Date: Thu, 29 Oct 1998 22:34:25
From: Tim Haynes
Subject: [imps] Shocks
can anyone enlighten me on any equivalents to Imps Shocks ?
Tim
From: Nickcleak@aol.com
Date: Thu, 29 Oct 1998 17:02:51 EST
Subject: [imps] Re: Shocks
I assume you mean Dampers ?
Yes Spax Gas Dampers are excellent on the Imp , they are made in two versions High and Low suspension , and also racing or normal ..
They do adjustable front spring platform ones too which are invaluable for fine tuning the front height / Camber ...
( Shock absorbers are the springs ............. think about it ! )
Nick ...
From: Gary Henderson
Date: Fri, 30 Oct 1998 12:32:01 +1300
Subject: [imps] Re: Shocks
Hi Nick
Just being cheeky - the down-under vernacular doesn't always lack a basis in physics...
The springs don't absorb anything - they return almost 100% of the input energy!
The dampers actually do the 'absorbing' and turn the surplus spring energy into heat.
How can we recover this?
Cheers
GaryH
From: Dave Edge
Date: Fri, 30 Oct 1998 01:11:18 PST
Subject: [imps] Re: Shocks
I am sure this is not entirely correct as dampers would get boiling hot if they were absorbing anywhere near this much energy. They simply allow you to apply the forces at a more predictable speed.
Granted there must be some build up of heat though. The rougher the road the more energy absorbed, this why cars slow down over rough ground. Also the lower profile the tyres the more energy is smoothed before the dampers, tyres are not as good at damping as dampers so the lower the profile the better the handling.
It all sounds like a good excuse to go out and buy spax gas dampers and a set of 165x14x50s to me. Does anyone know if a very low profile 14" wheel and 50 profile tyre will fit.
Dave
From: TMo5018257@aol.com
Date: Fri, 30 Oct 1998 04:49:34 EST
Subject: [imps] Re: Shocks
>Spax Gas Shocks are excellent on the Imp
Fair enough, but I feel that the ultimate have always been Konis and of course if and when they wear out, you can have them reconditioned, unlike the Spax. I have tended to find that the Spax give a harsher ride too, even set 'soft', but this is a matter of opinion.
Just in case..... no-one's got a spare set of rear Konis for sale, have they?
I forgot to take my set off the back of an Imp Sport I sold a while back.
Cheers,
Tim Morgan
From: Nickcleak@aol.com
Date: Fri, 30 Oct 1998 09:46:28 EST
Subject: [imps] Re: Shocks
> How can we recover this?
well , it's the difference in meaning of 'absorb' and 'damp' !
The spring absorbes the initial 'shock' of going over a bump , the Damper damps out the stored energy oscillations !
Drive without dampers and the bumps will be absorbed ok , although the ride will be a bit bouncy ! ie .. not 'damped' so we call them dampers maybe it's the local differences in terminology :-)
Nick ..
From: Nickcleak@aol.com
Date: Fri, 30 Oct 1998 09:46:46 EST
Subject: [imps] Re: Shocks
> the Spax give a harsher ride too, even set 'soft'
I have had the Koni large body racing ones on the rear, then the Koni Special D (remember those?)
they are fine for racing, but for normal everyday use they were far too hard,
once the spax have warmed up they are superb... once you set hem to your preferences. remember in wet conditions you need soft dampers.
Nick ..
From: TMo5018257@aol.com
Date: Fri, 30 Oct 1998 11:49:43 EST
Subject: [imps] Re: Shocks
Nick,
The main problem I have had with Spax is a distinct lack of longevity.....
about 8000 miles and then they 'pump up'.
By this I mean that as you drive along the pressure builds up within the shock until the shaft will no longer go up and down. When I took them back to complain, I was told that this was a common failing with the Spax and that they are only supposed to be used on the track. Of course this was flannel from the (now defunct) supplier about the track.
Koni Classic shocks are nowhere near as hard as the racing shocks and they also did do a fast road shock that I cannot remember the name of, both of which were comparable to the Spax, yet I actually preferred them.... personal taste I suppose.
On the subject of shocks, remember Armstrong Red Max shocks. If you got the adjustable versions of those and set them on anything other than the softest setting, you soon found out which fillings you had were loose!!
Tim
From: CKirkw00d@aol.com
Date: Fri, 30 Oct 1998 15:07:19 EST
Subject: [imps] Re: Shocks
Yes, I have a set of rear 'KONI'S' you can bid for. They need reconditioned and I spoke to 'Mr Koni', JW BANKS, and would you believe that it is just about the same price as a new set? So when you add postage and packing, well what do you know? Personally I can't see past Spax, platform adjustable for the fronts.
From: Nickcleak@aol.com
Date: Fri, 30 Oct 1998 17:40:27 EST
Subject: [imps] Re: Shocks
> lack of longevity
Mine have done 68000 miles on the Clan , still fine ,
I have a set on my Imp which must have done 100000 miles and still ok ....
Perhaps your roads are a little more bumpy ..
Nick ...
From: Gary and Carol Henderson
Date: Sat, 31 Oct 1998 01:44:52 +-1300
Subject: [imps] Re: Shocks
Hi Dave
I've always meant to feel the shocks after a bit of hard work, but keep forgetting. I'm in no doubt that that is where whatever spring energy not simply returned as body/wheel motion goes.
Modern car shocks are non-linear devices - the valving simply releases at very high compression rates so they do almost nothing until the energy-level comes down to a reasonable value. A simple theoretical dash-pot damper would give a harsher ride and get much hotter. Use of non-linear dampers even makes it practical to control the movement of whole large buildings during an earthquake - the NZ Parliament (a good-size stone edifice about 70 years old, about 500 m from a major fault-line) was cut off its basement & lead-rubber spring-damper units installed. The lead core 'pin' provides non-linear damping by heating, melting (=lubrication & free movement) at which it cools & resolidifies.
Cheers
GaryH
Date: Fri, 30 Oct 1998 23:43:03
From: Tim Haynes
Subject: [imps] Re: Shocks
>Yes Spax Gas Dampers are excellent on the Imp , they are made in two versions >High and Low suspension , and also racing or normal ..
Does anyone have some part numbers ? I'll need this information if i'm going to try getting them localy (Australia).
Tim
From: Russell Maddock
Date: Sat, 31 Oct 1998 14:46:56 +1000
Subject: [imps] Re: Shocks
I've got the part numbers from my Spax listed on my website. I assume I have the normal roadgoing variety. I just rang Demon Tweeks and asked for dampers/shocks to suit an Imp.
Russ Maddock
http://www.petrie.starway.net.au/~sunbeam