Best Suspension on a budget?

[TVR653X]

What's the best suspension for around £500 that I can fit to my S? I'm wanting something adjustable, so I can keep the nice ride it has now, but then tighten everything up for track/fast road use.

[Gerald-TVR]

Contact Derek at Abs Shocks - top man

[Wiz]

Or use the search feature

Gaz nickels are the obvious choice, Derek will do probably the best price and give you advice on fitting.

Would reccomend getting them fitted by a garage though as its not a big job and the geometry needs setting up after fitting.

If you had the car serviced at sscc guess they have pointed out the shocks/springs have had it. They will fit and set up a new set for about £600-700.

[TVR653X]

Wiz said:

Or use the search feature

Gaz nickels are the obvious choice, Derek will do probably the best price and give you advice on fitting.

Would reccomend getting them fitted by a garage though as its not a big job and the geometry needs setting up after fitting.

If you had the car serviced at sscc guess they have pointed out the shocks/springs have had it. They will fit and set up a new set for about £600-700.

No, not yet. Car isn't taxed yet as the weather has been crap, and I've not got a job right now (temp contract ended). I'll service it ASAP. But yes, Gaz Nickels were suggested by a friend of mine, so I guess they're best. £600/700 seems a lot, plus the suspension, it'll be well over a grand! I suppose I could get them to fit my brakes whilst all the wheels etc are off, save a bit of time and money.

[Wiz]

£600-700 all in.

[TVR653X]

Wiz said:

£600-700 all in.

Ohhh, including the suspension? That's ok then. What's the best plan of action;

1) Service, then view to do suspension and brakes OR
20 Service, with the view that if everything is ok, to go ahead and fit the brakes and suspension?

[Wiz]

Get it checked over and if the brakes and shocks are good why replace them?
Just enjoy the car for the year then think about modifying it later.

[TVR653X]

Wiz said:

Get it checked over and if the brakes and shocks are good why replace them?
Just enjoy the car for the year then think about modifying it later.

Because I already have £400 worth of brakes for it. I need to get it ready for some track day useage.

[Mr Clifford]

For someone who has no money, why would you want to race this thing ?
I just get a bad feeling of a short life for this Tiv

But I know, I know, its your choice !

[TVR653X]

Mr Clifford said:

For someone who has no money, why would you want to race this thing ?
I just get a bad feeling of a short life for this Tiv

But I know, I know, its your choice !

No such thing will be happenin to my TVR! I will have money when I get a job, and I'll be listening and learning from people in the know on how to race it. I just like to get everything done in advance so it's ready.

[Mr Plow]

TVR653X said:

No such thing will be happenin to my TVR! I will have money when I get a job, and I'll be listening and learning from people in the know on how to race it. I just like to get everything done in advance so it's ready.

What racing are you planning to do?

[TVR653X]

Mr Plow said:

TVR653X said:

No such thing will be happenin to my TVR! I will have money when I get a job, and I'll be listening and learning from people in the know on how to race it. I just like to get everything done in advance so it's ready.

What racing are you planning to do?

Trakc days at first, get my racing license, then onto some of the TVR events covered in Sprint. Maybe one day on to the TVR Challenge, but that's a long way off.

[phillpot]

Reckon you'd best be looking out for a well paid job

[Wiz]

Is this before or after the new chassis and the 500 hp engine upgrade?

[Mr Clifford]

TVR653X said:

Mr Clifford said:

For someone who has no money, why would you want to race this thing ?
I just get a bad feeling of a short life for this Tiv

But I know, I know, its your choice !

No such thing will be happenin to my TVR! I will have money when I get a job, and I'll be listening and learning from people in the know on how to race it. I just like to get everything done in advance so it's ready.

I reckon you`d be better to buy a mini and race that. That way you can have a good go and not worry about breaking it !

Off topic somewhat. TVR653X .. Just noticed you have made over 700 posts oh here in 4 months !!
That must be a record ?

[heightswitch]

TVR653X said:

Mr Clifford said:

For someone who has no money, why would you want to race this thing ?
I just get a bad feeling of a short life for this Tiv

But I know, I know, its your choice !

No such thing will be happenin to my TVR! I will have money when I get a job, and I'll be listening and learning from people in the know on how to race it. I just like to get everything done in advance so it's ready.

I don't mean this in a negative way but: With your knowledge I would concentrate on making the standard components of your car work as a car rather than introducing other variables such as adjustable shocks which will likely as not cause you to completely cock up your handling to a state worse than a bog standard car.

I would replace your shocks with good quality non adjustable recommended shocks and with the lots of change left concentrate on changing all of your worn and old suspension bushes, ball joints and track rod ends. this will give you a car which will be taught and handle as nature intended.

Then learn to drive the standard car on a circuit at a few track days and compare your times (unoficial times since you aren't allowed to time at track days) with other cars driven by competent drivers. A well set up standard S will be capable of lapping any circuit much faster than you could possibly hope to drive it without much practise.

N.

[techbotics]

Back to topic a little.. I have the Gaz Golds with spherical bearings on the rear.. only £100 than the other Gaz model so though what the hell.. I went for heavier springs for track use.

Also as recommended above change the bushes too and if you're feeling flush slip on some Steve Heath drop links too.. then have the whole lot set up.

Cheers

Damian S3

[techbotics]

Oh also forgot to mention.. when you go racing you will probably want Niton's or Ohlins or some other form of more exotic suspension.. ££££

[TVR653X]

heightswitch said:

TVR653X said:

Mr Clifford said:

For someone who has no money, why would you want to race this thing ?
I just get a bad feeling of a short life for this Tiv

But I know, I know, its your choice !

No such thing will be happenin to my TVR! I will have money when I get a job, and I'll be listening and learning from people in the know on how to race it. I just like to get everything done in advance so it's ready.

I don't mean this in a negative way but: With your knowledge I would concentrate on making the standard components of your car work as a car rather than introducing other variables such as adjustable shocks which will likely as not cause you to completely cock up your handling to a state worse than a bog standard car.

I would replace your shocks with good quality non adjustable recommended shocks and with the lots of change left concentrate on changing all of your worn and old suspension bushes, ball joints and track rod ends. this will give you a car which will be taught and handle as nature intended.

Then learn to drive the standard car on a circuit at a few track days and compare your times (unoficial times since you aren't allowed to time at track days) with other cars driven by competent drivers. A well set up standard S will be capable of lapping any circuit much faster than you could possibly hope to drive it without much practise.

N.

I see what you're saying. I do have some new brakes, as I've already discovered I'm not too keen on the ones that I have (I like the car to STOP on its nose). So I've bought some new brakes (full discs all round). Then my mate said "oh you're car will be massively over braked and dip and dive all over now when you brake, you will need some new, stiffer suspension". That's the reason I'm asking. You say not to bother with adjustable stuff? So what would you recommend for me?

To those doubting me....well, I was told I'd never afford to buy, tax, MOT and insure my TVR, and look at me now.

[phillpot]

Are there any "non adjustable" shocks still available for the S ? when replacing mine last year tried checking out makes from my youth eg Spax and Koni, nothing listed so Choice seemed to be AVO or GAZ adjustables ?

Certainly wouldn't knock you for running a TVR (presume you're quite young, insurance must be a few quid ?)but maybe your enthusiasm exceeds your budget and knowledge occaisionally