New happy Vixen owner says hi.
Discussion
phazed said:
Thanks guys, looking forward to getting many smiles from this car.
I have many questions to ask but if I can just stay on the suspension topic.
While under the influence of carpet glue while sticking the carpets back in my chimaera I was thinking about the suspension and realised why I couldn't raise the ride height at the rear. The dampers that are fitted to the rear are the wrong length.
They are at their full extension at rest and that is why when you screw up the spring seats it cannot raise the car. Of course a byproduct of this is that the suspension is only working at the top of it's travel and probably riding at full extension or thereabouts!
If anyone knows the correct length of the dampers that I should have, please let me know?
I can see a new set on the shopping list.
To my ignorant eyes the springs look far too short as well. My chimaera spring seats sit far further down the dampers - so new set all round?I have many questions to ask but if I can just stay on the suspension topic.
While under the influence of carpet glue while sticking the carpets back in my chimaera I was thinking about the suspension and realised why I couldn't raise the ride height at the rear. The dampers that are fitted to the rear are the wrong length.
They are at their full extension at rest and that is why when you screw up the spring seats it cannot raise the car. Of course a byproduct of this is that the suspension is only working at the top of it's travel and probably riding at full extension or thereabouts!
If anyone knows the correct length of the dampers that I should have, please let me know?
I can see a new set on the shopping list.
Edited by phazed on Thursday 29th December 20:12
phillpot said:
phazed said:
Just had 45 mins on the phone with Mr Venn, very knowledgeable chap.
Only 45 mins, you got off lightly! 
The crux of the matter is, he pointed me in the right direction.
I had an approximate measure of my existing springs on the front and the rear and then a meaningful discussion with Adrian, (We are on first name terms now).
it seems that the problem lies in having all the right notes but not necessarily in the right order.
It seems that the single pair of dampers and springs that I have on the rear are correct but they are only one half of what should be there.
The existing dampers are fitted with the correct springs which would be fitted to a four damper and spring set up.
The reason why I was struggling to raise the ride height was because the rear pair were fitted with a weaker , (Half the weight of a twin damper and spring set up) set of springs fitted which are approximately 80 or 90 lb. these were wound right up to practically the furthest point of the thread adjustment on the damper body.
It is impossible to determine what springs are on the front as these have no markings on them and I can only approximate.
Solution.
I spoke to Avo and ordered a new pair of dampers for the front with the correct springs and have ordered four lighter weight springs for the rear which I will transfer to the existing pair of dampers and as well as on to the existing front pair of dampers which I will fit to the rear so I will then have a matching set of four dampers with new springs.
Of course, I am assuming that the valving in my existing 4 dampers is fairly correct. I did mention this to Avo but came away with the thought that at this budget level of suspension, it probably isn't too far out, (if at all) or enough for me to notice the difference.
Hopefully, happy days and at a fairly reasonable price!
Next, sorting out what my friend and I have diagnosed is weak running due to a K & N filter, a free flow exhaust and probably standard jetting.
That , will be a little more difficult to sort out.
What carb are you running. I'm sure you can still get a selection of jets and tubes for the 28/36DCD, which I think was fitted to early cars and is a cracking good twin choke carb. The later DVG, as fitted to capris and later vixens is generally not loved quite as much, not quite sure why. I'm sure others will have a different view but the DCD carb can be jetted for a wide range of applications. Perhaps also possible for the DGV but I've never played with one so can't say. A session on a rolling road with a weber guru will get you sorted.
phazed said:
Time well spent.
The crux of the matter is, he pointed me in the right direction.
I had an approximate measure of my existing springs on the front and the rear and then a meaningful discussion with Adrian, (We are on first name terms now).
it seems that the problem lies in having all the right notes but not necessarily in the right order.
It seems that the single pair of dampers and springs that I have on the rear are correct but they are only one half of what should be there.
The existing dampers are fitted with the correct springs which would be fitted to a four damper and spring set up.
The reason why I was struggling to raise the ride height was because the rear pair were fitted with a weaker , (Half the weight of a twin damper and spring set up) set of springs fitted which are approximately 80 or 90 lb. these were wound right up to practically the furthest point of the thread adjustment on the damper body.
It is impossible to determine what springs are on the front as these have no markings on them and I can only approximate.
Solution.
I spoke to Avo and ordered a new pair of dampers for the front with the correct springs and have ordered four lighter weight springs for the rear which I will transfer to the existing pair of dampers and as well as on to the existing front pair of dampers which I will fit to the rear so I will then have a matching set of four dampers with new springs.
Of course, I am assuming that the valving in my existing 4 dampers is fairly correct. I did mention this to Avo but came away with the thought that at this budget level of suspension, it probably isn't too far out, (if at all) or enough for me to notice the difference.
Hopefully, happy days and at a fairly reasonable price!
Next, sorting out what my friend and I have diagnosed is weak running due to a K & N filter, a free flow exhaust and probably standard jetting.
That , will be a little more difficult to sort out.
Spring poundages are for the most part engraved on the ends of the spring themselves so it may become apparent when you strip them of their seats.The crux of the matter is, he pointed me in the right direction.
I had an approximate measure of my existing springs on the front and the rear and then a meaningful discussion with Adrian, (We are on first name terms now).
it seems that the problem lies in having all the right notes but not necessarily in the right order.
It seems that the single pair of dampers and springs that I have on the rear are correct but they are only one half of what should be there.
The existing dampers are fitted with the correct springs which would be fitted to a four damper and spring set up.
The reason why I was struggling to raise the ride height was because the rear pair were fitted with a weaker , (Half the weight of a twin damper and spring set up) set of springs fitted which are approximately 80 or 90 lb. these were wound right up to practically the furthest point of the thread adjustment on the damper body.
It is impossible to determine what springs are on the front as these have no markings on them and I can only approximate.
Solution.
I spoke to Avo and ordered a new pair of dampers for the front with the correct springs and have ordered four lighter weight springs for the rear which I will transfer to the existing pair of dampers and as well as on to the existing front pair of dampers which I will fit to the rear so I will then have a matching set of four dampers with new springs.
Of course, I am assuming that the valving in my existing 4 dampers is fairly correct. I did mention this to Avo but came away with the thought that at this budget level of suspension, it probably isn't too far out, (if at all) or enough for me to notice the difference.
Hopefully, happy days and at a fairly reasonable price!
Next, sorting out what my friend and I have diagnosed is weak running due to a K & N filter, a free flow exhaust and probably standard jetting.
That , will be a little more difficult to sort out.
N.
phazed said:
nice car though.
for the rear I would go for 2 pair shocks with all springs, that way the balance/pressure on the arm point etc, would be better shared me thinks.
more like this>
although it makes the car a bit heavier, in the rear its not that bad with that big V8 in the front, ow wait...;-)
Well, after nearly 9 months of ownership I have decided the car is not for me.
Firstly, at 6 foot 3" it really is a bit of a squeeze in there.
Secondly, with everything else going on in my life it is hard enough to squeeze in the odd sprint and track day in my Chimaera, which surprisingly is just so fast by comparison,...... There is no comparison!
I know it is a classic but it really is a driving shock jumping from one car to the other.
The one thing I will say is, visually it looks fantastic and I just love looking at it in the garage but that isn't enough to warrant keeping it.
If it went as fast as my chim, handled as well and looked as good as the Vixen, what a winner that would be!
Firstly, at 6 foot 3" it really is a bit of a squeeze in there.
Secondly, with everything else going on in my life it is hard enough to squeeze in the odd sprint and track day in my Chimaera, which surprisingly is just so fast by comparison,...... There is no comparison!
I know it is a classic but it really is a driving shock jumping from one car to the other.
The one thing I will say is, visually it looks fantastic and I just love looking at it in the garage but that isn't enough to warrant keeping it.
If it went as fast as my chim, handled as well and looked as good as the Vixen, what a winner that would be!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/122675800978
Ford Mustang GT 4.6 v8 305hp 04-08 Engine Hull Motor Engine 04 05 06 07 08
Andrew Gray said:
The seats and steering wheel look good. 'No expense' for sure on the wheel 
mk1fan said:
Andrew Gray said:
The seats and steering wheel look good. 'No expense' for sure on the wheel N.
Gassing Station | TVR Classics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff