Double adjustable shocks ?

Started by roverman, May 16, 2012, 06:38:14 PM

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roverman

GT 1 car has Carerra, steel , non-adjustables. QA-1 , single adjustable , aluminum/inverted coil-over, is a $90. up-grade. Seems like $'s well spent. Do I really need double adjustables at $100 more, each ? I'm not chasing a points battle. VARA and other "laid-back" racing. Thanks, roverman.

tr8todd

You won't need them, but after the first few weekends of sorting out the gremlins, you will get to a point where you focus on dialing in the suspension.  That's when you are going to wish you had the double adjustables.  That, and a big box of springs.

roverman

Todd, OK no....and  then yes...?  What brand of adjustable front strut inserts do you like ? These "might" be Carerra, to be determined. Obsolete and past due for an upgrade. Thanks, roverman.

tr8todd

I use Koni strut inserts on the fronts on shortened housings with coil over sleeves.  I have used Carerra in the past- they were OK.  I used Spax, and Tokico but they couldn't keep up with the spring pressures I was running.  Have not used Billies but I hear good things from those that use them.  Only other struts I have used and liked were QA1.  It's important that you pick a strut that can be rebuilt or revalved easily and cheaply.  A tip for you is to copy what the EP 240Z guys are running.  The Z and the TR8 seem to like similar suspension settings.  Make sure the inserts you choose are compatible with the spring rates you are running.  The biggest sway bar you can fit to the front still isn't big enough, at least on an IT car.  There may be so many differences between a GT car and your basic ITS TR8 that none of what I think may be valid.

roverman

Front coils are 350 lb./inch and 2.5" id. I suspect coils, shocks and struts, are as Huffaker built with. Koni double adustable strut inserts are pricey !  In retrospect,(hindsight/20-20), I would have had a LOT more seat time, had I bought or built an IT TR8, Oh Well... I'm convinced a LBC GT 1 car, is better suited for someone rich, who doesn't mind getting a lot poorer/lol. Onward, roverman.

302GT

There are two types of single adjustable shocks: first type adjusts rebound and compression together, second type only adjusts rebound with fixed compression. In my experience, rebound is the most important; relatively soft compression with firm rebound seems to work best if driving on bumpy surfaces..Better to tune turn-in response with sway bars rather than stiff springs/shocks.

roverman

6 weeks for QA-1's and Koni's are $600 a pop ! That's a big pop. What now ?  Onward, roverman.

roverman

These are definately a niche market, so few of the big speed distributors actually stock them. Jeg's-no, Summit-Yes ! QA-1's are less than 1/2 the cost of aluminum Koni's. Onward, roverman.

tr8todd

You can try AFCO.  Lanocha is running them on his turbo group 44 replica and is happy with them.  Not sure if they are double or single adjustable, but at least the tech guys were great and worked with him.

roverman

QA-1"s arrived. Using the shock to limit squash and dangle, will void warranty ! Now what ? Looks like limit straps and urethane compression cones. Onward, roverman.