Shocks Question, How do they affect handling? Options

[Joe Ricard]

So now I see the MAJOR difference from Koni red externally adjustables versus the new Koni yellow sports.

Both are only adjustable in rebound. So what is it that is actually happening and what is the theory behind slower (firmer) shock dampening on handeling of the car.

The way I see it acceleration causes weight transfer to the rear of the car (if it gets to sliding mash the gas) squats the rear end and compresses the shock.

mash the brake and weight transfers to the front compressing the front and lifting the rear. Does the more dampening you have slow the weight transfer?

I know spring rates further complicate the whole thing.

So what I noticed/discovered was the effect that moving from 17mm to 21mm torsion bars and new Koni's in front reduced the nose dive under braking and somehow reduced the unloading of the rear wheels. Rear shocks Koni reds externally adjustable were full firm as always. fronts we set to 1/4 from full soft. seemed pretty good so we just left it alone.

[Don Wohlfarth]

QUOTE (J P Stein @ Nov 7 2005, 03:34 PM)

I also know that if I had all them knobs to fool with I'd fuck it up.

I agree with JP.
I installed single adjustable JRZ's front and back on my 2.8, semi tube 914 and made no other changes. I chased settings for a little over a year, maybe 15 track days.
Got it to handle OK but always felt there had to be more. No, I didn't fiddle with shocks after ever session but a couple times over a weekend. I'm a de inst so I'd always have at least 1 student and maybe a checkout ride for others. Add in a little discouragement with lack of "real" improvement.
Finally hit the right settings. Only realistic comment is Night and Day. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/boldblue.gif)
Picked up over 2.5 seconds on home track where I've got over 100 days.
JP's starting price may be a little low but well worth the investment.