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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Lever arm vs Gas shockers

I've always run my V8 roadster with uprated lever arms but after a recent track day I'm now considering a change to the adjustable gas-filled shockers, i.e. spax or koni. Has anyone got experience of a 'before and after' so that I know if it will be worth the cost?

Many thanks.
David

Or should I go for the more expensive option of the Hawk type front suspension?
David

At the rear I have driven with and without (not the same car) and find Spax (fortunately adjustable) bone-jarring unless on their softest. I guess you'll have fun trying different settings if you are used to harder anyway, but other than hardness I doubt you'll notice much difference. I've also driven with and without the Ron Hopkinson front and rear handling kits, that makes far more difference.
Paul Hunt

I agree with Paul - the koni rear replacement is also adjustable and a less cumbersome kit

RW
Roger

David

How did the V8 perform on track compared to other cars?
Which track were you using.
My V8 GT is set up more for track use so the ride is quite firm. It is a great advantage being able to adjust the dampers for track and road use.
Having used both levers and spax I would go with the tube shocks every time.

Mark
Mark Rawlins

Except that I think that most front tube shock conversions won't allow installation of RV8 headers, as they both want to live in the same space. A coil over setup would work there, though.
Joe Ullman

Joe
I use Ron Hopkinsons front with centrally mounted bistein shocks, after finding that the spax conversion wouldnt fit with Rv8 headers. Works very well.
Mark Rawlins

David

I've got 2 V8s for my sins and have always found the Koni rear kit to be best, the ride is good but firm and everything is neat and tidy to install. I have a panhard rod and anti tramp bars fitted at the mo so the extra simplicity of the Koni set up is useful.

As for the fron I'm still using lever arms, but of the new variety and uprated 50%, they work well with 625 lb springs for the road and should be OK for light track work, they are also cheaper than the decent from conversions mentioned above. Just a thought.

Dave
Dave

David,

Tim at Frontline is trying to obtain softer rear dampers from AVO (on car adjustable) to suit the B.

Also available is the Costello Front Suspension conversion ( looks similar to Ron Hop system) manufactured in Aluminium.

Paul
Paul

The reason the Spax are bone jarring may be that Moss UK -- if that's where you got 'em -- for a while was sourcing the wrong part. I was abroad and I bought a set and when I put them on the car the ride was impossibly harsh. Friend has some on his car and I compared the model #s -- different. Anyhow I picked up a used set with the correct model number and they ride just fine. About as stiff as the OE dampers on the lowest setting.
Ted

This thread was discussed between 09/07/2003 and 17/07/2003

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