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Shocktek has a variety of products and services that form a standardized product line, available “off-the-shelf” or on short notice. The heart of our product line is our unique conversion package that transforms Bilstein
shock absorbers into a single-adjustable double-acting damper. We also offer standard shop services including coil-over conversions for a variety of vehicles. Our list of standard products is growing rapidly, so if
you don’t see what you need, please call.
T H E C O N V E R S I O N
The single-adjustment double-acting conversion uses a single adjuster to affect both compression and rebound damping. As the adjustment is made, both compression and extension damping are affected by about
the same percentage, preserving the “stagger” built into the basic valving of the device. (Stagger is the ratio of rebound to compression forces at a reference speed).
We start by finding the appropriate Bilstein shock or strut for your application, or if your car is already equipped with Bilsteins, we can use them. Then our proprietary rod assembly is substituted for the stock rod,
including the rod itself, a specific metering pin, and a jet and jet housing. As in our semi-custom products, the rod body is made of 4130 alloy steel, heat treated for both ductility and high strength, and then
externally ground, polished and hard chrome plated. All other parts are made of high strength stainless steel using MIL standard fasteners when appropriate. The rod design has been through both analytical and actual
qualification testing to assure large margins of safety in the design. We have also tested the rod for fatigue properties in documented accelerated tests, and have found the rod meets or exceeds the capabilities of the
original Bilstein rod.
T H E A D J U S T M E N T
Adjustment couldn’t be simpler. Use the mil-spec stainless steel thumb screw to turn the adjustment screw clockwise to increase damping forces and counter-clockwise to decrease
damping forces. The best way of keeping track of adjustment settings is to first gently turn the thumb screw clockwise until the jet bottoms in the jet housing and then back it out a certain number of turns. In most
applications, a reasonable starting point is about one turn out. The range of adjustment varies with application and the type of valving chosen, but is generally between 0 to 3 turns and 0 to 4 turns. Remember that
each movement of the adjusting screw changes the level of compression and rebound forces, but does not change the basic characteristics of the shock. [Some models of struts use an internal 5/32” adjuster... the hex key is included with the kit]
V A L V I N G
Shocktek’s strategy at determining valving characteristics goes something like this... Based on your car’s mission and some of its physical parameters (corner weights, spring rates, etc.), Shocktek uses
analytical models to determine the theoretical best value for several damping parameters. The general shape of the damping curves is relatively fixed (for example, digressive rebound and linear compression), but the level
of damping forces can be varied by adjustment. In order to provide meaningful adjustment, we purposely make the valving at the maximum setting higher than you would ever need, and make the minimum setting lower than you would need. This allows you to fine-tune the shock between these extremes to find a damping level that suits your car (and the weather, and your driving style, and the roughness of the track...you get the picture!).
In keeping with this strategy, Shocktek has engineered five sets of valving for each car that we support:
- High-Performance Street (HPS) - Noticeably harder than stock shocks at the stiffer settings, this valving set is for those who want more excitement in their daily commutes or their Sunday drives. Your car will feel tighter, and will corner harder compared to stock or any other aftermarket shock. And if you want a softer ride for other occasions, simply re-adjust the shocks.
- Street/Autocross (S/AC) - This shock has a wider range of settings, designed for the stiffer damping used in autocross. This valving is ideal for the car that will be driven to an autocross event, competed and then driven home. Stiff settings can be used during the event and softer settings used for highway use, but will improve the racing characteristics dramatically.
- Autocross Only (AC) - This shock is valved very similarly to the S/AC shock, but the longer adjustment needle is used to provide finer tuning for racing. Even the softer settings will be uncomfortable
for highway use.
- Street/Road Racing (S/RR) - This valving set is similar to S/AC, but road-racing valving is used along with the shorter adjustment needle.
- Road Racing Only (RR) - Similar to AC, but with Road Racing valving.
S T R U T E X C H A N G E P R O G R A M
We have heard from many customers who are interested in purchasing our shocks and struts, but would prefer that we provide a strut assembly, complete with spring, upper and lower spring
perches, ready to install on their car. For example, in a Mazda MX-5, fully assembled struts can be installed in the vehicle in as little as 15 minutes per corner, while complete disassembly, installation and re-assembly
could take hours. And, compressing a suspension spring (part of both the disassembly and assembly process) is not easy, or safe, unless you have the right equipment.
Shocktek is pleased to announce that we will provide this service (for coil-over suspensions only) on an exchange basis. Here’s how it works... place an order for a set of shocks or struts and Shocktek will provide new
suspension parts to complete the assembly. We will ship the completed struts to your door ready for immediate installation. Put your old suspension sets in the same shipping container and send them back to
us. We will charge you for damaged or unusable parts and a modest fee for our service (please see Pricing and Ordering). Of course, we will charge your account in full for the cores unless they are received by us
in short order.
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