As some of you know, I've been helping out Gaz in developing some coilovers for the S2000.

Gaz are a very well known name in the engineering/shocks/coilovers industry and have been around since 1967, supplying aftermarket shocks since 2000 for many types of car, as well as being heavily involved in Motorsport. you can read a lot more about them here http://www.gaz-shocks.co.uk/about.html

Most famously, they supplied the shocks for the Top Gear BMW used in the Britcar 24 Hours.

Anyway, as part of the process of getting the shocks ready for the S2000, I paid a visit to their factory in Basildon. Here are some pictures of what goes on.

Here's how everything starts, as long bits of metal


These are then put into machines like these (old BSA cam run machines, or the more modern CNC devices)




all based on good old fashioned engineering drawings


These turn out all sorts of things, not just for shocks



Even fishing equipment!


But the main output is shocks



Which are sent off for plating


And then the inner bits added and tested




They have some springs available!!!


The shocks I have are from their GHA range - see here for details http://www.gaz-shocks.co.uk/product.html Adjustment is made via a knob on the bottom of each shock, so to change things, one only needs to reach under the car. You can see it in this not very good photo - note that this is half fitted!


As for mine, having got them properly set up and specified for the car, I am very pleased. My emphasis was on a setup that was comfortable for road use, bearing in mind I'm over 40 now, so tend to feel the bumps a bit more than some of the younger folk here but also could be tweaked up for the 5 or 6 trackdays I do each year.

I've therefore gone for slightly softer spring rates than most aftermarket sets, being 400 Front and 300 Rear. (OEM is 240/230) although I may get this changed to the standard Gaz setup of 350/250.

The ride quality is a little harder than standard, but remains comfortable enough for day to day use, and having tried them at an airfield track day at Abingdon on Friday, I can report that the additional stiffness given when the dampening is increased makes for much easier, and possibly faster progress around the circuit, it's particularly noticeable on fast direction changes.

Derek from Gaz is coming along to the s2ki track day at Rockingham on Saturday to help and advise me on getting the most out of the setup, as well as answer any questions folk may have.

So far, I'd recommend these for anyone on a budget - these are £575 a set who wants something that works well on the road, or perhaps someone with an older/high mileage car like mine that wants to replace some tired old OEM coilovers.

 

That's interesting on how they are made .

I have a very low opinion of Gaz Coilovers from a few expereinces though.

 

It'll be interesting to get a long term report on these and also to see what findings you come up with from the Gaz technician at Rockingham.

I see that pesky Michelle has been at the thermostat switch again.

 

LG, what are the spring rate you went for in kg/mm?

Please tell.

Chris.

 

I rate Gaz quite highly, having driven a few MX5s with them fitted. I would like to see what they are like on the S however.

Did you get the rear spring rates sorted Simon?

I would guess that these would suit those who use their S as a daily drive, and therefore require more comfort than outright performance,

 

On my own set on a Clio 182 before i changed to AST's.

Seal blew on 1 front shock and 1 rear shock in the first 5 months (4000ish miles)

Locking collar cracked on a rear adjuster.

Dampning adjuster knob broke off.

My friend with an RS2000 had similar expereince's bought new also had the knob snap on the two fronts and one seal go at the rear.

 

Google is my friend:
400lb/inch = 7.14kg/mm
300lb/inch = 5.36kg/mm

Recommended 350/250 = 6.25/4.46

OEM as follows:
MY00-01 = 218/291
MY02-03 = 240/230
MY04-07 = 256/207
MY08-UP = 274/225

 

The problem with the rear was that the initial spec given to Gaz was too short a damper. Having replaced these with longer ones, all is now good.

Derek tells me the dampers can work with up to 700lb/inch springs, so full on "ricer" setups can be done, as can softer setups.

 

Very interesting read, LG

 

I see Tony at WIM has announced a kit too.