Suspension options
Discussion
A properly valved pair of Protech dampers will work just fine on Caterhams, Westfields, Radicals, OMS single seaters, RGB race casr, 2cv race car, Lotus Elise, Etc Etc.
The race results are there to prove that fact. A set of 4 specifically valved single adjustable dampers for the application can be had for Less than £500 and Double adjustable for less than £1000.
The race results are there to prove that fact. A set of 4 specifically valved single adjustable dampers for the application can be had for Less than £500 and Double adjustable for less than £1000.
Matt Gilmour said:
A properly valved pair of Protech dampers will work just fine on Caterhams, Westfields, Radicals, OMS single seaters, RGB race casr, 2cv race car, Lotus Elise, Etc Etc.
The race results are there to prove that fact. A set of 4 specifically valved single adjustable dampers for the application can be had for Less than £500 and Double adjustable for less than £1000.
I suppose the operative phrase in there is "properly valved". I'd be interested to understand what the technical differences are between a set of dampers that retail for less than half the Nitron 1-way. I assume there are some and that Nitron aren't simply spending the extra dosh on expensive biccies for the workforce!The race results are there to prove that fact. A set of 4 specifically valved single adjustable dampers for the application can be had for Less than £500 and Double adjustable for less than £1000.
Matt Gilmour said:
A properly valved pair of Protech dampers will work just fine on Caterhams, Westfields, Radicals, OMS single seaters, RGB race casr, 2cv race car, Lotus Elise, Etc Etc.
The race results are there to prove that fact. A set of 4 specifically valved single adjustable dampers for the application can be had for Less than £500 and Double adjustable for less than £1000.
You think these will perform better than bilsteins?The race results are there to prove that fact. A set of 4 specifically valved single adjustable dampers for the application can be had for Less than £500 and Double adjustable for less than £1000.
Would you say these will wear out equally ever time ?
I guess valving is one part of the equation.
Low friction a second.
Fade resistance during use third part.
Time wear cosmetic and technical forth.
What is your experience?
analog_me said:
You think these will perform better than bilsteins?
Would you say these will wear out equally ever time ?
To answer two questions you didn't ask me (sorry!).Would you say these will wear out equally ever time ?
I understand Bilstens can vary from shock to shock in valving, whereas Meteor and presumably Matt too will provide a matched set.
When exploring options, nothing was fit and forget - everything had a service schedule, so that needs budgeting for. Servicing is a worthwhile consideration if you buy high end shocks second hand too - if they're three years old and done 10k miles, but the asking price is 70% of new, you may find once you add servicing in, it's cheaper to buy brand new kit!
analog_me said:
You think these will perform better than bilsteins?
Would you say these will wear out equally ever time ?
I guess valving is one part of the equation.
Low friction a second.
Fade resistance during use third part.
Time wear cosmetic and technical forth.
What is your experience?
Matt runs Procomp in North Birmingham, he re-valves Protech products in his own workshop to improve their performance on lightweight cars. I've owned two different Westfields running shock absorbers supplied and fitted there and setup by him. With the proviso that I'm nothing other than a mildly enthusiastic track day driver with limited competence and experience I've been extremely impressed with the results on my cars.Would you say these will wear out equally ever time ?
I guess valving is one part of the equation.
Low friction a second.
Fade resistance during use third part.
Time wear cosmetic and technical forth.
What is your experience?
I'm sure they are twin tube (trying to remember from looking inside them when Kevin at Protech showed me around when I collected mine).
He also said they were valved differently as they were going into a Caterham. Looking back at my emails from him this was 3 1/5 years ago so a while ago
He also said they were valved differently as they were going into a Caterham. Looking back at my emails from him this was 3 1/5 years ago so a while ago
I spoke to someone over the weekend who has had a custom valving from one of the contributors to this thread, however, the car is far too "stiff" in bump (compression) for road use and skips when encountering bumps mid bend. He specified "fast road" use, but has had to have another firm modify the "bespoke valving". Even with the adjusters backed right off to reduce the damping to the minimum available, the car was still far from ideal.
I feel one of the morals of this story is to be very honest in the intended use of your car, along with likely tyre choice and driving style.
Caveat emptor.
I feel one of the morals of this story is to be very honest in the intended use of your car, along with likely tyre choice and driving style.
Caveat emptor.
fergus said:
I spoke to someone over the weekend who has had a custom valving from one of the contributors to this thread, however, the car is far too "stiff" in bump (compression) for road use and skips when encountering bumps mid bend. He specified "fast road" use, but has had to have another firm modify the "bespoke valving". Even with the adjusters backed right off to reduce the damping to the minimum available, the car was still far from ideal.
I feel one of the morals of this story is to be very honest in the intended use of your car, along with likely tyre choice and driving style.
Caveat emptor.
I couldn't agree more. I went back and forth between Meteor and PT Sports Cars and between us settled on a set-up for moslty track and a bit of road. I opted for powerflex bushes all round in addition to Nitrons, plus a baseline race set-up from PT and the result was great. It wasn't cheap, but it also wasn't an off the shelf solution and transformed a fairly wayward car with tired suspension and odd geo into a very composed and adjustable vehicle. In my case I was also honest about my abilities, so knowing I had a pretty neutral set-up meant any waywardness in the car was likely a result of my driving, or the tyre pressures/temps. I feel one of the morals of this story is to be very honest in the intended use of your car, along with likely tyre choice and driving style.
Caveat emptor.
When it all came together one day at Pembrey, the car was a thing to behold. If you'd stopped me then and told me I'd never do another lap, I'd have been happy, so much fun was had.
JWH said:
Matt runs Procomp in North Birmingham, he re-valves Protech products in his own workshop to improve their performance on lightweight cars. I've owned two different Westfields running shock absorbers supplied and fitted there and setup by him. With the proviso that I'm nothing other than a mildly enthusiastic track day driver with limited competence and experience I've been extremely impressed with the results on my cars.
Ditto.My Westfield is on Protect shocks, supplied by Matt at Procomp having be re-valved and balanced, with new springs to match.
I got the rear pair first as the car arrived to me so bad it failed its mot on dampers, then a few years got them tested by Matt and got the fronts to match, along with tracking and corner weighing. I've also rebushed the whole car as they where also shot.
Nothing to compare it too but to me it feels great and fits with how people discribe it should be, in short good and soft.
The rears are now something like 7 years old, maybe 15k road miles, and 30 off autosolo/autotests and and a handful of track days. Look and feel like new.
Daniel
They wont be like new. I can assure you of that.
This is not make specific.
Just think of all the parts moving and going up and down continually.
Seals and valves and oil and heat cycles.
You would not think of never servicing yiur engine.
I would give someone who specialises in Protech such as Matt it would seem a call and get them serviced.
This is not make specific.
Just think of all the parts moving and going up and down continually.
Seals and valves and oil and heat cycles.
You would not think of never servicing yiur engine.
I would give someone who specialises in Protech such as Matt it would seem a call and get them serviced.
Its not the outside of the damper although it would pay to keep an eye on the scraper seal and shaft.
This inside of the damper is the area of concern.
Think of it like an engine and pistons and shafts.
Everytime the damper moves the shaft and piston are moving through oil. Shims opening and closing. Piston rings scraping the cylinder walls. Dampers run at temperatures that would surprise you.
Hot oil seals and valves. All needs change just like an engine.
This inside of the damper is the area of concern.
Think of it like an engine and pistons and shafts.
Everytime the damper moves the shaft and piston are moving through oil. Shims opening and closing. Piston rings scraping the cylinder walls. Dampers run at temperatures that would surprise you.
Hot oil seals and valves. All needs change just like an engine.
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