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Re: Tube Shock Conversion? - definitive comparison

To: "Mike & Kerry Gigante" <mikeg@vicnet.net.au>, <type79@ix.netcom.com>
Subject: Re: Tube Shock Conversion? - definitive comparison
Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2001 08:51:45 -0700
Cc: "Spridgets@Autox.Team.Net" <spridgets@autox.team.net>
References: <10762-3B7AA961-413@storefull-225.iap.bryant.webtv.net> <3B7AAFB0.31F0D0D6@ix.netcom.com>
Listers -

I'm running Spax tubes on the rear of my '67 Sprite, MiniMania rebuilt 
levers on the front, 3/4" 'bar, minus 1/2 degree camber and zero 
toe-in.  Handling (autocross) seems great, all four stick equally well at 
the limit.  Machine is now "operator limited".

Historical note:  In my T-series days ('50 TD, '53 Mk II), The "hot setup" 
was to drain the levers and flush with alcohol.  Then refill with Castrol 
"R" (no mineral oil content) in 50W, 60W, or 70W.  The results were 
spectacular compared with standard.  Couldn't overheat them with the castor 
oil in and bounce/rebound ratios stayed constant with use.

Clay L.
'67 Sprite

At 10:16 AM 8/16/01 +1000, Mike & Kerry Gigante wrote:
>That is close enough to me.
>
>
>
> > Not to prolong this thread, but I would be interested in hearing from 
> any owners
> > that have done tube shock conversions on cars with new lever shocks.
> >
> > I think this would be the only valid comparison.
> >
>
>I have, on the same road going (race/rally) midget, run a set of Peter 
>C.'s rebuilts
>with uprated valves on the same car I have run 3 different tube shock 
>setups (including
>the frontline kit).
>
>For road use, or even on the race track, there was no measurable 
>difference once you
>ensured other things (like the negative camber built-in to the frontline 
>kit) were equal. I
>am talking subjective (feel), but also qualittative (lap times, wear 
>patterns on the tyres).
>
>Of course other trhings like bushes, kingpins etc were all in as-new shape 
>as well.
>
>The only place I found a real difference was on a tarmac special stage 
>rally which was
>run over B & C roads - bumpy. The long special stages (close to race 
>speeds on closed
>bumpy  secondary roads) saw the lever arm shocks fade, pretty badly by the 
>end of the event...
>A change of oil and they were good as new again, (but that was after the 
>event was over).
>
>The tele shocks didn't fade at all as far as I can tell.
>
>This was an *extreme* situation, but the only time I have found tele 
>shocks superior. For normal
>even very hard-chargin' road use, good levers from Peter C are more than 
>sufficient.
>
>In all my discussions, the people who rave about various conversions have 
>either a) totally
>subjective opinions, b) invariably had knackered shocks before the 
>changeover, c) didn't
>compare equal with equal (i.e. negative camber).
>
>Don't get me wrong, I am very happy with my frontline kit on the rally 
>car, but for any other use,
>you don't *have* to have tele shocks,just get good quality rebuilt lever 
>arms. I just ordered
>another
>complete set (front and back) from Peter C for another car I'm building 
>up. I couldn't be happier
>with his work or his service.
>
>Mike



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