New Griff owner - recommended mods

[FFMan]

OK - so I'm soon to be a Griff 500 owner, and I know some of you guys are keen on mods and upgrades, so whats worthwhile and what isn't ?

Whats an otter and a modwise kit ?

The car has the plastic indicator stalks etc - are the upgrades nice and worth it (what sort of money are they and where do they come from).

any feedback appreciated

thanks

[Paul V]

I'd get a set of stalks as they feel much nicer when driving and look a lot nicer too, have a look at leven's website for they shiny bits

Modwise do lots of different kits, they have a radio reception one and one for cooling, also a better glove box catch.

The otter switch it the part which switches the cooling fans on and off.

[puffsorted2]

1) Mod wise twin speed fan kit

2) Steve Heaths drop links

3) Sports exhaust conversion

4) Leven ali handbrake cover

[sam gamgee]

puffsorted2 said:

1) Mod wise twin speed fan kit

2) Steve Heaths drop links

3) Sports exhaust conversion

4) Leven ali handbrake cover

(although my zhorst is standard) add to that hot start kit. Oh and can recommend nitrons (or similar maybe?)

Dave.

[tvr4ever]

FFMan said:

OK - so I'm soon to be a Griff 500 owner, and I know some of you guys are keen on mods and upgrades, so whats worthwhile and what isn't ?

Whats an otter and a modwise kit ?

The car has the plastic indicator stalks etc - are the upgrades nice and worth it (what sort of money are they and where do they come from).

any feedback appreciated

thanks

Mods are in random order:

LS 7 engine with Tremec 6 speed (500 + real bhp. yammie)

Mod-wise 2 X speed fan kit

Aluminium radiator (radtec ?)

Steve Heaths drop links

Mod-wise bootrelease kit

Mod-wise brighter lights kit

Mod-wise amplified aerial kit ( if you are in to music and want any reception)

JE engineering tadpole type relief valve

Set of Nitron / Intrax / Ohlins / Gaz / Protech (anything is better than standard)

Raid the Leven factory

ACT has a nice website and loads of great goodies

Brake upgrade inc. braided hoses


And the list goes on.....

Fred

[gemini]

ride drive course

[gerjo]

I'd start with a Mark Adams mapping and a brake upgrade. Plus the Leven alu bits replacing the awful plactic ones.

[apache]

FFMan said:

OK - so I'm soon to be a Griff 500 owner, and I know some of you guys are keen on mods and upgrades, so whats worthwhile and what isn't ?

Whats an otter and a modwise kit ?

The car has the plastic indicator stalks etc - are the upgrades nice and worth it (what sort of money are they and where do they come from).

any feedback appreciated

thanks

The first thing I'd do is get the geometry set up, you have somewhere to start from then. Later I'd get poly bushes fitted or sooner depending on their condition. Engine mods will lead you down an expensive road but contacting MA for a rolling road session is a good place to start. Get your rear silencer 'modded' by a friendly Independant for that special sound. Weatherproof the hood if it needs it or not.

[FFMan]

thanks guys,

the mod-wise site seems a little short on details in some areas. I think they'd sell more if they spent a little on some better detailing but maybe business is just too good for them....

Whats the boot release kit about - whats wrong with the standard item (I've a lot to learn I guess).

Is hot start an issue, and whats in the kit ?

Bonnet stay needs an upgrade - does somebody do one ?

cheers

[apache]

FFMan said:

thanks guys,

the mod-wise site seems a little short on details in some areas. I think they'd sell more if they spent a little on some better detailing but maybe business is just too good for them....

Whats the boot release kit about - whats wrong with the standard item (I've a lot to learn I guess).

Is hot start an issue, and whats in the kit ?

Bonnet stay needs an upgrade - does somebody do one ?

cheers

Call em up they're friendly enough

Boot release is a major ball ache because you have to push a button on the dash, the kit allows you to open it from the outside which is handy if you're carrying a slab of beer

hot start kit is for elderly starters which get affected by the engine heat by using a heat shield, never was an issue in 4 years for us though.

Modwise does a bonnet stay mod which we bought and found much better than the standard effort

Edited by apache on Monday 25th September 10:23

[jodypress]

FFMan said:

thanks guys,

the mod-wise site seems a little short on details in some areas. I think they'd sell more if they spent a little on some better detailing but maybe business is just too good for them....

Whats the boot release kit about - whats wrong with the standard item (I've a lot to learn I guess).

Is hot start an issue, and whats in the kit ?

Bonnet stay needs an upgrade - does somebody do one ?

cheers

when you need to open the boot, you need to unlock the car, open the door, and pressthe boot release with ignition on. PIA if you ask me, i just got Fernhurst to add the blipper to it onto my alarm, and whilst there got the baffles removed from exhaust. Well worth it. Best sound EVER!!!

[seasider]

FFMan said:

thanks guys,

the mod-wise site seems a little short on details in some areas. I think they'd sell more if they spent a little on some better detailing but maybe business is just too good for them....

I doubt if David Beer (Modwise) makes much from the upgrades he sells (maybe some petrol money for when his Griff is running)

He is an enthusiast & electrical guru who sells kits (to electrical numpty's like me) based on upgardes he has done on his own car

[barreti]

The modwise boot release and hot start documentation is here
I wouldn't be without the boot opener.

The aluminium switch levers (indicator & washers) for a lotus elise fit the Griffith because it also uses the vauxhall levers, they can be found on ebay which is where I got mine.

You can mod your own original bonnet stay if you find it's rubbish and you fancy having a go. Or buy one from Steve Heath or Modwise (if David still makes it). How to modify your own is also documented by me on TheGriffithPages
You should Register at that site too, it's a very useful source of information. I believe Simon is also creating a database of what Griffs are out there so every little helps.

Has anyone mentioned getting a battery conditioner?

What on earth is a JE tadpole relief valve?

I warn you, this is a very slippery slope you are standing at the top of

[richb]

seasider said:

FFMan said:

thanks guys,

the mod-wise site seems a little short on details in some areas. I think they'd sell more if they spent a little on some better detailing but maybe business is just too good for them...

I doubt if David Beer (Modwise) makes much from the upgrades he sells (maybe some petrol money for when his Griff is running)

He is an enthusiast & electrical guru who sells kits (to electrical numpty's like me) based on upgardes he has done on his own car

Indeed, his "real" job is UK service engineer for Clarion kit.

[shpub]

FFMan said:

thanks guys,


Bonnet stay needs an upgrade - does somebody do one ?

Yep www.tvrextras.co.uk

[seasider]

richb said:

seasider said:

FFMan said:

thanks guys,

the mod-wise site seems a little short on details in some areas. I think they'd sell more if they spent a little on some better detailing but maybe business is just too good for them...

I doubt if David Beer (Modwise) makes much from the upgrades he sells (maybe some petrol money for when his Griff is running)

He is an enthusiast & electrical guru who sells kits (to electrical numpty's like me) based on upgardes he has done on his own car

Indeed, his "real" job is UK service engineer for Clarion kit.

"Senior"

[richb]

Anyway, I have done many mods to my Griff. The indicator stalks were the first and the hardest as this involved taking a junior hacksaw to my new car, however it was worth it! That decision made I went on to add bigger wheels, improved brakes, upgraded suspension, engine mods, trim mods etc. etc. It's a bit of a hobby really wondering what to do next!

[sam gamgee]

richb said:

Anyway, I have done many mods to my Griff. The indicator stalks were the first and the hardest as this involved taking a junior hacksaw to my new car, however it was worth it! That decision made I went on to add bigger wheels, improved brakes, upgraded suspension, engine mods, trim mods etc. etc. It's a bit of a hobby really wondering what to do next!

Indeed.....I`m told we are a sad bunch!!!!

Dave.

[jeffsy]

On the Modwise stuff - drop Dave Beer a PM through here - he's a very accomodating man!

- Straight thro pipe on the exhausts for a great noise.

- Modwise brighter lights kit and boot release kit (a must)

- Mongoose lights warning kit

- Extra speakers in the back instead of the little black vents

[richb]

jeffsy said:

-- Mongoose lights warning kit

Ah ha... Mr. Mongoose I need one of those, what's the deal? Rich...