Spring dimensions?
Discussion
quote:
Can anyone give me the open/closed lengths and spring rate for the S2? Also the Spring rate for the uprated set up would be helpful.
I've got a detailed spec for the V8S but only basic rates for the V6. The basic rates I've got for the V6 are front 240 lb/in in droop (50% stiffer in bump due to rising rate), rear 280 lb/in in droop (50% stiffer in bump). The fronts also have long bump stops which play an important part. On my V8S with the standard Konis the front and rear springs were the same lengths but different diameters (front 2.25" ID versus rear 2.5" ID) and also different rates to the V6, but I expect this will vary. And I don't know how universal these spring rates and dimensions are that I quoted (I know there are at least two different suspension setups). If you're thinking about changing them, I'd suggest getting matched springs and dampers for your car from somewhere like Tower View. Their Gaz shocks worked really well on the V8S.
Hope this helps,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)
quote:
I was going to get AVO’s as they work out a lot cheaper than the GAZ shocks and they are still rate/height adjustable. I know you get what you pay for but will not be able to afford the GAZ one’s and AVO should be fine for road use.
Hmmm. Have you spoken to anyone [else] who has used AVOs on an S?
Cheers,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)
quote:Each to his own, but I wasn't happy either with performance or quality of the basic adjustable AVOs I had. AVOs do several types of dampers including some posh ones which look very nice, but I haven't tried those.
Are they that bad on the S then?
AVOs have a good reputation on Wedges and (curiously) Cerberas but I've spoken to various S owners who've tried them without finding anyone enthusiatic about them. Frankly I thought they were horrible on the V8S, but maybe you will like them better.
Cheers,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)
Mmm bit put off now, the thing is the car grounds out if driven enthusiastically and I now have a squeaking that seem to be coming from the shock area, I can’t run to a Gaz set up and won’t be able to until summer next year, but I could stretch to Avo’s or Spax with the next few months, but I don’t want to waste my money or do any more damage.
There appears to be a degree of shock absorber snobishness going on - no offence anyone.
I have a set of fully adjustable Avo's on the front of my S2 and have no problems with them what so ever. I had Koni's on before and they were not as good, but, to be honest the bulk of drivers, including TVR drivers would not notice the difference. The only thing I would check is that whatever you buy is easily adjustable, the Koni's are but only if you take them off the car, remove the spring (which is practically impossible without some specialist gear) and compress the shock absorber and rotate - a crap idea!
I think you will find the Avo's fine.
If you really want to feel the diference you should go for nylon bushes etc. but be careful about spending big cash for next to no gain.
Edited by steve B on Thursday 6th December 13:20
I have a set of fully adjustable Avo's on the front of my S2 and have no problems with them what so ever. I had Koni's on before and they were not as good, but, to be honest the bulk of drivers, including TVR drivers would not notice the difference. The only thing I would check is that whatever you buy is easily adjustable, the Koni's are but only if you take them off the car, remove the spring (which is practically impossible without some specialist gear) and compress the shock absorber and rotate - a crap idea!
I think you will find the Avo's fine.
If you really want to feel the diference you should go for nylon bushes etc. but be careful about spending big cash for next to no gain.
Edited by steve B on Thursday 6th December 13:20
quote:
If you really want to feel the diference you should go for nylon bushes etc.
Edited by steve B on Thursday 6th December 13:20
Steve,
nylon bushes seem to be very hard for road use. Have you gone through polyurethane bushes already? if so, how would you rate standard, poly-, and nylon-bushes?
In which order would you replace bushes? (rear trailing arms first, then front wishbones, absorbers, ...or only all together ?)
With regard to Koni's old fashioned adjusting system, I fully agree with you.
Cheers Patrick
quote:
There appears to be a degree of shock absorber snobishness going on - no offence anyone
None taken. I'm only reporting my experience, as you are yours. I don't think I'd classify my dislike as snobishness though, I've gone through perhaps half a dozen different sets of dampers on the car and those AVOs were outstandingly bad.
Re bushes, I've got poly bushes all round now. Bushes do need to be replaced from time to time and there's really no point fitting rubber bushes when the poly ones last so much better. You can get various grades of poly from soft as the original rubber up to almost solid like nylon. I've been told to avoid going that hard as it tends to oval the suspension mounts over time.
There is hardly any rubber in the rear trailing arm bushes and unless they're knackered there's really not much point replacing them. But if they *are* knackered it is critical to replace them as they can cause tramping and throw the geometry miles out. Ditto the diff mounting bushes. The front wishbone bushes are worth replacing for medium grade poly, the standard rubber top bushes seem to suffer badly from the exhaust heat and the poly ones take it much better, going stiffer here improves the lateral response a little.
The last thing you should do is stiffen up the damper bushes, doing this doesn't improve the geometry control and makes the ride harsher, and depending what bushes you've got elsewhere this can make the geometry worse if other things start to flex when you hit bumps. Saying this, I've actually removed the damper bushes completely and gone to rod end bearings, but I can afford to do that because I've got superb (but expensive) Nitrons on, and relatively firm poly bushes (and hard springs etc), and I'm prepared to lose ride comfort for go-kart like handling. I would definitely avoid going for rod end bearings on standard dampers if I were you!
BTW one advantage of going for rod-end bearings on the rear is it reduces the rear axle tramp - with the rear geometry set up right this problem is *almost* gone now.
Cheers,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)
The only bushes I have left to replace on the car with poly ones are the dampers, ARB and diff mountings.
The difference in handling is noticeable and I would recommend doing it.
I was going to do the dampers earlier this year but I reconsidered it, my thinking being similar to Pete's. It would give a harsher ride and it seems a last stage process once I'm completely happy with the other geometry settings, which I'm not at the moment.
Cheers
Mark
The difference in handling is noticeable and I would recommend doing it.
I was going to do the dampers earlier this year but I reconsidered it, my thinking being similar to Pete's. It would give a harsher ride and it seems a last stage process once I'm completely happy with the other geometry settings, which I'm not at the moment.
Cheers
Mark
The beasty is away at the moment having it's new roof put on. New seat fobs being done. New gear stick gaiter, new car mats and then it should look lovely !!!
I think there is a meeting this weekend and I do intend on going, but I'm in the beasty Rover 400 pool car.
I'm moving up to London as i'm now working in Bow and commuting in the TVR is murder. Poor little beast, it's just not enjoying the trek from Maidstone everyday. You're in the city so we could meet up one evening or something as my frequency at the Mid Kent meets might suffer. Although i fully intend on making it to as many as possible.
Cheers
Mark
I think there is a meeting this weekend and I do intend on going, but I'm in the beasty Rover 400 pool car.
I'm moving up to London as i'm now working in Bow and commuting in the TVR is murder. Poor little beast, it's just not enjoying the trek from Maidstone everyday. You're in the city so we could meet up one evening or something as my frequency at the Mid Kent meets might suffer. Although i fully intend on making it to as many as possible.
Cheers
Mark
Well I’m just through the tunnel so pop over if you like.
Mid Kent meet this weekend? There was one on Sunday is there another one?
I’m now thinking just keep the standard set up for another six months then go with SPAX or AVO’s or if funds allow I’ll go Gaz, not sure yet, How long have Gaz been going? Have only heard of them in the last year.
Mid Kent meet this weekend? There was one on Sunday is there another one?
I’m now thinking just keep the standard set up for another six months then go with SPAX or AVO’s or if funds allow I’ll go Gaz, not sure yet, How long have Gaz been going? Have only heard of them in the last year.
I thought the meeting was this Sunday. Well that's my Sunday lunch sorted then. I am utterly hopeless at keeping up to date with when we are supposed to be meeting.
Once I've got the car back then I'll drop you a line and we can arrange something. I'm moving out of maidstone next weekend and will be stopping at the Mitre in Greenwich for a whil probably, until I find somewhere to live a bit more permanent.
Cheers
Mark
Once I've got the car back then I'll drop you a line and we can arrange something. I'm moving out of maidstone next weekend and will be stopping at the Mitre in Greenwich for a whil probably, until I find somewhere to live a bit more permanent.
Cheers
Mark
Gassing Station | S Series | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff