http://farnorthracin...s_secrets6.html

This is a great site, lots of great information all across the entire site.

 

That's a good read Mike.

Something I've always known is that suspension technology sold for street use can be a lot of b.s. Companies will put out all sorts of crap and the customers will never know any different. Shock absorber technology has often been called a black art, you as a customer don't know how they are tuning their parts and what you are getting for your money.

When it came time to buy my coilovers I wanted non-adjustable monotube shocks, with reservoirs. I believe you should let the suspension engineers dial in the settings, afterall they have all of the shock dyno data and we don't. Giving someone 32-way adjustable shocks just adds confusion to the equation, so 32 ways to mess things up.

Based on his summary it looks like I made a decent buying decision with Bilstein monotube non-adjustables.

 

That site is an oldie! The technology has progressed a lot since he's written that. Most of it is still valid. Is he still preaching about adjustable dampers = rubbish? I'd agree on most of the Japanese and lower end German stuff. However, the same can't be said for the newer Penskie, Moton, MCS, AST's et al. I don't think he's had the opportunity to try the good stuff.

However, he's right in many ways. No need for a million adjustments. The only time I make drastic changes to my dampers is when I change spring rates. Other than that, they rarely get touched. Doesn't matter if I'm at TMP or Mosport GP. If the dampers are right, then they're right.

 

He only spoke highly of the brands he tested and dynoed himself. He said if money isn't the issue and you want a "knob" penskes are the way to go.

Joey I may take the same road as you, the PSS are more of a set and go type of coil over, adjust the ride height to your desire or to accommodate whatever setup your running and let the engineered damper do the rest. If what the article says is true about all these multiple adjustments (which it is) then what's the point of buying a mid grade coil over with adjustability if it serves me purpose

 

Yeah , keep in mind my car is strictly a street-driven setup, for hard core track oriented drivers who are sensitive enough to detect differences in shock settings they may need/want adjustable shocks. For my basic needs I just want a quality setup that can provide a good service life.

 

Which is nobody here in this group

 

You've got one of those butt shock dynos don't you ?

 

My car sees track duty, but it's staying a street car.

 

My car is 95% street - I'm happy with the most basic entry level coilover.

 

Yeah , keep in mind my car is strictly a street-driven setup, for hard core track oriented drivers who are sensitive enough to detect differences in shock settings they may need/want adjustable shocks. For my basic needs I just want a quality setup that can provide a good service life.
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Yep, and that's why adjustability is only worth it in the higher end stuff. My Moton Club Sports are 2-ways. 7 clicks for rebound and 7 clicks for compression. Each click can be felt, and seen on the time sheets. Setting them up takes time, and can actually be a detriment if the user has no idea what they're doing.

I had a set of Tein Monoflexes a few years back. The knobs change a damn thing. They got harsher or softer on bumps. But for fine tuning balance, not a thing.