Suspension advice please
Discussion
My 96 Chim (with 100k on the clock) seems to have the original suspension springs and handles very well but tends to bounce when in a straight line on the bumpy B roads. The rear drop links will often bottom out on the road surface. The classic stationary 'push down each corner' seems quite easy to push, but it comes back up with no bouncing.
Is this just the nature of the Chimaera or is it time for spring replacements?
Is this just the nature of the Chimaera or is it time for spring replacements?
Agree with that. Plus 20% fine for road use - 400lbs front, 325lbs rear. More for track/road use - 450 front, 375 rear are a good compromise spring rate. And a decent set of adjustable dampers, many use Gaz Gold, I use Gaz Mono which I've been pleased with.
You'll be surprised at the handling improvement, although at road speeds, I guess, it matters less.
You'll be surprised at the handling improvement, although at road speeds, I guess, it matters less.
Can anyone remember what spring rates were for the early Griffs as they had the firmest ride from the factory.
The tyres back then were s
te and not really suited to the light weight nature of the cars so now we have much better spec tyres around indeed a higher rate can work well.
Mine on 17’s allround on RS 3 offer better grip and comfort than when the car was on 15/16 on old style tyres.
The tyres back then were s
te and not really suited to the light weight nature of the cars so now we have much better spec tyres around indeed a higher rate can work well. Mine on 17’s allround on RS 3 offer better grip and comfort than when the car was on 15/16 on old style tyres.
Thanks all for the information.
So if I wanted something a little bit firmer would users recommend these:
https://www.actproducts.co.uk/product/gs02-griffit...
Over these:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-Griffith-Chimaera-O...
Or will these be ideal for general firmer road use:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-Chimaera-Gaz-classi...
So if I wanted something a little bit firmer would users recommend these:
https://www.actproducts.co.uk/product/gs02-griffit...
Over these:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-Griffith-Chimaera-O...
Or will these be ideal for general firmer road use:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-Chimaera-Gaz-classi...
Edited by rdl001 on Sunday 12th July 11:36
rdl001 said:
Thanks all for the information.
So if I wanted something a little bit firmer would users recommend these:
https://www.actproducts.co.uk/product/gs02-griffit...
Over these:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-Griffith-Chimaera-O...
Or will these be ideal for general firmer road use:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-Chimaera-Gaz-classi...
I've just fitted one of the Bilstein suspension kits from that ebay seller blackdown auto (Ben Lang)So if I wanted something a little bit firmer would users recommend these:
https://www.actproducts.co.uk/product/gs02-griffit...
Over these:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-Griffith-Chimaera-O...
Or will these be ideal for general firmer road use:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-Chimaera-Gaz-classi...
Edited by rdl001 on Sunday 12th July 11:36
He does a slightly firmer Tuscan S spec set up but you have to contact him and he will list the kit to buy.
Its a nice road kit, firm but not uncomfortable.
I'd leave the adjustable stuff alone personally unless you plan on track work or love messing with the settings constantly.
Edited by Belle427 on Sunday 12th July 12:58
Edited by Belle427 on Sunday 12th July 12:59
Belle427 said:
I've just fitted one of the Bilstein suspension kits from that ebay seller blackdown auto (Ben Lang)
He does a slightly firmer Tuscan S spec set up but you have to contact him and he will list the kit to buy.
Its a nice road kit, firm but not uncomfortable.
I'd leave the adjustable stuff alone personally unless you plan on track work or love messing with the settings constantly.
You dont need to constantly twiddle with the settings He does a slightly firmer Tuscan S spec set up but you have to contact him and he will list the kit to buy.
Its a nice road kit, firm but not uncomfortable.
I'd leave the adjustable stuff alone personally unless you plan on track work or love messing with the settings constantly.
Edited by Belle427 on Sunday 12th July 12:58
Edited by Belle427 on Sunday 12th July 12:59
however service intervals are more frequent for sure if you want low maintenance go Bilstein Definitely consider Mk4 Bilsteins from Ben Lang, the latest bigger rubber bush type, if the majority of your driving is on the road I recommend avoiding anything with rose joints. Ask Ben for his Mk2 Tuscan 'S' spec setup for your Chimaera and you'll be buying sporty suspension that also soaks up the broken road surfaces we must suffer these days, it'll give you a Chimaera that rides and handles beautifully.
Contrary to what some will try to tell you, you don't need hard and hell suspension to make a car handle well, quite the opposite in fact, what you need is a damper that works hand in glove with the correct spring rate, Colin Chapman worked all this out years ago and every Lotus since has offered amazing handling and great ride quality too. A TVR uses the ancient separate body bolted to a separate chassis design, this type of construction is not known for it's refinement, a TVR is also a very light car so what you'll find is if you fit stiffer springs and suspension with rose joints the car will skip and crash about over all but the smoothest surfaces.
Its initially counterintuitive to accept more compliant suspension will make for a faster car, but if you think about it the concept makes complete sense, the purpose of suspension is to keep the tyre in contact with the road surface at all times and isolate the driver from road imperfections, so a more compliant well damped setup will work much much better in the real world on a road driven TVR.
I switched from fully adjustable rose jointed Gaz Gold Pros, to Ben Lang's Bilsteins that he custom sprung and damped to my car and to be honest the difference was night and day, the car immediately felt more composed and confidence inspiring, best of all due to the far more compliant ride and way more sophisticated damping it also became much faster over normal roads. Ben Lang was the former head of chassis and suspension at TVR during the Tuscan 2 and Sagaris development period, he worked with the German suspension engineers from Bilstein to develop what he now also offers for our Chimaeras too.
No other coil over setup has benefited from such intensive professional development specific to TVRs, choosing Ben's Bilsteins lets you tap into all this TVR specific suspension development work for a very fair price. Of course following the collapse of TVR Ben Lang went on to develop the Ariel Atom, a car that is famed for its superb handling performance, this alone should tell you the man knows a thing or two about suspension
Contrary to what some will try to tell you, you don't need hard and hell suspension to make a car handle well, quite the opposite in fact, what you need is a damper that works hand in glove with the correct spring rate, Colin Chapman worked all this out years ago and every Lotus since has offered amazing handling and great ride quality too. A TVR uses the ancient separate body bolted to a separate chassis design, this type of construction is not known for it's refinement, a TVR is also a very light car so what you'll find is if you fit stiffer springs and suspension with rose joints the car will skip and crash about over all but the smoothest surfaces.
Its initially counterintuitive to accept more compliant suspension will make for a faster car, but if you think about it the concept makes complete sense, the purpose of suspension is to keep the tyre in contact with the road surface at all times and isolate the driver from road imperfections, so a more compliant well damped setup will work much much better in the real world on a road driven TVR.
I switched from fully adjustable rose jointed Gaz Gold Pros, to Ben Lang's Bilsteins that he custom sprung and damped to my car and to be honest the difference was night and day, the car immediately felt more composed and confidence inspiring, best of all due to the far more compliant ride and way more sophisticated damping it also became much faster over normal roads. Ben Lang was the former head of chassis and suspension at TVR during the Tuscan 2 and Sagaris development period, he worked with the German suspension engineers from Bilstein to develop what he now also offers for our Chimaeras too.
No other coil over setup has benefited from such intensive professional development specific to TVRs, choosing Ben's Bilsteins lets you tap into all this TVR specific suspension development work for a very fair price. Of course following the collapse of TVR Ben Lang went on to develop the Ariel Atom, a car that is famed for its superb handling performance, this alone should tell you the man knows a thing or two about suspension
Hey, I also bought the Mk4 Bilsteins (Tuscan S spec) from Ben Lang. Had worn Gaz Golds before. The difference is night and day. The Gaz Golds we're very harsh. I don't know what the spring rates were as they were on the car when I bought it.
At high speed 100+, they were good. The car was planted and confident. Probably good for a track and fine for rapid road driving. The downside was that they were harsh to the point of unpleasant at all other times.
The Bilsteins are far better for my purposes. Still confident at 100+ speeds, albeit a little softer, a little more body roll but nothing to be upset about. They also feel great at all legal speeds too. Would I buy again? Absolutely. Would I want them on a track car? Hmmm. Probably want something a little stiffer for aggressively chasing lap times but in all fairness, I suspect the money would be better spent on driving lessons over 'better' kit.
At high speed 100+, they were good. The car was planted and confident. Probably good for a track and fine for rapid road driving. The downside was that they were harsh to the point of unpleasant at all other times.
The Bilsteins are far better for my purposes. Still confident at 100+ speeds, albeit a little softer, a little more body roll but nothing to be upset about. They also feel great at all legal speeds too. Would I buy again? Absolutely. Would I want them on a track car? Hmmm. Probably want something a little stiffer for aggressively chasing lap times but in all fairness, I suspect the money would be better spent on driving lessons over 'better' kit.
Harlan_Kovacs said:
Hey, I also bought the Mk4 Bilsteins (Tuscan S spec) from Ben Lang. Had worn Gaz Golds before. The difference is night and day. The Gaz Golds we're very harsh. I don't know what the spring rates were as they were on the car when I bought it.
At high speed 100+, they were good. The car was planted and confident. Probably good for a track and fine for rapid road driving. The downside was that they were harsh to the point of unpleasant at all other times.
The Bilsteins are far better for my purposes. Still confident at 100+ speeds, albeit a little softer, a little more body roll but nothing to be upset about. They also feel great at all legal speeds too. Would I buy again? Absolutely. Would I want them on a track car? Hmmm. Probably want something a little stiffer for aggressively chasing lap times but in all fairness, I suspect the money would be better spent on driving lessons over 'better' kit.
Did you adjust the Gaz Golds to make them softer for road use? They have an 18 click adjuster on each damper to adjust the ride from soft to hard.At high speed 100+, they were good. The car was planted and confident. Probably good for a track and fine for rapid road driving. The downside was that they were harsh to the point of unpleasant at all other times.
The Bilsteins are far better for my purposes. Still confident at 100+ speeds, albeit a little softer, a little more body roll but nothing to be upset about. They also feel great at all legal speeds too. Would I buy again? Absolutely. Would I want them on a track car? Hmmm. Probably want something a little stiffer for aggressively chasing lap times but in all fairness, I suspect the money would be better spent on driving lessons over 'better' kit.
LLantrisant said:
ask procomp for a set of protec dampers. valved to your car...not protec directly
Difficult to know what exactly procomp can do that protech themselves can't ... I did a bit of development work with protech some 15 years ago and I know what valving options are available, so if procomp are suggesting they have a range of valving options open to them that protech somehow don't I think they are rather over-egging their pudding. Everybody has access to the same range of options.
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