25 replies to this topic

[MrSimba]

Never felt entirely happy with my Nitron 46's, yes they were the 'fast road' option so should have been perfect for me, I'd a great geo from Liam that made the car really positive and as good as that could get but nothing could take away the fact that the shocks themselves were either too soft or too compliant, the 46's are much plusher more reactive and I was feeling that I should have just bought the 40's as I really like to feel what the car is doing beneath me at all times. Liam likened them to the Sach's with progressive spring rates - Not what I wanted! Anyway I called Chris @ Hofmanns and had a chat with him, 'Nitron make fantastic dampers' he said, 'but they don't know how to set them up, bring it down...' Chris recommended that they change the springs to Eibach and up the rates from 375 / 475 to 400 / 550 then they would corner weight the ride heights for me so I left them to it! The car on Nitron's own springs which had been set up not 2 months before to 130 / 120 had settled to 115 / 120 so negative rake and why it was now unstable at speed, the Eibachs Chris said if he checked in 5 years time would still be exactly the same ride height, so another lesson learned - only Eibachs from now on! The car was a transformation, nothing short of stunning, the best I've ever driven so precise, so cart like yet still compliant, I was very pleased! But Chris had not finished he then recommended his Pilbeam ARB with fully rose jointed drop links, So I said ok... The Pilbeam ARB has further transformed the car, the turn in is sharper, much sharper, the car really bites into the corners, even at the 'softest setting' (which is 3x stronger than the OE bar!) the body does not roll at all it's FLAT, Islands I know well you can just drive round pushing the throttle more and more and more... and with maximum castor the front just loads up and grips whilst giving you a real workout at the wheel! Fantastic!!! What Chris does not know about dampers and car dynamics is not worth knowing, I absolutely regret not just handing him the car when I went for the Nitrons to supply and fit, I'd have saved myself a lot of hassle and a lot of £££'s But its done now and is awesome and just what I wanted so a BIG thankyou to Chris and his team, they enjoy a reputation that is second to none but having been twice now I can see that reputation is VERY hard earned by everyone there!

[JimmyJamJerusalem]

The 46's make the suspension feel softer as they control the spring smoothly through the rebound. I'm on 500/650's and they feel super soft to me and give so much extra grip, especially mid corner slow speed braking stuff, I love them!!! I've been using Hofmann's for years now, they are great! Not the cheapest, but worth the premium imo. Not heard about this new arb though, but tbh I'm happy with my Plans unit!

[rob999]

Good review Si and glad you can really feel the difference. I had a good chat with Chris three weeks ago and he was very helpful, took the time to answer my Questions and really explained things nice and clearly. I opted for the 425/550's though, and as I'm poor...the 40mm options

[MrSimba]

Good review Si and glad you can really feel the difference.
I had a good chat with Chris three weeks ago and he was very helpful, took the time to answer my Questions and really explained things nice and clearly.
I opted for the 425/550's though, and as I'm poor...the 40mm options

Talk to Chris about the ARB - it really makes a massive difference!

[rob999]

I daren't ask how much....!!

[MrSimba]

er... don't... worth it tho!!!

[MrSimba]

http://www.hofmannso...ion/pilbeam-arb

http://www.pilbeamra...ct_3/index.html

Edited by MrSimba, 16 March 2012 - 11:45 PM.

[rob999]

Nah go on....how much..... Ohhhh just saw the second link. Maybe in a few years then!!

Edited by rob999, 16 March 2012 - 11:48 PM.

[MrSimba]

second link....

[The Batman]

Mmmm does it come with the poly inserts etc? Will add this to the list of suspension overhaul parts!

[JimmyJamJerusalem]

Nice

[JG]

[joshua]

The CF bar is similarly stiff and I think similarly priced but has much easier and more fine adjustment.

[Sammy]

Isn't the CF bar a front and rear combination?

[cnrandall]

The CF bar is similarly stiff and I think similarly priced but has much easier and more fine adjustment.

Also way, way heavier, more complicated and I suspect has a less linear rate.

The Pilbeam is THE bar to have, can't see any reason why you would use a different one. Was really interesting when I first started chatting bars with Mike Pilbeam... he had done the maths and I had tested loads of bar rates on the track and we both arrived at pretty much the same place.

[slindborg]

IMHO that's cheap for a pilbeam product

[siztenboots]

i'm in the market for a 1" farb , i'd like it to be dual function and still allow me to fit my brake duct scoops , so not too fussy with the drop links

[siztenboots]

err whats going with this thread?

[techieboy]

[Pidgeon]

I do hope we are not entering the world of the mod team pulling/changing threads where commercial interests are being questioned?