Peter:
Thanks for the response. I appreciate you not wanting to inject a commercial
into the list but I think these ideas are worth of being shared. I hope you
don't mind.
My worry is that the tube shocks may actually do more harm than good. The
suspension was specifically designed with the geometry that it has. And it
was designed with the attributes of the lever type shock absorbing system.
To do changes to this designed-in geometry with no engineering principles
because you have heard that it might increase the performance of your car
(or because it might improve the ride slightly) seems just risky to me.
Especially since the suspension is actually a part of the "safety equipment"
of the car. What if the poorly engineered shock mount breaks when you are
maneuvering out of the way of that big SUV? Who is responsible for that
design?
Now if someone has actually engineered a new tube shock system, and
published the test data, so that the data can be confirmed, that is
different. But I would look for not only slalom track data, but also for
ride quality information. Like if the ride is stiffer, by how much? The test
equipment would probably need to be an accelerometer for this test. A lower
cost way to test would be to drive a marked-off section of bumpy road at a
fixed speed limit and see how much coffee was spilled out of a cup sitting
on the passenger floor.
Any way I am not really planning on doing a comparison test between the two
shock types, because I am actually happy with the way by MG handles now. But
when I turn attention to the suspension, and ask the question, "shall I
rebuild by lever shocks?" or, "should I do the shock conversion", I would
like to have the most educated answer. Is there a well designed AND
documented conversion on the market?
Thanks for the offer. Maybe someone else on the list wants to do the
conversion and publish real performance data???
Heck, come to think of it I am not so sure about the V8 upgrade <smile>.
Maybe I can get a free sample to test?
Tim Economu
'69 MGBGT with a little ole 1.8 liter four and lever shocks
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter C." <nosimport@mailbag.com>
To: "Tim Economu" <economu@whidbey.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2000 7:05 AM
Subject: Re: Tube shock conversion data
Tim,
I am the owner of World Wide Auto Parts in Madison WI. (We are the premier
rebuilder of lever shocks in the US.) I am on the lists, and have been
watching your posts. Below is a comparison from the Triumph list done by
Keith Ehrlich last year. It is somewhat subjective, as he points out, but
has some insights. I, of course, believe that a properly made lever shock
is better than the tube conversions... but I'm biased. I think people fail
to remember that the Brits had knowledge of the existence of tube shocks
and that the technology wasn't new, yet still they chose to use the levers.
It is then often argued that it is because they were less expensive. I
agree, but only when considered as a package with the whole suspension
which would have had to be re-engineered to accommodate the tube shocks
_properly_. Tube shocks, compared to lever shocks, are cheaper to
manufacture. How bad would the press have received a car that came from the
factory with the mods now employed to fit tube shocks? I hold that the
suspensions, as they are designed, are meant to have lever shocks. If tubes
were desired by the engineers (and accountants), then other components
would have been redesigned.
Anyway, that's my .02. I am not sending this to the list as I try to
maintain a non-commercial presence. I am an MG enthusiast as well. If you
would like to try a comparative test on an MGB having a non-IRS, I will
donate a set of shocks, valved to your specs.
Below are the copied letters. Be warned, Keith is more loquacious than I !
<g>
Thanks for listening.
Peter C. (800) 362-1025
----
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Keith's test report deleted for lack of brevity...
If you would like to receive a copy just email me and I will forward to you:
economu@whidbey.com
Keith Ehrlich
74 TR6
World Wide Auto Parts
2517 Seiferth Rd., Madison, WI 53716
(800) 362-1025 Fax (608) 223-9403
http://www.mailbag.com/users/nosimport
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
|