It's common wisdom that racing shocks need to be rebuilt once a season. In talking to some of the high-end manufacturers, they recommend similar intervals (1-2 years at most). This was true even when I asked about street use only.

My question is: why? The materials and manufacturing processes are at least as good as the mass production approach that major auto companies use. I can understand how racing puts accelerated wear on suspension parts, but why would street use make racing shocks wear faster than OEM or mass-production aftermarket shocks (like Koni/Tokico/etc)?

-ch

 

When racing the car may only get a few hundred miles on it in a season. Since you pay a ton of money for the one or two seconds a lap that the shocks will give you it makes sense to keep them working in top shape. I'm not sure if you would be able to tell on the street if you went longer but there could be seal issues and making sure the oil stays clean and doesn't wear things out. They probably don't wear faster but what little wear there is will show up in lap times. You won't tell the difference on the run to In and Out burger.

 

good question...

the answer is materials, mass produstions shocks(koni,tokicko,monroe...) use steel bodys and various pistons ushually with pretty thicks shims and and rather heavy oils at relatively low pressure . racing shocks are ushually produced with anodized aluminum bodys which wear extremely fast combined with shims that are availiable in very thin sizes down to as little as .004" which makes them very adjustable but also very prone to fatigue and out right failure if abused. also the oils most commonly used are relativly thin and highly presurized a side affect is that the oil degrades rapidly.

 

LOL sorry for the spl.

 

Fantasic response, even with the spelling! This was very helpful and makes sense to me. Thanks! I appreciate all the responses.

-ch

 

FWIW if you're not looking for that last .1 second a lap, you can wait several seasons, or til they leak. Many guys run GC advanced Design and Koni on the steet for years without a rebuild. OTOH if you are one point out of the local championship, get them rebuilt. Most cost ~75-100 a corner plus parts. Carl

 

let me clarify a little between what i consider racing shocks vs sport shocks

racing shocks- penske,ohlins,jrz,dynamic suspentions,koni 2-way and up,moton,sachs....
all of the above will cost at least $500 a corner most closer to $1200 and depending on usage should be rebuilt or re-valved constantly due to the need to maintain the "competitive edge" over other cars your racing against because well the whole purpose of a racing shock is adjustability and weight. if you can stay competitive without opening or dynoing your racing shocks once, over two seasons than you probably don't need them.

sport shocks- kyb,edellbrock,koni,bilstien..... perfect for your everything from your DD to your hot lap weekend fun car and they only cost around $150 a corner. and they do last a couple of years. and hey you don't have to worry about them run em till they blow.

 

I don’t mean to be rude. But read on and you will understand.

People out there that have no sense of car control spend the money. If they can’t win in their class they spend the money (More HP). From my own experience and from a driver coach / friend winning races based on skill and car set up. My RX7 has tops including buying the car $10,000.00 USD in it. I have out performed $40,000 to $80,000 BMW, Porsches RX7 etc.

Run regular gas, Toyo RA1 tires, stock brakes (Hawk Blue Pads), stock transmission, stock rear end, stock injection system with the cheap Mega Squirt system (Ported intake runners), street ported engine done by me (No big name race shop) stock internal parts. The list goes on. Basically drive the car to the limits and feel what it is doing. Adjust your lines, entry speeds, rate of steering input, play in practice. Put way too much toe out and run it to see what it feels like. The same with the rear put massive amounts of camber in and loose a race but run it hard and feel what it’s like. With out the knowledge of car feel you will never make the car handle. Then purchase each item for the car one at a time.

THERE IS NO WAY A COMPLETE PACKAGE OUT THERE THAT YOU CAN BUY AND GO FAST!!! Every car and driver is unique. People that think big bucks wins races are the losers trying to buy that win. I have people at the track look over my competitor’s cars then they look at mine. They scratch their heads and then say “You must be driving the FU#***& wheels off of this thing”. To me that is the best feeling in the world.

Oh by the way, I buy the cheapest Koni 1 way adjustable shocks front and rear. Stock rear sway bar on nylon bushings, 1 1/8th inch front sway bar with bushings (Which I cut the ends off and welded flat bar extensions on with holes in it for adjustments). Front springs Iback (I think that’s the name) rears 220Lb spring no name on them (Wreaking yard stuff) $50.00. Home made rear camber adjusters from two NC ½” X 4.5” Allen head bolts, two nylon nuts NC and 1.25” solid square bar (Labor 3 hours). Toyo RA1 tires which I run to the cord after flipping them once. Car’s weight with driver this season 2413lbs. USE YOUR BRAIN AND SKILL AND NOT THE WALLET.

Race Hard and Safe!!!

 

^ not sure who you are directing your comments at but I agree with you

the majority of scca/nasa trackday events...are won by a few decent drivers not equipment do to the majority of the drivers in these classes have limited racing skill simply because they don't race for a pay check and therefore the insentive is more to have fun rather than to win.

however there are classes out there where the driver's can match the equipment and in those cases you better spend the money (sensibly of course).