Best spring choice

wayne walsh · Postby **wayne walsh** » 04 Jun 2013 13:41

I know this has been covered many times before but I think it is time for me to think about a spring change.
I am running on very low, very hard springs.
I need something more suitable for everyday use.
200lbs -1inch seem to be popular but others I see have moved from these to a softer rate for daily use.
I just thought I would chuck this out there to see what others say.

5.0 litre TVR Powered

TR Tony · Postby **TR Tony** » 04 Jun 2013 14:33

Hmmm, it's a very subjective topic Wayne, I expect you will get a lot of differing opinions.

For a comfortable everyday ride I have found that standard springs with uprated shock absorbers work well. I think the poor reputation of the standard spring is often due to worn & sagging old springs - I have an original set that have only had about 5K miles use, they are on my 2L car now (replacing a set of 200lb springs)& I am very pleased with them!

With the standard springs the front has anti dive blocks on the roll bar & Koni inserts, this reduces the tendancy to dip under braking, it all works nicely together.

At the rear I have the standard springs with a set of very low mileage Girling De Carbon shocks, again a very comfortable ride for everyday use.

What shock absorbers & bushes do you have in the car? Got to bear in mind that TVR power under the bonnet [:D]

Tony

1981 TR7 FHC Cavalry Blue
1980 TR7V8 DHC Jaguar Regency Red - sadly sold!
1977 TR8 FHC EFI Factory development car Inca Yellow

dursleyman · Postby **dursleyman** » 04 Jun 2013 15:02

Hard springs are great for track days but no good for everyday road work, especially on todays surfaces.
Something near to standard springs with good dampers is the way to go and makes the car much nicer to drive.

Russ

1980 TR7 Sprint DHC
Dursley
UK

http://tr7russ.blogspot.co.uk/

wayne walsh · Postby **wayne walsh** » 04 Jun 2013 15:14

[quote]Originally posted by TR Tony

Hmmm, it's a very subjective topic Wayne, I expect you will get a lot of differing opinions.

For a comfortable everyday ride I have found that standard springs with uprated shock absorbers work well. I think the poor reputation of the standard spring is often due to worn & sagging old springs - I have an original set that have only had about 5K miles use, they are on my 2L car now (replacing a set of 200lb springs)& I am very pleased with them!

With the standard springs the front has anti dive blocks on the roll bar & Koni inserts, this reduces the tendancy to dip under braking, it all works nicely together.

At the rear I have the standard springs with a set of very low mileage Girling De Carbon shocks, again a very comfortable ride for everyday use.

What shock absorbers & bushes do you have in the car? Got to bear in mind that TVR power under the bonnet [:D]

Tony

1981 TR7 FHC Cavalry Blue
1980 TR7V8 DHC Jaguar Regency Red - sadly sold!
1977 TR8 FHC EFI Factory development car Inca Yellow
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Long tine since i installed the springs/dampers. I think the springs are Triumph Tune Sprint with Koni dampers. It sits so low that I cannot get my trolly jack under the subframe and the ride is as hard as nails. It might look the business but not nice to drive.

5.0 litre TVR Powered

MikeRotherham · Postby **MikeRotherham** » 04 Jun 2013 15:58

Where is the best place to get standard springs?

Robsport Rimmers and S&S.

Are they as good as original ones or are they foreign made and don't last or perform as well as originals?

Regards
Mike.

jeffremj · Postby **jeffremj** » 04 Jun 2013 16:49

You may have to factor in your bushes. I only use rubber and so there is little 'jarring', although 'choppiness' is there on bumpy roads. I use Triumphtune 1 inch lowered with Spax adjustables (low settings) all round.

We talked about this recently via:

http://forum.triumphtr7.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=18540

It seems the best lowered items are now at Revington.

jeffremj · Postby **jeffremj** » 04 Jun 2013 16:51

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by wayne walsh

I know this has been covered many times before but I think it is time for me to think about a spring change.
I am running on very low, very hard springs.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Have you a larger side view photo to compare?

sydney.wedgehead · Postby **sydney.wedgehead** » 04 Jun 2013 17:17

Don't forget that tyre profile and pressures make a large contribution to the feel of the ride, so ask people what pressures and tyres they are running when describing their setup.

Before going to the effort and expense of fitting new springs it would be worth experimenting with alternative tyre pressures and also softening your dampers if they are adjustable.

I was satisfied with the outcome when I went from 34psi all round to 26psi in rear and set the rear Koni's to their softest setting. It wasn't as nice on the twisty tarmac, but was much less jarring on my back.

wayne walsh · Postby **wayne walsh** » 04 Jun 2013 18:31

[quote]Originally posted by jeffremj

[quote]Originally posted by wayne walsh

I know this has been covered many times before but I think it is time for me to think about a spring change.
I am running on very low, very hard springs.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Have you a larger side view photo to compare?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

195x50x15 front
225x50x15 rear

5.0 litre TVR Powered

sydney.wedgehead · Postby **sydney.wedgehead** » 04 Jun 2013 18:38

That does look very low. particularly at rear.

FI Spyder · Postby **FI Spyder** » 04 Jun 2013 19:20

I have new standard front springs/KYB shocks, hard black poly bushes. Rear original springs/Koni shocks, soft blue/yellow poly bushes. I run 32 psi as I find that gives me even tire wear. I don't think I have much braking dip and can feel every road surface. The ride wouldn't feel as harsh if I lowered tire pressure but it's fine on the highway. If I had stiff springs it would feel like a Morgan.[:(]

- - -TR7 Spider - - - 1978 Spitfire- - - - 1976 Spitfire - - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra - Yellow TCT

jeffremj · Postby **jeffremj** » 04 Jun 2013 20:29

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by sydney.wedgehead

That does look very low. particularly at rear.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I think it is low as well. It looked like my car when I fitted low items from Triumphtune (6.5" fitted length - TT4516, IIRC). I sent them back and got the lowered version (6.9" - TT4512). I run about 24psi front and 27 psi rear on 205/50x15s. I would say that my car rides at a good height, the rear anyway ... :

wayne walsh · Postby **wayne walsh** » 04 Jun 2013 20:39

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by jeffremj

[quote]Originally posted by sydney.wedgehead

That does look very low. particularly at rear.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I think it is low as well. It looked like my car when I fitted low items from Triumphtune (6.5" fitted length - TT4516, IIRC). I sent them back and got the lowered version (6.9" - TT4512). I run about 24psi front and 27 psi rear on 205/50x15s. I would say that my car rides at a good height, the rear anyway ... :

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

How does it feel in normal use?

Does it crash and bang on normal roads ?

5.0 litre TVR Powered

jeffremj · Postby **jeffremj** » 05 Jun 2013 15:27

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">How does it feel in normal use?

Does it crash and bang on normal roads ?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I would say that it is firm but not harsh as I use rubber bushes, albeit uprated. There is little roll as well. If you are in Suffolk/Essex, drop in.

Hasbeen · Postby **Hasbeen** » 06 Jun 2013 00:28

My 7 has stock springs, as new, somewhat heavier shocks, & 30% heavier anti roll bars, 13X6 wheels, with 185s on the front & 205s on the back, running 28 & 30 PSI.

It is absolutely great on our less than perfect, but good country roads. The anti roll bars make all the difference to handling, but almost non to the ride.

The 8 is 1.5" lowered on 50% heavier springs, heavy duty adjustable competition shocks, set moderately hard, the same anti roll bars, 15X7 wheels with 195s front & 215s rear, running 30 & 32 psi.

It is not great on our country roads, & you can't bare to drive it on some roads, where the 7 is quite OK, as it hits the bumps too hard. It is quite a bit better than the 7 on billiard table smooth roads, but would have trouble keeping up on many fun twisty roads, with less than great surfaces.

My son will not drive it to his navy base. He did once, & reckoned he was destroying the car on the poor roads.

Hasbeen

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