Myles Posted June 29, 2003 Share Posted June 29, 2003 Hmm, While installing my new ACES Sureshift2 shift-light system last night , I became slightly concerned with the rear dampers ❗ I had propped the sidescreens against the back of the car - and noticed when I took my weight off the sill that the car took perhaps 1-2 secs to return to the normal unladen ride height at the rear (the sidescreens made a sort of 'blackboard/nails' noise as they rubbed on the back of the car ) Compared to a tin-top jellymobile, this appears to be overdamped - but I understood in general terms that stiffer springs needed stronger damping. Is this just another TADTS? For information, the car is an ex-Academy roadsport with race-spec bilsteins and (allegedly) 150lb progressive springs (according to an old flat-floor sheet I have in the doc file.) REgds Myles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe 90 Posted June 29, 2003 Share Posted June 29, 2003 Most Caterhams rear dampers are set much stiffer than critical damping. Some specialists advise a softer setting, but it's a matter of personal preference really. I find that on my live axle car soft settings make the car a bit unmanageable on some roads, and on turn in the front end loses some bite. Have a play and see what you think, but remember to record the original settings! Crash team to the Upgradeitis ward, the withdrawal symptons are getting worse ❗ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Faulds Posted June 29, 2003 Share Posted June 29, 2003 The Academy cars shouldn't have 'race-spec' dampers as standard, they should be the standard road ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Carmichael Posted June 29, 2003 Share Posted June 29, 2003 I have got the dyno plots for the Bilsteins, and the curve shows huge digressive characteristics almost akin to friction damping. This means that slow speed damping is over-critical and high speed damping is underdamped. The cars are very controllable because of this and they are also very tolerant of different axle loading (passenger or no passenger). It does however mean that a small displacement from the equilibrium point will take a long time to return to equilibrium, or may be range of motion over which the suspension settles. They all do that sir. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myles Posted June 30, 2003 Author Share Posted June 30, 2003 Thanks, Another TADTS bites the dust. Regds, Myles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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