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B&G MGF COIL SPRING CONVERSION KIT update!

15K views 13 replies 10 participants last post by  janemgf 
#1 ·
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?

 
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#3 ·
I am certainly interested also, but I went out and bought a new set of GAZ adjustable dampers last year and I do not want to waste those, so unless Suplex or Brown and Gammons will sell the spring upgrade without the Suplex dampers, then it's a non starter for me.
 
#7 ·
I am among these two options. The cost is more or less the same, but the thing with the TF suspension is that even if I buy 2 subframes with all other parts, springs, etc. they will be used, so in a couple of yrs I'll just need to replace shocks & springs, and changing the subframes requires a lot of work (cutting 4 inches to fit the replacement, etc) and my MG will not be as it was by the factory. If there was no alternative I would go for it, now that I have the suplex, i think its easy to replace, witn new springs, and shocks to keep for another 7-8 yrs if I want to.
By the way I'm selling the whole set of hydragas (front & rear). My car is MY2002, and they are still working.
 
#9 ·
Any up-to-date news on how these coil kits are performing?

Hi all, I have seen a Suplex coil conversion kit for MGF for sale on our local Trademe (NZ) and discovered this thread. As you can see this thread goes back to Feb 2011, so 3+ years on is this kit performing well? cheers Alan
 
#14 ·
Any up-to-date news on how these coil kits are performing?

Hi all, I have seen a Suplex coil conversion kit for MGF for sale on our local Trademe (NZ) and discovered this thread. As you can see this thread goes back to Feb 2011, so 3+ years on is this kit performing well? cheers Alan
Suplex xpart kit was a disaster for me, waste of money, lots of heartache, big battle with rimmers to get the kit money back and still out of pocket. I now have a Satur kit, it's fantastic.
 
#11 ·
Many thanks David for the link, well worth the read! Oh dear... I will be sticking to factory hydragas suspension for my F then. Even though I have factory, I will still go and check for any fractures as highlighted in that thread later today just to be safe!!! For all MGF owners in NZ, and living in Auckland, you can purchase rebuilt spheres from Paul Walbran, MG specialist (New Lynn, Ak) and they can install as well for around NZD$1,100 all up.

Sorry to read of the woes owners have had with Suplex installed. Thank you for sharing on the forum!
 
#12 ·
Suplex suspension

I have been reading all the posts on the problems with F suspension and come to the conclusion the Assie kit is the best way to go, forget price for the moment, about£1000 delivered as apposed to £800 for the poorly engineered suplex kit wont last more than a couple of years. I have had my F for 12 years its been no trouble except for the . what if you plan on keeping the car and don't plan on selling is the best way to go. I am in Spain so if I went the TF sub frame route I would need to get the car back to uk and back to Spain quite a lot of money which ever route you go, I am thinking long term quality which is my best option.
 
#13 ·
...... I am thinking long term quality which is my best option.
Certainly agree with that. I'm keeping my F for as long as I am able to drive it. Keeping inline with other marital fiscal priorities, it's money well spent!!

Who would have thought what value the once mainstream Mk2 Cortina 1600 E or Escort would fetch today?. Very sought after cars in NZ now.
 
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