Griff 4.5 suspension overhaul for 18" Spiders
Discussion
at long last am biting the bullet and sorting out the suspension on my (press car) 4.5 Griff. It has 18" spiders on the back which needed a s/h set of Nitrons off ebay to get the ride height OK, but the front then wasn't Ok, and it's been a dog's dinner in the ride quality for ages. Now booked to local chaps TrackvRoad to fit new Nitrons all round and get it set up proper. will report back.
Will be very interested to hear how you get on? I have 18" Spiders on all round with standard suspension set up, looks "The Dogs" but a bit skittish when pushed hard on track and interesting handling under very hard braking have made me decide to upgrade the stock suspension set up.
Biggest questions for me recently has been, which brand to go for and which company to go with? Also, who has the knowledge and experience to set a Griff up with 18" Spiders on?
well BigAshy I have opted for a more expensive shock on advice that, although cheaper alternatives exist, it may not be worth cutting corners in the long run - especially as the rest of the car is in very good nick and uprated from standard (engine & brakes). Ian at TvR has suggested going for the last-known 'standard' suspension settings from the factory as these are probably the best for fast road & touring use (as opposed to track/race settings)and just getting the ride heights correct at front and back. This should solve the main problem of 'skittish/bouncy' back end as my current shocks are just set way too hard and the fronts are standard factory Bilsteins with no adjustment. It's being done on 19th May and I'll let you know how it goes.
As to where to go, I have opted for TvR as they are my most local option and are well recommended for this type of work. That said, I also use the ex-factory guys in Blackpool who are also excellent and Steve Gugliemi has also been recommeded (I think he's in the Midlands and a bit far for me)
As to where to go, I have opted for TvR as they are my most local option and are well recommended for this type of work. That said, I also use the ex-factory guys in Blackpool who are also excellent and Steve Gugliemi has also been recommeded (I think he's in the Midlands and a bit far for me)
All sounds good sprevett, I was going to give Joo a ring at TCS, But I believe sadly they are no more. You must be in the same vicinity as I am as I keep in touch with X Works Service who are spot on and TvR are only 3/4 of an hour away from me.
I would expect the last standard settings that you talk of would be a good bench mark to start with but would imagine that some fine tuning would be required to offset the larger 18 x 8J rims including the additional unsprung weight?
I will watch this space and await your update, Cheers!
I would expect the last standard settings that you talk of would be a good bench mark to start with but would imagine that some fine tuning would be required to offset the larger 18 x 8J rims including the additional unsprung weight?
I will watch this space and await your update, Cheers!
sprevett said:
well BigAshy I have opted for a more expensive shock on advice that, although cheaper alternatives exist, it may not be worth cutting corners in the long run - especially as the rest of the car is in very good nick and uprated from standard (engine & brakes). Ian at TvR has suggested going for the last-known 'standard' suspension settings from the factory as these are probably the best for fast road & touring use (as opposed to track/race settings)and just getting the ride heights correct at front and back. This should solve the main problem of 'skittish/bouncy' back end as my current shocks are just set way too hard and the fronts are standard factory Bilsteins with no adjustment. It's being done on 19th May and I'll let you know how it goes.
As to where to go, I have opted for TvR as they are my most local option and are well recommended for this type of work. That said, I also use the ex-factory guys in Blackpool who are also excellent and Steve Gugliemi has also been recommeded (I think he's in the Midlands and a bit far for me)
A good geo setup makes all the difference As to where to go, I have opted for TvR as they are my most local option and are well recommended for this type of work. That said, I also use the ex-factory guys in Blackpool who are also excellent and Steve Gugliemi has also been recommeded (I think he's in the Midlands and a bit far for me)
Mine's totally transformed since I took it to Centre Gravity HRG said:
sprevett said:
well BigAshy I have opted for a more expensive shock on advice that, although cheaper alternatives exist, it may not be worth cutting corners in the long run - especially as the rest of the car is in very good nick and uprated from standard (engine & brakes). Ian at TvR has suggested going for the last-known 'standard' suspension settings from the factory as these are probably the best for fast road & touring use (as opposed to track/race settings)and just getting the ride heights correct at front and back. This should solve the main problem of 'skittish/bouncy' back end as my current shocks are just set way too hard and the fronts are standard factory Bilsteins with no adjustment. It's being done on 19th May and I'll let you know how it goes.
As to where to go, I have opted for TvR as they are my most local option and are well recommended for this type of work. That said, I also use the ex-factory guys in Blackpool who are also excellent and Steve Gugliemi has also been recommeded (I think he's in the Midlands and a bit far for me)
A good geo setup makes all the difference As to where to go, I have opted for TvR as they are my most local option and are well recommended for this type of work. That said, I also use the ex-factory guys in Blackpool who are also excellent and Steve Gugliemi has also been recommeded (I think he's in the Midlands and a bit far for me)
Mine's totally transformed since I took it to Centre Gravity 
Foot Note............. Steve have you won the Lotto since the last GG
They're in Atherstone. Yes, drive in about 10:30 AM and simply drive out about 21:30
A basic road setup is about £200 and it's money very well spent IMO. Mine cost more than the basic as the rear toe adjusters were seized (I forgot to do them when I had them in the vice
) but Chris doesn't try to rip you off.
I wouldn't have believed Griffs can handle before I took it there but they certainly can if they're set up well. He even explained that mine would turn in then have to be backed off till it settled in the turn just from the geo it was running.
A good geo setup performed by someone who knows their stuff is a very good investment as far as I'm concerned.
A basic road setup is about £200 and it's money very well spent IMO. Mine cost more than the basic as the rear toe adjusters were seized (I forgot to do them when I had them in the vice
) but Chris doesn't try to rip you off.I wouldn't have believed Griffs can handle before I took it there but they certainly can if they're set up well. He even explained that mine would turn in then have to be backed off till it settled in the turn just from the geo it was running.
A good geo setup performed by someone who knows their stuff is a very good investment as far as I'm concerned.
HRG said:
They're in Atherstone. Yes, drive in about 10:30 AM and simply drive out about 21:30
A basic road setup is about £200 and it's money very well spent IMO. Mine cost more than the basic as the rear toe adjusters were seized (I forgot to do them when I had them in the vice) but Chris doesn't try to rip you off.
I wouldn't have believed Griffs can handle before I took it there but they certainly can if they're set up well. He even explained that mine would turn in then have to be backed off till it settled in the turn just from the geo it was running.
A good geo setup performed by someone who knows their stuff is a very good investment as far as I'm concerned.
Cheers Rob do they have a web site mate A basic road setup is about £200 and it's money very well spent IMO. Mine cost more than the basic as the rear toe adjusters were seized (I forgot to do them when I had them in the vice
) but Chris doesn't try to rip you off.I wouldn't have believed Griffs can handle before I took it there but they certainly can if they're set up well. He even explained that mine would turn in then have to be backed off till it settled in the turn just from the geo it was running.
A good geo setup performed by someone who knows their stuff is a very good investment as far as I'm concerned.
Pasco said:
HRG said:
They're in Atherstone. Yes, drive in about 10:30 AM and simply drive out about 21:30
A basic road setup is about £200 and it's money very well spent IMO. Mine cost more than the basic as the rear toe adjusters were seized (I forgot to do them when I had them in the vice) but Chris doesn't try to rip you off.
I wouldn't have believed Griffs can handle before I took it there but they certainly can if they're set up well. He even explained that mine would turn in then have to be backed off till it settled in the turn just from the geo it was running.
A good geo setup performed by someone who knows their stuff is a very good investment as far as I'm concerned.
Cheers Rob do they have a web site mate A basic road setup is about £200 and it's money very well spent IMO. Mine cost more than the basic as the rear toe adjusters were seized (I forgot to do them when I had them in the vice
) but Chris doesn't try to rip you off.I wouldn't have believed Griffs can handle before I took it there but they certainly can if they're set up well. He even explained that mine would turn in then have to be backed off till it settled in the turn just from the geo it was running.
A good geo setup performed by someone who knows their stuff is a very good investment as far as I'm concerned.
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