36 replies to this topic

[pickle]

Well, it seems like my planned suspension refresh has come around a little earlier than planned. One of my rear shocks has a leak and I have a worn wheel bearing at the front. From reading previous threads on the subject it seems like the two main options for aftermarket shocks are Gaz or Nitron. I spoke to a chap at Gaz this afternoon and explained that 99% of my time would be spent on the road and he suggested that the Nickel series with 400/475 springs would be fit for purpose. The benefits of Gold pros wouldn't be worth the extra cost for road use. The Nitron street series are more expensive but very tempting from what I've heard so far. I know that a number of you were due to fit these but I haven't been able to find any follow up reviews. I'd be really interested to hear what you think now that you've had chance to put some miles under them. Would there be an argument for sinking more money into the car and going for the NTR fast road shocks with uprated eibach springs? Money is less of a consideration than getting the right set up for road use. I don't mind spending a bit more if I can see the returns from the investment. Afterall, a price difference of £500 now loses it's significance if I keep the car for the next 10 years. Go gentle on me, I'm new to this game. Cheers, P

[zebwach]

I went straight from standard suspension, Eagle F1's and standard wheels to Nitron SS's, Toyo R1R's, TD1.2's, stiffer ARB and a geo by Gugliemies. So I haven't experienced any other brands of suspension and also changed a lot of things at the same time, so I'm not fully qualified to help answer you question fully. However, I have no hesitation in saying that it is easily the best thing I have ever had done to the car. It rides bumps better, recovers from bumps quicker, corners flatter, turns in better and goes around corners so so so much quicker. Its now so neutral and predictable at the limit that it really gives you the confidence to get on the power sooner and use more of the power, more of the time. I never had this with the standard setup and was always driving around at 7/10's. The only minor downside that I have noticed is that it wants to follow the camber of the road a little more, which isn't a bigy. Hope that helps a tiny bit. Zach

[pickle]

Thanks Zach, Seems that you went for a lot of the things that are on my shopping list, so your answer was particularly relevant. Really good to hear that you've achieved what I want with the mods.

[VXTyrant]

He has almost everything on my shopping list for the suspension/wheels refresh. The only thing different that I want is the OZ Superturismo 16/17 wheels - although that's looking unlikely. If I don't end up with them when i'm in the market for my refresh my list will be exactly the same (R1R's, TD 1.2's, ARB, Geo and NSS). Can't imagine you would be too disappointed with a setup like that

[Mangham54]

Well after putting off the inevitable I am thinking that new shockers are going to be needed soon. The rear passenger corner seems very hard and when pushing on the corner is much stiffer than that of the other three corners. Plus there is an occasional budgie noise from that corner on my motorway run - So I am coming to the conclusion.... New shocks all round (three are 8yo and have covered 65k, 1 is 1yo and covered 12k) i think. The idea of the NSS seems fantastic, but it want a relatively forgiving shock (similar to the NA Billies) or maybe a little more forgiving (if possible), but that is still firm enough not to wallow on undulating roads (i.e. the drop on the A1 around Team Valley) or Coast road near Wallsend. Been in a few cars and the variety between set ups on Gaz's was surprising and in some ways put me off as I wouldn't be able to leave the fuckers alone. More long term review of the NSS would be great.... Come on guys and gals!

[zebwach]

I find it saves a lot of money in labor costs having many things done at once while the car is in bits. Especially when it is Duncan VXR doing the work! I wouldn't have the car set up any where near as well in conjunction with the modifications, if it wasn't for Duncans advice and expertize. For people who use there car predominantly for road use, I honestly can't think of a better setup. There really isn't a road surface or type of weather condition that it cant cope well, or excel in. The modified valving and comparably softish spring rates keep it compliant by keeping the wheels in contact with the road, while the ARB keeps things nice and flat through the twisty bits. I have yet try her out on track but im optimistic that with a few clicks on the dampers, Tracey shall be equaly impressive in that arena also. The only place that she is now worse is when there is standing water. This is to be expected however as I had Eagle F1's on before and they are designed for it. Even so, as long you maintain a sensible speed for the conditions, it is never scary as I have heard 888's or equivalent tyres can be. Zach

[VXTyrant]

the drop on the A1 around Team Valley

I hate that rise, then drop. I don't get why they couldn't have smoothed it out. Went over it tonight when i took the misses to the mc to hunt for a where's wally style jumper - don't ask

EDIT: thanks for the review Zach. The more I hear about the NSS the more I can't resist!

Edited by VXTyrant, 26 May 2010 - 10:32 PM.

[BrianJ]

I’ve had the NSS fitted to my 03 Tubby and am very pleased. All the work was done by BoT including a GEO to my specification. Well when I say ‘specification’ I just told them what I didn’t like about the handling and they did the rest. I’ve only done about 350 miles since they went on but here are my initial impressions: There is a definite reduction in body roll and yaw when tipping into corners and the response from the steering is now more linear. Also the ride comfort at low speeds has not suffered at all and may even be better than before. B

[Speedy4Fun]

Anyone knows how much you can lower the car with the NSS? Specially the front. Driving 205/40/17 in front and 235/40/17 rear which are lower tyres then stock making the gap between tyre and fender even bigger then it already is .

[BrianJ]

On the NSS mine is -10mm at the back and -20mm at the front. The BoT chaps said it could go lower (they didn't say by how much) but we decided to try these settings for now. Suggest you give BoT a call as they'll know the minimum ride height possible with the NSS. B

[FLD]

Well, it seems like my planned suspension refresh has come around a little earlier than planned. One of my rear shocks has a leak and I have a worn wheel bearing at the front. From reading previous threads on the subject it seems like the two main options for aftermarket shocks are Gaz or Nitron.

I spoke to a chap at Gaz this afternoon and explained that 99% of my time would be spent on the road and he suggested that the Nickel series with 400/475 springs would be fit for purpose. The benefits of Gold pros wouldn't be worth the extra cost for road use. The Nitron street series are more expensive but very tempting from what I've heard so far.

I know that a number of you were due to fit these but I haven't been able to find any follow up reviews. I'd be really interested to hear what you think now that you've had chance to put some miles under them.

Would there be an argument for sinking more money into the car and going for the NTR fast road shocks with uprated eibach springs?

Money is less of a consideration than getting the right set up for road use. I don't mind spending a bit more if I can see the returns from the investment. Afterall, a price difference of £500 now loses it's significance if I keep the car for the next 10 years.

Go gentle on me, I'm new to this game.

Cheers,

P

Sounds remarkably like my 'to do' list!!

[Harry0075]

I do all my driving on road (and don't plan to track), looked at both the Street Series, and Gaz (nickles)...in the end went for Gaz, just becuase there had been more research/reviews/experience around those than the newer street series. I was very tempted, but I think they were similar in price to the Gaz Golds (i think)...so went for the Gaz (nickles). Was running spax before so sitting at around the same height (120F 125R), geo done, spring rates at 425/475...after geo (fast road) feels good, think the crusing at low speeds (under 40mph) suffers a little compared to my SPAX set...but nice windy country roads seems good. ARB to follow in the next few weeks, and job done for me Have had a drive in some v v expensive shocks on someone else's vx, can tell the difference between mine then but that's expected if you pay 4x as much. For the money (£425 I think I paid) i'm happy. I did do a lot of reading on here, great place for information, but it does make decision making easier (and harder ) sometimes! good luck, keep us updated.

[Duncan VXR]

Harry would you be refering to some Hoffman spec Nitrons, uprated wishbone bushes, uprated rear toe links, new quick rack & running twice as stiff ARB - oh and stiffer engine mounts You cannot go too low on the NSS kit or the springs will float about at full droop found 10-15mm drop from std is about the safe limit (in my view)not sure if Nitron have revised this on the current kits but was part of the feedback given. This will give you an easy 120F & 130R which looks good, gives better center of graverty but also can be used overspeed bumps and car parks Harry's car has new noises since fixing the suspension ones lol - still waiting to hear his phantom hissing from engine DG

[Harry0075]

Harry would you be refering to some Hoffman spec Nitrons, uprated wishbone bushes, uprated rear toe links, new quick rack & running twice as stiff ARB - oh and stiffer engine mounts

Might have been ... it was those nitrons...they're up for sale aren't they? swap ya

btw that ARB is mine!!

Harry's car has new noises since fixing the suspension ones lol - still waiting to hear his phantom hissing from engine

Its not a phantom hiss!! and that's the last time I give you a lift, picking out all teh imperfections in my car, gonna be worried driving home now!

[Duncan VXR]

LOL you do like to worry I drove from Dijon to Paris and all the way home with a bent steering rack - snap oversteer when turning more than half a turn to the right added to the thrill of driving in Europe - well until 5 miles from leaving home to go garage the rear toe link snapped Our little cars give sooooo much feedback it is hard sometimes to not think 'what is it now' on a normal car you just would not notice these small things Have a look next time you are at mine DG

[Speedy4Fun]

On the NSS mine is -10mm at the back and -20mm at the front. The BoT chaps said it could go lower (they didn't say by how much) but we decided to try these settings for now. Suggest you give BoT a call as they'll know the minimum ride height possible with the NSS.

B

Thanks, will contact them for that.

Of course it is also possible to place some lowering brackets in the front from Elise-parts/shop to drop it 15-25mm extra, but then have to be carefull because it would raise the bumpstop by the same amount. You don't want the tyre to hit the fender if driving through a puthole taking a bend.

@harry_lalli

With the Gaz it would be no problem to go much lower then stock, but the advantage of the NSS are being monotubes. I think the NSS are 'better' but that's subjective. Never drove both of them to compare.

Is there anyone who drove with NSS and GAZ with aprox. the same spring rates and can tell the difference?

[Duncan VXR]

Yep NSS bit more progressive all round imo but you are 25% more £££ and guess this is where the choices start to get limited. The mono tube version of Gaz still ben developed If you can go the extra the NSS or Gaz golds are more than upto the job of providing a decent upgrade over oe In fact the spax, std gaz and some other options are a step up from oe but also give you height adjustment which is what a lot of people are after. They seem to be in ranges or £375-£475 / £525-£620 / £1200 - ££££££££££££££££££££££ Depends on what you want from them really DG

[Speedy4Fun]

Duncan, Prices for NSS or Gaz golds are fine for me, the NTR's to much. Gaz mono's would probably be good performance/price but unknown when they will be available. Like to buy the shocks within a month or so. What I want is F:110 R:120 maybe a little lower if possible to drive around without damaging the front or undertray. Like to remove that gap to an 'optical decent amount'. Just don't know if there would be a big difference between NSS monotubes or GAZ dualtubes. Heard that the Gaz had more internal resistant then Nitrons and if it's true does that mean a more harsh ride? Any thoughts/experience?

[pickle]

Prices for NSS or Gaz golds are fine for me, the NTR's to much. Gaz mono's would probably be good performance/price but unknown when they will be available. Like to buy the shocks within a month or so.

From my discussions with Gaz earlier in the week it sounded like the monotubes are nearing sign off. They're being tested at Cadwell (I think) this weekend. Price will be similar to the NTR so might not figure in your shopping list.

[Speedy4Fun]

[/quote] From my discussions with Gaz earlier in the week it sounded like the monotubes are nearing sign off. They're being tested at Cadwell (I think) this weekend. Price will be similar to the NTR so might not figure in your shopping list. [/quote] If that's true they will be off my list, but as I have some time before I decide lets wait and see.