Mk. I handling Vs Mk 2 (With or without Nitron etc changes)

[Ticker]

Guys,

seeing posts previously about handling, has anyone had both to comment on the above, I have a Mk 1 with nitrons. Is the Mk2 much improved?

Dave

[silvergriff]

Hi Ticker,

Cant comment on the mark 2, but i fitted nitrons to my mk1 red rose and the difference in handling was fantastic......

Pete

[glow worm]

From what I gather original Mk1s were fitted with Harvey-Bailey shock absorbers (cheap bulk purchase by PW) and it was those (plus poor setup) that gave the MK1 such a bad handling reputation.MK2s are fitted with Eibach springs and Bilstein dampers (preferably the German ones ) and in my humble (slow) opinion handle OK.... but others will disagree.

[Ticker]

SilverGriff,

I agree,Mk1 with Nitrons is my set up, but you hear so much, I was just checking with improved chassis etc. It would have to be something special to better now (IMHO), just wondering if someone was lucky enuff to experience both

Dave

[Daston]

The mk1 also had a quicker rack as PW liked cars with that sharp racey feel. This mixed with the bad shocks and questionable set up caused some interesting handling.

[Laser Sag]

I had 2 MK1s and then a MKII from new which had nitrons fitted after the bilsteins failed at 13000 miles.The MK1s always felt a bit lively but that was down to the quick rack as stated earlier in the thread the MKII has a slightly slower rack which felt a lot more stable from the off and the nitrons improved road holding but I felt at the expense of the general ride which always felt a bit harder,great for a hoon but not so good for a trip to the dordogne with luggage.Probably fair to say that the MK1s need a lighter hand on the wheel so that the quick rack is not so noticable.All my opinion of course but at the end of the day the MKII in standard form and with the nitrons was much easier to hustle down a bumpy road.

[Ticker]

Laser Sag.

Not so bothered on tootling bumpy roads, is the handling equal when the sceeching banshees come into play? Is there any noticeable difference?

Dave

[dvs_dave]

Before I bought by Tuscan (Mk1 S), I hired a Mk2 for 3 weeks and drove it a good 2500 miles. It felt good and nowhere near as scary as I anticipated. Obviously I liked it so much, I went out and bought one!

After getting used to my Mk1 S, I was suprised as to how similar it felt to the Mk2, even on the standard suspension. I would say that the back end was twitchier, and hooning down a B road, the car would bounce around a fair bit and would be a bit of handful.

I had Nitron's fitted with full geo and corner weighting and the difference was night and day. It was much better than the Mk2 ever was and the ride was imeasurably smoother and more controlled. The handling was transformed and B road dashes were no longer bumpy white knuckle affairs. It also sorted the high speed stability and driving at 120 mph+ it's rock solid and very confidence inspiring. It feels exactly as I believe it should and isn't at all scary to drive.

[dvs_dave]

Ticker said:

Laser Sag.

Not so bothered on tootling bumpy roads, is the handling equal when the sceeching banshees come into play? Is there any noticeable difference?

Dave

Well that's all down to how you have the suspension set-up. If it's fitted with adjustable suspension (ala Nitron), you can stiffen the dampers right up, drop the ride height and bang on a load of negative camber and it'll handle and go round corners like a race car if that's what you want!

[Ticker]

Hi,

has anyone fitted Steve Heath drop links and polybushes, do they actually make a difference??

Dave

[so called]

After my new geometry, shocks, springs and Alloys on my Mk1, for me, she was fantastic. No jitters or heart stopping feelings of loss of control.
With my Mk2 she doesnt feel quite as planted. Had the geometry done but couldnt feel any change.
Front near Bilstien is weeping a little so needs changing but not realy sure what to do to get her as good as the Mk1.

Quick question.........do I need to change both front shocks at the same time or just the dodgy one ?


Thanks,
Tony.

[Ticker]

So called,

I had Nitrons as mine went in for MOT and has front bilstein leaking slightly, PPC owner Paul ,from Melton Mobrary stated you need to change at least two to ensure correct alignment from side to side

dave

[NCE 61]

My 00 MK1 Tuscan originally had 16" wheels and was OK handling wise, but the HB spring rates were too low. Had 18” wheels and Nitron suspension fitted, geometry changed to recommended figures and after some adjustments to the damping was very good on all roads.

06 MK2 S with Bilstein suspension very good, feels even better than the MK1 with it’s modifications.

Unless you are doing a lot of track driving I don’t think Nitrons are really necessary ,although they are very well made and re-buildable.

[TVR_owner]

Our Mk 2 (convertible) in standard form and with standard set up is very good on the road. Track use shows up only a minor fault with the front shocks (not enough rebound) but I have to say I am very impressed with the car alround.

Edited by TVR_owner on Wednesday 7th October 07:45

[rens914]

so called said:

After my new geometry, shocks, springs and Alloys on my Mk1, for me, she was fantastic. No jitters or heart stopping feelings of loss of control.
With my Mk2 she doesnt feel quite as planted. Had the geometry done but couldnt feel any change.
Front near Bilstien is weeping a little so needs changing but not realy sure what to do to get her as good as the Mk1.

Quick question.........do I need to change both front shocks at the same time or just the dodgy one ?


Thanks,
Tony.

yep
you'll need both changed (when the other one is a lot older)
the new one can be stiffer. this could give serious handling problems when driving on the edge.
even a ful stop could let your car slide over the nose (L/R)
rens

[BDM]

Where is best to go for advise on spring rates, set up, full geo etc?

Thanks

[GT TVR]

My MKII S is pretty good out of the box, especially the cornering is amazing. I adjusted the rear camber to 2.0 and reduced front toe/in and now it's very good on B-roads and on track. On the motorway it's pretty good but not perfect: brilliant up to 100-110 mph, skittish above that. I have the feeling the S is setup too hard so I´ll be going the Nitron route so I can adjust it.

[so called]

Thanks Ticker and Rens914,
Thats what I suspected.

As far as springs, geo set up etc, Derek is the man who did an excellent job on my Mk1.

DEREK.....DEREK.... are you out there. I know your reading this.

[spartridge]

Ticker said:

Hi,

has anyone fitted Steve Heath drop links and polybushes, do they actually make a difference??

Dave

Just in the process of having this done now, amongst other things. Happy to let you know outcome...