Suspension advice needed
Discussion
Mine has Nitrons on it from when I bought it. Have the bill for £1,100 for the fitting too.... However, I would say (have said it a few times before) that you get a few benefits:
1) Less dive at the front under heavy braking
2) Less back-end lift - keeps the back well planted
3) Less body roll and increased traction
However, you will get a very slightly harsher ride and the older Nitrons do make a lot more noise that standard shocks.... But seeing as the improvements outweigh the disadvantages I think it is worthwhile - only cos I didnt pay
Cheers,
Paul
1) Less dive at the front under heavy braking
2) Less back-end lift - keeps the back well planted
3) Less body roll and increased traction
However, you will get a very slightly harsher ride and the older Nitrons do make a lot more noise that standard shocks.... But seeing as the improvements outweigh the disadvantages I think it is worthwhile - only cos I didnt pay
Cheers,
Paul
Other comments are totally correct. Not claiming that I can go any faster in the TVR with the suspension. But it does add to the safety margins a little and helps retain a good level of balance and control for my amateur driving skills. Worth doing for me, but you really should be honest with yourself - it will make an improvement, but is what you want something that hoons round a circuit like its on rails? If so then something like a Caterham or Westie might be more the ticket.....
A TVR is always going to be fantastic on the straights, but a bit of a handful on the corners. They can be improved, but there are limits involved.
Cheers,
Paul
A TVR is always going to be fantastic on the straights, but a bit of a handful on the corners. They can be improved, but there are limits involved.
Cheers,
Paul
so what about AVO dampers then as i am about to change to them on my chimaera and have found a specialist that sells them for £65 each and they are height adjustable, has anyone used these as they look good, 1k does seem like rather alot for a set of dampers but then i dont use the car for track days and i would not dream of having some-one else fit them to my car,at the end of the day its only nuts and bolts for fitting, and would the car need setting up or do i just set them at the same height as the old bilstiens that are on at present..
the 1k I suggested is for a nitron kit with springs aswell, a kit which is a dedicated fit for your car (actually one of three nitron based kits i offer .. other specialists will offer similar deals if they know what they're about). Avo do a damper for the griff, it's a budget damper and is possibly borderline on a griff .. AVOs traditionally work well on heavier cars and worse on light cars cos they're quite aggressive with a high nore pressure (the force needed to get the piston damper moving .. the primary requirement for a supple ride is low nose pressure - this affects ride quality more than spring rate). I can offer three AVO based spring and damper combinations at 610 pounds. I guess you pays your money and takes your choice. best advice is to speak to as many independants as poss and get a feel for what they can offer and how well they understand what's happening with the car and put your trust in the one who gives you the best overall package... an honest place will tell you the pitfalls as well as the benefits.
I agree with the comments about checking the geometry. I took my Chimaera to Zertec's suspension specialist (he fettles McRae's underpinnings so he knows what he's about) and the difference it makes getting all four wheels pointing in the right direction is astounding. With a bit of added negative camber on the rears, I really did get that cornering on rails feeling.
well thanks for that ,did not know about the nose pressure part but do understand how dampers operate,is there another damper that would suit the chimaera for road use and where can i get a set of new springs without breaking the bank and understanding that a bit of money has to be spent to keep it handling as it should ,and i want it to stop pulling to the left ,i have checked the bushes all around and the brakes dont rub but it still has a pull to the left ,i was wondering if the slight list on the passenger side was causeing this hense the need to change springs and dampers.....ian
What about Leda and Koni? - I think they offer packages for the Chimaera/Griffith - I guess like their price, they come inbetween AVO and Nitron WRT performance too?
I'm planning on having mine changed next spring, I'm not sure I'm prepared to spend 1k though (Joolz - how long do you need the car for and does this include a full geometry setup?). I would have done it this autumn, but I just spent a fat wad on my diff rebuild.
My companies' stock price has increased 80% in the past 2 months and the money either stays in the bank for a T350 Targa in a year or 2 or I spend it on my current cronk ... decisions.
Trefor/.
I'm planning on having mine changed next spring, I'm not sure I'm prepared to spend 1k though (Joolz - how long do you need the car for and does this include a full geometry setup?). I would have done it this autumn, but I just spent a fat wad on my diff rebuild.
My companies' stock price has increased 80% in the past 2 months and the money either stays in the bank for a T350 Targa in a year or 2 or I spend it on my current cronk ... decisions.
Trefor/.
I fitted some LEDAS to a griff once and wasn't imkpressed at all with them, they weren't up to controlling a very stiff spring .. might be ok on std rate springs but a non-starter for anything performance orientated. they did however look absolutely fantastic so if looks are more important than performance then they'd be worth a go. they were quite cheap also. but don't work IMO.
During wintertime I have done a full suspension upgrade to my Griff (4.3/93). Polybushes shore 95, set of nitrons and an anti rollbar at the back. Now I have been at a garage to have a full geometry setup. Got the car back today and had the first ride. In corners the car is just great, but on the straight line I need both hands at the steering wheel, because the car tries to jump from one side to the other. It´s more than nervy. I am not sure that the local garage has used the right figures. So if someone can send me the official geometry setup data, it would be just great. Any other idea is welcome. I am just disappointed right now.
Jochen
Jochen
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