"Why should
I invest in high-performance shocks?"
By Rob Schermerhorn
So,
I know what you're thinking…"Why in the world would I
invest $3,000 or more on one set of shock absorbers for my car?
If I can get ______ shocks, which are marketed as performance shocks,
for $100 each, what's the difference?"
Simply
put, the difference is in the details. Of course, the real answer
is not so simple; its foundation is in market factors, which drive
engineering ideas that turn into successful designs that solve specific
problems. An enthusiast can justify the investment in high-quality,
high technology dampers if you can answer "yes" to any
of the following:
·
You race (even if your class rules outlaw "racing" shocks).
This applies to all forms of motorsport, from grassroots autocross,
¼ mile dirt track, street stock drags, to all forms of
professional racing. If you compete, you need more control over
the way your car absorbs and reacts to power input, track surface,
braking, cornering, aerodynamic load, weather, driver input, etc.
Racers spend countless hours and dollars to win or just participate;
you need this tool in your arsenal.
·
You take your daily driver to the track for fun. Whether
road race or drag race, dual purpose cars require the most sophisticated
dampers due to the huge variance in operating environment and
desires of the driver. If you're this guy, you want it all: comfort
within reason on the street, and responsiveness and quick tunability
at the track. You require a set-up with huge range of adjustability
and ease of making and repeating that adjustment.
·
You're an automotive enthusiast that needs all the latest technology
on your car, especially if it didn't come from the factory. You've
already bolted on the turbo, nitrous, wheels, megawatt stereo,
paint and body kit, satellite uplink, and you're looking to control
the beast you've built. You've added power and weight to your
car and inexpensive aftermarket suspension makes too many compromises.
Now
for the social proof:
·
The Pro-racers already understand why they require investing tens
of thousands of dollars and hours in suspension technology; if
you're a weekend racer, you may need more convincing because your
budget is tight, resources are limited.
· Increasing horsepower is easy to justify,
easily measured both in the shop and on the track. Suspension
technology is different.
· Many people are uncomfortable with the
dynamics involved; we're here to help.
· Designing and tuning suspension is seen
as a "black art" by most racers, and even many engineers.
There are many subtleties, many discoveries yet to be made. We
won't say we understand all, though we do have the experience
and resources that only the highest echelon of motorsport organizations
and automobile manufacturers have. There is an important reason
Delta Vee Motorsports is located in Michigan. Arguably, the OEM's
know much more about suspension ride and damping technology than
dedicated racers do.
· For most racers tuning by the "monkey
see, monkey do" method, suspension tuning gets frustrating
quickly. Many give up, afraid to make changes, fearing that they
will destroy what little drivability they have achieved. Not willing
to risk that so they can learn.
· Other racers are perpetually in "survival
mode", just happy that nothing broke last session. No time
to tune. WE CAN HELP YOU!
· We need to work with racers who want
to learn, call us if that's you. Don't be intimidated that you
may be venturing into an area you are mostly unfamiliar with,
or afraid it will cost too much. We can help for as little as
$59. Look at what you're spending already just to run mid-pack.
Delta
Vee Motorsports has three types of customers:
1.
Those who know very little about suspension technology, and understand
less.
2. Racers who know and have experience turning the adjusters on
their shocks, know that it does indeed influence car behavior,
but don't know why.
3. Teams that come holding spreadsheets of data on their car and
tracks and say, "Build this response curve into our shocks."
The percentage breakout is: 1) 85%, 2) 14%, 3) 1%
So, don't worry that you're the only one asking "dumb questions,"
you're actually the smartest one in your race group.
Send
an email to Info@DeltaVee.net
or call us 847.638.4226 for more information on how to get your
car to handle better and be more consistent.
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