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Modern Shock Kits?

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LanceLyon

Jedi Hopeful
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Hi everyone,

I've seen installations of modern shock absorbers that replace the lever type. I understand that they offer better handling, and on cars that are not stricktly original or concours, that this would be prefferable. Is this true or a myth, and if not a myth, where are the kits found?

Thanks for the input!
 
I’ll leave comments out. Here are the places I know to buy the kits. Cape International Udo Putzkes I don't think Udo has his own website, just scroll way down on the "our links" page.
 
Thanks for the links, Greg. If you are not willing to comment, does that mean that you have not heard good things about the conversion, or that you haven't heard anything at all?

Does anyone have experience with the conversions, or do you all like the original configurations?

Thanks again!
 
Hi LL,
I have no personal experience with the conversion, nor read any side by side comparison of lever Vs tube (not to say that comparison doesn’t exist somewhere). The people who have switched say they are better, but I don’t know what shape their suspension was in before. I hesitate to recommend spending a grand or so on something I don’t know more about.
 
Peter,
I'm just speculating here. One of the chief complaints put forth about lever shocks is fade under very heavy use. The tube shocks may have more fluid capacity & cooling. If this "is" a problem with lever shocks, has anyone tried a fluid with has more controlled heat vs viscosity characteristics?

LL,
Since I don't do off highway rallies, have never noticed a deficiency in good lever shocks. I have noted that many folks who report great improvement with tube shocks have compared worn out lever shocks to new tube shocks. The improvement would be predictible.
D
 
Lance, I think the answer to your question can be gleaned from the user reports on Putzke's site.Having seen his car perform in the Salonme and Gimikihannas Something had to be contributing to his ability to out perform the other cars. Be sure and read Michael Grants report. OH! Dave they do these things in large parking lots. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif---Keoke
 
Keoke,
I've done my share of organized parking lot antics. It used to be called auto cross. Complete waste of time & a good car. If it can't be on a real road, it's just not interesting. Why set up a car to do something that it will never be able to use the full capability of, except on occasional special weekends. If you wish to be a parking lot racer, be my guest. Are you into drifting also?
Just a grumpy old guy,
D /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]

Just a grumpy old guy,
D /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

YEP---Keoke-- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Thanks for all of the feedback! I am still in the middle of my restoration, just now re-attaching my suspension to the frame and rebuilding things as I go.

To answer the question of "why the interest", If I am going to do it, now is the time! All four of my lever shocks need rebuilding/exchange, and if for a relatively small expense I can improve the handling of the car by going to the tube shock system, then it seems to be the right decision.

If the concensus is that the ride and handling are perfectly fine with the lever shocks, and that the tubes are really only for racing, then I should probably stay stock. I've been a little spoiled by the fact that my daily driver (944 turbo) is perhaps one of the better balanced and handling cars ever made, save a very expensive "supercar". I'm just trying to use everyone's vast experience to help me make my decisions!
 
I recently replaced all four of my original lever shocks with rebuilts from Peter C. (World Wide Auto in Madison, WI). The car handles wonderfully, like new. I have not ridden in, nor driven a Healey with modern shocks, so I cannot compare the two, but for about 1/4 the cost the decision was easy for me to make. Plus... when I think of the Healeys that rallied back in the day on muddy, rutted tracks through the European countryside on lever shocks and 48 spoke wheels, I'm guessing they'll handle my gentle cruises on the backroads of Iowa.
 
LyonLanc
I'm at the same point you are. I was considering upgrading to modern shocks. But considering that that the lever shocks served me well for the 17 years I drove my Healey and that the Bilsteins cost $850 vs about 300 to have them rebuilt by WW, I think I'll stay with the old technology. Anyhow, now that I'm comming up on the big 70, I probably aint gonna be driving like I did when I was 23, and all you other drivers can be thankful for that.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Are you into drifting also?

[/ QUOTE ]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif That’s funny, I hear it’s popular in LA. Whadda think Keoke, set up an AH to go drifting??? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif
 
Thanks everyone!

I figure that if anyone had had a great story about how wonderful the modern shock kits made the cars ride that they would have responded by now! With that in mind, I've just ordered a full set of rebuilts from WW. Thanks for all of your help and comments!
 
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