Racing red shocks question

[450dream]

Hi all
I am in progress of rebuilding my new chassis and have a set of racing reds that were used on another chim for a month before it met its sad demise RIP . hence I bought them for a reasonable price . My problem is after doing forum search there is conflicting information in regards which way up they are fitted and some mention adjusters at top on front and bottom at rear ? . Can any body give me any help in this matter or pictures if have them fitted to there cars please
Thanks in advance

[phazed]

It is easier to have the adjusters at the bottom for easy adjustment.

[skiver.]

If you fit the fronts with the adjusters at the top you can adjust them from the engine bay, with a cold engine!

[Ptr400J]

Got some on my 450 and the damper adjustment is at the bottom.

[QBee]

You can use them either way up, so it's a matter of reaching the stiffness adjusters. All can be reached, wheels on, with the adjuster at the bottom and pointing towards the centre line of the car. As said above, with the adjusters at the top inside on the front dampers, you can reach them from inside the engine bay on a cold engine.....which dies not help you mid-morning on a track day.

If someone persuades you to have all the adjusters at the top facing outwards, then it still is ok - but you need to remove the wheels to adjust them!

[s p a c e m a n]

The only real reason to stick them on upside down is to reduce the unsprung weight. I take it that you're not trying to shave another couple 10ths off of your lap time so you might as well stick the adjusters on the bottom to make them easier to access

[Colin RedGriff]

I fitted my Racing Reds conventionally, i.e. with the piston body at the bottom and the spring on the top end. The stiffness adjuster is on the top of the shock absorber on the Racing Red absorber. That works for me but I guess it depends how often you want to adjust them as to how important it is to be able to reach them easily. I haven't really needed to adjust mine since I fitted them.

[QBee]

Colin RedGriff said:

I fitted my Racing Reds conventionally, i.e. with the piston body at the bottom and the spring on the top end. The stiffness adjuster is on the top of the shock absorber on the Racing Red absorber. That works for me but I guess it depends how often you want to adjust them as to how important it is to be able to reach them easily. I haven't really needed to adjust mine since I fitted them.

I bought mine to be able to drive my car comfortably on the road with the dampers set to soft, especially at the rear, and the adjust them to stuff all around (stiffer at the front) for the track. But I share the view that if you don't want to do any track driving (race, track day, sprint, hill climb) then adjustable still allow you to set the car his you want it.
Where you put the adjuster depends on how frequently you are likely to adjust your settings - in my case, between 15 and 30 times a year. Whilst I do change the wheels before a track event to go onto track specific tyres, so could reset top mounted adjusters then, i often drive to the track on my track tyres, so want to adjust on arrival, and I also want to be able to make adjustments mid-event.
If I wanted to save 1/10th of a second per lap I would take lessons.....or go on a diet!!

[Richard 858]

Front - damper adjuster knob at the top for adjustment via engine bay.
Rear - damper adjustment knob at the bottom for adjustment without removing wheel.

I have been using this arrangement throughout the Speed Championship this year (with frequent adjustment) and for mixed road driving and all is well.
If the units in question are several or unknown years old/have unknown history I'd thoroughly recommend a full service by Nitron (they often have Winter special discounts starting about now).

[450dream]

As ever loads of very useful advice thanks to every body for this I think I have a decision to make in regards what way up I fit them . I didn't ever think I would do a track day but from what I read on forum I am starting to get an itch I might have to scratch which might affect my decision.
Thanks again