Another suspension question

[PJ57]

Hey all, I know there have been many queries in the past regarding spring and damper selection, and have done many searches and most seem to be dated by quite a few years, so any up to date advice would be greatly appreciated.

My 450 chim is going to remain a road car, with no track days planned. The car is running stock ride height (and will remain so due to London speed bumps) and running SP20's, so slightly less compliant than stock tyres, yet the ride is very comfortable on all but the worst potholed roads.

I need to replace the shocks and springs, and was all set to go down the Billie route, but all in this is going to cost £930 all in from Blackdown, as bushes, springs and dampers soon add up.

My query is whether it's better go aftermarket with Gaz Gold Pro's and nearly half the price as have heard good things about them, but the car will not be tracked.
I really don't want to lose the ride quality or have increased road noise/vibration in the cabin as the car is a daily and will be used for touring in the summer months.
Is it worth going the extra 20% on spring rates on the car too, or will it just firm up an already quite firm ride and give no real benefit to a road only car?


Any recent advice on these is hugely appreciated, as I gather Gaz have upped their game in recent years regarding reliability.

Thanks

Phil

[J400GED]

Why do you need to replace the springs and dampers?

[PJ57]

They're all pretty minging. The springs and dampers all look pretty corroded, and these are slight signs on leakage on a couple.
I'm replacing the rear wishbones at the same time.
That said, the ride feels pretty good.

Pics not great as was taking pics of the wishbones and knackered anti rollbar mount. One of the front shocks was replaced 5 years ago, but would like to replace them all so all are in top condition.

Rear ones



Front

Edited by PJ57 on Thursday 7th May 22:08

[J400GED]

If you are happy with the ride comfort, I would get the springs tested to confirm their rate and buy a replacement set with similar characteristics. As for dampers, I've got Gaz Golds and I find them very good for ride comfort and control.

HTH
Ged

[PJ57]

That sounds great, is there any more road noise/vibration with the Gaz's?

Just thinking to replace the lot, as at least 2 dampers have moisture around the top piston seals, and they look pretty original, so coming on 15 years old now.

[J400GED]

PJ57 said:

That sounds great, is there any more road noise/vibration with the Gaz's?

Just thinking to replace the lot, as at least 2 dampers have moisture around the top piston seals, and they look pretty original, so coming on 15 years old now.

Mine came with Gaz's already fitted, so I can't make a comparison, but this chimaera is definitely more comfortable than my previous Chim and Griff both on original dampers.

[Andav469]

The Bilstein's can be bought for less than your quoting, buy them direct from Ben Lang for approx £800 all assembled inc bushes.
For road use they are superb, high quality suspension and height adjustable in mk4 guise.

I have just replaced the springs and dampers on my 99 car with 36k on the clock and the difference is night and day

[QBee]

I liked my GGPs with stiffer springs.
Only recently changed them because I got my mitts on some Racing Reds.
I am on 17 inch wheels and skinnier tyres too.

[snorky]

just had my chassis refurbed and during this they noticed that one of my protech shocks had a big crack in the eyelet!
upon looking at the springs fitted by another TVR "expert" they were completely wrong - waaaaay over what they should be
now replaced with Gaz golds and the ride is much improved - firm but still comfortable, holds the road well , no squeaks or other noises

[Mr Nordic]

Hi
I have SP 12's and GAZ Gold Pros, they transformed my car and were a vast improvement on my standard Bilsteins which were tired at 60k.

If you want it stiffer you can adjust it up or down to meet your damping requirements with the pros.

I drove another car recently with GAZ gold pros and again a fantastic ride.

Good luck with your choice

[over_the_hill]

Same situation as the OP

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I have decided to go the Bilstein route - just need to get sorted out and order them

[PJ57]

Thanks for your replies guys. I've spoken to Tim at ACT, and can get the Gaz's ordered with a week turnaround.
There seems to be so many conflicting reports with the Gaz's though. It's either a fantastic ride, or appalling, nothing really in between.

Tim said the Gaz's he sells comes with 325/400 springs, so slightly up on stock spring rates, although I gather the way in which the damping works is different to stock billies??

Does the spring rates sound about right for a compliant decent ride quality?

Definitely looking towards the Gaz's, but I guess still looking for a bot of reassurance that this will be the right decision.

Thanks guys

[PJ57]

Thanks, do you know what your spring rates are and your damper settings?

Mr Nordic said:

Hi
I have SP 12's and GAZ Gold Pros, they transformed my car and were a vast improvement on my standard Bilsteins which were tired at 60k.

If you want it stiffer you can adjust it up or down to meet your damping requirements with the pros.

I drove another car recently with GAZ gold pros and again a fantastic ride.

Good luck with your choice

[s3c chris]

Hi.
Just to add my thoughts....
I have a new set of Bilsteins waiting to go on my car, a standard 400. I bought them direct from Ben and found him to be most helpful.
I went this route as I too will probably never do a track day and I think long term they will give a good ride/handling compromise.
I had an S before and read various reports on GAZ shocks, some good and others bad with a few having to be returned to the factory. Never read anything bad about the Bilsteins but I wait to be corrected!
As with the insurance topic, you pay your money and take your choice!
Regards Chris.

[SILICONEKID345HP]

I did not like Gaz nickels ,Gaz gold pro and those awful Gaz Monos ,tried the lot .

I would keep it standard with the three settings for ride height .

I have Nitrons and think they are brilliant . There is a good three way damper on the market called Protech for a decent price ,they would be good for speed bumps because you can adjust bump and rebound ..

Edited by SILICONEKID345HP on Wednesday 13th May 19:17

[PJ57]

Thanks the advice guys, after much thought, I'll be going down the Bilstein route.
Why play with unknowns, I like the ride quality of mine at the moment, I'll be running stock ride height and not doing track days so no need to dial in the suspension to track specs, and I know the reliability will be right up there.

Also will be simple to fit and set up too, so job done

Thanks again folks, finally got my A in to G

[J400GED]

PJ57 said:

Thanks the advice guys, after much thought, I'll be going down the Bilstein route.
Why play with unknowns, I like the ride quality of mine at the moment, I'll be running stock ride height and not doing track days so no need to dial in the suspension to track specs, and I know the reliability will be right up there.

Also will be simple to fit and set up too, so job done

Thanks again folks, finally got my A in to G

[Mr Nordic]

Hi PJ57

My GAZ gold pros are set mid way on the valves around, the spring rates,were as per the kit from ACT but on the rears I had an increase of 50lb each side as I am carrying a bit of timber. This works really well for me.

[shake n bake]

Andav469 said:

The Bilstein's can be bought for less than your quoting, buy them direct from Ben Lang for approx £800 all assembled inc bushes.

Who is Ben Lang and how can I get hold of him?

[Andav469]

shake n bake said:

Andav469 said:

The Bilstein's can be bought for less than your quoting, buy them direct from Ben Lang for approx £800 all assembled inc bushes.

Who is Ben Lang and how can I get hold of him?

He was an employee of TVR specialising in suspension.

Look up his ebay listings for Bilstein dampers £138, send him a message and he will make a direct sale