Went to HPT Road Track yesterday and have some questions for the experts.

[Early93Viper]

I am no expert when it comes to setting up a car for the track, please forgive my ignorance.

THE PROBLEM: At Heartland Park Topeka Road course there is a long straight followed by a big hill and small turn. At the top of this hill you are going around 120mph. With my shocks (set at soft as far as I know) I really bounced around. It was actually a little scary how much play was in the shocks and how soft they felt. Even on the corners my car seemed to be prone to body roll due to the soft shocks.

1. If I increase the rebound on my stock shocks will I have any noticeable difference pertaining to this problem?

2. What should I adjust them too?

3. Is there anyway to adjust the shocks without taking them off the car?

4. Are there any other less expensive solutions to this matter? ( I think my fiancé is going to kill me if I spend too much more on the car)

Thanks,
Dan

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

Based on my '94, I would say:

1. If I increase the rebound on my stock shocks will I have any noticeable difference pertaining to this problem?
It will make a lot of difference. I think most people think of springs when they think of what makes the ride soft, stiff or too stiff. The seat of the pants "stiffness" is the shock settings.

2. What should I adjust them too?
I've liked the fronts on full stiff (as Koni would say, 5/5) and the rears on 2/5, maybe 3/5 if you like a loose car. Said another way, if you AX and want the car to come around cones, go for 3/5. If you would like to see the tree you are going to slide into, stay with 2/5.

Gen 1 is the 8240 series. http://www.koni-na.com/adjustment.cfm

3. Is there anyway to adjust the shocks without taking them off the car?
No. But if you go full stiff on front, half on rear, you can almost always get to where you like it with resetting only the rears a little stiffer or a little softer.

4. Are there any other less expensive solutions to this matter? ( I think my fiancé is going to kill me if I spend too much more on the car) Adjusting shocks is free! A jack, some larger sockets and wrenches, and maybe you buy a spring compressor. As in reply #1, don't underestimate the SOP effect of shocks.

To repeat, all this is my humble opinion, your opinion may vary, and everyone else will have another one.

 

[Early93Viper]

Thanks Tom. By the way you brake upgrade worked great! I really could feel it on the track.

1. Does increasing the rebound make the ride a lot harsher?

2. Does it lower the car?

Thanks,
Dan

 

[GR8_ASP]

Agree with Tom. My preference was 1/2 on the rears and 3/4 for the front. World of difference versus the fronts. No idea why stock rebound was at or near zero?

The shock setting does not impact static ride height. Not sure on the harsher aspect. I am not sure I felt a difference as the compression setting is constant. I did a spring change at the same time so no clear impression for rebound only.

 

[FrankBarba]

If your going to take your shocks off to adjust. spend the extra $$$ and have them revalved by koni. big noticable difference.