best spring shocker combo for comfortable road use only

[lone granger]

hi

can we have some votes on above please, including specialist fitters as appropriate.

Looking for competence and comfort on B roads - considering Protech + latest proflex bushes + maybe added antirollbar to rear (original 92 4.3 pr-cat)

Also 500 front brake upgrade - too little bia to front on std set up - rear gets easily unsettled and drags a tyre when last moment braking for a side turn..

[shpub]

Try some SHENG droplinks first before spending a lot more money.

[frankgilbert]

Just fitted,myself,a full set of absolute shocks to my 96 chim ,had it professionally set up in Northants.The transformation is unbeleavable,no more leaping over humps in the road no more rattling,a transformed car ,height adjustment has removed bottoming on speed bumps and restored proper car height, adjustable damping excellent much softer ride cruises over bumps in the road now, before jumping twitching all over the place on bumpy corners ,feel much safer now in high speed b road runs. ideal for criusing . Incidentally had already changed 6 out of 8 wishbones,renewed bushes on other two,also renewed all bushes to the antiroll bars f&r.Did bushes from 25k onwards to 40k new shocks and springs at 46 k,now on 48k with Le Manns trip first big test. Cannot comments on others but all will inevertably be better than the standard which at 35k if I remember started to rumble. Having it professsionally set up is a must,not a diy job.

[mongoose]

lone granger said:

hi

can we have some votes on above please, including specialist fitters as appropriate.

Looking for competence and comfort on B roads - considering Protech + latest proflex bushes + maybe added antirollbar to rear (original 92 4.3 pr-cat)

.

You've found the best shocks there(by far),unless you want to spend Nitron money,and even then thats debateable,as many have found!.If you buy them from Julian,at www.track-car-solutions.co.uk he will sell you the kit specifically valved and springed to your requirements/preferences,as he always does,and at no extra charge.He also does a very good deal if you buy the bushes and shocks at the same time
I know joo is very familiar with the pro's and cons of the ARB on these cars too,as i've had a few conversations with him on this.He's very good with these cars so a chat would be in order i'd say,as you'll get all kinds of differing opinions on here.
It'll be a bit of a 'one-stop-shop' when you call,as he'll also be able to advise on the brakes.Personally i'd bet you'll be happy with the 500 set up for road use as these work fine in my experience,and you dont want to overbrake the car also.
Cheers,Mike

[gsw500]

frankgilbert said:

Just fitted,myself,a full set of absolute shocks to my 96 chim ,had it professionally set up in Northants.The transformation is unbeleavable,no more leaping over humps in the road no more rattling,a transformed car ,height adjustment has removed bottoming on speed bumps and restored proper car height, adjustable damping excellent much softer ride cruises over bumps in the road now, before jumping twitching all over the place on bumpy corners ,feel much safer now in high speed b road runs.

Frank,
May I ask where you had the set up done and what sort of cost are we looking at.
I have fully adjustable Gaz shocks and need a professional set up.
Cheers.

Gsw500

[veg]

I have Nitrons on mine and they are the business. Mind you no one talks about them anymore. Is Mr Nitron OK?

[GreenV8S]

I think that's probably because the two most vocal specialists here have both set up business using competing brands.

[sam gamgee]

veg said:

I have Nitrons on mine and they are the business. Mind you no one talks about them anymore. Is Mr Nitron OK?

Agree. Dogs danglies!!!

Dave.

[the gazman]

GreenV8S said:

I think that's probably because the two most vocal specialists here have both set up business using competing brands.

I don't think Guy is that worried, twin tube shocks have always sold in greater numbers than monotubes.
As for being vocal, Joo and I let the products do the talking now.

[jeffsy]

I only use mine on the road with no rack days and I have recently had Protechs plus Powerflex bushes put on mine (and Steve Heath droplinks front and rear)...and I am very pleased with the set up/difference to before.

[Al 450]

lone granger said:

hi

can we have some votes on above please, including specialist fitters as appropriate.

Looking for competence and comfort on B roads - considering Protech + latest proflex bushes + maybe added antirollbar to rear (original 92 4.3 pr-cat)

Also 500 front brake upgrade - too little bia to front on std set up - rear gets easily unsettled and drags a tyre when last moment braking for a side turn..

A specialist recently told me that adding poly bushes can dramatically firm up the ride making it uncomfortable for some. Maybe you should stick with rubber ones?

[trackcar]

your specialist is wrong, the PF bushes make the ride more compliant not less, this is beacuse of their incredibly low friction in the plane of the suspension movement.

[the gazman]

The jury is out on this one because there is mixed reation to the Powerflex v metalastic bush debate.
Some independants love poly bushes, some hate them and on my own personal experiance on the chim before and after, I did find that I had to start again on suspension settings once I had rebushed the car and IMHO the ride is firmer than before, even though my car had only done 23,000 miles.
On the plus side, I feel the car is more planted and much less likely to tramline with the Poerflex kit but for those looking for a comfortable cruising car, I think that if you are looking to change the bushes you should inform your suspension expert so that they can revisit spring rates for you.

[Al 450]

trackcar said:

your specialist is wrong, the PF bushes make the ride more compliant not less, this is beacuse of their incredibly low friction in the plane of the suspension movement.

The jury may be out on this one. Manufacturers, even those of very expensive vehicles fit rubber bushes instead of poly at OEM as poly bushes transmit too much noise to the cabin as well.

[steve-v8s]

I have solid bushes and Nitrons and can quickly change the car from a compliant, sunny Sunday afternoon cruiser, to an uncomfortable solid track day tool, or any point in between by twiddling the adjusters. In “soft” mode it is more compliant than with the original setup but considerably more planted and predictable. In “hard” mode it feels a LOT more precise than before but shakes your fillings out on most roads. I vote for Nitrons with their standard springs and poly bushes, but to be fair haven’t tried any of the other after market options.