Fellow Rattlers. Received another call from a lady at DC who confirmed that our letter is under review at the "executive level" . No actual word of what might be offered but we will remain confident that DC will do the right thing by us. I was scheduled to meet with Chuck Tator and get my ACR "tatorized" to to remove the rattle. Due to DCs second response I called Chuck and adjourned the visit (I want my ACR to be in its virginal rattlemax state if DC is going to remedy our problems.) In any event, stay tuned at least we are getting some customer service calls.
BTW I have been doing some research on the Dynamic Systems ACR shocks. I received a good response from the Manager of their North American Disrtibutor and I have included same below. You might find it interesting if you are contemplating the Dynamic Systems. FYI, hope you find it informative. (Please note, my questions follow the responses; Lucky I got it into the post let alone in the right order.
Subj: RE: Dynamic Suspension inquiry
Date: 6/25/01 12:52:55 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: [email protected] (Charlie Cadieux)
To: [email protected] ('[email protected]')
Dear Bob,
Thanks for your inquiry and questions regarding your Viper ACR. Hopefully I
can shed some light to some of your questions.
1. The current system used on Viper ACR is a Dynamic Suspensions coil over
monotube 2-way adjustable damper. Unlike the Koni units, our system uses a
piggy back remote reservoir with separate compression and rebound adjusters.
2. The Viper ACR dampers currently in production vary quite drastically from
the Koni units of the past. From a performance view, our product was
designed and tuned specifically for Viper ACR's, the damper is new in design
and not a mainstream carry over product re-tuned like the Koni units. The
Dynamic system uses a novel piggy back set-up, we use high quality forgings
for the bases, hard anodized aluminum bodies, abutments and separate bump
and rebound adjusters. Our range of adjustment is greater which allows for
better tuning from track to track. The reason for this wide range is that
the compression adjuster is housed in the remote, the adjuster is caged and
shimmed which allows for a wide range of tuning. The rebound adjuster is
located in the shaft, similar to the Koni's however it does not share the
shaft circuits with the compression adjuster like the Koni, therefore
allowing a larger bleed area and considerable larger rebound adjustability.
Both our compression and rebound adjusters can be tuned without special
tools. With the remote canister our gas to oil volume ratio is increased and
helps with damping consistency and reduced cavitation. DS damper sealing
systems are also quite novel and designed to reduce friction.
3. Spring rate changes are not a problem....one of your last comments I will
address now as well. The Viper ACR 2001 is designed and tuned for the track,
ride is definitely compromised for better max handling. Therefore our
dampers were tuned and developed to accommodate this. Spring rates on the
2001 are 500 lbs/in front and 1100 lbs/in rear. Reducing the rear rates will
help ride somewhat but may affect max handling balance. A reduction in rear
spring rate will not require a different damper, our range could easily
accommodate this if required.
4. The Koni and DS are not interchangeable. You should not run DS rears with
Koni front or Koni rears with DS fronts. Both dampers have completely
different valving characteristics. The DS dampers have a more linear curve
where as the Koni's are very digressive.
5. The dampers used in production are not usually the same as what a factory
team would utilise, however in this case, it was imperative that we carry
over the same monotube technology as developed with ORECA. ORECA use 4-way
adjustable dampers with remote reservoir, your Viper ACR is similar however
packaged for the street environment. The same sealing system is used across,
only high quality viton o-rings are used in both applications with one piece
piston teflon slide rings. Both utilise billet 40mm pistons, valving is of
course drastically different. Chrome shaft materials are the same and top
eyes and abutments as well. The ORECA shafts and eyes only vary in packaging
for adjustment purposes.
We also offer a World Challenge version of this damper with 3-way
adjustment, this as well uses the same bodies as the production version
along with all of the same adjusters, the only difference is the remote
style reservoir. Unless you purchase a full on GTS-R these dampers are as
close the factory deal as you can get.
6. Installation for 2000-2001 I believe are identical. Both utilise the
conical spacers.
Our dampers are exclusively available through Mopar, our kits are complete
with Hyperco springs and all required mounting hardware, including the
conical spacers, nut and bolt.
Hopefully this is of help, also I believe Chrysler Motorsports have a fax
line into Engineering that could also be of help....unfortunately I do not
have that number but it should be available through the dealer network.
Again, thank you for this inquiry and thank you for purchasing fine
DaimlerChrysler/Mopar products.
Sincerely,
Charles Cadieux
Manager,
Dynamic Suspensions North America
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: June 23, 2001 12:25 PM
To: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Dynamic Suspension inquiry
Sirs,
I am the owner of a 2K Viper ACR which is equipped with Koni Adjustable
shocks and which is afflicted with the infamous Viper "shock rattle". It is
my understanding that the Viper ACRs produced after May of 2000 had
"remedial" shocks made by your company. I am also told that the spring
rates
were substantially increased due to a softer shock set up. I have decided
to
fix the rattle and have been offered to replace the Koni set up with as yet
unnamed Dynamic setup which I am told is the same as the later production
ACR
"remedial" set up (ie with the heavier springs etc)
I was hoping you could provide me some information about the Viper ACR shock
setup that is in the newer ACRS in order that I can make my decision to swap
out the Koni system. My Questions:
Which Dynamic system is being used in the ACRS?
Why is it superior to the Koni System?
Must the spring rates be changed?
Must I replace the front and rear systems with the Dynamic setup or can I
run
Konis on the front and the newer Dynamic system on the rear?
What type of adjustments can be made to the Dynamic ACR shock system?
Are the ACR shocks the same (in material respects ) to what team Oreca used
so successfully in the ALMS series and at Daytona and LeMans in 2000?
Are there any special installation issues in replacing the Konis with your
Dynamic system?
Sorry for all the questions, but this is a big decision for me, and
certaintly not cheap to do. What I am trying to achieve is:
Removal of the persistent rattling sound from the Koni System
Solid handling characteristics
Adjustability like the Konis offer and lastly
A firm but reasonably comfortable ride for my street use. (I am concerned
that the spring rates appear so hard they will rattle my bones instead of
the
shocks.
Much thanks in advance for any help you could give me.
BTW I have been doing some research on the Dynamic Systems ACR shocks. I received a good response from the Manager of their North American Disrtibutor and I have included same below. You might find it interesting if you are contemplating the Dynamic Systems. FYI, hope you find it informative. (Please note, my questions follow the responses; Lucky I got it into the post let alone in the right order.
Subj: RE: Dynamic Suspension inquiry
Date: 6/25/01 12:52:55 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: [email protected] (Charlie Cadieux)
To: [email protected] ('[email protected]')
Dear Bob,
Thanks for your inquiry and questions regarding your Viper ACR. Hopefully I
can shed some light to some of your questions.
1. The current system used on Viper ACR is a Dynamic Suspensions coil over
monotube 2-way adjustable damper. Unlike the Koni units, our system uses a
piggy back remote reservoir with separate compression and rebound adjusters.
2. The Viper ACR dampers currently in production vary quite drastically from
the Koni units of the past. From a performance view, our product was
designed and tuned specifically for Viper ACR's, the damper is new in design
and not a mainstream carry over product re-tuned like the Koni units. The
Dynamic system uses a novel piggy back set-up, we use high quality forgings
for the bases, hard anodized aluminum bodies, abutments and separate bump
and rebound adjusters. Our range of adjustment is greater which allows for
better tuning from track to track. The reason for this wide range is that
the compression adjuster is housed in the remote, the adjuster is caged and
shimmed which allows for a wide range of tuning. The rebound adjuster is
located in the shaft, similar to the Koni's however it does not share the
shaft circuits with the compression adjuster like the Koni, therefore
allowing a larger bleed area and considerable larger rebound adjustability.
Both our compression and rebound adjusters can be tuned without special
tools. With the remote canister our gas to oil volume ratio is increased and
helps with damping consistency and reduced cavitation. DS damper sealing
systems are also quite novel and designed to reduce friction.
3. Spring rate changes are not a problem....one of your last comments I will
address now as well. The Viper ACR 2001 is designed and tuned for the track,
ride is definitely compromised for better max handling. Therefore our
dampers were tuned and developed to accommodate this. Spring rates on the
2001 are 500 lbs/in front and 1100 lbs/in rear. Reducing the rear rates will
help ride somewhat but may affect max handling balance. A reduction in rear
spring rate will not require a different damper, our range could easily
accommodate this if required.
4. The Koni and DS are not interchangeable. You should not run DS rears with
Koni front or Koni rears with DS fronts. Both dampers have completely
different valving characteristics. The DS dampers have a more linear curve
where as the Koni's are very digressive.
5. The dampers used in production are not usually the same as what a factory
team would utilise, however in this case, it was imperative that we carry
over the same monotube technology as developed with ORECA. ORECA use 4-way
adjustable dampers with remote reservoir, your Viper ACR is similar however
packaged for the street environment. The same sealing system is used across,
only high quality viton o-rings are used in both applications with one piece
piston teflon slide rings. Both utilise billet 40mm pistons, valving is of
course drastically different. Chrome shaft materials are the same and top
eyes and abutments as well. The ORECA shafts and eyes only vary in packaging
for adjustment purposes.
We also offer a World Challenge version of this damper with 3-way
adjustment, this as well uses the same bodies as the production version
along with all of the same adjusters, the only difference is the remote
style reservoir. Unless you purchase a full on GTS-R these dampers are as
close the factory deal as you can get.
6. Installation for 2000-2001 I believe are identical. Both utilise the
conical spacers.
Our dampers are exclusively available through Mopar, our kits are complete
with Hyperco springs and all required mounting hardware, including the
conical spacers, nut and bolt.
Hopefully this is of help, also I believe Chrysler Motorsports have a fax
line into Engineering that could also be of help....unfortunately I do not
have that number but it should be available through the dealer network.
Again, thank you for this inquiry and thank you for purchasing fine
DaimlerChrysler/Mopar products.
Sincerely,
Charles Cadieux
Manager,
Dynamic Suspensions North America
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: June 23, 2001 12:25 PM
To: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Dynamic Suspension inquiry
Sirs,
I am the owner of a 2K Viper ACR which is equipped with Koni Adjustable
shocks and which is afflicted with the infamous Viper "shock rattle". It is
my understanding that the Viper ACRs produced after May of 2000 had
"remedial" shocks made by your company. I am also told that the spring
rates
were substantially increased due to a softer shock set up. I have decided
to
fix the rattle and have been offered to replace the Koni set up with as yet
unnamed Dynamic setup which I am told is the same as the later production
ACR
"remedial" set up (ie with the heavier springs etc)
I was hoping you could provide me some information about the Viper ACR shock
setup that is in the newer ACRS in order that I can make my decision to swap
out the Koni system. My Questions:
Which Dynamic system is being used in the ACRS?
Why is it superior to the Koni System?
Must the spring rates be changed?
Must I replace the front and rear systems with the Dynamic setup or can I
run
Konis on the front and the newer Dynamic system on the rear?
What type of adjustments can be made to the Dynamic ACR shock system?
Are the ACR shocks the same (in material respects ) to what team Oreca used
so successfully in the ALMS series and at Daytona and LeMans in 2000?
Are there any special installation issues in replacing the Konis with your
Dynamic system?
Sorry for all the questions, but this is a big decision for me, and
certaintly not cheap to do. What I am trying to achieve is:
Removal of the persistent rattling sound from the Koni System
Solid handling characteristics
Adjustability like the Konis offer and lastly
A firm but reasonably comfortable ride for my street use. (I am concerned
that the spring rates appear so hard they will rattle my bones instead of
the
shocks.
Much thanks in advance for any help you could give me.
