Going to coilovers with Penske shocks
10-09-2007, 03:03 PM
#1
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Going to coilovers with Penske shocks
Well my QA1's are shot, so it's either time to rebuild or do an upgrade. The stock soft springs are really killing me at the autocross.
I've always wanted to run Penskes like the big boys, but I thought they were a little out of my price range till I read this:
I'm in 
Other vendors want $2000 for coilovers, and they're using cheap steal bodied shocks!
Dual rate coilovers with real Penskes, gimme!
They're also smaller in diameter, so fitment is a lot better.
Dual rate coilovers use to separate coils on each shock BTW.
Looks like I know what I'm doing for winter.
Someone on the forum must want my stock soft base springs.
I've always wanted to run Penskes like the big boys, but I thought they were a little out of my price range till I read this:
Other vendors want $2000 for coilovers, and they're using cheap steal bodied shocks!
Dual rate coilovers with real Penskes, gimme!
They're also smaller in diameter, so fitment is a lot better.
Dual rate coilovers use to separate coils on each shock BTW.
Looks like I know what I'm doing for winter.
Someone on the forum must want my stock soft base springs.
Last edited by BrianCunningham; 10-09-2007 at 03:07 PM.
10-09-2007, 08:23 PM
#5
Well my QA1's are shot, so it's either time to rebuild or do an upgrade. The stock soft springs are really killing me at the autocross.
I've always wanted to run Penskes like the big boys, but I thought they were a little out of my price range till I read this:
I'm in
Other vendors want $2000 for coilovers, and they're using cheap steal bodied shocks!
Dual rate coilovers with real Penskes, gimme!
They're also smaller in diameter, so fitment is a lot better.
Dual rate coilovers use to separate coils on each shock BTW.
Looks like I know what I'm doing for winter.
Someone on the forum must want my stock soft base springs.
I've always wanted to run Penskes like the big boys, but I thought they were a little out of my price range till I read this:
I'm in
Other vendors want $2000 for coilovers, and they're using cheap steal bodied shocks!
Dual rate coilovers with real Penskes, gimme!
They're also smaller in diameter, so fitment is a lot better.
Dual rate coilovers use to separate coils on each shock BTW.
Looks like I know what I'm doing for winter.
Someone on the forum must want my stock soft base springs.
please keep us informed if you get them. I want to upgrade mine as well for the same reasons.
10-09-2007, 08:25 PM
#6
10-09-2007, 09:17 PM
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The dual rate spring assembly is $200 a corner for any shock, the non-adjustables are $400 with the spring perches, so $2400 per car. The 8300 double adjustables (with remote cannisters) are $830 each, and the 8760 triples shown are $1205 each.
10-09-2007, 10:10 PM
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It's a real good deal, especially if your looking to change your spring rates.
A set of new transverse leafs is at least $1500
BTW
Penske are the only shock I've seen for Corvettes that put the end with the most mass at the SPRUNG end, the correct end?
Everyone else is putting it at the bottom, the UNSPRUNG end!
A set of new transverse leafs is at least $1500
BTW
Penske are the only shock I've seen for Corvettes that put the end with the most mass at the SPRUNG end, the correct end?
Everyone else is putting it at the bottom, the UNSPRUNG end!
Last edited by BrianCunningham; 10-09-2007 at 10:13 PM.
10-10-2007, 01:14 AM
#9
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Hi Brian
I'm very interested in seeing how these work out on your car. My base '96 has even softer springs than yours (coupled with the fact that my shocks are pretty well shot already).
Do you have to do anything funky to mount them like with other setups (EM, DRM, etc. which use Bilsteins)? With as much crap as I've done to my car, I've still never drilled a hole in the frame or bent/cut anything.
I'm very interested in seeing how these work out on your car. My base '96 has even softer springs than yours (coupled with the fact that my shocks are pretty well shot already).
Do you have to do anything funky to mount them like with other setups (EM, DRM, etc. which use Bilsteins)? With as much crap as I've done to my car, I've still never drilled a hole in the frame or bent/cut anything.
10-10-2007, 09:44 AM
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It's a real good deal, especially if your looking to change your spring rates.
A set of new transverse leafs is at least $1500
BTW
Penske are the only shock I've seen for Corvettes that put the end with the most mass at the SPRUNG end, the correct end?
Everyone else is putting it at the bottom, the UNSPRUNG end!
A set of new transverse leafs is at least $1500
BTW
Penske are the only shock I've seen for Corvettes that put the end with the most mass at the SPRUNG end, the correct end?
Everyone else is putting it at the bottom, the UNSPRUNG end!
(2) Expect to move up a class of two when you show up at your next autocross with the coilovers installed.
In NCCC you will be placed in RP (Race Prepared) I don't know about SCCA.
Just a couple of things to consider before spending buy if you do buy please keep us posted.
10-10-2007, 10:12 AM
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My local Corvette club is "run whay ya brung".
People got fed up with all the rules.
NCCC already tossed my into exhibition class, so I can do what I want.
I want to step up to SCCA SM2 anyways.
They're smaller in diameter, so that should eliminate a lot of the problems. I'm sure Gary will chime in again.
People got fed up with all the rules.
NCCC already tossed my into exhibition class, so I can do what I want.
I want to step up to SCCA SM2 anyways.
They're smaller in diameter, so that should eliminate a lot of the problems. I'm sure Gary will chime in again.
Last edited by BrianCunningham; 10-10-2007 at 10:15 AM.
10-10-2007, 10:18 AM
#12
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Nope, for 2 reasons. As stated above, we run them upside down, and we run 2.25 ID springs as opposed to 2.5 inchers on most other brands. The way the coil overs are used with a steel bodied shock, is by using a snap ring in a groove that acts as a stop for a threaded sleeve that goes over the steel body. While this is an excellent, reliable solution for a steel shock, this sleeve basically precludes the use of 2.25 inch springs. With the latest Penskes, an Acme (like a lead screw on a lathe, squarish, not V groove threads,) thead is integral to the CNC billet body, so the smaller diameter springs can be used. Also, with the dual Hyperco springs we use a custom made urethane coil coupler and this acts as a slider as well so that the spring does not wack the body in use (red thing in pics above).
10-10-2007, 10:30 AM
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Here is the manual, free download PDF file, (although a little out of date):
http://hardbarusa.com/PenskeManual.pdf
Recent review of my personal car:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...hlight=hardbar
Customer review:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...hlight=hardbar
http://hardbarusa.com/PenskeManual.pdf
Recent review of my personal car:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...hlight=hardbar
Customer review:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...hlight=hardbar
10-10-2007, 10:55 AM
#15
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BTW There's no black magic here on the setup. The shocks are user rebuildable and you can read the stacks, so you can tell what's going on. No whatever named setting, it's all there for you to read, and you'll get a dyno sheet for each shock. You can set them up for whatever you want to do with your car, autocross, road course, even drag (though some different pieces are needed for that)
They're also upgradeable to doubles or triples, and they have great resale value as well. Just do a search and you'll see. They're the same pieces professional race teams use. Learn how to use them and pro teams will find you.
They're also upgradeable to doubles or triples, and they have great resale value as well. Just do a search and you'll see. They're the same pieces professional race teams use. Learn how to use them and pro teams will find you.
10-10-2007, 11:56 AM
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Gary / Brian thanks very much for the info. This sounds like an awesome setup.
You guys are going to end up making my wife kill me, you know. I just dumped my kids' college tuition into a new motor and now this temptation!
You guys are going to end up making my wife kill me, you know. I just dumped my kids' college tuition into a new motor and now this temptation!
10-10-2007, 04:22 PM
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Mark,
I just got off the phone with Gary, you can save $400 if you get the regular coil springs. Dual rate is the hot recommended setup though.
He can also do a third canister, which is out lawed by most racing santions, but if your in a "run-what-ya-brung" class it's a vantastic way to dampen the swaybar. Which essentially is a spring. Similar to this one
I just got off the phone with Gary, you can save $400 if you get the regular coil springs. Dual rate is the hot recommended setup though.
He can also do a third canister, which is out lawed by most racing santions, but if your in a "run-what-ya-brung" class it's a vantastic way to dampen the swaybar. Which essentially is a spring. Similar to this one
The 9000 SS Hydraulic Secondary Spring is a simple hydraulic linking system between a pair of dampers that allows dynamic roll connection between side dampers while maintaining platform in pitch and heave (2 wheel bump). This is carried out in a remote reservoir that houses a mechanical spring whose engagement point is varied either with the total amount of system oil volume or by an external adjuster. Simply put, the system allows the use of lighter corner springs for grip by supporting additional displacement with the internal canister spring. Depending on the spring used in the canister and on the corners, the roll of the vehicle is counteracted dynamically. When the outside spring is compressed in roll, internal pressures of the dampers act on the internal spring which helps to extend the inside wheel. This has been proven to maintain higher loading on the typically "unloaded" wheel for a longer duration through a corner which adds grip.
The 9000 SS is being used with success in CART, ALMS, GARRS and Touring Cars to name a few.
The 9000 SS is being used with success in CART, ALMS, GARRS and Touring Cars to name a few.
10-10-2007, 10:29 PM
#19
Le Mans Master
I have always heard the Penske's are the best, but expensive.
What makes the non-adjustable version better than say a QA1 adjustable, or Bilsteins etc.? Are $400 Penske's all built to the same specs, or can you have custom valving? I like the idea of the dual rate springs. What would you suggest for the steet?
What makes the non-adjustable version better than say a QA1 adjustable, or Bilsteins etc.? Are $400 Penske's all built to the same specs, or can you have custom valving? I like the idea of the dual rate springs. What would you suggest for the steet?
