Dampers- again
Discussion
Hi all, my Gaz shocks are due a rebuild but I'm wondering whether to just replace them entirely.
I've looked through several threads but all seem a bit out of date, is the concensus still that nitron is the best option, followed by Gaz gold Pro? Have never had the car on track but need to change this!!
Thanks,
TC
I've looked through several threads but all seem a bit out of date, is the concensus still that nitron is the best option, followed by Gaz gold Pro? Have never had the car on track but need to change this!!
Thanks,
TC
Wow a lot of responses, thanks, I was assuming there would be a standard opinion of best, middle and worst but seem to be a lot of options!
I'm slowly building a track car which I am planning on spending "proper" money on for a good and very adjustable set up, however I was hoping for a lazy "comfortable" option for the Tuscan... wishful thinking maybe!
It doesn't get taken on track, just hoping for something to let it ride the rough roads a bit better than the old Gaz units fitted that undoubtedly need attention anyway.
I'm slowly building a track car which I am planning on spending "proper" money on for a good and very adjustable set up, however I was hoping for a lazy "comfortable" option for the Tuscan... wishful thinking maybe!
It doesn't get taken on track, just hoping for something to let it ride the rough roads a bit better than the old Gaz units fitted that undoubtedly need attention anyway.
Cheers, there are a mixture of defects on the roads around me! There are some lovely smooth sections which are great, but a couple of local roads (including an old airstrip unfortunately) have a really rough surface that means it is hard to get traction both pulling and stopping, my favorite road on my commute has a smooth surface but is uneven and if going fast the exhaust would touch the road pretty much from start to finish.
Because of this I'm not fussed about track-ability and would rather have a more pleasant drive when I go out locally!
Because of this I'm not fussed about track-ability and would rather have a more pleasant drive when I go out locally!
fredd1e said:
For a road only car I'd look at the bilstiens. There are two main options (or were) over the stock Tuscan fittings.
1st the Tuscan S bilstien s, this came with increased rear spring rate to 50Nmm (from memory) . I still found that spring rate a little too soft for local roads on my T350C and could bottom it out easily.
2nd Sagaris factory Bilstiens, these have longer and more progressive bump rubbers so the sudden transition on to the bump rubber being compressed is lessened, you coud also look at stiffer spring options for these though I'd stick with close to the original factory front spring rates rather than the stiff Sagaris front rate . Both the bilstien options have lovely bump compliance damping so dont feel harsh like a track damper can which has no need for lower speed ride comfort from my experience . Ben Lang @blackdown automotive may be a good chap to chat to about the billies and springs . PS if your local roads dont undulate too much then the Tuscan S rear rate may work for you.
Have made contact with Ben 1st the Tuscan S bilstien s, this came with increased rear spring rate to 50Nmm (from memory) . I still found that spring rate a little too soft for local roads on my T350C and could bottom it out easily.
2nd Sagaris factory Bilstiens, these have longer and more progressive bump rubbers so the sudden transition on to the bump rubber being compressed is lessened, you coud also look at stiffer spring options for these though I'd stick with close to the original factory front spring rates rather than the stiff Sagaris front rate . Both the bilstien options have lovely bump compliance damping so dont feel harsh like a track damper can which has no need for lower speed ride comfort from my experience . Ben Lang @blackdown automotive may be a good chap to chat to about the billies and springs . PS if your local roads dont undulate too much then the Tuscan S rear rate may work for you.
Minor update, I finally removed all units last night and decided to drop them in to Gaz for servicing. One of the rears has definitely been leaking from the adjuster, and it turns out they are all PRO's. Gaz are only 30 minutes down the road from me and it seemed like the logical thing to do first else I wouldn't have any experience of them in "proper" condition.
The front springs are 400lb, the rears are only 300lb which seem very soft to me and it tallies with my complaint of the car bottoming out on lumpy roads. I've asked Gaz for a pair of 350lb springs for the rears- does this sound like a wise decision?
If the car is disappointing when it's back on the road I will look at changing the shocks but need to establish ground zero first!
The front springs are 400lb, the rears are only 300lb which seem very soft to me and it tallies with my complaint of the car bottoming out on lumpy roads. I've asked Gaz for a pair of 350lb springs for the rears- does this sound like a wise decision?
If the car is disappointing when it's back on the road I will look at changing the shocks but need to establish ground zero first!
I seem to recall that 450 front and 400 rear is what S cars had but may be wrong, it may be prudent to try the same but the front hasn't concerned me too much. Not sure if staying softer will help the ride on some of the rougher roads or if this simplistic way of thinking is actually wrong!
It took under an hour to remove all 4! Refitting will take a little longer as I've already discovered some of them are a tight fit to get back in, also have to set the ride height and I'm contemplating buying corner scales to do it properly (and my next 2 cars).
Unsure how they will perform but can't fault the service from Gaz! Only took 2-3 days and can't believe how cheap it was.
Unsure how they will perform but can't fault the service from Gaz! Only took 2-3 days and can't believe how cheap it was.
clump said:
Hi topcat1
Sounds like you’ve just been through what I’m about to embark upon. Have you got any updates on how the Gaz shocks are performing now vs previously? Have you decided to stick with then or swap then out for something else?
Hi, I've not put many miles on the car this year, but they are a definite improvement over how they were before the rebuild. The slightly stiffer rear springs were an excellent change IMO, it's not race car stiff but I've not had any bottoming out which was common before on certain roads.Sounds like you’ve just been through what I’m about to embark upon. Have you got any updates on how the Gaz shocks are performing now vs previously? Have you decided to stick with then or swap then out for something else?
I have no intention of changing them at the moment, hopefully I'll get a chance to play with them if I get a combination of decent weather and a break in my work load!!
I managed to take the Tuscan out for a spirited drive at the weekend, I don't think it has ever felt so good and was a joy to drive round the "twisties".
Unfortunately I haven't driven anything comparable recently but the grip and comfort were fantastic.
It's given me faith in Gaz, especially as the Gold Pro's that I have are not top of the range any more! To top it off I bought a full set of scales so will corner weigh it over winter and check the geometry so it *should* only get better!
Unfortunately I haven't driven anything comparable recently but the grip and comfort were fantastic.
It's given me faith in Gaz, especially as the Gold Pro's that I have are not top of the range any more! To top it off I bought a full set of scales so will corner weigh it over winter and check the geometry so it *should* only get better!
It was a bit of an extravagant purchase I won't lie, but I'm building two track cars too so thought I *may* get my money out of them! I bought them from Tegiwa Imports, https://www.tegiwaimports.com/proform-2250kg-race-... They were half the price of the BG ones, I'm sure there is a reason for this but haven't heard anything bad about them and I'm sure they will be OK for my minimal use. I also bought their string line kit, again cheaper than BG, comes in a case and looks good quality.
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