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Recommend me some shocks and springs please
16v205 - 14/5/18 at 02:10 PM

Hello,

I have a bec locost that I bought a couple of months ago.

On my ever expanding list of things to fix is bushes and shock absorbers. It currently has avo adjustables all around which were wound up to max and gave a very uncomfortable, uncontrolled ride. I've tried to free the adjusters off and 2x just spin now. I have no idea what spring rates it's running but it has a genuinely vague feeling and doesn't ride bumps very well at all. It's a 4 link suspension setup but I don't think that's the problem, it's just not dampened very well.

I was looking for a little advise and any experience anyone has of their setups. The car will be used on tracks and roads, not competing or anything like that. I didn't know if there was a known good suspension setup on these cars I can start working towards.

Cheers,
Rich


CosKev3 - 14/5/18 at 02:18 PM

Protec seem to be a popular/good value choice

If you contact Procomp in Brum they can supply them revalved for our light cars


CosKev3 - 14/5/18 at 02:20 PM

http://www.procomp.co.uk


JAG - 14/5/18 at 02:21 PM

I was just about to suggest Procomp - their revalved dampers are probably the best thing you could do for your car.

It's something I intend for my car once I get it back on the road.

I currently have single adjustable AVO's all round.

250lb front spring and 150lb rear spring.

I have an Escort 'English' Live axle on the rear of my car.

[Edited on 14/5/18 by JAG]


16v205 - 16/5/18 at 08:57 AM

Thank you very much,

It seems to be a unanimous vote for procomp. I'll give them a ring and see what my options are.

Cheers,
Rich


Charlie C - 16/5/18 at 10:58 AM

Another vote for Procomp.

It was the best thing I ever did to my car taking it to see Matt, when I drove it there it was crap to drive and when i left it was a different car I could believe how much the car changed for the better.


16v205 - 21/5/18 at 06:33 PM

Just a quick update

I cant seem to get in touch with them, I have rang a few times over the last week, left a answer phone message and found them on facebook and left a message there. I'm guessing they are really busy.

I'm away for a week or so now but will try again the beginning of June, but is there a second best choice as such if they are too busy?


PorkChop - 21/5/18 at 07:22 PM

You could always try Protech directly. The other option is a set if Gaz shocks from somewhere like rally design.


CosKev3 - 21/5/18 at 07:27 PM

quote:
Originally posted by PorkChop
You could always try Protech directly. The other option is a set if Gaz shocks from somewhere like rally design.


Can Protech supply them correctly valved for our light cars do you know?


PorkChop - 21/5/18 at 07:39 PM

quote:
Originally posted by CosKev3
quote:
Originally posted by PorkChop
You could always try Protech directly. The other option is a set if Gaz shocks from somewhere like rally design.


Can Protech supply them correctly valved for our light cars do you know?


No I don't. I was unfortunate enough not to be born with telepathic abilities.

Can always ask Protech, they build the things after all.


CosKev3 - 21/5/18 at 08:13 PM

quote:
Originally posted by PorkChop
quote:
Originally posted by CosKev3
quote:
Originally posted by PorkChop
You could always try Protech directly. The other option is a set if Gaz shocks from somewhere like rally design.


Can Protech supply them correctly valved for our light cars do you know?


No I don't. I was unfortunate enough not to be born with telepathic abilities.

Can always ask Protech, they build the things after all.


Is that meant to be funny?

Or are you just being a bellend?

(My money's on option two)

[Edited on 21/5/18 by CosKev3]


PorkChop - 21/5/18 at 08:50 PM

Back of the class, it's called sarcasm (hint, that was sarcasm too ) sorry if it went over your head.

The OP asked for a second option. I offered one, and a third. I seem to be the only one to have done so thus far...hardly the action of a forum bellend...

As it happens I went through some of my notes on suspension since and I have something written down about Matt getting Protech to valve them to his spec, since my kit was using Protechs. Not sure if this is correct so happy to be told otherwise.

So to answer the question, yeah they can probably valve them, since they are the manufacturers but can they tell you what they valve them to if that's specific Procomp IP? I don't know, only Matt or Protech can answer that.


CosKev3 - 21/5/18 at 09:00 PM

quote:
Originally posted by PorkChop


So to answer the question, yeah they can probably valve them, since they are the manufacturers but can they tell you what they valve them to if that's specific Procomp IP? I don't know, only Matt or Protech can answer that.


Wouldn't it have been easier just to put that answer up in the first place without trying to be the forum clown with your sarcasm?

It's hard to judge sarcasm written down on a forum, especially without the use of emoticons to lighten it up


PorkChop - 21/5/18 at 10:32 PM

I didn't have the info to hand at the time. So the answer to your question is no it wasn't an answer I could give

It's funny, I seem to be the only one answering any questions, including the original supplier question being asked, despite being wrongly called both a bellend (good thing there were no bookies on the thread, you'd have lost a few quid ) and a clown in the process. Unless you are referring to my clown feet, there is a reason why I can't drive some kits...

The guys at Protech will sort you out OP if you get no joy with Matt, they're good blokes. TBF to Matt at Procomp, he has had a bout of illness IIRC and no doubt had a lot of stuff to do anyway at this time of year.

[Edited on 21/5/18 by PorkChop]


Camber Dave - 22/5/18 at 08:04 AM

Another vote for Protech here.

Over 12 years I have fitted hundreds of Protechs supplied directly from Melksham on all types of cars from 1off trikes to GD T70's and Ultima's.

Never had a single problem. I tried to fit a set ordered wrongly by a customer. After a phone call they built me a replacement set in the time it took to drive to collect them. Later they rebuilt the 'wrong' ones with different rod lengths to suit another car. I have had high track mileage dampers rebuilt for the cost of 2 new rods and oil. They have Dyno'ed many sets for me to confirm condition and refine knob settings. Nothing is too much trouble.
I've asked about light car valving and the response was "we do it anyway".

I have double adjusters on my own car.

Give them a call


CosKev3 - 22/5/18 at 08:27 AM

quote:
Originally posted by PorkChop
I didn't have the info to hand at the time. So the answer to your question is no it wasn't an answer I could give

[Edited on 21/5/18 by PorkChop]


Reply once you have found it then,and lose the boring sarcasm,not rocket science!


CosKev3 - 22/5/18 at 08:30 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Camber Dave

I've asked about light car valving and the response was "we do it anyway"




That's interesting

I wonder if they only match them in pairs/adjustment match them if you ask?

As standard from Protech they don't come as a matching pair,which is well documented from Procomps write ups.


PorkChop - 22/5/18 at 11:33 AM

quote:
Originally posted by CosKev3
quote:
Originally posted by PorkChop
I didn't have the info to hand at the time. So the answer to your question is no it wasn't an answer I could give

[Edited on 21/5/18 by PorkChop]


Reply once you have found it then,and lose the boring sarcasm,not rocket science!


A put down with a smilie face. Yeah, that's not an attempt at sarcasm at all.

If it's all the same to you, I'll leave you and your advice in the school playground. Some of us have rocket science to do

And if you want to know something do as Camber Dave suggests, pick up the phone and ask them. They will tell you all you need to know rather than forum regurgitation.

Peace x

[Edited on 22/5/18 by PorkChop]


16v205 - 22/5/18 at 02:06 PM

Cheers guys,

Just to update I spoke to Protech earlier, very helpful.

As its a bec I'm going to corner weigh it first and they can take a best guess as to what the spring rate and damping needs to be for my car.

Just got to get a clio 182 out the way first to play with my car again, hopefully they will be ordered by the end of the week.


CosKev3 - 22/5/18 at 02:28 PM

quote:
Originally posted by PorkChop
quote:
Originally posted by CosKev3
quote:
Originally posted by PorkChop
I didn't have the info to hand at the time. So the answer to your question is no it wasn't an answer I could give

[Edited on 21/5/18 by PorkChop]


Reply once you have found it then,and lose the boring sarcasm,not rocket science!


A put down with a smilie face. Yeah, that's not an attempt at sarcasm at all.

If it's all the same to you, I'll leave you and your advice in the school playground. Some of us have rocket science to do

And if you want to know something do as Camber Dave suggests, pick up the phone and ask them. They will tell you all you need to know rather than forum regurgitation.

Peace x

[Edited on 22/5/18 by PorkChop]


No yawning smiley to use,perhaps we should request one


CosKev3 - 22/5/18 at 02:29 PM

quote:
Originally posted by 16v205
Cheers guys,

Just to update I spoke to Protech earlier, very helpful.

As its a bec I'm going to corner weigh it first and they can take a best guess as to what the spring rate and damping needs to be for my car.

Just got to get a clio 182 out the way first to play with my car again, hopefully they will be ordered by the end of the week.


Another place that is recommended by a lot of Westfield owners is Blink Motorsport,in Cheshire somewhere.


procomp - 7/6/18 at 01:28 PM

Hi.
Apologies for not being contactable. I am currently so busy with race work and developing the new GT car that the land line has been unplugged for a few weeks as its ringing 30 + times a day. Most of those calls are people after free advice. Unfortunately if i answer every call ill never get any work done in workshop and spend all day on phone. Also the FB page is not active due to Fb blocking my access as im not spending huge amounts of money using there boost or adverts facility. !!!

Back to dampers. Protech build the base units for me to my specification. When they are with me i then strip them apart and re engineer the dampers to meet the valving and speed requirements required for the car in question. Ie whats on a live axle setup is way different to whats on an independent. Same as whats on a Radical is vastly different to whats on caterham also remembering that different ratio damper are required on the front and rear of all cars. this is why people find what i supply to be vastly different than whats available from the suppliers as they do not have the knowledge to re valve for the different setups or usage between say a car on slick tyres compared to same car using road treaded tyres.
All Protech GAZ AVO Spax dampers are valved at 2-1 -- 3-1 ratios that in not correct for use on light weight cars Particularly if being used on an inboard setup or in a live axle situation. When others say they are RE-VALVING all they are doing is adjusting the knob position on the shaft to give a stiffer or softer effect for the number of clicks on the damper, that does not alter the ratio of bump and rebound. The change in bump re-bound ratio is achieved by re engineering the piston and shimming in conjunction with weight of oil. So be very careful as to what your being told by suppliers.

Ill leave my account logged in for a few days so if you have specific questions ill look in and answer via U2U msgs


Cheers Matt


CosKev3 - 7/6/18 at 04:48 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Camber Dave

I've asked about light car valving and the response was "we do it anyway".






Well matts just put that myth to bed!