Anyone using Fox shocks?

obrut · 02-03-2009, 12:47 AM

Anyone using these? Offerred by Smart Racing and have:

• Externally adjustable canister pressure and bump.
• Adjustable front spindle heights.

http://www.smartracingproducts.com/pdfcat/srp2008_frontaxle.pdf

The Smart Racing site includes a (favourable) review from the August 2003 issue of Excellence magazine.

Hope to hear from users of these (or other alternatives).

Kroggers · Kroggers's Garage

Clint at Rebel Racing has just released a nice new adjustable set-up as well...

gumba · 02-03-2009, 07:34 AM

I'm installing the Fox front set up now. The main reason was a wanted an adjustable spindle. This would let me change the spindle height if I change wheel diameters. I'm currently using 16" fronts, but may go 17"'s later, and possibly 15's if it goes back to a street car.

As far as an adjustable shock I prefer a self contained shock vs. a remote cannister for simplicity. Koni can convert a Bilstein strut to a Koni double adjustable sealed shock (wet conversion). I was quoted about $700 ea. I'll go this route when I put my rsr front struts on my turbo.

For the rears I've been using Wevo/Ohlins adjustable shocks. It's a single adjustment knob that changes compression & rebound. Self contained with no remote cannisters. This can be used with torsion bars or coil overs.

If this is a street/track the adjustable shocks would allow you to soften the shocks for street driving.

petevb · 02-03-2009, 08:05 AM

The Fox's seem to come with rather odd valving. My friend's got them on his car that I drive regularly and we've had real problems getting them to work with the stock valving in all situations. On the track he can get the car to feel good, with the single (compression only) adjustment in the 6-7 range. Same setup and tires on the autocross does not feel good- very limited grip and skipping. Backing the compression down to ~2 makes the car passable, but not good. I've got 2x adjustable JRZs on my car with a similar setup and they feel far better on average- he's planning to switch to similar shocks.

I suspect there is nothing wrong with the Fox shocks, it's simply the stock valving isn't ideal for his setup/ tire/ spring combo in some situations. I have heard from one source that the valving is skewed towards what might be a bit of a corner case, but I have never seen shock dynos. This is just one experience, so I'd urge you to get more opinions.

obrut · 02-03-2009, 02:56 PM

thanks guys.

Shawn 357 · 02-03-2009, 03:10 PM

I have no experience running Fox's on asphalt but thought that someone in the future reading this post may be interested to know that Fox will rebuild/revalve for about $45 a shock or direct you to where you can buy the parts to do it yourself.

sl951 · 03-12-2009, 03:52 PM

I have the Fox shocks..
- I like the adjustable Spindle
- The quality of the shock hardware is good
- If I had to pick an adjustment, I'd rather have rebound control and not compression (ideally both)
- They work well on the track but not on low speed autox events (same as Bilstein RSR)
- Fox will do the first re-valve within a reasonable amount of time (a year) for very cheap, if not free.
- I feel they need more Rebound and will try re-valve before spending a lot of money for Motons