7 wonders of the world Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 After seeing the add in Lowflying thought Id see just what corners have been clipped in order to meet the new price point so headed off to the website..........But nothing !So wondered if anyone (Simon !) could shed any light on them, maybe you've had a set to dyno and compare? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Lowe Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 Reduced the distributors discount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamV Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 Some details for 'Caterham Wide Track de-Dion (pre'96) Nitron Street Series Suspension Kit' on the Nitron website - http://nitron.co.uk/catalogue_item.php?catID=12170&prodID=84527This link shows all the Caterham related Nitron products - http://nitron.co.uk/catalogue_main.php?brandpage=yes&categorygroup=Automotive&brandgroup=CaterhamI think the Street Series do seem quite good value if they are of the usual high Nitron standard.GrahamV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 Will follow this with interest, could be just what Im after when/ if I rebuild the car and replace the old Bilstein dampers. Seem a sensible cost, and good that the older pre96 suspension is being accomodated. More options for the older de-dion chassis front suspension is welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon.Rogers Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 Hi everyoneStaying within the posting rules here may be difficult but I will try.I have asked Nitron to produce these for the last couple of years. I was informed it was not possible due to the numbers/volume etc.Last year I only sold 1 set of Nitron dampers to Caterham owners and that was a specific request the remainder were all Quantum and Penske.I understand there was an administractive error at Nitron with regard to their overall Caterham Pricing structure which placed them as a more costly item than Quantum.I know that Nitron want to re capture the market they have lost and now we have the NTR1 Meteor Spec priced less than Quantum.BenefitsThese dampers are very good value for money. A quality product.AgainstRegular Nitron valving (not Meteor set up - I would say that wouldn't I - but I think I have justified the comment) The dampers will still require service on the same intervals as the NTR1. The cost of a service will be not far off the cost of a new set.Less volume of oil = higher running temps = less consistence in performance = less control.Oh and the main thing against them - they are only available direct - not from dealers even though I requested them. Hey ho thats business and I understand the reasoning and can not argue against it.I have learnt more about suspension in the past 18 months since having the dyno and servicing dampers than all the years before - the main issue is we all tend (ed) to fit our dampers and forget! However they are like an engine - they have oil, pistons, valves and seals. They need servicing and thats where I can help and where my business is targeting its growth - its not a secret - I think IO read that in Low Flying.So I am certainly not knocking the Street Series. It has a place in the market just like all the premium products an dampers do also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted January 16, 2015 Author Share Posted January 16, 2015 Very well worded Simon, though I'm sure no one would complain as since Nitron don't post on here there's no one better placed than yourself to explain the features and benefits of their products. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 So what would the service interval be for a set of these road shocks in terms of road milage? Could Meteor, hypthetically of course , revalve them to their own spec? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon.Rogers Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 Service interval would be every 2 years.It has the same diaphragm material so I see no change between the Street Series and the NTR1'sThats £400 with out any re-valving!RECOMMENDED SERVICE INTERVALSThe frequency of a recommended service varies according to the individual schedule received with the shock, however the recommended servicing schedules are detailed below.For arduous Race use, the service time frames are dependent on application.AutomotiveRace Use - Annually/Off-Season Road/Track - 20,000 – 30,000 km / 12,000 – 18,000 milesFrom my experience its more time related than mileage in our installation/use type.Yes I see no reason on a technical level why I can not revalve them. That would be a £60/damper cost. I don't have an issue offering this Tom as I am a Certificated Service Centre. The only reason not being allowed to sell them is financial and the margins Nitron would have lost out on given that most people purchase Meteor Spec! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wil Akroyd Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 I also spotted these and was thinking they seem reasonable to replace the Bilsteins.So I guess the question is do the benefits justify swapping for fast road use, is there a noticable performance difference or are trusty old bilsteins the easiest option? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 Im not so keen on a servicing cost of £400 every couple of years and having to drop them out every other winter, with the hassle of delivery, refitting etc along with other time pressures. The servicing cost isnt too far from the cost of new set of Billys, so for road use/ convenience, a new set of Billys would certainly be the easiest option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zetec Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 I'm the same as you Tom- I don't want to invest in something that needs such an expensive rebuild so often. Can they be such a massive improvement over the billies/spax for the non racer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthonym Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 I have Nitrons in some road spec. From PGM from Simon iiuc. Can’t say I am happy about the service requirement. Just the other day I was musing about replacing with Bilsteins when service becomes necessary. Anthony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazio Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 Bilstein need rebuilding too... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon.Rogers Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 Anthony. I don't think you would ever question the servicing of your engine. You change the oil every few thousand miles or number of hours. Think of the dampers as single piston engines. With it's own heat exchanger being its external surface. Oil running at over 100deg C. Piston rings scraping material from the aluminium bore of the damper. O rings seals etc. The tolerance that performance dampers are built to are very very tight. I would welcome anyone down here to see us open well serviced dampers compare to those that have never been done. The stench from those never serviced is something to behold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthonym Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 I could live with every five years. Not two. Indeed every 24,000 miles, same as my engine rebuild. Not every two years. No. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthonym Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 And what does that do to my flat flooring? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthonym Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 Can my old billies be serviced Tazio? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon.Rogers Posted October 3, 2019 Share Posted October 3, 2019 Yes the Bilstein can be serviced for about the same cost as the Nitron or other performance damper.Unfortunately it has to go back to Bilstein themselves for this to be completed. I would have thought you would have more than two oil changes in 24k on a Caterham. The Street Series should be fine for that distance before service but I would keep an eye on the time frame also.Remember that the Street Series will give superior performance over the stock damper along with adjustment. They will also be matched whereas the Bilstein Sport damper as fitted is built to much wider tolerances and so forces/performance measured on our dyno vary quite significantly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthonym Posted October 3, 2019 Share Posted October 3, 2019 any suggestions why my front right still always locks up first despite all new Nitrons (readily granted it could be any make) and flat flooring for driver only plus luggage? It's always done that so I am accustomed, but curious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garybee Posted October 3, 2019 Share Posted October 3, 2019 What are the corner weight figures from when you 'flat floored' it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthonym Posted October 3, 2019 Share Posted October 3, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthonym Posted October 3, 2019 Share Posted October 3, 2019 I’ve recently lost a stone and in process of losing another, so have wondered if that might help, adding some lightness :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon.Rogers Posted October 3, 2019 Share Posted October 3, 2019 In my opinion flat flooring is only a mathematical calculation of what should be correct.Its never reality.I have had this on my own car and simply adding a turn at a time of preload to that corner until it stops locking is the best solution. Effectively its who cares what the figures says its what happens in the real world that counts. My car runs with 2 extra turns of preload on one corner at the front.It could, of course, be the brakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthonym Posted October 3, 2019 Share Posted October 3, 2019 Yes I also suspect the brakes now you mention it, I thought I had a wonky wheel (I know it is) causing some shudder, until fitting a set of fresh wheels and tyres for the test and find it still shudders. No time to fix that pre test. Having said that, it has always done this front right locks up first: I suppose in my heart of hearts I think it is to do with my presence on that side... indeed I think my BDR does it too... the only common factor is me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now