Cerbera Shock Absorbers

Cerbera Shock Absorbers

Author
Discussion

Richard Rawlins

Original Poster:

125 posts

285 months

Thursday 3rd April 2003
quotequote all
Help!!

I need to replace the front shock absorbers on my 1999 4.5 and am looking for recommendations/experience/comparisons of alternatives to the standard TVR fitment. Browsing these forums has flagged up Avo, Nitron, Olins and Redline as options.

I’d rather not lower the ride height or compromise the “comfort” of the standard set-up (this is my everyday car!!) and don’t intend to do any track days.

Does anybody know if the 2003 Cerbera suspension set-up is “just” a case of swapping shocks and springs or is there more to it than that?

Thanks.

gazzab

21,109 posts

283 months

Thursday 3rd April 2003
quotequote all
sounds like AVOs are your best bet. £95 each as well if you buy them from the right place.

washy

950 posts

277 months

Thursday 3rd April 2003
quotequote all
Richard,

I think, having discussed it with Neil Anderson, that the king pin inclination change on the 2002/3 cars is a prerequisite to making the new factory dampers work effectively.

Washy

GreenV8S

30,213 posts

285 months

Thursday 3rd April 2003
quotequote all
Sounds like this is a question for Joolz.

vroom

665 posts

285 months

Thursday 3rd April 2003
quotequote all
Have AVOS on mine - also have adjustable height.

For what its worth:-

Previous owner had wound them right down (see piccie in profile) which had upset the camber (wear on inside edge of tyres).

Reset by Joolz.

Can easily adjust damping rate as the adjuster is at the bottom of the shock (Just put your hand behind the wheel).

Nick.

gary judd

2,675 posts

266 months

Thursday 3rd April 2003
quotequote all
hi
i have had standard tvr shocks ,then redline, have now got nitrons , no comprimise nitrons are the best all round performers for every day use and track days. they can be adjusted for ride height to suit your preference. i would not recomend redlines .nitrons are a little bit more expensive but worth it.
gary and cerb

mudstud

249 posts

261 months

Thursday 3rd April 2003
quotequote all
Joolz just fitted Avo's to my 99 4.5. Have not noticed any difference! So far only used the car for every day use.

joospeed

4,473 posts

279 months

Thursday 3rd April 2003
quotequote all
I've replied direct to this one but there's some general rules to apply which I'll put here.
generally you get what you pay for except where TVR are concerned. earlier tvr dampers are pretty awful, they regularly leak and knock but you can get them repaced if required (TVR don't offer dmper rebuild services which is the normal route for aftermarket faulty dampers).
AVOs are guarnteed for 2 years and are the first choice for people on a budget. Mudstud .. you can't tell the difference? .. have you checked your invoice? AVOs and springs fitted for less than half the price of non-adjustable TVR versions. bargain.
Nitrons are the most expensive damper I sell, but they're also the best value for money. Many people don't consider them because the kit is a few pounds short of 1k pounds plus about 50 pounds to fit it, but it really is quality stuff, rebuildable. I offer three diferent stroke lengths, three different spring rates to suit all driving styles, many others only offer the basic nitron kit I helped develop - which is spot on for 90 percent of people out there, but if you require something more specialised then I can offer it.
timescale .. the avos are normally available ex-stock the next day unless they're waiting for the next batch to arrive. same for redlines. the nitrons are built to order so can take a couple of months down to a couple of weeks depending on demand at the time.

Richard Rawlins

Original Poster:

125 posts

285 months

Thursday 3rd April 2003
quotequote all
Thanks to all who have replied.

And a big thank you to Joolz for his prompt reply to my e-mail - looks like I'll be giving David Batty a call tomorrow for a pair of front Avos and springs.

gazzab

21,109 posts

283 months

Friday 4th April 2003
quotequote all
go for 4 avos ?
how about uprated springs from Joolz?
have you tried andy at apm in Liphook.

gazzab

21,109 posts

283 months

Friday 4th April 2003
quotequote all
Joolz - so what about Redlines then? How do they compare.
Which suspension option works best with the anti roll bar removed?

joospeed

4,473 posts

279 months

Friday 4th April 2003
quotequote all
the redlines are somwhere between an avo and a nitron.
anti rol bar .. you can remove the rer bar and stiffen the front to aid traction and induce the slight understeer bias you need for fast track use. if you want entertainment on the road at relatively lower speeds keep the rer bar. it's pretty much personal preferance though, just as the damper and sping setings are also.

gary judd

2,675 posts

266 months

Friday 4th April 2003
quotequote all
hi
if you want to know about redlines e-mail through my profile .
gary and cerb

joospeed

4,473 posts

279 months

Saturday 5th April 2003
quotequote all
Gazza b .. e-mail me too