The definitive suspension thread

[shimmy]

Originally Posted by Mike R

Ah, I assume you got the Intrax in the end LOL.

Oout of curiosity, what is it you dislike about the Nitrons?

Lack of development. They've been trying to get E46 to work for 4 years since LeonB had the kit and still it doesn't seem to be valves/sized correctly.

Had the 1k2 since 2008 I think. Had two rebuilds/services and also had them rebooked to Steel from Aluminium as the Alu corrodes/reascts and snaps eventually. This year will go to Black Mambo coating as the Stella also rust eventually which can seize the front dampers.

I had the Nitron 4 way and they were pants as adjustment was all over e shop once you started to move them. Never even got close to having them work as well as the 1k2.

I had Bealo's car for a while and I thought the KW Clubsport were good we'll built units although never drove them on track.

What I have noticed about the Intrax is that they have fantastic adjustment and work across the FULL range meaning I guess they have been sized and vases well as the single adjuster does 2 ways. They ride kerbs fantastically and on my set up seem to make the car feel very planted at all times. I think those that have been in my car mostly comment how stable the car feels (and how sweaty it smells)

I however do chase times and I think for the money the best track weapons are the Black Titanium Intrax 1k2. Service every two winters.

[Mike R]

Originally Posted by shimmy

Lack of development. They've been trying to get E46 to work for 4 years since LeonB had the kit and still it doesn't seem to be valves/sized correctly.

Had the 1k2 since 2008 I think. Had two rebuilds/services and also had them rebooked to Steel from Aluminium as the Alu corrodes/reascts and snaps eventually. This year will go to Black Mambo coating as the Stella also rust eventually which can seize the front dampers.

I had the Nitron 4 way and they were pants as adjustment was all over e shop once you started to move them. Never even got close to having them work as well as the 1k2.

I had Bealo's car for a while and I thought the KW Clubsport were good we'll built units although never drove them on track.

What I have noticed about the Intrax is that they have fantastic adjustment and work across the FULL range meaning I guess they have been sized and vases well as the single adjuster does 2 ways. They ride kerbs fantastically and on my set up seem to make the car feel very planted at all times. I think those that have been in my car mostly comment how stable the car feels (and how sweaty it smells)

I however do chase times and I think for the money the best track weapons are the Black Titanium Intrax 1k2. Service every two winters.

Wasn't so hard was it ? That is great information thanks .

What spring rates do you have?

[shimmy]

Used to have 100/50 and now 120/60. So far not felt ANY difference

Nick Bell used to run 140/70 at the ring and he was quick.

[Mike R]

Originally Posted by shimmy

Used to have 100/50 and now 120/60. So far not felt ANY difference

Nick Bell used to run 140/70 at the ring and he was quick.

Given those rates, I take it you're on a full coil-over arrangement on the rear?

How is it on the road?

It is interesting to see how with similar weights, the CSL can run much higher spring rates than the Escort and still retain a good ride control.

[shimmy]

Originally Posted by Mike R

Given those rates, I take it you're on a full coil-over arrangement on the rear?

How is it on the road?

It is interesting to see how with similar weights, the CSL can run much higher spring rates than the Escort and still retain a good ride control.

It's firm on the road but no real issue.

Yes full coilover at rear.

[northernjim]

Also... being a tart I have had passenger rides in...

Standard csl
csl + KW V3 - road springs and tooo soft
csl + KW Clubsport
csl + 120/60 intrax
csl + intrax 4 way

at the ring.... listed in order of goodness


standard is surprisingly good ( well maybe not surprising really) but for going faster I just think that you cannot beat the 'feel' of the more expensive units

Originally Posted by Mike R

It is interesting to see how with similar weights, the CSL can run much higher spring rates than the Escort and still retain a good ride control.

IF I was to be a cnut - I would say something about polishing a turd now???

[Mike R]

Originally Posted by northernjim

IF I was to be a cnut - I would say something about polishing a turd now???

You can say what you like - it won't change the fact that the Escort is faster than my CSL by quite some margin (but then I've spent ten years developing it around my driving style, so that is hardly surprising).

[shimmy]

Originally Posted by Mike R

You can say what you like - it won't change the fact that the Escort is faster than my CSL by quite some margin (but then I've spent ten years developing it around my driving style, so that is hardly surprising).

Are you saying that your escort is faster than your CSL OR you are faster in your escort than your CSL?

[O'Neill]

Interesting thread Mike.

I ran Nitron for a year 80nm front 45 rear, separate spring/damper on the rear.

They felt ok but I was noticing wear on the outside rear tyres due to excessive roll, camber was maxed out on the rear.

Asked Nitron if I could up spring rates on the dampers, they said yes, I went to 120/60 with a coil over on the rear and new rear dampers as the previous ones were cavitating ( they replaced them under the years warranty ).

That was 6k miles and 7TDs for the rear dampers.

Did two td on the higher rates and a few road miles, I didn't like at all, they felt better with softer rates to me.

Some intrax came up on here second hand with 120/60, they had done 7 events since a rebuild, I noticed a improvement over the Nitron on the same rates.

This might be that the damping for the Nitron was suited to the softer rates and didn't work with the higher ones, who knows. The person who bought them from me loves them. Suspension and set up is subjective.

I have done 5 td on the intrax and 5k miles, the last td at Spa they were not at their best but had done at least 12 td and 10k miles, not bad for a race damper.

The car is awaiting pickup from Simpson after full damper rebuild with black Titan piston rods and stainless bodies, which should make the service intervals longer.

[O'Neill]

Originally Posted by shimmy

I however do chase times and I think for the money the best track weapons are the Black Titanium Intrax 1k2. Service every two winters.

Hi

2014 is nearly here, are you ready