Okay

There has been some debating back 'n' forth if a few different threads across the board. So this question is geared towards HondaF1Fanatic or anyone that can share the knowledge. Making this thread so everyone can read and understand.

• What are shock dynos?
• How do you read shock dynos?
• Where can you get shocks dyno'd?
• Whats the good, bad, ugly look like on a shock dyno?

Let's keep this clean and informational!

(ps. I don't know **** about shock dyno's so thats why i'm posting)

 

Most teams have devices for measuring corner weight, spring rate, caster, camber, tire temperature and pressure, yet have to guess or rely on the shock manufacturer to evaluate their shock's performance. Whether you rebuild your own or "send them out", you need something to test them with. .


Fluid breakdown and contamination can drastically affect the shock. One major shock manufacturer did a recall on their shaft seals when they noticed that the seal was causing excessive drag on the shaft. Different brands of shock fluid can also differ. These problem areas can be easily detected by dynoing and graphing the shock. Other obvious areas such as valve adjustment, shock rebuilding, gas pressure changes, duplicating set-ups and assessing crash damage can all be easily accomplished. Other factors during a rebuild such as burrs on the shims or a few microns of dust or dirt can also have a considerable effect on changing the performance of your shock.


taken from the internet

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SeanJohn1802 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
• What are shock dynos?
• How do you read shock dynos?
• Where can you get shocks dyno'd?
• Whats the good, bad, ugly look like on a shock dyno?</TD></TR></TABLE>

1. A device designed to measure and graph a shocks motions (compression and rebound) at given rates (usually 1 m/s).

2. It's pretty much a standard "distance divided by time" with time (in seconds) usually posted along the x-axis and the force (in Newtons) along the y-axis.

3. Find a true racecar preparation shop in your area (not some fly-by-night homeboy stunna tuner shop) or send them to a manufacturer like Koni, Penske, or whomever builds true race shocks... For a fee, they'll dyno anything.

4. This varies of course based on the needs of the driver. Someone running an off-road race like the Baja 1000 will need shocks that perform at different rates compared to an on-road missile like an F1 car.

There you go.

 

good info guys .. any pics of thse dynos???

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SeanJohn1802 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">good info guys .. any pics of thse dynos???</TD></TR></TABLE>

Sure... here's one: http://www.bobbylabontefans.co...o.jpg

The URL is from "bobbylabontefans.com", so I assume that's in Labonte's car's shop.

Search Google Images for "shock dyno". You'll find more images of other shock dynos and some examples of dyno graphs for shocks also.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Type X &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Most teams have devices for measuring corner weight, spring rate, caster, camber, tire temperature and pressure, yet have to guess or rely on the shock manufacturer to evaluate their shock's performance. Whether you rebuild your own or "send them out", you need something to test them with. .


Fluid breakdown and contamination can drastically affect the shock. One major shock manufacturer did a recall on their shaft seals when they noticed that the seal was causing excessive drag on the shaft. Different brands of shock fluid can also differ. These problem areas can be easily detected by dynoing and graphing the shock. Other obvious areas such as valve adjustment, shock rebuilding, gas pressure changes, duplicating set-ups and assessing crash damage can all be easily accomplished. Other factors during a rebuild such as burrs on the shims or a few microns of dust or dirt can also have a considerable effect on changing the performance of your shock.


taken from the internet</TD></TR></TABLE>

I thought that was too well written to be from you, Mike...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SeanJohn1802 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Okay

There has been some debating back 'n' forth if a few different threads across the board. So this question is geared towards HondaF1Fanatic or anyone that can share the knowledge. Making this thread so everyone can read and understand.

• What are shock dynos?
• How do you read shock dynos?
• Where can you get shocks dyno'd?
• Whats the good, bad, ugly look like on a shock dyno?

Let's keep this clean and informational!

(ps. I don't know **** about shock dyno's so thats why i'm posting)</TD></TR></TABLE>

I would recommend going to the suspension forum and reading the sticky at the top of the page that contains a number of shock dynos from different manufacturers as well as advice on how to read them. But basically the best type of shock IMO will have a strongly digressive curve on both bump and rebound and will offer a good and repeatable (important) range of adjustment for street use. Unfortunately for us, most of the dampers that actually offer this are a lot of money and don't offer a fitment for our cars w/o fabrication. As such, about the only thing I have seen that you can get for the FA/FG that fulfills what I am looking for are the Koni Yellows. Since they don't come as a true coilover, the only way to properly corner weight your car is through using Ground Control sleeves. I know this isn't the most aesthetically pleasing setup, but it does the job and has incredible support behind it if you ever decide you want to change the spring rates and valving.

Jon

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by yobtah &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Sure... here's one: http://www.bobbylabontefans.co...o.jpg</TD></TR></TABLE>

thanks, but I actually mean the dyno sheet lol

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mike C &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Bilstein
</TD></TR></TABLE>

having looked at this now that I've ventured into the suspension forum, looks like a lot of reading up to do later

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HondaF1Fanatic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> As such, about the only thing I have seen that you can get for the FA/FG that fulfills what I am looking for are the Koni Yellows. </TD></TR></TABLE>
thanks for the info jon!

EDIT: jon, how do you feel about Ground Control coilover setup? (having looked on their site)

 

• What are shock dynos?
- A shock dyno is basically a machine that tests the force that a damper exerts on resisting movement be it bump (compression) or rebound.

• How do you read shock dynos?

- It is complicated to explain and even more so to understand but you can get a rudimentary understanding of it in the Suspension Forum thread on shock dynos. Also, some good books include: High Performance Handling Handbook by Don Alexander

• Where can you get shocks dyno'd?
- Shock dynos are relatively pricey, but you can find some information on Google. On H-T I know vtecvoodo and CRXLee have access to a shock dyno due to their respective employers.

• Whats the good, bad, ugly look like on a shock dyno?

- Again, hard to explain and not super easy to learn, but there is a lot of info in the dyno thread in the suspension forum!!

Jon

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SeanJohn1802 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

thanks, but I actually mean the dyno sheet lol

having looked at this now that I've ventured into the suspension forum, looks like a lot of reading up to do later


thanks for the info jon!

EDIT: jon, how do you feel about Ground Control coilover setup? (having looked on their site)</TD></TR></TABLE>

I think they are the best option out there for the money bar none (in coilovers). I am trying to scrounge enough money right now to get a setup for my Accord, and that will also be my first mod. if/when I get an FA. The thing I like so much about it is eventually if you decide you want to go with something more hardcore you can simply order new springs from GC/EIBACH and send your Konis in to get them revalved with higher damping.

Jon

EDIT: If money grew on trees and I had a race shop, I would get Penskes w/ custom rate springs from Eibach.

 

Ok, I know I am postwhoring now but I had to search out another really informative thread for you. https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1853171 This has some SUPER good info about shocks, setup, and such. Disclaimer: lots of the info is based somewhat on preference so don't take it as absolute gospel, rather try to glean what you can from the people who post and have links in it.

Jon