The Ford Barn

Pete · 03-08-2012, 05:44 PM

Quote (While I am definitely not a pro on shocks, my 16 year old son is as he works on race cars (like below) and actually works on and tunes shocks, and he tells me the difference between shocks that are hydraulic and gas filled (i.e.: nitrogen) is that when a shock rapidly oscillates numerous times (such as in off-road conditions or extremely bumpy roads), the oil heats up and causes it to aerate where the shock is less effective due to the change in oil viscosity. The gas evidently keeps pressure on the oil where it does not aerate. Therefore as far as "stiffness goes", that is solely affected by the shock's valving, ...and not really whether it is a gas or hydraulic valve.) Quote

Brent hit it on the head.
It's strictly valving...Trying to find some passenger car shock that will work properly on a model A requires a LOT of research...It can be done but I haven't read of anyone doing it yet. The parts houses that sell kits for model A's either won't tell you what their shocks were designed for originally or just don't know. They pick something that will MECHANICALLY fit the application. Most big race car teams have shock dyno's that tell most of the story...Adjustable shocks are a partial answer if you can find some that adjust in the range you need.
Race car shocks can be adapted sometimes..Some are adjustable..Almost all have the compression/rebound rates listed in the specs. All you have to do is determine what specs you need. Mechanically, there are many that fit model A's with a minimum of adaption.
I have them on my car and they work much better than any lever shock available.

03-08-2012, 05:44 PM	#11
Pete BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wa. Posts: 5,423	Re: shock conversion Quote (While I am definitely not a pro on shocks, my 16 year old son is as he works on race cars (like below) and actually works on and tunes shocks, and he tells me the difference between shocks that are hydraulic and gas filled (i.e.: nitrogen) is that when a shock rapidly oscillates numerous times (such as in off-road conditions or extremely bumpy roads), the oil heats up and causes it to aerate where the shock is less effective due to the change in oil viscosity. The gas evidently keeps pressure on the oil where it does not aerate. Therefore as far as "stiffness goes", that is solely affected by the shock's valving, ...and not really whether it is a gas or hydraulic valve.) Quote Brent hit it on the head. It's strictly valving...Trying to find some passenger car shock that will work properly on a model A requires a LOT of research...It can be done but I haven't read of anyone doing it yet. The parts houses that sell kits for model A's either won't tell you what their shocks were designed for originally or just don't know. They pick something that will MECHANICALLY fit the application. Most big race car teams have shock dyno's that tell most of the story...Adjustable shocks are a partial answer if you can find some that adjust in the range you need. Race car shocks can be adapted sometimes..Some are adjustable..Almost all have the compression/rebound rates listed in the specs. All you have to do is determine what specs you need. Mechanically, there are many that fit model A's with a minimum of adaption. I have them on my car and they work much better than any lever shock available.