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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGF Technical - Hydragas to coils

I am interested to hear if people are generally satisfied where they have fitted a coil spring conversion to their MGF.

Is the suplex equipment satisfactory? Anyone got an opinion on the conversion being manufactured in Australia?

One of my son's had a TF 160 and it was almost unacceptably hard riding especially when compared to my Hydragas MGF, is the suplex conversion less hard and does it put the original spring mounts under excessive load?

Any comments appreciated.

Alan
a mackew

I fitted the RV8 Australian coil spring conversion kit to our 2000 MGF almost a year ago and am more than satisfied with the performance. The ride is no harder than the hydragas units used to be, in fact I think it is probably a little better. I fitted the kit myself and have done about 10,000 km since the conversion, most of it off highway on country secondary roads. I would definitely recommend the RV8 kit to anyone who's hydragas units are on the way out.
Pete Cornell

Hi Alan
I fitted the Australian kit a few months ago and have been very happy. I had to fiddle around with the height adjustments to get it right, but now it's good. The handling is (I think) equal to the hydragas. I fitted the kit myself: took about 4 1/2 hours. Not difficult although the rear is a bit tricky because of accessability.
Matthew
m s randell

Thanks Matthew and Pete, so far the hydragas is still ok, so no need for action yet. I see on Ebay someone in Australia is making new spheres but at the price asked it seems the coil conversion is better value since it includes new shock absorbers too.

Alan
a mackew

NAH..unless you want, and accept a compromise... hydrogas is where you need to stay.
N.J. Simon

N.J. - have you driven a car with the Australian or Suplex units fitted?
Pete Cornell

Hmm, what compromise? I have experience of a coil spring conversion for the MGF. With carefully designed springs to a very exacting design and custom built dampers to perfectly match the weight of the car and the spring rate I can assure you that there was no compromise. It was superb. Sadly, this specification of conversion is not available.

The TF was, I understand, saddled with horribly stiff springs and possibly dismal damper specification but again, this can be resolved with correct spring rates and enlightened damping specifications.

That said, we live in a world of compromise. One mans' sporty ride is another mans' wheelbarrow.

Ask any owner of a BMW on sport suspension!

Clive Berry

Alan, if or when you reach the point of changing I found the service from RV8 was fantastic. I phoned Stuart twice during the fitting for clarification of the procedure and was expertly guided through each issue.

Pete
Pete Cornell

This thread was discussed between 28/08/2012 and 05/11/2012

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