Tuscan Mk1 2000 - New Suspension
Discussion
Hi all,
So I have looked at the various options for my Tuscan. I think after a big Eurotrip of 3-4k miles ( no problems ! ) the shocks need to be replaced on the Tuscan. It wasn't feeling happy above 120 - 130 on the autobahn on the way back and felt like it was bottoming out on some bumps ( NOT at that speed ) just in the smaller towns etc.
I assumed this was due to the huge amount of kit the boot will hold ( sometimes having the roof in there too and 2 squishy bags on the rear shelf too.
However I did a car limits day and it was crashing on the bumps early on in the slip road leading up to the 'high speed bend' so Andrew Walsh took a look at it and said they seemed to need an overhaul.
I thought they were Nitrons but I think they might be Bilsteins looking through the history file.
I am a current user of Racing Green and it needs a 42k service at the same time. I don't have a specific budget but was wondering what people on here would go for?
I am thinking the full Nitron setup as they can be reconditioned more eaily and may help add a little value to the car / make it easier to sell whenever that day comes.
I have also thought about Gaz Golds but I am not sure about the original ones on the RG site.
So after the waffle the question really is what kit to get and then also who to fit it? I was thinking I am not sure if RG ( local-ish to me in SW London ) would be the best choice to go for?
So I have looked at the various options for my Tuscan. I think after a big Eurotrip of 3-4k miles ( no problems ! ) the shocks need to be replaced on the Tuscan. It wasn't feeling happy above 120 - 130 on the autobahn on the way back and felt like it was bottoming out on some bumps ( NOT at that speed ) just in the smaller towns etc.
I assumed this was due to the huge amount of kit the boot will hold ( sometimes having the roof in there too and 2 squishy bags on the rear shelf too.
However I did a car limits day and it was crashing on the bumps early on in the slip road leading up to the 'high speed bend' so Andrew Walsh took a look at it and said they seemed to need an overhaul.
I thought they were Nitrons but I think they might be Bilsteins looking through the history file.
I am a current user of Racing Green and it needs a 42k service at the same time. I don't have a specific budget but was wondering what people on here would go for?
I am thinking the full Nitron setup as they can be reconditioned more eaily and may help add a little value to the car / make it easier to sell whenever that day comes.
I have also thought about Gaz Golds but I am not sure about the original ones on the RG site.
So after the waffle the question really is what kit to get and then also who to fit it? I was thinking I am not sure if RG ( local-ish to me in SW London ) would be the best choice to go for?
You'll get many different opinions on this I'm sure.
Agreed, Nitron have a very good reputation - and quality aftersales. However, they cost - I'd guess at around £2000 fitted and geo' set-up by someone like RG.
Gas Gold Pro's probably will cost you IRO £900 fitted and set up. Ultimately you choose as to what you can afford.
However, I recall someone in the 'trade' saying that yes, Nitron's are great kit....but do you get double the value versus GGP's. His opinion was, not so.
My experience with GAZ/Derek has always been very good. When I had a set fitted to a Chimaera a few years ago..and experienced the 'squeaky valve syndrome' I had a new set sent out by return - no quibbles or reductions for 'used' goods - just a straightforward set of shocks with the revised valving.
I now have them on my Tuscan and find them perfectly fine. I'm no track demon, but have extended the car on the parade laps at Le Mans in 2010 and 2012, and also did the 'Ring in 2010...It would be me running out of talent before I questioned the suspension!!
Nick
Agreed, Nitron have a very good reputation - and quality aftersales. However, they cost - I'd guess at around £2000 fitted and geo' set-up by someone like RG.
Gas Gold Pro's probably will cost you IRO £900 fitted and set up. Ultimately you choose as to what you can afford.
However, I recall someone in the 'trade' saying that yes, Nitron's are great kit....but do you get double the value versus GGP's. His opinion was, not so.
My experience with GAZ/Derek has always been very good. When I had a set fitted to a Chimaera a few years ago..and experienced the 'squeaky valve syndrome' I had a new set sent out by return - no quibbles or reductions for 'used' goods - just a straightforward set of shocks with the revised valving.
I now have them on my Tuscan and find them perfectly fine. I'm no track demon, but have extended the car on the parade laps at Le Mans in 2010 and 2012, and also did the 'Ring in 2010...It would be me running out of talent before I questioned the suspension!!
Nick
I had Gaz on my Cerbera and had nothing but trouble with them.
The Gaz shock squeaked constantly, after weeks of chasing Derek (possibly the most difficult man I've ever tried to contact!)
The valves were replaced, 100 mile journey home and the squeaks continued, once again I tried to contact Derek, he never returned my calls and never got round to resolving the problem!
I bit the bullet and paid for a set of Nitrons, not the cheapest but god what a difference!
The car was totally transformed, comfortable, sure footed and excellent when braking.
I've now done 4000 miles on the Nitrons and they are as good as the day they were fitted.
In my opinion you get what you pay for and Nitrons are well worth the money.
Darren
The Gaz shock squeaked constantly, after weeks of chasing Derek (possibly the most difficult man I've ever tried to contact!)
The valves were replaced, 100 mile journey home and the squeaks continued, once again I tried to contact Derek, he never returned my calls and never got round to resolving the problem!
I bit the bullet and paid for a set of Nitrons, not the cheapest but god what a difference!
The car was totally transformed, comfortable, sure footed and excellent when braking.
I've now done 4000 miles on the Nitrons and they are as good as the day they were fitted.
In my opinion you get what you pay for and Nitrons are well worth the money.
Darren
I've got the gaz monos and they are nice. Better than the gaz gold i had before, I'm not sure how they compare to nitrons but they are middle ground price wise so another option there.
I have had the geo done and it's good but I feel it could still be a lot better, I want to lower the car a touch more as I feel it's a bit high so soon I will take it to bubble and kick and have it set up and corner weighted. The back end still feels a little live so to speak and I'm convinced this can be dialled out.
I haven't had any problems with either gaz shocks I used, it was the old gaz golds which had problems, I've also found Derek to be very helpfull tbh.
I have had the geo done and it's good but I feel it could still be a lot better, I want to lower the car a touch more as I feel it's a bit high so soon I will take it to bubble and kick and have it set up and corner weighted. The back end still feels a little live so to speak and I'm convinced this can be dialled out.
I haven't had any problems with either gaz shocks I used, it was the old gaz golds which had problems, I've also found Derek to be very helpfull tbh.
DJR 7 said:
?.. after weeks of chasing Derek (possibly the most difficult man I've ever tried to contact!)
The valves were replaced, 100 mile journey home and the squeaks continued, once again I tried to contact Derek, he never returned my calls and never got round to resolving the problem!
Similar to my experience. I won't break the name and shame rules, but PM me for more details if you want...The valves were replaced, 100 mile journey home and the squeaks continued, once again I tried to contact Derek, he never returned my calls and never got round to resolving the problem!
I am a current user of Racing Green and it needs a 42k service at the same time. I don't have a specific budget but was wondering what people on here would go for?
I have AST shocks on my Griffith and I,am really impressed with them and as you use Racing Green they supply and fit them along with a full GEO set up so why not speak to them and have them fitted while your having 42k service, don,t know if they a Tuscan with them on but ask if they have and if you can take it out for a test drive you will be impressed P.S I have Nitrons on my Cerbera and Tuscan and the ones on the Tuscan needs a refurb
MrChips said:
I can't help on the suspension front as i'm still on the originals and happy with them at the moment, however completely off topic.. how did you find the car limits day? Would you recommend it?
Yeah I would recommend actually. Ours was a little hampered by the Local Authority / Council Noise Police coming down and having an inspection as someone has bought a new flat next to the airfiled and was moaning about the noise. Some people! In hindsight I should have just gone for it all the time and not worried!However, I don't think Andy Walsh liked me for some reason as I was always last and didn't get his time in the car till the end and so had the least practice of the technique everyone was trying. Perhaps its my fault for being a dick! Ha ha :P
Seriously though its very good. I don't really feel that I was to track the Tuscan that much but a day of getting seriously out of shape and trying to get it back was a million times more useful to me. I hit a left hand bend (where it was kind of set up to encourage a spin ) and spun it hamfisted-ly ay 65 - 70 and by the end I could get through at 80+ and all the braking techniques and skills to recovery.
You would have to be a supreme idiot to drive like that on the road but taking the car beyond the edge and trying to get it back was awesome practice for dealing with 'diesel' or dampness or an unexpected sharpening bend etc.
There was loads of stuff including an timed course and some understeer / oversteer balancing on the throttle techniques etc.
I'd go again in fact but as a contractor takig a day off gets expensive so it weighs on the cost a bit but if permie £220 to share with 4 ( esp if they are your mates ) is a good deal IMHO. Watch your tyres though! Ideally use it to finish off a set.
Ok, to summarise so far. Gaz Gold Pros are under 1k set up and fitted people reckon and the Nitrons are £2k all fitted too?
So I assume its £300ish for the fitting and setup is fixed and the Nitrons aren't alot harder to do and so its just the cost of the kit?
I have not heard of the squeaking Gaz ones before. I do think mine is getting a bit sketchy and a change would really improve the situation.
I knwo it makes no difference but...
http://www.nitron.co.uk/shop/product/112/tvr-tusca...
They look so sexy!
So.... and places near SW London that are well recommended for the set up?
Really appreciating the advice. I will try to reciprocate by documenting this and letting everybody know a before and after sample.
I can also do some passenger rides of anyone thinking of doing the same thing.
So I assume its £300ish for the fitting and setup is fixed and the Nitrons aren't alot harder to do and so its just the cost of the kit?
I have not heard of the squeaking Gaz ones before. I do think mine is getting a bit sketchy and a change would really improve the situation.
I knwo it makes no difference but...
http://www.nitron.co.uk/shop/product/112/tvr-tusca...
They look so sexy!
So.... and places near SW London that are well recommended for the set up?
Really appreciating the advice. I will try to reciprocate by documenting this and letting everybody know a before and after sample.
I can also do some passenger rides of anyone thinking of doing the same thing.
Edited by BluePurpleRed on Thursday 28th February 14:35
Yeah that would be interesting to see what people say. Ihave heard it is more like every 15k miles which would prb be 3yrs for me but again I would just have them looked at while getting the yearly or 6k service done.
I'll do some research/
I have just had a good chat with Neil Garner. Seems like there is a new 46mm Nitron coming out it may well be on a deal. He seems really switched on and I am more confident handing the Tuscan to him for the setup and fitting than Racing Green who seem more focused on other oily bits :P
It seems like the fitting and Geo is £150 and the shocks are £995. which seems ok to me. For the saving of only £300 to go fr Gaz RR's etc I think I will just opt for the Full Nitrons to be honest.
I'm now having a plan over how to get it over to him.
Excited.
I'll do some research/
I have just had a good chat with Neil Garner. Seems like there is a new 46mm Nitron coming out it may well be on a deal. He seems really switched on and I am more confident handing the Tuscan to him for the setup and fitting than Racing Green who seem more focused on other oily bits :P
It seems like the fitting and Geo is £150 and the shocks are £995. which seems ok to me. For the saving of only £300 to go fr Gaz RR's etc I think I will just opt for the Full Nitrons to be honest.
I'm now having a plan over how to get it over to him.
Excited.
BluePurpleRed said:
Yeah that would be interesting to see what people say. Ihave heard it is more like every 15k miles which would prb be 3yrs for me but again I would just have them looked at while getting the yearly or 6k service done.
I'll do some research/
I have just had a good chat with Neil Garner. Seems like there is a new 46mm Nitron coming out it may well be on a deal. He seems really switched on and I am more confident handing the Tuscan to him for the setup and fitting than Racing Green who seem more focused on other oily bits :P
It seems like the fitting and Geo is £150 and the shocks are £995. which seems ok to me. For the saving of only £300 to go fr Gaz RR's etc I think I will just opt for the Full Nitrons to be honest.
I'm now having a plan over how to get it over to him.
Excited.
AlanI'll do some research/
I have just had a good chat with Neil Garner. Seems like there is a new 46mm Nitron coming out it may well be on a deal. He seems really switched on and I am more confident handing the Tuscan to him for the setup and fitting than Racing Green who seem more focused on other oily bits :P
It seems like the fitting and Geo is £150 and the shocks are £995. which seems ok to me. For the saving of only £300 to go fr Gaz RR's etc I think I will just opt for the Full Nitrons to be honest.
I'm now having a plan over how to get it over to him.
Excited.
You have not read my message then speak to Racing Green about AST shocks
Read my message
Gary
BluePurpleRed said:
Yeah that would be interesting to see what people say. Ihave heard it is more like every 15k miles which would prb be 3yrs for me but again I would just have them looked at while getting the yearly or 6k service done.
I'll do some research/
I have just had a good chat with Neil Garner. Seems like there is a new 46mm Nitron coming out it may well be on a deal. He seems really switched on and I am more confident handing the Tuscan to him for the setup and fitting than Racing Green who seem more focused on other oily bits :P
It seems like the fitting and Geo is £150 and the shocks are £995. which seems ok to me. For the saving of only £300 to go fr Gaz RR's etc I think I will just opt for the Full Nitrons to be honest.
I'm now having a plan over how to get it over to him.
Excited.
I'll do some research/
I have just had a good chat with Neil Garner. Seems like there is a new 46mm Nitron coming out it may well be on a deal. He seems really switched on and I am more confident handing the Tuscan to him for the setup and fitting than Racing Green who seem more focused on other oily bits :P
It seems like the fitting and Geo is £150 and the shocks are £995. which seems ok to me. For the saving of only £300 to go fr Gaz RR's etc I think I will just opt for the Full Nitrons to be honest.
I'm now having a plan over how to get it over to him.
Excited.
Another Neil G user, especially in setting up my Sprint/Speed Hillclimb Tamora & Chimaera with son-of-Nitron, Racing Reds (sadly no longer avilable).He's using the later Nitrons on his racing Chim, so knows his beans
Advice from me is to go anywhere else before RG,
After that, you really have to pay what money you can afford! I fitted GGP's, (well...TVR Power did!) they have been brilliant.
Nitrons are meant to be fabulous for track use but overkill for the road...but i have never used them sonot really qualified to comment.
Gaz mono are meant to be a step up again from Nitrons...not sure how they compare to Nitrons...
After that, you really have to pay what money you can afford! I fitted GGP's, (well...TVR Power did!) they have been brilliant.
Nitrons are meant to be fabulous for track use but overkill for the road...but i have never used them sonot really qualified to comment.
Gaz mono are meant to be a step up again from Nitrons...not sure how they compare to Nitrons...
Yeah I think its £1300 from Neil Garner or so.
I think he said Gaz Monos are similar cost. I might have to have a ride in a demo if RG or NG have them and see.
To be honest I drive my cars 99.9% on the road and so what I want to be able to do is to get it feeling superb and as reliable / safe as possible in that environment when pressing on while also being comfortable.
Also I'd love to know what I can do on the ride height and stiffness/rebound for different conditions. So if I am laden with stuff on a holiday, or again in the wet if I should soften it up a little compared to a me on my own on a bone dry day etc.
I couldn't care less about the track as in most cases from what I have seen a 20% performance gain could be had from upgrading the driver. Me included in that so I can say I would go for Nitrons over others for the track just want them to not squeak and also have peerless after sales should the manufacturer or the setup need to be recalled to do any work. Also I like the idea of the shocks being servicable.
Interesting to note the Evo test the car had the Nitrons on full whack. Perhaps it would have fared better had it been feetled for the wet and the rough.
I am sure if I go for any of them I will be pleased with the result compared to now.
Does anyone else feel this way? Thanks for the advice so far. Nice to have the good side of PH over some elements where there is willy waving and snide comments which is a shame!
I think he said Gaz Monos are similar cost. I might have to have a ride in a demo if RG or NG have them and see.
To be honest I drive my cars 99.9% on the road and so what I want to be able to do is to get it feeling superb and as reliable / safe as possible in that environment when pressing on while also being comfortable.
Also I'd love to know what I can do on the ride height and stiffness/rebound for different conditions. So if I am laden with stuff on a holiday, or again in the wet if I should soften it up a little compared to a me on my own on a bone dry day etc.
I couldn't care less about the track as in most cases from what I have seen a 20% performance gain could be had from upgrading the driver. Me included in that so I can say I would go for Nitrons over others for the track just want them to not squeak and also have peerless after sales should the manufacturer or the setup need to be recalled to do any work. Also I like the idea of the shocks being servicable.
Interesting to note the Evo test the car had the Nitrons on full whack. Perhaps it would have fared better had it been feetled for the wet and the rough.
I am sure if I go for any of them I will be pleased with the result compared to now.
Does anyone else feel this way? Thanks for the advice so far. Nice to have the good side of PH over some elements where there is willy waving and snide comments which is a shame!
Interesting to note the Evo test the car had the Nitrons on full whack. Perhaps it would have fared better had it been feetled for the wet and the rough.
Alan
That was me and if you read the write up in EVO i had only picked the car up just before xmas and drove on a motorway so did not notice how hard the set up was till I got to Wales and hit twisty bits and did not have a jack to lift up the car to check if the shocks had gone or if they was adjustable, it was only when I got home and got it up on a lift that I found out they was wound right up and now need a refurb.
I have sent you an email regarding shocks, I have 3 TVR,s Cerb with Nitrons , Tuscan with Nitrons and a Griff with AST,s on
Gary AKA Billy No Brakes
As an update. I am dropping off at Neil Garner tomorrow at 9ish. They had a lot of time for me on the phone and all my questions and options I was mulling over.
I was going to get my 42k done at Racing Green but I think seeing as the car has looked after me all year I and am not sure if the last service was a big one I am going to go for the '12k' with tappets done and an MOT at Neil Garners as I've picked that for the suspension capabilities..
Once that is over I may have said before, but if she behaves herself then I would look to get the Nitrons on if the car needs it.
I am seeing deals for Gaz Gold Pros for £600 INC VAT and the Nitrons are £950 + VAT I think so they are about double is that right? I think I am going to have to do some man maths tonight and see what they come back with after the work.
I'm already trying to talk myself into the Nitrons with thoughts like 'do it right do it once' etc!
I was going to get my 42k done at Racing Green but I think seeing as the car has looked after me all year I and am not sure if the last service was a big one I am going to go for the '12k' with tappets done and an MOT at Neil Garners as I've picked that for the suspension capabilities..
Once that is over I may have said before, but if she behaves herself then I would look to get the Nitrons on if the car needs it.
I am seeing deals for Gaz Gold Pros for £600 INC VAT and the Nitrons are £950 + VAT I think so they are about double is that right? I think I am going to have to do some man maths tonight and see what they come back with after the work.
I'm already trying to talk myself into the Nitrons with thoughts like 'do it right do it once' etc!
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