Cheburator

I agree with puyi...

The Koni shock struggles to control springs which are rated higher than 600lbs/in. Bilstein can be revalved by pretty much anyone and reasonably cheaply. Moreover, the Bilstein are monotube, which contrary to what Carl says are better in terms of not overheating under race conditions.

Carl's product looks good - although I am not sure about the rear bottom mount too. I don't want to get involved in the argument between Carl and Greg, but I think there will be movement there under load. Hell, my racer runs 1200/800 springs - that's a lot of force down there, to put it in non-engineering terms. And for the record - we use the original pick up points, but everything is rose-jointed...

Ispeed

My revalved Bilsteins with 600/400 hypercoil springs was great stuff, using the stock shock mounts that have no issues.
I still think it is a bit sad that there are still no turn-key suspension options that use the factory mounts.
Abby has driven my 928 and had positive reviews of the suspension.

blown 87

I am pretty sure that Greg Brown said he was going to be selling exactly such a system in the near future, and IIRC he said that just a couple of months ago.

Carl Fausett

Perhaps, but the shock absorber manufacturers only make their shocks in certain lengths. Sort of like pants in 34, 36, and 38 waist sizes.

Of the stock shock lengths available to me, this was a good fit. Yes, I could request a custom shock to be made, but the price (already high) would go even higher.

Carl Fausett

Sean, thank you for your concern. But an opinion that is fully formed based on what pictures I posted is at best, a guess. I did not (deliberately) post pictures of the bottom, the inside, or the back of that shock mount, did I? So you have at best an incomplete understanding of what we have done to hold that shock mount still.

Like I said, here it is. It is new. I will be driving it soon. Maybe April, certainly May. We'll see.

I'm one of the only ones that show development right here in front of everyone "warts and all" Abe Lincoln would say. You will see what happens, good, bad, or indifferent. At least I developed it with my own money and it sits on my own car (ready for final testing, I might add).

Carl Fausett

Brutus,

The bottom mount of the shock cannot be moved out any further towards the ball joint and still provide clearance for the spring. Yes, in an ideal world, you would want that shock to have more movement with less wheel travel.

But I am restricted to using the upper a-arms that we have. As a kit builder, I often have to compromise from what would be "ideal" to what will fit as a bolt-in product. As advertised, this suspension fits in the stock locations and works with the stock a-arms.

Carl Fausett

As always, Bill, your concerns are carefully worded and reasonable. Always welcome. Yes, we have addressed the rotation of the pin, and taken the complete mechanics of the system into consideration.

Like I said to Sean, I have not shown pictures of the bottom, the rear, and the inside of that mount. Questions and concerns formed on such little information as I have provided are reasonable. But hard absolute "I know what will happen" comments are just a joke with so little data.

It way ease your mind to know that the polyurethane bushing is not going to take the abrasion of the turning pin. There is a steel sleeve inside the polyurethane that will be in contact with the pin. This design is identical to the bottom of a Koni, Boge, or Bilstein. If you look at the bottom of the rear shock, you will see that the rubber is lined on the inside with a steel sleeve, and the pin turns in that sleeve. Same here. Only instead of having so much shore A 60 rubber between pin and shock bottom, we have a lesser section of shore C 55 (equivalent to a Shore A 110) polyurethane.

Let me drive it, and lets see. My race schedule is already published, it is here:
http://www.928motorsports.com/2012track.php

Anyone is welcome to come and look and watch at these events. Do call before making the trip to make sure we will be there. I know the April 21-22 race at the Autobahn is "on the bubble" over here and we may scratch that race.

Bill, thank you for your comments. Never a problem.

Cosmo Kramer

Carl, I like the concept of this, especially for track cars. For everyday street cars I can't really see the benefit vs cost, but of course that is up to end consumer to decide.

Now in the original post, you said you have bits ready to send out 9 sets to customers immediately. Considering that this setup has never seen a mile on your car yet (only bench tested) do you think this is a prudent business move? Personally if I was dropping over 3K for new shocks, springs and mounts I would want them to be tested thoroughly on a car before I bought them.

I understand that you have made it clear that this is a new product. What type of guarantee are you offering with this product if it doesn't perform to expectation? I hope it isn't new product, $3778, buyer beware!

SeanR

But you did post them, look at pictures number one,two and three. Have you made modifications to the stock part where it mounts or have you left out some of the attachments in those pictures?

Carl Fausett

Cosmo, I have always stood behind my work.

Two examples: when an update to our steel upper a-arms became available to replace the spherical rod end with a greaseable and rebuildable ball joint, I offered an upgrade to each customer that bought them. Many Version 1 steel upper a-arms were replaced with upgraded version 2 models.

When an improvement to the rear drop link mounts with tie-down hooks became available, I upgraded every set we had in the field free of charge.

Like the camshaft sprockets I introduced a while ago - I need to get some miles on them to see how they perform in the field. We have bench tested them here to death, but cannot learn any more from the bench. They need track time.

Some people like to be "early" and get the latest thing right away. They get a discount. Others prefer to wait and see how they behave and get Version 2 later.

mark kibort

if you made a part that was exactly like the stock shock, as an incert that then mounted, universally to any of the major shocks, you would have a home run. basically, lap off the stock shock and make that part. once its installed, it would never have to be removed and work just like stock as far as the lower control arm config.

mark kibort

1200 and 800 would make ANY 928 a handful. i think we have seen the effects of over sprung 928s before.

Vilhuer

Design is as I expected it to be based on pictures. There is one movement point between center pin and outer part. It will flex at least one way. Second movement point is joint at bottom of shock itself. When suspension moves they both will move at same time. Shock joint will pull and push pin joint back and forth. You are saying A110 is enough heavy stuff to take it without allowing pin joint outer part to move exesively?

Speedtoys

Cosmo:

When the tow plates had an issue that was found, Carl took good care of those people with the updates.

I wouldnt expect less here.

IcemanG17

I wonder what my actual spring rate is with minus 1.5 coils eibachs....on well worn bilsteins....I am quite happy with the suspension..its well controlled and feels properly damped....I just need a bit of sway bar adjustments to dial in the slicks....

I am sure the new car with its 800-500 springs and custom valved bilsteins will be plenty stiff....