Shock options for track cars, Give me your opinions Options

[nine14cats]

Hi Gang,

I'm currently running Bilstein's all around on my track car. No special valving. Right out of the box.

If we were to assume the current set up at the bottom and the JWE Fox shocks at the top, what are my options in between?

My current car setup:

Front =
---------
23mm solid t-bars
27mm Smart racing AR bar
911T struts, calipers, brakes
turbo tie rods
Bilstein shocks

Rear =
--------
350lbs to 450lbs springs (depending upon track or application)
adjustable perches
Bilstein shocks
944 calipers and brakes

I will be going to bigger brakes all around, so I won't have the 911T struts much longer.

What are my shock options and approx. costs?

i.e. low end $500, Fox shocks $4400....

We run this car at Thunderhilll, Laguna Seca, Sears, Buttonwillow.

Thanks,

Bill P.

[Thorshammer]

Okay Okay! I'll chime in!

The fox is a reasonable shock, but for racing I feel the shock shaft diameter is insufficient. I think it is 14 or 16mm, sorry not enough strength when a side load (corner) is applied. JRZ good shock, too stiff on low speed compression. Their Idea of low shaft speed sensitivity is V2 damping which I don't undertsand. But they will work okay, although I would soften the low speed valving to work properly.

Bilstein, If you want something reasonable with some adjustability then here is where you probably should go.
Koni, okay as well and Ron Wickers 914 FP is very fast, his suspension comes right from Roger Kraus, or last I heard it did.
For me and Maybe I am partial, but I want the best, Ohlins. Maybe because my Swedish heritage demands it, or you will find Ohlins suspension on so many championship winning cars, it is not even funny. Tony Stewerts championship was on Ohlins. A local California race shop uses them, but sells Moton. Which are also good, but too much low speed compression. So Kanna is where you have to go if you want the best. I am a little disappointed the price keeps going up, but what the hell. So are you looking for the best or just something very good. When it comes to suspension, your wallet makes most of the decision. I have included a shot of my rear shocks. These are double adjustable, low speed compression and low speed rebound but I will be converting them to triple adjustment, adding high speed rebound. Just call me a control freak.

Erik Madsen 914-6