

Don`t have a clue ,give them a call.

[fatboychim]

Else said:

They look good, do they have rubber mounting bushes or spherical joints?

Andy

They have a bearing mount with rubber o rings to seal

[M@H]

Chilliman said:

and variable rate springs (screw a thingy down and it changes their length, hence their 'stiffness', then you're fooked.

Adjustable spring platforms dont change the length of the spring, they just change the ride height of the car. You can't change the characteristics of the spring itself once it is made (other than by breaking it) and you can't change the pre-loaded weight on the spring without changing the weight of the car (but you're not going to put a bag of cement in the boot are you, this would change the static spring length when at rest mind you). Other than that it sounded about right :-)

Edited by M@H on Saturday 13th July 20:46