V12V Suspension options
Discussion
I was wondering what (if any) solutions there were to the over sprung underdampened setup on the VH-era V12 Vantage. The sensation that I’m trying to resolve is the sense of the car not settling on rough roads and being very choppy - particularly in faster corners. The car is road driven, and I’d forgo some low speed compliance for better high speed dampening. I’m also happy for the car to sit slightly lower, but it’s not a deal breaker.
There seem to be a number of options with the V8 Vantage and DB9, but few for the V12:
- the V12 Vantage S switchable setup is cost-prohibitive at the moment and the parts are rarer than hens teeth;
- I have found 2 manufacturers of coilovers to suit the V12 V - Nitron and Intrax - but I worry that they’re too track oriented. YouTube also tells me that these coilovers may also need additional maintenance; and
- I have also found a a set of progressive lowering springs from Velocity AP which could work (on the basis that the progression should mean that the spring is softer initially - to a point). I could also investigate having the existing dampeners rebuilt / refreshed at this time.
The car is due to undergo a rear subframe restoration along with a few other bits and pieces in January so it would be good to do it all in one hit.
There seem to be a number of options with the V8 Vantage and DB9, but few for the V12:
- the V12 Vantage S switchable setup is cost-prohibitive at the moment and the parts are rarer than hens teeth;
- I have found 2 manufacturers of coilovers to suit the V12 V - Nitron and Intrax - but I worry that they’re too track oriented. YouTube also tells me that these coilovers may also need additional maintenance; and
- I have also found a a set of progressive lowering springs from Velocity AP which could work (on the basis that the progression should mean that the spring is softer initially - to a point). I could also investigate having the existing dampeners rebuilt / refreshed at this time.
The car is due to undergo a rear subframe restoration along with a few other bits and pieces in January so it would be good to do it all in one hit.
DAE sell a road-biased Nitron kit. It’s still pretty firm (but it’s bound to be firm coming from 16 year old Dynamics shocks…)
I’ve recently had them fitted to my V8V and they have transformed the ride. It’s a bit jiggly at town speeds, but once up to a decent speed, the damping is just sublime. My damping is set to the middle of the adjustment, so I might back it off to be a bit softer, but sadly, as the damping adjustment is at the top of the shock body, this isn’t a five minute job (wheelarch liners off at the rear, apparently)
I’m sure the in-car adjustable Bilsteins from BR would be even better, but my budget was limited, as a) I was having a subframe refurb at the same time and b) it’s only an entry-level 4.3 and £7.5k of suspension felt like an extravagance (although £4k of Nitrons was hardly bargain-basement…)
I’ve recently had them fitted to my V8V and they have transformed the ride. It’s a bit jiggly at town speeds, but once up to a decent speed, the damping is just sublime. My damping is set to the middle of the adjustment, so I might back it off to be a bit softer, but sadly, as the damping adjustment is at the top of the shock body, this isn’t a five minute job (wheelarch liners off at the rear, apparently)
I’m sure the in-car adjustable Bilsteins from BR would be even better, but my budget was limited, as a) I was having a subframe refurb at the same time and b) it’s only an entry-level 4.3 and £7.5k of suspension felt like an extravagance (although £4k of Nitrons was hardly bargain-basement…)
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