Shocks and Springs

[edforrest]

It is (past) time to upgrade front shocks and springs. This thing wallows about like a MG-B! What are suggestions for spring rates and stiffer shocks? What about a sway bar...who offers a good 'bolt on' set up?

Thanks, in advance, for suggestions and a point in the right direction!

ed

[Bobbieslandy]

Hi Ed,

I'm running robsport red springs all round (200lb i believe) spax adjustable shocks all round, front end all poly bushed (super pro blue) sub frame spacers and sub frame poly bushes, brand new bottom ball joints, new steering knuckle joints and poly bush bump stops. This lot makes the car handle like a go-kart but still manages to be comfortable at the same time. There's some debate whether Spax shocks are reliable, my rears both packed up in less than 1000miles - 5ish years so might be an idea to steer clear of them. The only thing letting the handling down now is the tyres, way too much profile!

Rob.

[FI Spyder]

I've got new KYB's and standard springs on front with hard black poly on front suspension with standard old springs and old Koni's on the back with a combination hard black poly and soft blue poly on rear suspension. I run my tires at a higher 32-34 lbs. I get little body roll and ride is stiff. If I used higher rated springs it would ride like a Morgan (read hay rack). It's good for highway driving but if the back roads are rough it's too stiff. I could go down on tire pressure but there is no discernable wear at 5,000 miles so I'm tempted to leave them there. I think that the hard black poly does more to stiffen the suspension than harder springs and soft poly. I used to drag the California cat cage on speed bumps but it doesn't with new standard springs and shocks on front (the old front shocks had no resistance).


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

[bmcecosse]

The car already comes with good 'sway bars' (anti-roll bar) front and rear - the best improvement I made was to make and fit the anti-dive kit. Doesn't help 'diving' at all - but sharpens up the front end turn-in very nicely indeed. My car has Spax - absolutely no problems with them, but I think just standard springs. It rides very nicely - soaks up bumps and humps - and handles like a Go-kart! I think it's a mistake to go too hard on the springs - so I suggest try a decent set of dampers first! And yes - my tyres (195/60 x14) are at 38 psi.

[Beans]

Before throwing money at the car, make sure all suspension rubbers and ball joints are in good condition. Decent poly bushes all round and the already mentioned “anti-dive-kitâ€￾ will improve the car's handling very much.

Next get some decent dampers, I'd say Koni (but then I am biased [:p]). There are other good ones around but not that many. If you choose adjustable ones don't set them to hard. Most people try to hide a wallowing ride by setting the dampers to hard. Maybe after that you think differently about new springs.

If not, I have two cars, a DHC with uprated 200 lbs springs all round and adjustable Koni’s set on the soft side of their medium setting. Car is very comfortable and predictable to drive, but can keep up with much faster modern cars on the twisty bits if necessary [:D]
And a FHC Sprint that sits on 326 lbs front springs with the dampers still at their softest setting. And all my fillings are still in place. Rears still not fitted but they are equivalent to 240 lbs, ones fitted in the position I have in mind ...


<center>
<font color="blue"><i>1980 TR7 DHC (my first car, now restored and back on the road)
1981 TR7 FHC Sprint (better known as 't Kreng)</font id="blue">
<b>[url="http://www.tr7beans.blogspot.com/"]<u><b><font size="2"><font color="red">My Weblog</font id="red"></font id="size2"></b></u>[/url]</b></i></center>

[prlee]

I have just changed from the standard set up, not had chance to really try the setup. The old setup was very soft, but this may have been down to the shocks not working. I now have the uprated springs and new shocks and poly bushes and it is much firmer.

Have to wait till the MOT to really find out.

Pete
81 DHC (nearing completion)
79 Spitfire (big hole found in floor)

[john]

kyb and 200lbs spring will make the car a joy to drive and won't brake the bank whilst your doing that add some sierra strut top bearing

don't bother with adjustables unless your really serious about track days and normal driving.

with the set up above you'll be satisfied with the ride not to hard or soft and no roll in the corners believe me..



[8 whole cylinders worth of punch to ram the world through the windshield and out the rear view mirror. Car & Driver]
1981 Grinnall TR7 v8
1981 Black FHC
1979 & 1980 Black Premium FHC(laid to rest) Sorry


John

[moestr7v8]

We have recently put KYB's,200lb springs and poly bushes all round on Esther's 7 and what a difference, totally changed the cars handling brilliant upgrade.[:)]
Cheers
Moe

[silverseven]

I also just replaced my blown out under 5000km stock replacement style County shocks with oem height springs to the gas KYBS, needle bearings and went with some "red" springs (slightly used ebay specials, no idea what rate, but they are noticeably lower than stock ) and am totally content with the results. The car is noticeably stiffer, and a blast on lower speed twist's (under 100kmph) I'm running 205's on 13inch rims , originally went with the standard BL tires pressures which wasn't so hot, and have now bumped up to 34psi which made the car much happier!


'bout the only complaint right now is the frt end camber is off (think I'll slot the frt towers to bring the top of the tires/wheels back where they should be) and a little lightness at speeds over 110kmph, especially when changing lanes....never had this before, so I', almost wondering if it's not related to the frt wheel angle/camber....I'm also going to save upa few quid to purchase some new ball joints and tie-rod ends during winter , and maybe some new poly bushes.

Ron.

[mb4tim]

[quote]<i>Originally posted by edforrest</i>

It is (past) time to upgrade front shocks and springs. This thing wallows about like a MG-B! <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Let's take it easy on the MGB's now...LOL

-Tim
http://www.morSpeedPerformance.com

[Underdog]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Century Gothic, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by mb4tim</i>

[quote]<i>Originally posted by edforrest</i>

It is (past) time to upgrade front shocks and springs. This thing wallows about like a MG-B! <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Let's take it easy on the MGB's now...LOL

-Tim

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

Yeah, I'll be glad to show you one that doesn't "wallow"

Jim Underwood
72 MGB BRG
80 TR8 Persian Aqua
If women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

[jbsjim]

Me too!

[edforrest]

First of all...thanks for the comments and suggestions! I didn't consider the bushings...but that is a good place. As for the MG-B reference...please know that the one's we used to get here in The New World handled more like a Buick...the 4-door kind! We are really enjoying the TR-7....having crossed over from the "MG" Side! We still have three "Bugeyes / Frogeyes to you in The Old World!!!

There seems to be a healthy interest in the TR-7 here in the Atlanta area. Right now there are four or five for sale...some very nice in the $10,000 USD range (probably worth it) and several in need of TLC. Like a little of pups...would it not be a delight to 'have them all'!

Thanks for the support...ed

ed

[silverseven]

can't resist .......



Ron.