Rose jointed Avo dampers
Discussion
Had a set of rose joint Avo adjustable dampers fitted today, developed and fitted by Leven Technology. Picked the car up this evening, but unfortunately it's very wet outside so haven't had a chance to test the shocks. First impressions are good though. The ride is firmer, but feels just as comfortable as standard dampers (springs are standard still). Instantly felt as if the car is more planted on the road and i can feel more info through the wheel, more texture of the road.
Turn-in is nice and direct (i'm also using Steve heath's ARB drop links) and roll is minimal. There's now very little squat or dive under acceleration and deceleration. In fact it makes the car feel more responsive under acceleration - the car just goes rather than point it skyward and then start accelerating.
Will post some more thoughts once i drive it in dry whether and once i get a chance to play around with the damper settings. I'm pleased though.
Turn-in is nice and direct (i'm also using Steve heath's ARB drop links) and roll is minimal. There's now very little squat or dive under acceleration and deceleration. In fact it makes the car feel more responsive under acceleration - the car just goes rather than point it skyward and then start accelerating.
Will post some more thoughts once i drive it in dry whether and once i get a chance to play around with the damper settings. I'm pleased though.
Roads were dry yesterday evening so went for a drive to test the performance of the Avo shocks. They are brilliant! Turn in is sharp and grip is huge! Has totally transformed the car. Here's more about the shocks and driving experience...
The ride height and damping adjustable Avo shocks are fitted with Rose joints all round using the standard Eibach springs. It should be noted i also have Steve Heath's ARB drop links on the front (i have rear's too, but not got round to fitting). Due to leaking rear dampers, i thought it was a good excuse to justify an upgrade. I haven't done any track days (may do in the future) so i wanted a setup for fast road use. Whilst i would love Nitrons, i don't really need them and don't want the hassle of rebuilding them every x miles or whatever.
Current set-up is 11 clicks from hard at the front and 9 clicks from hard at the rear. Therefore it is set up more towards the harder damping range.
Comfort:
The ride is much firmer than the standard dampers yet ride comfort is about the same. My car has also sounded noisey over bumps, and i reckon (as does my girlfriend) it is now less rattley, even with the rose joints. The dampers do squeak a little on big bumps, mainly on extension.
Handling:
Turn-in is sharp and keen and you can really feel the front tyres biting the road. Body roll is very minimal with the car staying flat even during hard cornering. The car is much more keen to change direction too and can be chucked around a lot more. There is much less squat and dive under acceleration and deceleration. The car feels much more response when applying the throttle. It also feels like the brakes have been upgraded as they feel more powerful especially the intial bite. Cornering grip definitely feels to have increased, or at least, i'm now confident to push harder in the corners.
Overall, i love the new shocks and they were definitely worth the money. They have raised the performance of the car and also made it feel much newer (it's 12 years old). I reckon the ride height can be lowered a bit (10mm ish) and i want the ride just a little harder, so i'll play around with it at the weekend.
I'm amazed how much difference uprated dampers can make. Very pleased.
The ride height and damping adjustable Avo shocks are fitted with Rose joints all round using the standard Eibach springs. It should be noted i also have Steve Heath's ARB drop links on the front (i have rear's too, but not got round to fitting). Due to leaking rear dampers, i thought it was a good excuse to justify an upgrade. I haven't done any track days (may do in the future) so i wanted a setup for fast road use. Whilst i would love Nitrons, i don't really need them and don't want the hassle of rebuilding them every x miles or whatever.
Current set-up is 11 clicks from hard at the front and 9 clicks from hard at the rear. Therefore it is set up more towards the harder damping range.
Comfort:
The ride is much firmer than the standard dampers yet ride comfort is about the same. My car has also sounded noisey over bumps, and i reckon (as does my girlfriend) it is now less rattley, even with the rose joints. The dampers do squeak a little on big bumps, mainly on extension.
Handling:
Turn-in is sharp and keen and you can really feel the front tyres biting the road. Body roll is very minimal with the car staying flat even during hard cornering. The car is much more keen to change direction too and can be chucked around a lot more. There is much less squat and dive under acceleration and deceleration. The car feels much more response when applying the throttle. It also feels like the brakes have been upgraded as they feel more powerful especially the intial bite. Cornering grip definitely feels to have increased, or at least, i'm now confident to push harder in the corners.
Overall, i love the new shocks and they were definitely worth the money. They have raised the performance of the car and also made it feel much newer (it's 12 years old). I reckon the ride height can be lowered a bit (10mm ish) and i want the ride just a little harder, so i'll play around with it at the weekend.
I'm amazed how much difference uprated dampers can make. Very pleased.
New shocks of any sorts are gonna transform the handling off knackered shocks and springs and from your exited post your as chuffed as me, i fitted my new protechs at the weekend and GOD! have they done exactly wot i thought they would to the car, grip. two fold. stability, 4fold. the car is now devastatingly quick cross country, its been bloody pissing it down or icy since i fitted them (still setting them up) but on one particular rought i can now cover ground quicker at night with the ice warning light on faster than before in the day. Roll on a dry weekend before i push my look a bit to far. New shocks and springs! should be compulsary.
mak said:Which ones have you got mak,is it the single adjustable or the double adjustable?
New shocks of any sorts are gonna transform the handling off knackered shocks and springs and from your exited post your as chuffed as me, i fitted my new protechs at the weekend and GOD! have they done exactly wot i thought they would to the car, grip. two fold. stability, 4fold. the car is now devastatingly quick cross country, its been bloody pissing it down or icy since i fitted them (still setting them up) but on one particular rought i can now cover ground quicker at night with the ice warning light on faster than before in the day. Roll on a dry weekend before i push my look a bit to far. New shocks and springs! should be compulsary.
there the single, i presume u mean they do a compression and rebound adjustable damper like my bikes, but i didn't wont to spend too much and to be honest in the right hands the car can match my old 911(993c2s) now so i'm well shuffed, its always gonna be a compromise for the old chimaera and its never going to give quality ride and handling in the same breath but its made a dangerous car into something i can now grab by the scruff and drive!
mak said:Yep,they do do a compression and rebound seperately adjustable.There relatively new on the scene,so i was hoping that you had these.I'm having some fitted tomorrow,so was looking for some feedback really.I've been running the single adjust Protechs up to now,and like yourself,have been very impressed
there the single, i presume u mean they do a compression and rebound adjustable damper like my bikes, but i didn't wont to spend too much and to be honest in the right hands the car can match my old 911(993c2s) now so i'm well shuffed, its always gonna be a compromise for the old chimaera and its never going to give quality ride and handling in the same breath but its made a dangerous car into something i can now grab by the scruff and drive!
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