Thread: Front shocks

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I have the shorty chrome shocks on my '32 . I have QA-1 's on the rear. I been thinking that the front shocks should be upgraded for some adjustability.
Any one else thinking this? Any thoughts given as to the actual need and therefore what replacement shocks should be considered.
Thanks

Actual need???? absolutely!!!!

Many old time cars ride can be improved by shocks----special consideration needs to be paid to mounting angles and leverage for the dampening effect at the wheels--- a shock laid way over and way inboard will need a very high dampening setting for proper control at the wheel

I've just always run the chrome short shocks from people like Pete and Jakes or Speedway and they have worked fine. However, my Son Dan just mentioned he is considering going with Bilsteins on his rpu because he has seen posts where people say the difference in ride is night and day, and they are also rebuildable, where the others are not. They cost about twice as much as the regular short shocks though.

Don

X 2 on the Bilsteins

It's like drivin a whole new car, compared to the Chinese made P&J's, So-Cal or Speedway.
After about 5000 miles those are worn out.

OK Don which Bilsteins do you recommend?

So-----you don't think anything about the angle or percentages?????

X 3 on the Bilsteins. I had the chrome P&J on the rear of my coupe and changed them to Bilsteins and I can really tell a difference in the ride.

My angles and percentages are pretty well set. My goal is to up grade through quality and adjustability. I should be able to benefit from builders who have the experience that I don't. Your help would be appreciated.

Originally Posted by jerry clayton

So-----you don't think anything about the angle or percentages?????

Absolutely. I like to lay them over somewhat from a straight up and down position. I think straight up and down is ok for a drag car, but on a street driven car I like them angled because I think they offer some side sway prevention in that position. I don't really remember the exact degree I shoot for, some of it is dictated by the available mounts I use on the axle (Like the Pete and Jakes lower mount) and also by where the frame is in relation to that mount. Cosmetics also enters into the decision, I just lay them over until they look right to me.

And yes, the cheapies do go away after so many miles. The ones on the front of my 23 started to get weak and I experienced some wheel hop. Bought a new set, problem solved.

Here is how I set up the ones on my 27.......nothing special, pretty common hot rod fare. On the picture of my old 23 you can see that they are slightly less angled, but that is where the mounts fell. I saw no real difference in dampening or performance on either setup, to any degree.

Oh, while we are on the subject of handling, I have to comment on the steering stabilizer that SoCal sells. I put one on my 27 and liked it so much I bought one for Don's T and Dans RPU. I can't say enough good things about how it makes the car steer and track better. I can run my 27 through the gears over the roughest washboard surface, and I never worry about death wobble. Don also go a chance to try his out at Turkey Run, and he said the car is 100% better. Goes over RR tracks and bumps like it never did before. Some people call these a bandaid.......I say BS. Every straight axle car should have one, and SoCal says no car has left their shop in 30 years without one. I agree totally.

Don

My angle looks pretty close to yours, same setup. Any shock suggestions on what to upgrade to?? I also have a So-Cal dampner to install. Thank you

Don---the differances between your two cars is significant--one is probably around 45 degrees but in front of the axle--the other is more uprite at probably 20 degrees or less and behind the axle---If they were the same shocks-might be about the same dampening effect as the ones behind the axle would be stonger in dampening but more challanged by the rate to uspension travel---
the ones in front of the axle, while having a better rate would be subject to a severe change of percentage as the angle will be multiplied severely as the suspension travlels downward making the shock lay down--


And, yes , you pretty much have to go with what the mountings are , but the effects of the mountings are drastic---

Now if its a coil-over application the angles of operation will also cause the spring rate to vary (helps in roll as car leans)

try going to www.QA-1.net

I agree, Jerry. And the closer you can get the shock to the wheel the better the dampening effect will be.

Don

So does Bilstein have a line for street rod looks, or do you paint the tube/cover?

Try the RCD Classics web site in California, they offer tuned Bilsteins for hotrod use.
I purchased a set of tuned Bilstein front and rear shocks from Steve and he was very helpful.

http://www.racecardynamics.com/class...hr/indexhr.htm

Tony

Interesting article by Steve at RCD Classics on shocks, may be helpful.
http://www.racecardynamics.com/class...wor%201110.pdf

Tony