New Griffith 500 Owner - Questions.....
Discussion
Hi all,
a couple of weeks ago I bought a Cooper Green Griffith 500, having served my apprenticeship on a 350i for some 22 years...
1st Question...
I "discovered" that the serpentine belt described in the sticky (PK71850) was too long for the spring loaded adjuster to tension the belt properly, hence power steering pump was very noisy. I solved the problem by measuring the length with the adjuster held fully against the spring, then ordering the appropriate belt from the local factor.. which was PK71800 (i.e 50mm shorter) result, tensioner is in almost the mid position and the PAS pump is virtually silent except on full lock. Has anyone else seen this issue? Shorter belt is also used on the Landrover TD5 2.5 Tdi engine so it isn't exactly rare.
2nd Question...
The car has been upgraded to GAZ adjustable platform shock absorbers... I found the ride a little hard (South Yorkshire roads are not smooth!)
Both front and rear were set to the mid position, I have softened the ride by turning them down 4 clicks on each corner. Is there a "base" setting for a Griffith 500 (to save me playing about all summer swapping settings), is there mileage in setting the front different to the rear?
Regards,
Brian
and a Green Griffith 500
PS... The Griff is in some ways very similar to the wedge, but the performance difference is incredible...
a couple of weeks ago I bought a Cooper Green Griffith 500, having served my apprenticeship on a 350i for some 22 years...
1st Question...
I "discovered" that the serpentine belt described in the sticky (PK71850) was too long for the spring loaded adjuster to tension the belt properly, hence power steering pump was very noisy. I solved the problem by measuring the length with the adjuster held fully against the spring, then ordering the appropriate belt from the local factor.. which was PK71800 (i.e 50mm shorter) result, tensioner is in almost the mid position and the PAS pump is virtually silent except on full lock. Has anyone else seen this issue? Shorter belt is also used on the Landrover TD5 2.5 Tdi engine so it isn't exactly rare.
2nd Question...
The car has been upgraded to GAZ adjustable platform shock absorbers... I found the ride a little hard (South Yorkshire roads are not smooth!)
Both front and rear were set to the mid position, I have softened the ride by turning them down 4 clicks on each corner. Is there a "base" setting for a Griffith 500 (to save me playing about all summer swapping settings), is there mileage in setting the front different to the rear?
Regards,
Brian
and a Green Griffith 500
PS... The Griff is in some ways very similar to the wedge, but the performance difference is incredible...
No, there isn't really a universally accepted base setting as it depends how each individual likes the ride vs handling compromise. It also depends on what ride height has been dialled in.
Mine is running at 6 clicks from zero on the rear and 11 clicks from zero on the front as I like it to turn in well but prefer it looser at the back so it doesn't hop about if you're giving it the beans on a bumpy corner, also so it breaks away more progressively at the rear when it does go.
What I would suggest is tuning the front and rear separately so that you can concentrate on one set of changes at a time. I find that if I park 1/2 on and 1/2 off a big kerb I can reach far enough under to turn the adjusters without taking the wheels off - this saves a lot of time getting it where you want it to be.
Also, make sure tyre pressures are correct before you start changing the shocks - typically 22 psi front and 24 psi rear.
Simon
P.S. I moved to a Griff from a 350i as well. As you say, very different in some ways but similar in others.
Mine is running at 6 clicks from zero on the rear and 11 clicks from zero on the front as I like it to turn in well but prefer it looser at the back so it doesn't hop about if you're giving it the beans on a bumpy corner, also so it breaks away more progressively at the rear when it does go.
What I would suggest is tuning the front and rear separately so that you can concentrate on one set of changes at a time. I find that if I park 1/2 on and 1/2 off a big kerb I can reach far enough under to turn the adjusters without taking the wheels off - this saves a lot of time getting it where you want it to be.
Also, make sure tyre pressures are correct before you start changing the shocks - typically 22 psi front and 24 psi rear.
Simon
P.S. I moved to a Griff from a 350i as well. As you say, very different in some ways but similar in others.
Thanks Andy,
It's really the part number in the sticky that I was questioning, the part number on the original belt is still visible and it agrees with the sticky. I obtained a brand new belt from one of the well known TVR Specialist parts suppliers and that has part number 7PK1853.. the new one is 3mm longer than the original one (according to the part number) but neither fit properly and allow the spring loaded tensioner to tension the belt properly. I was asking if anyone else has the same problem.
The belt is fitted properly, the water pump is the only pulley which runs on the "back" of the belt, all the others are "ribbed" and run on the "front" of the belt.
Simon,
Thanks for the advice on the settings, looks like I'm near your rear setting (experience with the wedge suggested softer at the back was my preferred option) will drive it a bit and see, only had it a couple of weeks so still fettling it to my taste.
Brian
and a Green Griffith 500
PS hope to see some of you at Burghley House on Sunday, I'll be the one with a green Griff and a big grin.....
It's really the part number in the sticky that I was questioning, the part number on the original belt is still visible and it agrees with the sticky. I obtained a brand new belt from one of the well known TVR Specialist parts suppliers and that has part number 7PK1853.. the new one is 3mm longer than the original one (according to the part number) but neither fit properly and allow the spring loaded tensioner to tension the belt properly. I was asking if anyone else has the same problem.
The belt is fitted properly, the water pump is the only pulley which runs on the "back" of the belt, all the others are "ribbed" and run on the "front" of the belt.
Simon,
Thanks for the advice on the settings, looks like I'm near your rear setting (experience with the wedge suggested softer at the back was my preferred option) will drive it a bit and see, only had it a couple of weeks so still fettling it to my taste.
Brian
and a Green Griffith 500
PS hope to see some of you at Burghley House on Sunday, I'll be the one with a green Griff and a big grin.....
Welcome. 24 front, 26 rear is the standard starting tyre pressure for 16 rear 15 inch fronts. 1 or 2 psi up or down to suit your preference.
I'd start from fully hard and pull it back 6 clicks each corner, maybe 8 rear and change it one or two clicks at a time one axle at a time until you're happy. You may find each side has a different total number of clicks soft to hard.
You may want to get it corner weighted which wil lsolve all you're issues at once - you should know where you need to go!!
FFG
I'd start from fully hard and pull it back 6 clicks each corner, maybe 8 rear and change it one or two clicks at a time one axle at a time until you're happy. You may find each side has a different total number of clicks soft to hard.
You may want to get it corner weighted which wil lsolve all you're issues at once - you should know where you need to go!!
FFG
briantvr350i said:
Hi all,
a couple of weeks ago I bought a Cooper Green Griffith 500, having served my apprenticeship on a 350i for some 22 years...
1st Question...
I "discovered" that the serpentine belt described in the sticky (PK71850) was too long for the spring loaded adjuster to tension the belt properly, hence power steering pump was very noisy. I solved the problem by measuring the length with the adjuster held fully against the spring, then ordering the appropriate belt from the local factor.. which was PK71800 (i.e 50mm shorter) result, tensioner is in almost the mid position and the PAS pump is virtually silent except on full lock. Has anyone else seen this issue? Shorter belt is also used on the Landrover TD5 2.5 Tdi engine so it isn't exactly rare.
2nd Question...
The car has been upgraded to GAZ adjustable platform shock absorbers... I found the ride a little hard (South Yorkshire roads are not smooth!)
Both front and rear were set to the mid position, I have softened the ride by turning them down 4 clicks on each corner. Is there a "base" setting for a Griffith 500 (to save me playing about all summer swapping settings), is there mileage in setting the front different to the rear?
Regards,
Brian
and a Green Griffith 500
PS... The Griff is in some ways very similar to the wedge, but the performance difference is incredible...
What Gaz shocks are fitted if they are Gold then they always seem to be very harsh, I had Gaz Gold on my T350 and tried all sorts of settings and just could not get on with them so I changed them to Gaz Monotube far better, I have AST on my Griff and they are better but it came with them on, I would suggest Gaz Monotubes for the Griff and get Mat Smith to set them up a couple of weeks ago I bought a Cooper Green Griffith 500, having served my apprenticeship on a 350i for some 22 years...
1st Question...
I "discovered" that the serpentine belt described in the sticky (PK71850) was too long for the spring loaded adjuster to tension the belt properly, hence power steering pump was very noisy. I solved the problem by measuring the length with the adjuster held fully against the spring, then ordering the appropriate belt from the local factor.. which was PK71800 (i.e 50mm shorter) result, tensioner is in almost the mid position and the PAS pump is virtually silent except on full lock. Has anyone else seen this issue? Shorter belt is also used on the Landrover TD5 2.5 Tdi engine so it isn't exactly rare.
2nd Question...
The car has been upgraded to GAZ adjustable platform shock absorbers... I found the ride a little hard (South Yorkshire roads are not smooth!)
Both front and rear were set to the mid position, I have softened the ride by turning them down 4 clicks on each corner. Is there a "base" setting for a Griffith 500 (to save me playing about all summer swapping settings), is there mileage in setting the front different to the rear?
Regards,
Brian
and a Green Griffith 500
PS... The Griff is in some ways very similar to the wedge, but the performance difference is incredible...
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