Discussion
Anyone got any real life experience of replacement suspension? I have looked at some of the previous postings where people talk about the costs and problems with fitting various bits and bobs but I was wondering if anyone has had suspension fitted which transforms the car to a new level of abilities. I drove a Boxster S recently and I was pretty amazed at it's handling on fairly crappy (but very twisty) B roads. The Griff would have been bouncing about all over the place. My experience with Motorbikes is that quality suspension (e.g. Ohlins, WPS etc) is quite compliant yet allows you to hold a tight line much better than stock components. Are cars the same cos my Griff (4.0) suspension is pretty hard. I reckon with a decent setup the car would be even better than it is now.
I'd like to know the answer to this question aswell. I often read comments that the newer cars (Tamora, Tuscan) handle so differently and so much better than the older ones. Has anyone modified the suspension on their Griff or Chim so that it has reduced or removed the difference? Is this possible or is it all down to the chassis?
I had Avo shocks fitted earlier this year, but have had neither a good on-road blast, or (better still) any on-track time. However, my initial feeleing was that (on rebound setting # 15 of 24) things felt better.
So I was slightly crestfallen when TVR's chassis man (& highly acomplished Griff' sprinter) Neil Anderson told me that they would possibly be no good when used hard, and I should have shelled out more dosh on better shocks!
Couldn't really give you a better answer......YET.
I'm also interested in other peoples advice/experience, though I'm not holding my breath, since finding a good suspension upgrade is tricky & expensive, I think people may keep the good news to themselves!
Marcus
& Ocean Haze Griff 500
So I was slightly crestfallen when TVR's chassis man (& highly acomplished Griff' sprinter) Neil Anderson told me that they would possibly be no good when used hard, and I should have shelled out more dosh on better shocks!
Couldn't really give you a better answer......YET.
I'm also interested in other peoples advice/experience, though I'm not holding my breath, since finding a good suspension upgrade is tricky & expensive, I think people may keep the good news to themselves!
Marcus
& Ocean Haze Griff 500
The best advice I can give... is first identify what the problem is with the suspension/handling is and why it is happening. Then start thinking about solutions which in many cases can be as varied as different tyres pressures, wheel geometry, whether or not you have an anti-roll bar and different driving techniques. Often bad handling can be caused by worn bushes and other components.
If you find the AVOs fine and you don't know how they will handle on a track yet, then I would leave things alone, start saving money as quality shocks are expensive.
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
If you find the AVOs fine and you don't know how they will handle on a track yet, then I would leave things alone, start saving money as quality shocks are expensive.
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
I am not sure that my Griff has any particular handling defects, it's just that the suspension is flippin hard and anything other than a smooth surface can unsettle the car. On the same road the Boxster S was like a magic carpet and was quicker/safer. I was wondering if there was a simple solution to this. My Triumph Daytona handled great, like the Griff, was rock hard (like the Griff). I has a set of WPS suspension fitted ... job done, total transformation. The bike was quicker, safer and more comfortable, track performance was better as well. The previous Griff suspension bulletins never seem to come to a concensus ... maybe there isn't one.
Hi Jeff,
I've had Ohlins suspension fitted to my Griff 500 and it has made a great improvement to the way the car handles. Firstly though I would suggest that if you are not happy with the handling of your car that you get the suspension geometry and condition fully checked over.
Before I had the Ohlins fitted I found that a slight increase in negative camber (1.5 to 2 degrees) to the front improved things along with fitting harder poly bushes.
What the Ohlins suspension has done is smooth out the reaction of the car to the bumps in the road (sorry not very technical). The most dramatic change for me however has been in the transformation of control over the rear end of the car. I had the oportunity of going around Snetterton after the suspension was fitted and found that (even for a novice like me) The Esses were not as daunting under heavy braking as before. The rear end grip does not seem to be anywhere near as influenced by a shift in the centre of gravity under heavy braking as it was previously.
This has certainly improved the car both for track days and normal road driving in my opinion. Mind you, the insurance company put a surcharge of 15% on the premium because the suspension is adjustable. Still worth it though.
Mike
I've had Ohlins suspension fitted to my Griff 500 and it has made a great improvement to the way the car handles. Firstly though I would suggest that if you are not happy with the handling of your car that you get the suspension geometry and condition fully checked over.
Before I had the Ohlins fitted I found that a slight increase in negative camber (1.5 to 2 degrees) to the front improved things along with fitting harder poly bushes.
What the Ohlins suspension has done is smooth out the reaction of the car to the bumps in the road (sorry not very technical). The most dramatic change for me however has been in the transformation of control over the rear end of the car. I had the oportunity of going around Snetterton after the suspension was fitted and found that (even for a novice like me) The Esses were not as daunting under heavy braking as before. The rear end grip does not seem to be anywhere near as influenced by a shift in the centre of gravity under heavy braking as it was previously.
This has certainly improved the car both for track days and normal road driving in my opinion. Mind you, the insurance company put a surcharge of 15% on the premium because the suspension is adjustable. Still worth it though.
Mike
quote:
Search the archives for 'Nitron'.
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)
Pete
Thanks for the advice.
So I guess, from what I've just ready on the 'Nitron' discussions, that the Avo Shocks won't really improve things much?
IMO the main difficulty with my car is under heavy braking (already mentioned in other discussions), where the rear lightens-up too much, and tends to be very nervous.
Marcus
& Ocean Haze Griff 500
quote:
IMO the main difficulty with my car is under heavy braking (already mentioned in other discussions), where the rear lightens-up too much, and tends to be very nervous.
Marcus
& Ocean Haze Griff 500
It's a problem with Griffiths/Chimaeras because the rear suspension is very soft and has no anti-lift, so the back ends lifts miles under heavy braking. Eventually the weight transfer settles out but while it's doing it the balance of the car goes all over the place. My Nitrons have 'race poppets' which avoid the low-speed bleed that is normally built into shock absorbers, this increases the amount of damping available to control this low speed movement. Guy recommends this type for Griffiths/Chimaeras to compensate for this problem.
Cheers,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)
Edited by Greenv8s on Wednesday 12th December 14:14
It sounds like there is quite a difference between the early and later Griffs. Mine is an early one and under no definition could either the front or back be described as soft. I have done a few track days (Castle Coombe, Donington and Nurburgring) and have never had any problems under braking. Mine is very susceptible to changes in road surfaces. On smooth flowing roads it's absolutely brilliant but there ain't many of these. On more crappy (normal) roads you constantly have to correct the steering, there is also quite a lot of bump steer. I read somewhere that the early Griffs had lower(and much harder) suspension with a different suspension geometry which is susceptible to bump steer. Presumably replacing the bushes would help but I doubt it would cure it. With regard to price, a decent bike shock is £500 - £700 so presumably a car is 4x that?
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