Latest uprated shocks for Road.

[SLR No.77]

So am I correct in thinking that by default you're not interested in the opinion of people running Bilsteins because you have already decided that you can change for a "better" shock?

[ScottR400D]

"Sadly it would seem this member degrades the debate into rudeness."

Such irony!! 

I don't normally reply to any of the OP's threads, simply because of his arrogance, which certainly comes across as rudeness on many occasions. 

I doubt I'm the only one and it seems a bit daft to alienate the best store of knowledge available for sevens but, as we know, he does as he likes!

 

 

[John Vine]

Interesting discussion -- a lot of very experienced people offering advice in depth to assist the OP in his search for a spring/damper that provides "better" road comfort that the standard Billies (assuming one exists).

FWIW, I've always understood that the route to "comfort" on the road is tyres first, and spring/dampers second.

Re #33:  I find the Nankangs are a more compliant ride than the original Avons and will replace with these again.

Could you tell us what specific Avons you had originally? 

JV

 

[Beagler]

"I don't normally reply to any of the OP's threads"

Please continue.

[Beagler]

John, I cant remember now which ones were fitted but as it was a factory car it would be the ones that were standard fitment. I chose the Nankangs on recommendations from members on this forum and I am pleased with them. I can only reiterate that my question was not a criticism of the Bilsteins so much as a query as to if there were any alternates that had more options for adjustment and quality. My experience of repairing and building vehicles is not insignificant. 
My Westfield built previously from chassis up. Being a Ford time served mechanic and latterly a Fast jet aircraft engineer.

To try and bring this thread to a close (Again) I will look at alternates and decide which replacement would be an upgrade or not.

[John Vine]

I guess that would be ZT7?  I know nothing about those tyres, I'm afraid.  My Avon experience is limited to CR500 and ZZS as fitted to my R400D -- both of which I found to be excellent all-round tyres, well suited to the 7.

Appreciate the "sepia" photos!

JV

[Beagler]

Thanks John. 

The Westfield was built in 1995 and still running round today and is taxed and insured.

[ducatidentist]

I get exactly what you're saying Beagler and while I have no experience with Sevens as I am yet to own one, can offer some insight from the bike world.

Bikes by design have a lot of interchangeable parts and it's not uncommon to get a single model offered with a variety of suspension options and on the other hand completely different manufacturers on different bikes may have the same forks or shocks.

My current bike is a Ducati Scrambler 1100 which comes in a few trim levels, the basic one comes with Marzocchi forks up front and  Kayaba rear shockwhile my sport pro model comes with Ohlins suspension all round.

While the standard model is perfectly acceptable, the Ohlins is on another level. (Ohlins is usually regarded as the best motorcycle suspension available). The ride seems more supple with better damping yet more controlled over bumps. And that is in the factory setting. Being fully adjustable it can then be altered for the riders weight and preferences to customise it even more which I plan to do soon with a specialist.

A similar example in the car world would be the Renault Clio Trophy from a few years back which came with fully adjustable Sachs suspension with remote reservoir dampers etc which were phenomenal according to contemporary reviews.

Trouble is everyone's preferences are different and feel can be very subjective, but I am guessing with enough adjustability you would certainly find something to suit you. I see the new suspension on the 420 cup has 10 levels of adjustment!

Good luck in your search and please do report back if you find what you're looking for.

[Beagler]

Coolcatshaft. What a great post. I too have come from a motorcycle, a BMW 1200RT with electronic adjustable suspension. I also have a BMW X1 MSport with electronic adjustable suspension. The option to tweek the setting seemed appealing hence the post.  Thanks for your wishes and your post. 

[Hampshire West AR]

It's interesting that the Ariel Atom can be ordered with different shocks from different manufacturers.  There is one for sale on Pistonheads that has two way adjustable Bilsteins yet Caterham have only just announced one way adjustable Bilsteins. It's almost as if Caterham have been saying they know best and you don't need adjustability?

Nick

[Beagler]

Hi Nick, yes or is just a case of built to a price.

[RogNeedham]

#7. That was me 

And in my experience, using my spine's ability to tolerate our awful B road surfaces, I switched back from what I considered to be overdamped NTR1s to new Bilsteins and Eibachs, correctly set up by a good friend of mine.

This for a pure road use car only. In the cold light of day, I'm not sure why I felt that I needed 22 stops of adjustment, given that i am not a driving god. All my backside and spine communicated was "kin ell that hurt" as I caught an in inconveniently placed manhole cover.
 

I consulted the "good friend of mine" prior to purchasing the NTR1s, who advised it probably wasn't the best use of my money. He was right.

Thankfully I was able to sell on the NTR1s to a new owner whom I believe is very happy with the set up, albeit not on a 7.

My conclusion from all this. I had overthought the matter and got a bit carried away. In practical every day terms, I do not believe I benefited from a good bang for the buck ratio.

Just my two bobs worth.

Happy pondering Beagler. 
 

Rog

 

 

[Beagler]

Rog, This is the problem, as we are all different, some are content with the standard shocks and some find improvement in alternatives. ( Just discussing road use only), In the midst of conflicting views the only way is to try for yourself. Some like one make of tyre others find them hard or not good in the wet. It can be a case of you pay your money and takes your choice. Regarding the dampers I have gratefully read peoples constructive thoughts, yours included and will continue to investigate before parting with my hard earned cash. Thanks for relating your experience and your good wishes. 

[Beagler]

Had some very encouraging messages from people who have fit alternate shocks and found improvements. Its good to get a variety of views. Thanks.

[Tazio]

Few people after spending hard earned cash admit their errors, there's a refreshing honesty in Rog's and others posts on here, and as Rog said, who the hell needs 22 adjustment steps for a road car?

Back to tyres, sidewall compliance has a significant affect on ride quality too, you I believe have chosen Nankang ones, whereas I prefer R888rs, I find their sidewall compliance gives me a more comfortable ride and are more communicative so there are ways to improve overall compliance without spending considerable dosh on shockers.

I have Nitrons on mine, can I tell the difference from my Bilstein M1s I had on previously?, perhaps, but was it a a value for money change? no way.!

[Beagler]

Cant all be wrong. 

[Shortshift]

Strange, and I don't know why, but whenever I read some of the posts on this thread, the topic of trolling springs to mind.

Maybe it's just me...

James

[Beagler]

I know what you mean. 

[Shortshift]

Oh - the irony...

James

[Beagler]

Oh, the candour...

[ScottR400D]

"To try and bring this thread to a close (Again) I will look at alternates and decide which replacement would be an upgrade or not......."
 

That went well then........... 

[Beagler]

Has been very informative. 

Had some positive helpful pm's recently. Only Polite to acknowledge.

[Toby S]

Read through the thread with the various suggestions - thought I'd pass on my thoughts, although this is for a 1992 1400K Supersport kicking out circa 135 brake.

Definite thumb up for flat flooring/ corner weighting and getting the set up professionally sorted which has already been mentioned and would put that equal first with wheels and tyres

Re wheels 13 inch every time - with decent level of tyre profile - I have 6.5 inch rims and have found 205/60 R13 rear, 185/60 R13 fronts R888R's for me work really well at 18psi when cold.

Springs and dampers - My Bilsteins were leaking on the front and needed either rebuilding or  replacing (likely MOT failure) - also when I bought the car it had been set up for track use and had 300 Ib springs on the front 200 ib springs on the rear which were a bit firm for the road to say the least (fine on a billiard table surface) - swapped the springs to 250 Front and 150ib on rear (some even suggested going down to 125/135 on the rear and  a bit lower on the front) and replaced the Bilsteins with Protech adjustable shocks.  I've subsequently found the set up  very good for road and suits the car much better (certainly better than the Bilsteins and stiffer springs they replaced, although like I say the Bilsteins were past their best and was it the lower spring rates or the shocks which improved the handling the most is anybody's guess) - definitely  checking spring rates though if car has been set up for track use - may like mine not be suited to road. The dampers and springs were very reasonably priced to boot (springs and shocks together were circa £500 for all 4 corners so cheaper than replacement the Bilsteins, albeit that was 5 years ago)

No doubt the more expensive options (Nitrons/others) may be technically better performers, but for me I couldn't really justify the extra cost for the road where you're not pushing the car to the limits - I'm also a tight arse accountant. 

Thought I'd pass in case there's any interest

 

.

 

[Beagler]

Thanks Toby for your input. 

[Beagler]

 

Hi

I have seen your posts and all the comments from various members.  If you wanted to discuss further in depth with absolutely no obligation - just advice please feel free to call me.

Simon Rogers Meteor Motorsport.  

 

Simon (Meteor),

Thanks for your pm. This is a project for over winter so I will definitely be in touch then. I have been canvasing members views( with varying degrees of success) prior to making a decision. I look forward to our future conversation having seen your website.

Graham