Shocks

[Jarhead]

The front end seems to bottom out in fast tight turns and I suspect the stock shocks ('77) are giving it up. First off, should they be rebuilt, replaced or modified with a kit to tube shocks? I really don't want to compromise the handling by not staying with stock especially if there is no real advantage to the kits.

 

[aeronca65t]

You'll get lots of opinions on this (I think).

The best system IMHO is the Peter Mays mods that involve custom A-arms, trick rod ends and adjustable shocks(I forget his URL, but put his name and "sprite" in Google and you'll find it). A pure racing system: easy camber adjustability is build into the Mays system. It's pretty big bucks.

Buying new lever arm shocks is OK, but is expensive (~$270/pair) and I'd still advise racing valves be fitted for sporting use (more $$$).

Rebuilt shocks have a very spotty record...some folks say they're fine: others say they fail quickly. I've had poor luck with them myself.

A number of other kits simply use the standard lever shocks as upper arms, but "disable" them by removing the shock valves and hang on a tube shock. Usually no camber change is possible. This is basically what I did....I built my own system after looking at various kits and modified cars. In addition to the tube shocks, I "slotted" the three lever shock mounting bodies (but only about .060") to allow slight negative camber adjustability (for autocross). I'm *very* happy with this mod and it was fairly cheap if you're a "do-it-yourselfer" (and it's easily reversible, if you wish to return to lever shocks). I also added tube rear shocks (same shock) but this made a less dramatic improvement. More info on my project at:

https://npmccabe.tripod.com/spritetubeshock.htm

 

[Jarhead]

Thanks for the information. I like the idea of being able to revert to stock systems. I may never revert, but. I'll post the results.