Gaz adjustable dampers and Eibach springs

[peterg78]

Hello
I need to replace the dampers on my 1995 build Celebration 4 litre. I am trying to decide whether to replace with original dampers/springs or go for the Gaz dampers and Eibach road springs which I have read about as being developed for the XJS and marketed by Simply Performance.

If any one has any views on the best suspension package and specifically the Gaz/Eibach combination this would be welcome. I appreciate that suspension set up is a matter of personal preference but as an idea of my own ideal, I would like to retain the suppleness of the ride but have a more controlled steering/cornering set up.

Many thanks.

Peter Gunning

1996 XJS Celebration 4 litre coupe
2003 4.2 litre XKR

[ptjs1]

Peter,

I have the Gaz shocks and Eibach springs on the rear of my 4 litre convertible. I think it's a great combination. A couple of thoughts:

- There are (or were) 2 different type of Gaz rear shocks. One was the adjustable platform height, and one was the fixed height. When mine were first fitted, the adjustable height ones had not been introduced. Although the shocks were great, I couldn't achieve the exact ride height as per factory spec. When the adjustable platform height ones were introduced, I had them immediately changed and was then able to adjust to get the exact height that I wanted.

- The shocks have 30 (I recall?) positions for rebound adjustment. Because I wanted quite a firm tight rear end to the car, I initially set them at position 25. What a mistake! The car was almost undriveable as the back end was so tight that it would skip and hop sideways under even basic cornering. I was then advised to readjust them to somewhere between 10 and 13, and that even racers would never adjust them up higher than about 15. So, it's worth setting them at say, position 9, and then trying it from there to start.

Good luck with your decision. Let us all know how you get on.

Paul

[PaulGover]

Personally I've always been happy with the suspension as tuned by Jaguar, but I'm not racing or doing track days.

One thing to remember is that tyres are an important part of the suspension, especially affecting ride quality. The modern trend for low-profile tyres improves road-holding at the expense of ride. My X.350 has 19" wheels with 45 profile tyres, and has far worse ride than my old XJ6 SIII with 70 profile. Not surprising, there's much more rubber to flex and absorb the bumps.

The trouble with the XJS is that correct tyres for the old 15" wheels are hard to come by (I read somewhere ages ago that there was only one car using that size...). The 16" ones look better, probably handle better, but ride worse.

[ptjs1]

Peter,

Picking up on Paul G's thoughts, it also reinforces 2 other reasons why you might choose the Gaz adjustable platform shocks.

By playing with the rebound settings, you can mitigate the impact of differing wheel and tyre sizes to get close to the original Jaguar ride or tune to your own preferences.

Also, whilst the situation may have improved recently with Jaguar selling new springs, a while ago the quality of aftermarket springs was very variable and many places didn't sell the full range of different spring part numbers for teh differing XJS models. Some pattern springs were dreadful giving a different ride height to original springs. Adjustable platform-height shocks enable you to compensate for that shortcoming.

Cheers

Paul

[peterg78]

Thank you to both Pauls for your responses. I had learned from a fellow member of the Oxford region who had fitted the Gaz dampers to his E-type that they were firm at higher settings. He too reduced the setting to well below 15 to obtain a compliant ride. I have heard of problems with aftermarket springs but understand the Eibach springs to be of good quality and with the adjustable spring height shocks a factory ride height can be maintained. I am definitely leaning towards the Gaz/Eibach combination but will make the final decision in February when the XJS is scheduled for a complete rear end refurbishment.

I will post an update when the work has been completed and let you know the result.

Once again thank you for your responses, your input is much appreciated.

Peter

1996 XJS 4 litre Celebration coupe
2003 4.2 litre XKR convertible