Nitrons, what do they do?

[blue 4.5]

There is always talk on here of how the handling is improved by putting Nitrons on. But what aspects of handling does it fix? What I would like is to remove the wheel squirming in my hands over minor bumps that the Sports KA takes its in stride! I finds the handling on lovely flat roads fine, but would like the car to take the bumps a little better. Would fitting Nitrons sought this out.

Also I noted on a current post that it is possible to change the ride height on the back of the cerbera. I am a similar issue that when I have a fair amount of luggage in the boot and children in the back it bottoms out a lot, is this easy?

One more thing. My clutch pedal seems pretty lose at the moment and when goving over the bumpty stuff clatters a bit. Is then anyway of tightening the clutch cable (rod) so that it doesn't move around so much?

[NJW 77]

Timely post.

Having just spent a shed load of cash (well, plastic actually) on the cerb recently, I now have a weeping front shock (standard all round AFAIK).

So, do I replace the weepy one with standard?
More probably replace both fronts with standard?
Replace both fronts with AVO adjustable?
I assume it would be pointless to put Nitrons on the front only?
AVOs all round (getting pricey now)
Finally, Nitrons all round (which to be honest, I cant really afford to do at the moment)

Im waiting on prices for all of the above and I guess they will make the decision for me.

[cerealsurfer]

The original OEM units from TVR Engineering are pretty soft and will bottom out over the more rough tarmac and especially if you have the young ones in the back.

As for squirming, there can be many reasons for this, camber/castor setup, tyre condition (older tyres or worn tyres can cause squirming) as well as heavy use of the loud pedal

Yes any suspencion modification should be balanced with appropriate configuration at both ends. F and Back.

In any case the Nitron setup will result in a more sure footed stance on the road, if not a little bone shaking at times. If you take it to a decent garage they should be able to swap out and set castor and camber all round..... if you search on here you'll no doubt find that these settings are kept very secret and are usually down to the individual.

Oh.. they will also be able to set the damping and rebound rates correctly. All of which is a bit of a black art in my opinion.

I've had nitrons from new, my only notes are that when the back end breaks away it's more snappy than the softer set-up. On a more +ve note, under v.harsh breaking you can really feel the grip condition of the back end.... this also can induce squirming.

I can personally recommend the Nirton option as I find it great for the UK roads, The Cerb wil always be a little skittish to be honest and before you part with big bucks there is also an Ohlins conversion (more £) to consider... my 2 pence.

As for your clutch.....can't say.

[GreenV8S]

Nitrons produce much less ride harshness for the same damping compared to many of the cheaper dampers.

This means you can stiffen the suspension up to improve the handling with less/no reduction in ride quality, or you can leave the handling the same and get improved ride quality. Fitting Nitrons won't in itself improve the handling significantly unless (a) you take the opportunity to stiffen the suspension up, and (b) you get the spring/damper and geometry settings right, which normally means getting an expert to set the car up for you.

[gazzab]

Ohlins are actually the cheaper option these days ie 2nd hand ones from tuscan racers BUT they are a bit extreme for the road (I hear).
The Nitrons are great. Drove to Le Mans and back and my handling was a 'match' for the cars I drove with ie skyline, carrera 4 s, 911 turbo, Audi RS4.......
Lots of different roads and speeds, ie some 150mph corners no problems.

[Julian64]

NJW 77 said:

Timely post. Having just spent a shed load of cash (well, plastic actually) on the cerb recently, I now have a weeping front shock (standard all round AFAIK). So, do I replace the weepy one with standard? More probably replace both fronts with standard? Replace both fronts with AVO adjustable? I assume it would be pointless to put Nitrons on the front only? AVOs all round (getting pricey now) Finally, Nitrons all round (which to be honest, I cant really afford to do at the moment) Im waiting on prices for all of the above and I guess they will make the decision for me.

Somewhere I have a standard set of shocks for the car that I took off when putting my nitrons on. You are welcome to them if I can find them. I think one may have been leaking but the others were fine.

You will have to collect though, waiting at a post office removes my will to live.

[blue 4.5]

Thanks, for the replies. What would be useful for the dampers would be family and alone settings. When we are going on a drive together I could put it to the family settings. I.e. softer jag like and then when I fancy giving it some increase the stiffness. Sounds like this may be possible with the Nitrons, are they easily adjusted?

Any one know the answer to the ride height question, i,e can the rear ride height be adjusted?

[Julian64]

blue 4.5 said:

Thanks, for the replies. What would be useful for the dampers would be family and alone settings. When we are going on a drive together I could put it to the family settings. I.e. softer jag like and then when I fancy giving it some increase the stiffness. Sounds like this may be possible with the Nitrons, are they easily adjusted? Any one know the answer to the ride height question, i,e can the rear ride height be adjusted?

Within limits the nitrons will allow you change ride height. up and down about an inch either way.

One remark about the family settng. I would changespring rates for the family rather than damper settings. Dampers are easy on the nitrons, a click button which is easily reached through the wheelarch.

Changing springs for the journey would really mean you were a comitted driver.

[NJW 77]

Julian64 said:

NJW 77 said: Timely post. Having just spent a shed load of cash (well, plastic actually) on the cerb recently, I now have a weeping front shock (standard all round AFAIK). So, do I replace the weepy one with standard? More probably replace both fronts with standard? Replace both fronts with AVO adjustable? I assume it would be pointless to put Nitrons on the front only? AVOs all round (getting pricey now) Finally, Nitrons all round (which to be honest, I cant really afford to do at the moment) Im waiting on prices for all of the above and I guess they will make the decision for me. Somewhere I have a standard set of shocks for the car that I took off when putting my nitrons on. You are welcome to them if I can find them. I think one may have been leaking but the others were fine. You will have to collect though, waiting at a post office removes my will to live.

Thank you Julian, a very kind offer. Car's not going into my local indie for a week or so yet, so not sure what the outcome is going to be, but if I decide to go for the standard option I will send DHL to collect for me, if they are still available, of course

[Julian64]

NJW 77 said:

Julian64 said: NJW 77 said: Timely post. Having just spent a shed load of cash (well, plastic actually) on the cerb recently, I now have a weeping front shock (standard all round AFAIK). So, do I replace the weepy one with standard? More probably replace both fronts with standard? Replace both fronts with AVO adjustable? I assume it would be pointless to put Nitrons on the front only? AVOs all round (getting pricey now) Finally, Nitrons all round (which to be honest, I cant really afford to do at the moment) Im waiting on prices for all of the above and I guess they will make the decision for me. Somewhere I have a standard set of shocks for the car that I took off when putting my nitrons on. You are welcome to them if I can find them. I think one may have been leaking but the others were fine. You will have to collect though, waiting at a post office removes my will to live. Thank you Julian, a very kind offer. Car's not going into my local indie for a week or so yet, so not sure what the outcome is going to be, but if I decide to go for the standard option I will send DHL to collect for me, if they are still available, of course

Ok, let me know.

[bugsy]

If you go the route of new shocks I reckon the set-up is as important as anything else, Jools is king up north but Topcats seemed pretty clued up when I was in there the other day and they even corner weight as standard when they set up, well worth a chat with somebody like them IMHO.

[ceejay]

Nitrons are great dampers, terrific on track, good on road........ but from my experience can be unreliable. I'm on my third rebuild in 2 years. If I had to choose again I'd buy Ohlins for frequent track day use or Protec for improved on road capability with an occasional track day. Joo sells the Protec dampers and springs mail order but I'd recommend getting them set up by a pro.

Ceejay

[gbbird]

I had nitrons fitted to my cerb, set up and the overall car lowered by Topcats late last year. I'm no mechanic, so not really sure what they do, but they do something thats for sure . The car does feel so much better - firmer, surer and yet more comfy over bumps and things (if that makes any sense)