Discussion
I need to replace shocks on my 400. Thrown in when I bought the car was a set of 4 old shocks. Two have yellow springs. These are labelled as Bilstein with TVR/Eibach springs. Two have red TVR/Eibach springs but have no manufacturers logos on damper.
Potenially are these of use? Are they re-furbishable? Or should I bin them & fit Racing Reds/Gaz Golds (or others?).
Potenially are these of use? Are they re-furbishable? Or should I bin them & fit Racing Reds/Gaz Golds (or others?).
Bin em and fit Nitrons . . . best option.
I wouldn't trust the old ones. You need to consider what you're going to do with the car. If it's a high days and holidays cruising, 3k a year, no track days weekend car then I wouldn't bother going adjustable. Buy some more Bilsteins, certainly less aggravation than Gaz.
If you're thinking of a few trackdays over the next couple of years, going to do some touring wwhere you may need to adjust ride height or you're really doing higher mileage with enthusiastic use then buy as expensive as you can afford. For suspension it generally means better quality.
Search is your friend, as there's probably no more discussed subject on the TVR forums . . .
I wouldn't trust the old ones. You need to consider what you're going to do with the car. If it's a high days and holidays cruising, 3k a year, no track days weekend car then I wouldn't bother going adjustable. Buy some more Bilsteins, certainly less aggravation than Gaz.
If you're thinking of a few trackdays over the next couple of years, going to do some touring wwhere you may need to adjust ride height or you're really doing higher mileage with enthusiastic use then buy as expensive as you can afford. For suspension it generally means better quality.
Search is your friend, as there's probably no more discussed subject on the TVR forums . . .
Johno said:
Bin em and fit Nitrons . . . best option.
I wouldn't trust the old ones. You need to consider what you're going to do with the car. If it's a high days and holidays cruising, 3k a year, no track days weekend car then I wouldn't bother going adjustable. Buy some more Bilsteins, certainly less aggravation than Gaz.
If you're thinking of a few trackdays over the next couple of years, going to do some touring wwhere you may need to adjust ride height or you're really doing higher mileage with enthusiastic use then buy as expensive as you can afford. For suspension it generally means better quality.
That's good advice, especially the bit about Gaz, if I ever return to the Griff/Chim it'll be Bilsteins for me.I wouldn't trust the old ones. You need to consider what you're going to do with the car. If it's a high days and holidays cruising, 3k a year, no track days weekend car then I wouldn't bother going adjustable. Buy some more Bilsteins, certainly less aggravation than Gaz.
If you're thinking of a few trackdays over the next couple of years, going to do some touring wwhere you may need to adjust ride height or you're really doing higher mileage with enthusiastic use then buy as expensive as you can afford. For suspension it generally means better quality.
mmmmm ive been thinking about this for a while now,mine are original billies,and at the last service were noted as starting to weep,so i know its time to change,but i really am unsure as which way to go..... for as many Gaz fan boys there are,there are other options.... im leaning towards protechs but wish there was one clear choice..... Nitrons it seems for those who use the car to its full potential,ie track days is a clear winner,at a price,for my self and my needs they are are excessive,and ill never need them,racing reds had some issues and no one seems to speak about them now,Gaz nickels,Gaz pro's and replacement Billies seem to be the options available....local indie advised AVO, though ive decided against those from previous threads on here,so im really stuck as to which way to go,not wanting to start a war as to which is best,as that is really down to use and personal choice,but just wish it was more clear cut.
Green Meanie said:
Nitrons fitted allround on mine 
Fantastic ! definately recommended
G.M
another thumbs up for Nitrons. I rarely track the car but drive about 12kpa and regularly push the car hard, when conditions allow, especially on windy B roads and find the Nitrons are just brilliant. real confidence. I am sure a big element has to do with the set up of the car too. can only compare them to standard shocks and AVOs which were terrible. you do have to get the nitrons serviced every two years which is a bit of a ball ache Fantastic ! definately recommended
G.M
I'm in exactly the same position, running an early pre cat with knackered shocks and springs. I would love to be able to just spend a grand on suspension but the bottom line is I don't have that to spend.
My car is purely a road car, therefore rose jointed ends etc would be wasted on me. I appreciate that second hand shocks are not ideal but surely a set that are clean and tidy from a low mileage car that is being uprated are better that say the ones on mine that are rusty and rough looking, plus someone gets a few quid back for their old ones.
So if you've got a set in good nick kicking around in your garage give me a shout.
My car is purely a road car, therefore rose jointed ends etc would be wasted on me. I appreciate that second hand shocks are not ideal but surely a set that are clean and tidy from a low mileage car that is being uprated are better that say the ones on mine that are rusty and rough looking, plus someone gets a few quid back for their old ones.
So if you've got a set in good nick kicking around in your garage give me a shout.
Just had my Protechs refurbed - excellent.
They are about 6 or 7 years old so were pretty well knackered but for £65 each I now have pretty much new shocks all round. I didn't realise how bad mine were until I drove it with this set on - fantastic.
FYI, just hard-ish road use, no or very few track days intended.
They are about 6 or 7 years old so were pretty well knackered but for £65 each I now have pretty much new shocks all round. I didn't realise how bad mine were until I drove it with this set on - fantastic.
FYI, just hard-ish road use, no or very few track days intended.
Quinny said:
For a normal everyday car, I really rate the Bilsteins, my old griff 400 had Konis and they were quite poor... I swapped them for AVO's that were truly shocking (pun intended)
In the end I stumped up for a boggo standard set of new Bilsteins, and they were just fine...
The only reason I've got a spare set, is that during my Chassis work, a set of almost new ones turned up on ebay, and I couldn't resist at the price...
Otherwise my old ones would have gone back on..
So it was you I was bidding against was it!... did quite fancy them myself as I too like the std units.. you got a good buy there... what had they done?... 7K or something!In the end I stumped up for a boggo standard set of new Bilsteins, and they were just fine...
The only reason I've got a spare set, is that during my Chassis work, a set of almost new ones turned up on ebay, and I couldn't resist at the price...
Otherwise my old ones would have gone back on..
can't see that working!Quinny said:
Well you can have the last laugh if they start pissing oil in the first week..... Cos I've sold on the originals as well
Must say I did think about that.. 10 years on a shelf without being moved?... have thoes seal stuck to the shaft??.. rotate them first before pushing in / out.. that's how we un-stick seals from our printing machines so the lip is not torn (although I suspect you've been testing them already)... Sure they'll be fine
Q Plate said:
I'm in exactly the same position, running an early pre cat with knackered shocks and springs. I would love to be able to just spend a grand on suspension but the bottom line is I don't have that to spend.
My car is purely a road car, therefore rose jointed ends etc would be wasted on me. I appreciate that second hand shocks are not ideal but surely a set that are clean and tidy from a low mileage car that is being uprated are better that say the ones on mine that are rusty and rough looking, plus someone gets a few quid back for their old ones.
So if you've got a set in good nick kicking around in your garage give me a shout.
Q Plate, I'm pretty sure I've still got my standard Bilsteins lying around somewhere. I'll have a look on Monday.My car is purely a road car, therefore rose jointed ends etc would be wasted on me. I appreciate that second hand shocks are not ideal but surely a set that are clean and tidy from a low mileage car that is being uprated are better that say the ones on mine that are rusty and rough looking, plus someone gets a few quid back for their old ones.
So if you've got a set in good nick kicking around in your garage give me a shout.
Let me know if you'd be interested. They are original Billy's from my 2001 500SE which have covered 25333 miles.
Simon.
edited to state mileage correctly
Edited by Mr MoJo on Friday 19th March 12:12
Gassing Station | Griffith | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff