DK83

Happy New Year everyone!

During the cold winter months, I hope to address a couple of things in preparation for the upcoming track days in spring/summer.

I'm currently on T1 shocks, springs, and sways. However, I do not know how long these shocks have been on the car. I've done roughly 8 events since I owned the car and I can't really tell if any of the shocks are bad.

But I do want to be prepared if they end up going out on me during the season. I still consider myself a semi-noobie with hpde, and would like to see what I can do without a suspension overhaul into coilolvers.

So, what do you veterans suggest? Stick with the Sachs shocks that I currently have or what are the alternatives? I can't say i have any complaints or concerns with my current setup, except the uncertainty of my current shocks.

Thanks!

MongoZ06

Are the Springs and Sways also T1 or are they stock? (sorry just trying to have a clear understanding of what you have on the car)

DK83

No problem, the springs and sways are T1 as well.

MongoZ06

If the whole "system" is T1 already my first inclination would be to stick with the Sachs as all of those components were literally engineered to work together.

Regarding if your shocks are bad or worn out:
Are they leaking oil?
Do you notice any odd vibrations?
Does the front/rear dive or squat too quickly?

If anything a new set of Sachs should be around $700/$800 if you wanted to keep a set on hand just in case or swap out what you have. If you're not sure if your shocks are bad I would think they are are probably fine since you're not really noticing or seeing the signs of a bad shock while driving the car.

If you're still somewhat "new" to HPDE's I would hold off on any substantial changes like coilovers until you've been able to really push the car on the track and get enough seat time to feel the car and understand the areas you may want to change.... You will probably find a T1 suspension is going to be tough to be beat unless you're racing or doing TT.

DK83

I haven't noticed any signs of a bad shock yet. My concern lies within the fact that the car was tracked by the previous owner with all the parts already on the car. And I just don't know how many events were done on these parts. I've been replacing some parts such as hub bearings, end links, ball joints as I go, but trying to prepare this year so I don't lose much time doing anything unplanned to the car except tires, pads, and maybe rotors.

And yes, I don't have any plans on doing any major suspension or modifications to the car. I would prefer to just keep doing events and learn the car while doing regular maintenance.

MongoZ06

How many miles are the car?

DK83

MongoZ06

With 60k on the clock at most those shocks would have that many miles if they were installed once the original owner brought it home. If I were to take an educated guess I would think those shocks probably have at most 30-40k miles on them and might be due for replacement in the next year or so just based on typical shock wear. If the hubs, endlinks and ball joints you've been replacing thus far were worn to the point where they need replacing then I would lean towards it probably being a good idea to go ahead and replace the shocks since other components were worn and that could be an indicator of the wear and tear on the shocks.

DK83

Tim Dorsch

Joe Aquilante PHOENIX PERFORMANCE 610 482-0141

DK83

I found front T1 shocks, but the rears are discontinued....anyone know who might have a set of rear t1s?

sccaGT1racer

My suggestion would be Koni yellow sports 3013-1023 fronts 3013-1024 rears They will have plenty of control and a step up from the stock t-1s.

DK83

I haven't read up much on other shocks, but i vaguely recall reading that certain shocks can be too long or too short with the t1 springs that I have. Would you happen to know anything about that?

sccaGT1racer