LMS: Dampers

[jledford]

So it's about time to start looking at dampers for the STU 350Z build. The main purpose of the build will be auto-x but I still plan to do some track days when time and budget permit. I hope to be able to get some people to co-drive with me as well during auto-x.

The first question is single vs double adjustable. I'm leaning towards double as on my M3 I was often told that compression adjustment would help the issues on that car. Are double adjustables worth it?

Assuming I go double I'm thinking remote reservior would be the way to go to keep the fluid from overheating. This is where the co-driver at auto-x and track days would come into play. We don't always get the 5 min between runs locally for 2 driver cars so I wouldn't want the dampers over-heating and then the tires being over worked. Also remote canisters should also help fluid temp on track days. Am I thinking about this wrong?

Sorting through "good" dampers versus random coilovers my choices for the 350Z seem to be as follows: MCS, Penske, JRZ, or the ProParts Koni 28 setup (but it's not remote double). MCS is out of Atlanta so maybe tech support is easier? Penske is being run by some of the top 350Z in STU so it's a known quantity as is the ProParts setup. Any input here from people who might have owned some of these brands or other top tier dampers?

Thoughts? Suggestions?

[JohnW8]

I have double adjustable remote reservoir AST shocks on the CSP car and I rarely use the compression setting since we are on mostly bumpy courses. A remote reservoir is allows a higher volume of fluid in the shock a place to go during compression and helps keep it cool. Unless you are planning on doing endurance racing, an autox car won't ever see shock temps that high. A track session is 15-30 minutes and generally won't generate high temps in the shocks unless you are on a rougher surface where the shock is working hard. It's nice having that extra bit of adjustability to fine tune. The Penske's are the best out there in my opinion, and with so many circle track guys running them you can find people who can service them locally.

I also have a set of JRZ doubles on the ITA car. I love them. No reservoir. Light. After a long session/race I check the surface temp of the shock bodies and they don't get hot at all.

[engled]

For the money Koni Race is hard to beat, it's what I would spend my money on. Have them valved for the application. My car has Koni Yellows on the fronts that have been re-valved the rears are OTS.

[rodhx]

I hope to be able to get some people to co-drive with me as well during auto-x.

As RE I feel an obligation to help such an outstanding member in his time of need. It's the least I could do...

[Chuck Baader]

Second on Koni. They will build custom DA shocks for your application/spring/sway bar package. I have always provided them with the actual WHEEL RATE from which to work.

[jledford]

ProParts is the place to go for Koni 28 series for these cars. They've got all the magic numbers from Brian Peter's 350Z setup and he's allowed them to build for others. So it's fairly close to a plug n' play solution as long as you use close to the same spring rates that he uses.

I e-mailed http://ankenyracingenterprises.com/ and they can do a Penske 8300 setup. They actually did the setup on Jeff Stuart's car (he won nationals in STU last year). So that is a known setup as well.

My next step is to e-mail MCS and see what they've got. I want to get all options and pricing before picking one.

I appreciate the responses and will talk with ProParts about their Koni setup.

[jledford]

It looks like I'll be getting a budgetary quote for the Penske setup from Guy on Monday. I'm leaning that way as he's working for FRSport now and they give a good SCCA discount (that's where I bought my OS Giken diff).

Even though remote doubles may not be needed Penske doesn't have an offering right now for a single that fits the Z chassis from what I've read, so the quote will be for the 8300 series.

If the cost is roughly where I think it should be I'll probably be able to order early to mid April. That would mark off the second big purchase, only wheels/tires/sways after that to do before I start auto-x and learning the car. I'll do other small mods, power, weight, etc after the car is course ready.

[JohnW8]

Nice!