Shock Shaft Rubbers

[TomTom]

  Here's a question to all you asphalt guys!!! If your car is setup properly with the correct springs your shock shaft rubbers should be in the middle, I'm I thinking correctly, because my RR, RF are bottomed out, which doesn't make sense seen I'm running a 250 RF, 200 RR, 225 LF, 185LR

 Any help or suggestions would be great

THANKS

Tom

[justfreaky]

I'm thinking you might want to switch around the springs
Here is a set up that one of our members is using.

LF200   RF250 - 275

LR180   RR185

Also, air pressures are 27# right side and 17# left side.
You might want to check your ride heights also.
Perhaps Jeff may have some ideas for you.
Also wondering what shocks you are using? ... New/ Used/ or worn out ? 

I left you a bit of feedback on DCR. PM me here though if you'd like; as I spend most of my time on this site. I think I sent you a Welcome PM and that I am building a Dwarf Car also. If I didn't.... Sorry!     I am in the process of finding a new internet service and am not online as often as I usally was. Will be back online full time soon  (I Hope!).

Steve

[DanH]

That is a bit soft i must say, it does really depend on driving style but i run
LF 250 RF 275
LR 200 RR 225

This is on a coupe but im a smooth driver.

But you will know if your bottoming out as the car will become uncontrollable.
       

[justfreaky]

I tend to agree with you Dan. Good to see you online!
I am curious about what shocks, ride heights and percentages Tom is running. Also what track(s) he is running.
Thanks for your input!

Steve

[IraceLegends77]

Tom,

When I ran asphalt on a "BIG" 3/8th with high bank we used.

LF 275  RF 325

LR 200 RR 225
 
Hope that will help.

Scott 77w

[TomTom]

THANKS for all the responses,

Sorry I didn't quite give you guy's enough info. It's a 34' Ford 5 window legend coupe running as a dwarf car, my RR shock is new, all my others are used but working good. The RR & RF shock shaft rubber are the one's that are bottomed out. Someone said that if the shock was bottomed out it would be hard to control, it is hard to control, it's loose as hell from turn entry all the way thru exit, so that's why I thought that the springs are too soft!!! Now I have also failed to mention I just recently set my caster/camber it was all messed up. I set it to were It was suggested, and boy did it work, before the car pushed now I can drive it in hard, but now it's really loose. Also if the right side springs were too soft that would cause me to be loose to because the springs are compressing too quickly, Am I even in the ball park of being correct on my way of thinking???

[djracing]

Are the shocks the same type/valving on all four corners. What do you have the ride heights set too? Is it just loose off, or the middle or everywhere You could probably play with tire pressures to tighten it up a little at the track too.

[VMS Motorsports]

Just a dirt guy opinion, but I'd go a little heavier on the left rear

[TomTom]

Shocks are all Inex Bilstein, ride heights I'll check tommorow, loose all the way thru the turn

[justfreaky]

Tom,

Check the ride heights and your tire pressures. I'm thinking those should help.
As DJ asked; What are your shock rates?

Steve

[TomTom]

Ride heights are 4" front & 4.5" rear, we run Hoosier 790 DOT tires I run  10psi left & 15-16.5 psi right & 1/2" - 3/4" Stagger. Aren't all Inex Legend shocks valved as 50/50?

[justfreaky]

No. Shocks are not all valved 50/50. Rule just reads as Bilstein shocks.
64. SHOCKS: All Legends Cars must use INEX ( logo
stamped Bilstein) Shocks as currently delivered by 600 Racing,
Inc. Shock numbers must be made visible at the request of an
INEX inspector. Changing or altering the shock or fluid inside is
illegal. Altering or tampering with the shocks, or competing with
same, will result in a suspension from one year (first offense) to
a lifetime ban (multiple offenses). Shocks may be turned upside
down and/or the upper part of the rear shock may be mounted
on either side (inside or outside) of the frame. Shock bumpers
are permitted (maximum 1/4” tall).

As you are not bound by INEX rules, you can use any shock you want. Mine are Carerra 1663's all around.

Here is the rule on ride heights according to INEX :
61. RIDE HEIGHT: The car may have no less than 3 ½
inches between the bottom of the frame rails (not the weld) and
the ground. This measurement is to be checked without the
driver in the car, as raced, without lifting of the car of any kind.

Your rules may differ according to what the track or sanctioning body allows.

Here is the link to the Legends Car rules:
http://www.600racing.com/documents/legends_39-69.pdf
They will not apply to you as you are not running the car under current INEX rules.
IF you choose to run your car as a Dwarf, or as something other than a Legends (INEX sanctioned) car, you will be bound to whatever rules at your track allow.

Steve

[JGRacing]

I would imagine that the valving inside of the INEX shocks is 50/50 (comp / rebound) to keep them pretty general.  There was something on the Yahoo board a while back where someone put some Bilstein shocks on a shock dyno and they did vary from one to the next.  You may have a shock or two that are harder or softer than what you need on a specific corner.  Not sure if that would cause the car to bottom out, but might be worth looking at.  From what you are saying and with the higher ride heights you are using, I would try going to stiffer springs.  Since you are not running INEX, you could also weld on higher upper coilover mounts to give you more room for travel if you really like the spring setup you are using.     

[justfreaky]

As I do not know what current shock numbers are, I can not tell what the rating is. Maybe someone can enlighten us on that. True, Shocks do differ by small percentage points. Likely not enough to make a big difference. As Tom is running the car as a Dwarf, and not in INEX sanctioned events as a Legends, I would think that he would only be bound by what his track rules allow. Most tracks that run Dwarf cars are pretty much open as far as shock and/ or spring combos.

As far as shock mounts, panhard bar, or other suspension mounts... Dwarf Cars have more open rules on that stuff than do the Legends. I have panhard bar mounts with a variety of holes for adjustments on the rear end in my car. Adding different mounts, or mounts with various adjustments, should not be a problem for Tom.

Steve