Speed Secrets: More Spring or More Shock?

BMW 328i  2000 Bilstein B12 (Sportline) 46-180117

Note: This is a post I wrote for Ross Bentley’s Speed Secrets newsletter earlier this year, and reproduced and hosted on Winding Road’s website. I had an inquiry regarding suspension tuning strategy: whether to change spring rates or alter shock settings in order to better balance the car… Link to Winding Road: Speed Secrets: More Spring or More [...]

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7 Steps To Finding Your Perfect Shock Setting

Moton bump adjuster

Racers: Did you install new adjustable shocks and now your lap times are slower? Do a “shock scan”! Note current adjustment settings Set bump and rebound full soft Do an out and in lap Add bump in two click increments until “feel” improves Now add rebound in two sweep (or click) increments until car “feel” [...]

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I need help with my suspension baseline—Tuning Shocks at the Track

Moton bump adjuster

Lance writes: Need help with an SCCA EP 240Z with custom Moton 2 way remote shocks on all four corners. McPherson front so motion ratio = 1? 350# front springs 225# rear. Would like the car to turn in better and it is loose on exit. First year with car could not get the shocks [...]

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Wheel Rate, Motion Ratio and Frequency

Wheel Rate, Motion Ratio and Frequency Thumbnail

“Why are Ferrari’s so “soft”?” is a question I get all the time, given my experience with the beautiful red cars… This term is relative, IMO. Ferrari’s are no softer than most other road going cars, even other sporting automobiles. Suspension design is all about compromise with a road car. The environments change, the market [...]

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How Big is the Range of Adjustment on Bilstein Shocks?

Force vs velocity plot of Ferrari F355 shock

How large of a range of adjustment is available from a Bilstein? A question I get all the time; here’s a quick shot of force vs. velocity data from an original equipment Ferrari F355 shock: This data shows four shocks set full stiff and one then re-tested set to full soft, which opens the adjuster [...]

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Manually Adjusting Ferrari/ Bilstein Active Damping System

Ferrari Bilstein shock adjuster motor

Manually adjusting shocks: Ferrari F355, 550, 456, Mondial T This likely applies mostly to the F355 crowd (due to popularity) but technically also applies to the 550, 456 and Mondial T as the shocks have the same active damping system…. I have a number of customers that have disabled the OE Ferrari/ Bilstein active damping [...]

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How Spec Miata Bilstein Shocks Are Tested Effects The Results

Bilstein Spec Miata shocks, full set, valved for improved performance

So what happens when your Spec Miata Biltsein shocks are impounded by the technical inspection team, either post qualifying or post race? Here’s a primer for what to look for when your dampers are getting tested and you’re sweating, not knowing if your championship finishing position will stick or you’ll be penalized as there’s a [...]

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Ferrari F355 track alignment recommendations

Ferrari F355 track alignment recommendations Thumbnail

The following is what I recommend as a starting point when tuning your F355 for the race track, this set up is optimized with either F355 Challenge suspension or my “sport” system for road cars or my “track” system for dedicated track cars: When setting up the F355 with the new (revalved) shocks and springs [...]

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Use Canister (Nitrogen) Pressure to Tune Shocks?

Use Canister (Nitrogen) Pressure to Tune Shocks? Thumbnail

Hi Rob, I have Penske doubles. I vary bump and rebound to suit the track, but I always set my canister pressure pre-race weekend at 150 psi. Are there reasons to change canister (nitrogen) pressure? [Always asking questions….] Peter You can use it as a tuning tool but first must wrap your mind around what [...]

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Lowering Ferrari 512TR, 348, F355, 550, Mondial T…

Lowering Ferrari 512TR, 348, F355, 550, Mondial T… Thumbnail

By Rob Schermerhorn Sometimes the least expensive modification is the most rewarding. Certainly, lowering your car not only improves appearance, but also performance, especially at the racetrack. You may not know this: your Ferrari is already built for ease of ride height adjustment, that’s where the low cost comes in. The procedure is straightforward. Before [...]

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