Shocks upgrade or not advice...

[Johnniem]

Had 450 Chim for a few exciting months now. Joined TVRCC and attended first meet yesterday. Initially I hadn't expected smoothness over bumps but I am now thinking that the ride should be smoother than it is with the existing TVR shocks. I don't know whether they have been changed since new but when ROob Ingleby did the inspection thing he found all to be in order and 'recovery' as one would want. The car has done 57900 miles of which 2400 are down to me.

Question; how bumpy should it be? (after all it is a sports car!) and have you changed your shocks and why?

Thanks for any help.

[AlexB]

Mine (400) is quite bumpy, but I was told at its last service that the springs were staring to sag at the front and that the rear shocks were not going to last a great deal longer. I am thinking about the various upgrade choices (Gaz, Protech, Avo, Nitron etc) as I haven't been able to find some like for like spares - the replacement Bilstein shocks from TVR Power are more costly than some 'upgrade' kits (which include new springs) so I'm at a bit of a loss as I don't reall want ins premiums to go up for a 'modification', but need to replace the shocks and springs soon.

Not much help I'm afraid, but from what I've read new shocks/springs after several tens of thousands of miles will make quite a difference to the feel of the car!

Alex

[Flintstone]

I've replaced my standard shocks (at lower mileage than yours) and the difference is phenomenal. Well worth considering.

[Overhere]

It depends on what you are looking for, it's a performance car and handling sometimes = a stiff ride. The one thing about standard shocks is that they aren't adjustable. I replaced mine with Gaz at first, for a number of reasons they didn't work out to I stumped up for Nitrons. They are really nice, turn them hard and they are great for track days or a good thrash (as long as the roads aren't too bad), adjust them for a softer ride and they really give a great ride, good feedback, solid feel. I'm really happy I've done it.

Main thing is, you want a softer ride, a few clicks to the right and it’s softer, you want a harder ride…