Bang-for-the-buck rear damper upgrade over Ranchos?
#2575514
11/07/18 08:20 PM
11/07/18 08:20 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439 Val-haul-ass... eventually
BradH
OP
Taking time off to work on my car
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OP
Taking time off to work on my car
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439
Val-haul-ass... eventually
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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.
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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
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,963 Frostbitefalls MN (Rocky&Bullw...
gregsdart
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,963
Frostbitefalls MN (Rocky&Bullw...
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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
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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
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,408 Fulton County, PA
CMcAllister
Mr. Helpful
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Mr. Helpful
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,408
Fulton County, PA
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Bang for the buck? AFCO Big Guns.
If the results don't match the theory, change the theory.
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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
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,408 Fulton County, PA
CMcAllister
Mr. Helpful
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Mr. Helpful
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,408
Fulton County, PA
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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.
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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
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,662 On the parachute mount
n20mstr
master
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master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,662
On the parachute mount
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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.....
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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
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,457 Washington
madscientist
master
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master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,457
Washington
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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
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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
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,457 Sydney,Australia
tex013
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,457
Sydney,Australia
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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
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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
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439 Val-haul-ass... eventually
BradH
OP
Taking time off to work on my car
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OP
Taking time off to work on my car
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439
Val-haul-ass... eventually
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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.
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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
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,005 Tulsa OK
Bad340fish
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,005
Tulsa OK
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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
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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
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,662 On the parachute mount
n20mstr
master
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master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,662
On the parachute mount
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Strang or atco, I'd lean towards the Afco. They are reasonable and still work well.
....BAD A$$ STREET CAR.....
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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
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,408 Fulton County, PA
CMcAllister
Mr. Helpful
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Mr. Helpful
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,408
Fulton County, PA
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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. 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.
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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
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,662 On the parachute mount
n20mstr
master
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master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,662
On the parachute mount
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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. 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$$ STREET CAR.....
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Re: Bang-for-the-buck rear damper upgrade over Ranchos?
[Re: BradH]
#2576488
11/09/18 06:38 PM
11/09/18 06:38 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,662 On the parachute mount
n20mstr
master
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master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,662
On the parachute mount
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Lots of stuff about Menscer online, but I haven't seen much about prices listed. I'm guessing... $800-1000 for a pair of basic modified AFCO DA "twin tube" dampers? or call Mike Roth @ MR2 , hes famous for building SS/AH cars, but he is a dealer for Santuff and builds stockers also. Another good source of what will work well on your car. I bought my Santuffs from him
....BAD A$$ STREET CAR.....
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