Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Bang-for-the-buck rear damper upgrade over Ranchos? #2575514
11/07/18 08:20 PM
11/07/18 08:20 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439
Val-haul-ass... eventually
B
BradH Offline OP
Taking time off to work on my car
BradH  Offline OP
Taking time off to work on my car
B

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439
Val-haul-ass... eventually
Yeah, I know... every time someone posts a "What shocks (dampers) should I buy?" question, the basic answers are "Buy the best you can afford" and "AFCO, Santhuff, Menscer-modified..."

Let's try this a different way. I really shouldn't be buying any new dampers at all, so the "best I can afford" answer should probably be about $10 (for the pair). However, I believe the old 5-way Ranchos on the rear of my Challenger leave a lot of room for improvement.

Given that, what would people recommend as a bang-for-the-buck rear damper upgrade? 3750+# BB E-body on 275 drag radials, has run a best of 1.45 60-ft w/ CalTracs & monos, engine upgrade picked up 50-ish HP and 30-ish torque over what pushed the car to 10.5s at 126 before.

Re: Bang-for-the-buck rear damper upgrade over Ranchos? [Re: BradH] #2575534
11/07/18 09:09 PM
11/07/18 09:09 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,963
Frostbitefalls MN (Rocky&Bullw...
gregsdart Offline
master
gregsdart  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,963
Frostbitefalls MN (Rocky&Bullw...
How much leverage does the caltrac setup have compared to other suspensions? I look at the SLR times the torque times 2 for converter multiplication and the answer in torque trying to twist the rear housing into the ground is unreal at the hit, where you need the control. Distance from instant center to the shock in feet divided into that answer is some kind of an indication of what you are dealing with. My car: 760 tq x2 x11.17slr = 17,000 ft lbs รท 2.75 ft= 6200 ft lbs of pull on both shocks at the hit. All this blah blah doesn't give you much of an answer, but maybe will help you figure out what you really need back there. I am on my third upgrade (or fourth? I forget) on rear shocks. I now have Afco big guns, and they may not be valved stiff enough.

Last edited by gregsdart; 11/07/18 09:11 PM.

8..603 156 mph best, 2905 lbs 549, indy 572-13, alky
Re: Bang-for-the-buck rear damper upgrade over Ranchos? [Re: BradH] #2575541
11/07/18 09:31 PM
11/07/18 09:31 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,408
Fulton County, PA
C
CMcAllister Offline
Mr. Helpful
CMcAllister  Offline
Mr. Helpful
C

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,408
Fulton County, PA
Bang for the buck? AFCO Big Guns.


If the results don't match the theory, change the theory.
Re: Bang-for-the-buck rear damper upgrade over Ranchos? [Re: BradH] #2575563
11/07/18 10:27 PM
11/07/18 10:27 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 30,947
Oregon
A
AndyF Offline
I Win
AndyF  Offline
I Win
A

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 30,947
Oregon
I wouldn't buy anything new until I proved that my existing shocks couldn't get the job done. A little time at the track shooting some video might answer the question. You have adjustable shocks now so it would be fairly easy to adjust them full soft and full hard and see how the car reacts. Then send the video to Calvert and see what they say.

The new Calvert shocks are 9 way adjustable so maybe that is all you need. Or perhaps they have tighter or looser shocks depending on what you need.

Re: Bang-for-the-buck rear damper upgrade over Ranchos? [Re: BradH] #2575574
11/07/18 11:04 PM
11/07/18 11:04 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,408
Fulton County, PA
C
CMcAllister Offline
Mr. Helpful
CMcAllister  Offline
Mr. Helpful
C

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,408
Fulton County, PA
What's it doing? Separating excessively? Crushing the tire? Wind the shock up tight and see if it controls the housing.


If the results don't match the theory, change the theory.
Re: Bang-for-the-buck rear damper upgrade over Ranchos? [Re: BradH] #2575577
11/07/18 11:07 PM
11/07/18 11:07 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,662
On the parachute mount
N
n20mstr Offline
master
n20mstr  Offline
master
N

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,662
On the parachute mount
Really ? There is no cheap way to go fast ...lol
poor Monte, he would have a field day with this. Put it in perspective, santuffs might be 1200.00 ? Would it be worth it to save 4-600 ? And not go as fast as you could ?
a radial needs a good double adj to work well, skimp somewhere else.


....BAD A$$ STREET CAR.....
Re: Bang-for-the-buck rear damper upgrade over Ranchos? [Re: BradH] #2575578
11/07/18 11:07 PM
11/07/18 11:07 PM
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,457
Washington
M
madscientist Offline
master
madscientist  Offline
master
M

Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,457
Washington
You need a double adjustable shock. There is no reason a Viking DA won't do everything you need it to do for reasonable money.

I will never understand a single adjustable shock. There is no way that a shock that changes bump and rebound with the same knob at the same time can accomplish the control you need.

Bump and rebound need to be seperate.


Just because you think it won't make it true. Horsepower is KING. To dispute this is stupid. C. Alston
Re: Bang-for-the-buck rear damper upgrade over Ranchos? [Re: BradH] #2575604
11/07/18 11:33 PM
11/07/18 11:33 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,457
Sydney,Australia
tex013 Offline
top fuel
tex013  Offline
top fuel

Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,457
Sydney,Australia
if meaning budget - go Viking DA's . They work , I had Rancho's . They wouldn't cut it when I went 505ci .
Just decide are you going radial or crossply tyre and choose appropriately

Tex


New best ET 10.259@129.65 .
New best MPH 130.32
Finally fitted a solid cam,
stepped it up a bit more
3690lbs through the mufflers
New World block 3780lbs 10.278@130.80 . Wowser 10.253@130.24 footbraking from 1500rpm
Power by Tex's Automotive
Re: Bang-for-the-buck rear damper upgrade over Ranchos? [Re: tex013] #2575650
11/08/18 12:32 AM
11/08/18 12:32 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439
Val-haul-ass... eventually
B
BradH Offline OP
Taking time off to work on my car
BradH  Offline OP
Taking time off to work on my car
B

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439
Val-haul-ass... eventually
Yeah, I need a DA damper, even for my P O S street car. But it's still tough to justify the cost of the high-end stuff for what it is.

Tony - Monte would say the same thing he always said, which is what I inferred in my original post. Feel free to take his position on the subject and carry on the tradition. wink

Re: Bang-for-the-buck rear damper upgrade over Ranchos? [Re: CMcAllister] #2575652
11/08/18 12:36 AM
11/08/18 12:36 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439
Val-haul-ass... eventually
B
BradH Offline OP
Taking time off to work on my car
BradH  Offline OP
Taking time off to work on my car
B

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439
Val-haul-ass... eventually
Originally Posted By CMcAllister
What's it doing? Separating excessively? Crushing the tire? Wind the shock up tight and see if it controls the housing.

Won't know until it makes it back to the track. Just looking for options, since I expect an upgrade is in my future.

Re: Bang-for-the-buck rear damper upgrade over Ranchos? [Re: BradH] #2575655
11/08/18 12:43 AM
11/08/18 12:43 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,005
Tulsa OK
Bad340fish Offline
master
Bad340fish  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,005
Tulsa OK
I have been happy with my Viking DAs on the rear of my car. I still need to get some things under control but I have plenty of adjustment left.


68 Barracuda Formula S 340
87 "Chrysler" Conquest
Re: Bang-for-the-buck rear damper upgrade over Ranchos? [Re: BradH] #2575695
11/08/18 02:13 AM
11/08/18 02:13 AM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,662
On the parachute mount
N
n20mstr Offline
master
n20mstr  Offline
master
N

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,662
On the parachute mount
Strang or atco, I'd lean towards the Afco. They are reasonable and still work well.


....BAD A$$ STREET CAR.....
Re: Bang-for-the-buck rear damper upgrade over Ranchos? [Re: BradH] #2575875
11/08/18 02:27 PM
11/08/18 02:27 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 19,317
State of confusion
T
Thumperdart Offline
I Live Here
Thumperdart  Offline
I Live Here
T

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 19,317
State of confusion
Here's what I know first hand on my junk; Bottom hole on the 25" ft. segment, 5-way Ranchos on 4 or 5 and 90-10's in the ft........1.33-1.34 60's........Mow I have Shilo's DA rear Vikings and first and last time out about 2' of air and a 1.34 on crappy Hoosier QTP's........ beer


72 Dart 470 n/a BB stroker street car `THUMPER`...Check me out on FB Dominic Thumper for videos and lots of carb pics......760-900-3895.....
Re: Bang-for-the-buck rear damper upgrade over Ranchos? [Re: n20mstr] #2576376
11/09/18 03:02 PM
11/09/18 03:02 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439
Val-haul-ass... eventually
B
BradH Offline OP
Taking time off to work on my car
BradH  Offline OP
Taking time off to work on my car
B

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439
Val-haul-ass... eventually
Originally Posted By n20mstr
Strang or atco, I'd lean towards the Afco. They are reasonable and still work well.

I see AFCO has a standard-fitment Eliminator DA series, but the Big Guns listed are all much shorter and not for that type of application. shruggy

Re: Bang-for-the-buck rear damper upgrade over Ranchos? [Re: BradH] #2576397
11/09/18 03:33 PM
11/09/18 03:33 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 19,317
State of confusion
T
Thumperdart Offline
I Live Here
Thumperdart  Offline
I Live Here
T

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 19,317
State of confusion
I have Shilos DA Viking front coil overs that I WAS going to use but decided against it so not sure if they would work in the rear or not as just a shock........15" extended and 10 1/2 compressed......... thumbs


72 Dart 470 n/a BB stroker street car `THUMPER`...Check me out on FB Dominic Thumper for videos and lots of carb pics......760-900-3895.....
Re: Bang-for-the-buck rear damper upgrade over Ranchos? [Re: BradH] #2576437
11/09/18 04:51 PM
11/09/18 04:51 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,408
Fulton County, PA
C
CMcAllister Offline
Mr. Helpful
CMcAllister  Offline
Mr. Helpful
C

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,408
Fulton County, PA
Originally Posted By BradH
Originally Posted By n20mstr
Strang or atco, I'd lean towards the Afco. They are reasonable and still work well.

I see AFCO has a standard-fitment Eliminator DA series, but the Big Guns listed are all much shorter and not for that type of application. shruggy


Call and talk to them. I know from experience, the difference between standard and BG valving is substantial. Or just call Menser. His stuff is not that much more money.


If the results don't match the theory, change the theory.
Re: Bang-for-the-buck rear damper upgrade over Ranchos? [Re: CMcAllister] #2576471
11/09/18 05:50 PM
11/09/18 05:50 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,662
On the parachute mount
N
n20mstr Offline
master
n20mstr  Offline
master
N

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,662
On the parachute mount
Originally Posted By CMcAllister
Originally Posted By BradH
Originally Posted By n20mstr
Strang or atco, I'd lean towards the Afco. They are reasonable and still work well.

I see AFCO has a standard-fitment Eliminator DA series, but the Big Guns listed are all much shorter and not for that type of application. shruggy


Call and talk to them. I know from experience, the difference between standard and BG valving is substantial. Or just call Menser. His stuff is not that much more money.



X2 call Menser. Dealing with guys like that are another lesson I have learned. The service/support after the sale is worth every penny you pay them up front.


....BAD A$$ STREET CAR.....
Re: Bang-for-the-buck rear damper upgrade over Ranchos? [Re: n20mstr] #2576487
11/09/18 06:36 PM
11/09/18 06:36 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439
Val-haul-ass... eventually
B
BradH Offline OP
Taking time off to work on my car
BradH  Offline OP
Taking time off to work on my car
B

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439
Val-haul-ass... eventually
Lots of stuff about Menscer online, but I haven't seen much about prices listed. I'm guessing... $800-1000 for a pair of basic modified AFCO DA "twin tube" dampers?

Re: Bang-for-the-buck rear damper upgrade over Ranchos? [Re: BradH] #2576488
11/09/18 06:38 PM
11/09/18 06:38 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,662
On the parachute mount
N
n20mstr Offline
master
n20mstr  Offline
master
N

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,662
On the parachute mount
Originally Posted By BradH
Lots of stuff about Menscer online, but I haven't seen much about prices listed. I'm guessing... $800-1000 for a pair of basic modified AFCO DA "twin tube" dampers?



or call Mike Roth @ MR2 , hes famous for building SS/AH cars, but he is a dealer for Santuff and builds stockers also. Another good source of what will work well on your car. I bought my Santuffs from him


....BAD A$$ STREET CAR.....
Re: Bang-for-the-buck rear damper upgrade over Ranchos? [Re: n20mstr] #2576491
11/09/18 06:42 PM
11/09/18 06:42 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439
Val-haul-ass... eventually
B
BradH Offline OP
Taking time off to work on my car
BradH  Offline OP
Taking time off to work on my car
B

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439
Val-haul-ass... eventually
I've seen pics of some cars Roth's built. drool

Tony - Mind if I swipe your signature and modify it for my own?

"... SLOW-A$$ STREET CAR... even when it's actually running "

laugh2







Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1