Newbie alert!...Suspension upgrade?
Discussion
Hi all, just picked up my first TVR at the weekend ('97 4.0 Chimaera) and loving it! It's got 37k on the clock. I've read quite a few comments on here about upgrading suspension being a major advance on the original car. Can anyone let me know what difference it makes please? I'm not using the car for track days so am more concerned with touring ability.
Many thanks in advance!
Many thanks in advance!
I changed the original shocks for AVO's, good improvement, I changed the AVO's for Gaz Gold Pro - different league. I don't do trackdays either, but on one of my usual cross country routes, I am significantly quicker with the Gaz.
However, my Cerbera has Nitrons and forget leagues, they are in a world of their own, a most excellent ride and road holding.
If you have the spare cash, go for the Nitrons.
Other guys here have other makes, but I can't vouch for them.
Top choice of car BTW - Welcome
However, my Cerbera has Nitrons and forget leagues, they are in a world of their own, a most excellent ride and road holding.
If you have the spare cash, go for the Nitrons.
Other guys here have other makes, but I can't vouch for them.
Top choice of car BTW - Welcome
When I got my 96 4.0 it came with a tired set of Avos, which were pretty terrible. The car would ground out, wallow through corners and it just didn't inspire me with any confidence. I only use the car for touring and some weekend blats so decided I couldn't justify (or afford) Nitrons, so I went with a set of Gaz Gold Pros as they seemed to be a good budget choice.
They cost me £600 for the set and I fitted them myself. I then got the geometry setup (plus a balljoint replaced which I hadn't spotted) and that cost a further £240. The difference was apparent straightaway. The car feels much more planted and turns into corners much better. Also no more grounding out when the backend drops under acceleration.
Having never tried the Nitrons and can't comment on their feel, but if you're on a tight budget the Gaz Golds will be a good choice. Having tested them up Welsh mountains, round the Evo Triangle, across Snake Pass and round the Peaks I can say I'm very happy with them. And most of that was 2 up with the boot crammed with luggage!
They cost me £600 for the set and I fitted them myself. I then got the geometry setup (plus a balljoint replaced which I hadn't spotted) and that cost a further £240. The difference was apparent straightaway. The car feels much more planted and turns into corners much better. Also no more grounding out when the backend drops under acceleration.
Having never tried the Nitrons and can't comment on their feel, but if you're on a tight budget the Gaz Golds will be a good choice. Having tested them up Welsh mountains, round the Evo Triangle, across Snake Pass and round the Peaks I can say I'm very happy with them. And most of that was 2 up with the boot crammed with luggage!
A suspension overhaul/upgrade is on the "to do" list for my '96 car, still all original as far as I know,so following this thread with interest.
Anyone have any comments on Pro-techs? good as, equal to, better than Gaz Gold ?
Raceproved had a good offer on back around Christmas, but may well have finished by now ?
ETA.....
All these names are a bit "new fangled" to me ! When I was a kid rich people had Bilsteins and the rest of us had Spax,who still exist and do list the Chimaera, anyone using them ?
Anyone have any comments on Pro-techs? good as, equal to, better than Gaz Gold ?
Raceproved had a good offer on back around Christmas, but may well have finished by now ?
ETA.....
All these names are a bit "new fangled" to me ! When I was a kid rich people had Bilsteins and the rest of us had Spax,who still exist and do list the Chimaera, anyone using them ?
Edited by phillpot on Monday 11th April 20:20
Chris71 said:
The Gaz Monotubes are being toted as Nitron-styled technology for barely half the price. I've got a set on my 500 and I'm pretty impressed so far. The valving allows you to run them really quite stiff and still retain the ride quality.
Did hear myself that these are going well... can I ask how much?... Nitron's are about £1200... these can't be 1/2 that I'm sure??I bought a 97 Chim 6 months ago and seem to be the only person in the world to have bought Gaz Nickels! Car had around 70k on the clock so was easier to replace the whole set rather that replace the original springs n Bilsteins ( which perhaps are a better individually made shock, I loved em on my 930).
The car doesn't wallow as much with the firmed up ride, but other than that it's surprisingly similar to pre fit handling.
The car doesn't wallow as much with the firmed up ride, but other than that it's surprisingly similar to pre fit handling.
I went with Gaz Nickels, only because of a broken rear shocker. I have to say that I wish I had kept with the origional spring ratings as the ride now seems a bit harsh. 425F 375R. As I still have the old shocks I am thinking of putting the old springs on, but having paid RG to do the geo set up I don't feel inclined to have to pay out again, for the time being.
TVR Beaver said:
Chris71 said:
The Gaz Monotubes are being toted as Nitron-styled technology for barely half the price. I've got a set on my 500 and I'm pretty impressed so far. The valving allows you to run them really quite stiff and still retain the ride quality.
Did hear myself that these are going well... can I ask how much?... Nitron's are about £1200... these can't be 1/2 that I'm sure??Chris71 said:
Ah, I thought Nitrons were closer to £2k...
No, that's Intrax... Especially for road driving, I'd urge anyone to go for the very best they can afford (which will be different for everyone, so no specific recommendation here bar to say that generally, you get what you pay for).
The demands on dampers for (non-competitive) track use are comparatively simple unless the track in question is the Nordschleife...
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