Suspension

[Johnelliot]

Hi,

Just got my 450 back after a body off chassis restoration. The car has Gaz gold shocks and the ride is fairly harsh and choppy over less than perfect roads. Have slacked off the shocks a few click but can’t seem to find a setting between harsh and floaty. I think the car rode much better on standard shocks. Nitrons too expensive and wondering if Bilstein Tuscan S is the best way forward. I’m not going to track the car or drive it very hard. Any other suggestions would be helpful.

Also is it still possible to buy a standard exhaust? Mine has been sleeved not very well.

Thanks

[Bowks]

I had Nitrons fitted during my renovation. They were set far too low and far too stiff. I asked Track V Road to do a full geo setup and it transformed the car. Also, I'm running 16"s all round, I'm sure the tyre wall helps too.

[Robbo D]

I have a std exhaust for sale in good condition. Collection only due to the size.

Rob

[Belle427]

Most go for the Bilsteins to be honest, fit and forget.

[The Three D Mucketeer]

Nitrons transformed my Tuscan Convertible (replacing Bilsteins setup by Ben at the factory) and has now done the same with my Chim (also previously on Billies) ... properly setup by experts and a nice piece of engineering to boot., but not for those with dirty chassis .

[Johnelliot]

Robbo D said:

I have a std exhaust for sale in good condition. Collection only due to the size.

Rob

Rob, thanks. How do I contact you?

[Robbo D]

I think if you click on my name Robbo D you will be able to to email me

[Tyre Tread]

Johnelliot said:

Hi,

Just got my 450 back after a body off chassis restoration. The car has Gaz gold shocks and the ride is fairly harsh and choppy over less than perfect roads. Have slacked off the shocks a few click but can t seem to find a setting between harsh and floaty. I think the car rode much better on standard shocks. Nitrons too expensive and wondering if Bilstein Tuscan S is the best way forward. I m not going to track the car or drive it very hard. Any other suggestions would be helpful.

Also is it still possible to buy a standard exhaust? Mine has been sleeved not very well.

Thanks

John, I have gtried to messge you but your settings don't permit emails.

Did you manage to obtain a set of Bilsteins? If so where from please?
I'm struggling to find a set for my 2000 (V) Chimaera

[Sardonicus]

Belle427 said:

Most go for the Bilsteins to be honest, fit and forget.

Agreed , but I wouldn't swap them for my Gaz Mono's to be fair but they would not be to everyone's taste

[Belle427]

Sardonicus said:

Belle427 said:

Most go for the Bilsteins to be honest, fit and forget.

Agreed , but I wouldn't swap them for my Gaz Mono's to be fair but they would not be to everyone's taste

I didn't mind the feel of gaz golds I just got the bug of upgrading things when they were not really needed!
Interesting on the monos though didn't know about them.

[PabloGee]

the last wallet breath would be Nitrons. I have ridden in a friend's Griff with Nitrons and 16/17" wheels.
It was an excellent set up.

If only they made 17" Imolas and I would have bought a pair in a heartbeat.

[Belle427]

I would be torn on what to do wheel wise on a Griff as I love the original Amil wheels that were maybe just used on the pre cats.
Not sure on that.

[andrew_r]

I've been running Gaz Monotubes for 5 years now and would highly recommend them.

Andrew.

[QBee]

In case anyone with Gaz or Nitron dampers hasn't realised, there is a hard to soft adjuster on each damper, near the end of the damper.

On my Chimaera they are at the bottom, but I have seen the front dampers mounted the other way up.
The adjuster is a little knurled wheel.
I lie down on my back beside the car to adjust them and reach around behind the wheel.
Then, imagining you are looking up at the adjuster from below, it is right (clockwise) to make them harder and left to soften.

I have Racing Reds on my car (Made by Nitron a few years ago), and they have 40 clicks from hard to soft.
I run them on 6 from the hard end on track days, 6 from soft on the road.

[Zeb74]

I have a set from Shock Factory since couple of years and they are the best systems I had since 12 years of ownership.
I know other owners who have done this choice and none are disappointed.
I'm going to see with them for my Vixen.

[agreen]

QBee said:

In case anyone with Gaz or Nitron dampers hasn't realised, there is a hard to soft adjuster on each damper, near the end of the damper.

On my Chimaera they are at the bottom, but I have seen the front dampers mounted the other way up.
The adjuster is a little knurled wheel.
I lie down on my back beside the car to adjust them and reach around behind the wheel.
Then, imagining you are looking up at the adjuster from below, it is right (clockwise) to make them harder and left to soften.

I have Racing Reds on my car (Made by Nitron a few years ago), and they have 40 clicks from hard to soft.
I run them on 6 from the hard end on track days, 6 from soft on the road.

Hi QBee - I have Racing Reds but haven't checked the settings as I've been broadly comfortable with how the car drives but it is on the jobs list for winter. Have you experimented with any different settings to land on the 6 either way or tried different front to rear? I'd be grateful for any thoughts - I think mine is set on the softer side which is great for touring but not quite as engaging as it perhaps could be.

[portzi]

Johnelliot said:

Hi,

Just got my 450 back after a body off chassis restoration. The car has Gaz gold shocks and the ride is fairly harsh and choppy over less than perfect roads. Have slacked off the shocks a few click but can t seem to find a setting between harsh and floaty. I think the car rode much better on standard shocks. Nitrons too expensive and wondering if Bilstein Tuscan S is the best way forward. I m not going to track the car or drive it very hard. Any other suggestions would be helpful.

Also is it still possible to buy a standard exhaust? Mine has been sleeved not very well.

Thanks

Any pictures john?

[QBee]

agreen said:

QBee said:

In case anyone with Gaz or Nitron dampers hasn't realised, there is a hard to soft adjuster on each damper, near the end of the damper.

On my Chimaera they are at the bottom, but I have seen the front dampers mounted the other way up.
The adjuster is a little knurled wheel.
I lie down on my back beside the car to adjust them and reach around behind the wheel.
Then, imagining you are looking up at the adjuster from below, it is right (clockwise) to make them harder and left to soften.

I have Racing Reds on my car (Made by Nitron a few years ago), and they have 40 clicks from hard to soft.
I run them on 6 from the hard end on track days, 6 from soft on the road.

Hi QBee - I have Racing Reds but haven't checked the settings as I've been broadly comfortable with how the car drives but it is on the jobs list for winter. Have you experimented with any different settings to land on the 6 either way or tried different front to rear? I'd be grateful for any thoughts - I think mine is set on the softer side which is great for touring but not quite as engaging as it perhaps could be.

Yes, I tried quite a lot of settings, but track days definitely need a hard setting while road use needs a soft one. I have occasionally left Cadwell Park at the end of a track day with the dampers still on the hard setting and regretted it pretty quickly!
They are my go-to settings. I suggest you start with those settings and adjust it 2-3 stops at a time to find what you like best.
I would start with one damper, wind it down to the softest setting (so anti clockwise looking at the adjuster from the end of the damper) counting the clicks as you go. That will tell you how it is currently set.

[agreen]

QBee said:

Yes, I tried quite a lot of settings, but track days definitely need a hard setting while road use needs a soft one. I have occasionally left Cadwell Park at the end of a track day with the dampers still on the hard setting and regretted it pretty quickly!
They are my go-to settings. I suggest you start with those settings and adjust it 2-3 stops at a time to find what you like best.
I would start with one damper, wind it down to the softest setting (so anti clockwise looking at the adjuster from the end of the damper) counting the clicks as you go. That will tell you how it is currently set.

Thanks QBee, intrigued to see what mine are actually on. Wheels are coming off for a proper clean and coating this week so I'll have a look and try your settings.