Newbie question - revalving???
 

What exactly does revalving shocks mean and why would you need to do it? Couldn't you just buy new shocks? Wouldn't it be cheaper and, well, newer?

To keep it simple, revalving enables you to adjust the characteristics of the shock , rebound, damping, stiffness, etc. to enhance racing performance, (for example) not necessarily desirable for street driving, but necessary for racing, etc.

How would you know what to adjust? Are there parameters for each type of shocks that are tried and true that you can emulate? Are all shocks customizable?

Aye, there's the rub..stock shocks are not not usually adjustable or modified in this way, mainly because competition shocks are adjustable and are made to be changed to match car and driving requirements..The shock manufacturer can ballpark initially, then it depends on your individual needs and requirements, Go to racing Xcross forum to delve into recommendations and settings.

cantdrv55

Yes, all shocks are customizable. The shock manufacturers supply a range of shock valving with what the combination of their mass-market managers and their race directors deem appropriate. Needless to say these are compromise averages. In many (most?) cases these are very appropriate for their intended use. This is the place to start. A lot of work has gone into these settings.

When you send shocks back to the manufacturer’s representative’s shop for revalving you no longer follow averages. You can specify the valving.

Most manufacturer’s shops (and some other race oriented shops) can interpret your handling issues into appropriate shock characteristic. Of course you can devise your own.

All of us who grew up with mass-spring-damper calculus think we know it all. Nothing could be farther from the truth. These days the dampers (shocks) are dynamic. That is they can mechanically react to the current conditions. In fact they can be electronically programmed to fulfill many characteristics.


My recommendation is to start with factory set appropriately valved shocks for your use. You can experiment with other valving based on the experience of factory engineers. To do this, you need several sets of shocks. This is similar to tire testing and is somewhat subjective. This is very track dependent and somewhat driving style.

Porsche AG can and does supply very subtle difference shocks with current race cars. They leave it to the suppliers (Bilstein, etc.) to supply our older cars with technical info and suitable product. Ask how to be included in the feedback loop. Be prepared to offer your contribution.

Best,
Grady

Thank you both for your reponses. I've learned so much from this short thread.

"You can experiment with other valving based on the experience of factory engineers..." or you can go to an expert and ask them to set the shocks for you. There may well be somebody like this near you (midwest). There are probably people in California. I know that Steve Weiner does this. Be sure you have the car all set up (or defined) first. If you are going to put in a heavier engine or something, do that first.

Don't expect the shop to tell you what the valving is going to be. Most will regard this as trade secret.

It's easy to ship shocks, if you can't be sure there is a top quality shop locally.