After a correspondance with Dean (from B&G) regarding the Suplex replacement kit for the F, he replied the following:
I hope this covers all points, please find your replies in BOLD lettering.
1) How good will the conversion be compared to a new set of hydragas and shocks.
Development of the conversion was triggered by the finite availability of OE hydragas displacers. On the basis that it will be available, it has to be better than NLA parts! Dan has been involved in the supply of springs and suspension assemblies to virtually every UK specialist motor manufacturer over the past 30 years including Aston Martin, Rolls-Bentley, Lotus, McLaren etc., not to mention most F1, WRC, BTCC and other race formula and teams.
2)Is it stiffer, same, or softer than the standard hydragas? Is it adjustable (Can someone make it lower)?
The kit has been developed to mimic the original ride and handling characteristics. Ride quality is comparable with standard MGF displacers and dampers. There is an element of adjustability, from standard ride height of 368mm between wheelarch and wheel centre to "track height" of 340mm, a reduction of 28mm.
3) Front and rear coil spring units are the same? If not what’s the difference, if yes the difference is only at the shocks?
Canisters front and rear are the same. The springs are not. The dampers are different too.
4) Will you only sell the parts as a kit?
Yes, the damper rates are specifically matched to the spring rates.
5) will there be an actual problem if you put gaz, or other shocks in the future with it, or is it just for marketing purposes?
We intend to offer an adjustable alternative as an option. As you know, there can be problems with harder dampers causing structural problems on the MGF. Dan White was heavily involved in the suspension on the MGF cup cars and the loads which can be tolerated. The initial product was designed to keep standard cars on the road, not as a performance upgrade. Enhanced systems can follow. In theory an alternative adjustable damper not sourced from SUPLEX could be used however this would not have been matched to the coil spring conversion.
6) What is the guarantee a) if it fails on the street, b) if its worse than described, customer is not happy with drivability. In other words if you cannot treat it as a sports car anymore. And does it feel safe when driving fast? Do we get to return it and get our money back?
12 months. We cannot see any element which should fail in normal use. All spring and damper rates have been devised to replicate the OE settings so it should drive as the original does. All testing to date has been favourable. It lands straight after four wheels off flight, brakes straight and corners well. Clearly, we would have to consider each case on its' merits concerning returns.
Overall…
To allay any fears, the dampers come from the same facility as the units we supply to JCB for OE applications. The manufacturing plant is a Sachs facsimile and quality is to western standards. We have a number of additional OE customers where these dampers will feature as OE fitment. One example is the most photographed car at Geneva this week.
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ok, maybe some parts are copy-paste from the nottorius article on MGOC mag, but he sounds conviencing. Has anyone pre-ordered it yet? I'm thinking about it. I 'm just a bit concerned for my F being among the first "guinea pigs" to try it... cheers
P.S. I hope this doesn't violate any forum rules, does it?
I hope this covers all points, please find your replies in BOLD lettering.
1) How good will the conversion be compared to a new set of hydragas and shocks.
Development of the conversion was triggered by the finite availability of OE hydragas displacers. On the basis that it will be available, it has to be better than NLA parts! Dan has been involved in the supply of springs and suspension assemblies to virtually every UK specialist motor manufacturer over the past 30 years including Aston Martin, Rolls-Bentley, Lotus, McLaren etc., not to mention most F1, WRC, BTCC and other race formula and teams.
2)Is it stiffer, same, or softer than the standard hydragas? Is it adjustable (Can someone make it lower)?
The kit has been developed to mimic the original ride and handling characteristics. Ride quality is comparable with standard MGF displacers and dampers. There is an element of adjustability, from standard ride height of 368mm between wheelarch and wheel centre to "track height" of 340mm, a reduction of 28mm.
3) Front and rear coil spring units are the same? If not what’s the difference, if yes the difference is only at the shocks?
Canisters front and rear are the same. The springs are not. The dampers are different too.
4) Will you only sell the parts as a kit?
Yes, the damper rates are specifically matched to the spring rates.
5) will there be an actual problem if you put gaz, or other shocks in the future with it, or is it just for marketing purposes?
We intend to offer an adjustable alternative as an option. As you know, there can be problems with harder dampers causing structural problems on the MGF. Dan White was heavily involved in the suspension on the MGF cup cars and the loads which can be tolerated. The initial product was designed to keep standard cars on the road, not as a performance upgrade. Enhanced systems can follow. In theory an alternative adjustable damper not sourced from SUPLEX could be used however this would not have been matched to the coil spring conversion.
6) What is the guarantee a) if it fails on the street, b) if its worse than described, customer is not happy with drivability. In other words if you cannot treat it as a sports car anymore. And does it feel safe when driving fast? Do we get to return it and get our money back?
12 months. We cannot see any element which should fail in normal use. All spring and damper rates have been devised to replicate the OE settings so it should drive as the original does. All testing to date has been favourable. It lands straight after four wheels off flight, brakes straight and corners well. Clearly, we would have to consider each case on its' merits concerning returns.
Overall…
To allay any fears, the dampers come from the same facility as the units we supply to JCB for OE applications. The manufacturing plant is a Sachs facsimile and quality is to western standards. We have a number of additional OE customers where these dampers will feature as OE fitment. One example is the most photographed car at Geneva this week.
-
ok, maybe some parts are copy-paste from the nottorius article on MGOC mag, but he sounds conviencing. Has anyone pre-ordered it yet? I'm thinking about it. I 'm just a bit concerned for my F being among the first "guinea pigs" to try it... cheers
P.S. I hope this doesn't violate any forum rules, does it?