Recommended Shocks?

[slomove]

I am planning to replace the 8 year old, somewhat tired Spax shocks on my car sometimes this year. So far, I found many Birkin owners like the Carreras, although not being adjustable. However, there are a zillion more shock brands/models out there, up to the famed Nitron shocks which are used by many UK Se7en drivers but seem to be on the very expensive side.

So, I am confused and don't know what to buy. Usually I am on the thrifty side (the Raceco exhaust was an exception, honestly :) but adjustability would be nice, too. E.g. on my car the Spax shocks must be adjusted on the very light side (2-3 ticks rear) otherwise the rebound takes forever.

Any good ideas where I should look?

Thanks, Gert

[Roll a 7]

I got AVO 24 way adjustables with springs for about $800 delivered from the UK. Freestyle was the supplier and I would highly recommend them---if they "do" Birkins. They should be virtually identical since both are Series 3 Lotus based designs, in my view. If possible, get the shocks with the manually twisted dial. These are much easier to adjust than those requiring an Allen wrench or screwdriver/special tool.

[slomove]

Thanks Brad, I need to look at the available AVOs again. They got a bad rap for Birkins because an AVO variety with rather short stroke was standard factory issue for a while. When the suspension was then set too low they bottomed out and quite a few people bent the lower A-arms. But maybe AVO has something with better suitable geometry.

While roughly the same dimension and design there are some detail differences between the Caterham and Birkin suspension layout and the shock attachment points.

Gert

[Elv15]

Hi Gert,

Check with Woody at MSI. They were working on some custom shocks from...well I forget who, but check with them and they can let you know.

[JohnCh]

Gert,

The aluminum bodied Pro-Tech has received a lot of good press in Westfield circles lately (see this thread for some info) and costs about the same as the steel bodied AVO (~$120/ea).

I have the AVOs on my car, but if I had to do it all over again -- and given that I suffer from upgrade-itis, I just might -- I would go for the Pro-Techs.

-John

[venom7]

I wonder how much these run $$$$$$? http://www.penskeshocks.com/adjustab.htm

[slomove]

Nice, but they look like you don't want to know......

Gert

[moosetestbestanden]

Have a seat...

$1225 per, give or take a few bucks.

[venom7]

Damn

Damn. Wow, how about Olins or KYB or someone else? I'm getting antsy now; went out and charged the new Odessey 680 and looking forward to some legal rides soon. I'm also looking for someone in the SouthBay area who could possibly install my dry sump?
Eyes are next on new 4 pots for the front. I'd like to keep the standard discs. I've read that the Alcon, Wilwoods and Outlaws can all use the std. discs. Does anyone have any opinions?

http://www.jameswhiting.com/page9.html
http://www.outlawdiscbrakes.com/2000.html
http://www.mnrltd.co.uk/Brakes.html

[moosetestbestanden]

Although it sounds like you may have been there already, this thread on blatchat has some information:

http://www.blatchat.com/T.asp?id=76041&pn=1&ps=15&c=

The CC calipers are made by AP and I can tell you that I'm quite fond of mine. They are more expensive than the Alcons though. And note that someone on that thread mentioned that the Willwoods are not a straight bolt-on part.

[slomove]

Hmm, interesting....I was always wondering what the 4-pot brakes get you. Isn't it that the best any brake can do is decelerate smoothly until the wheels lock up and do that without fading under any condition? IMO the 4-pot caliper would not improve the heat dissipation performance of a smallish disk.

The front brakes on my car (VW GTI single pot on pretty large vented disks) need serious foot pressure to lock up but maybe a smaller master cylinder would do the trick?

Gert

[Doug Liedblad]

Rob

I'll have some Outlaws to try out in a couple of weeks.

The fronts are reported to be a bolt on replacement.

Standard disks.

Doug

[venom7]

Cool. I'll be waiting to hear how it goes. My tool supply right now is limited to a pair nail clippers and some speaker wire so. . . . I'll also be investing in some good quality Sears Crapsman tools also.

[JohnCh]

I was always wondering what the 4-pot brakes get you

I switched to 4 pots purely as a weight saving measure. My Cat Motorsport calipers are reportedly rebranded Outlaw M16s which are a direct replacement for the Ford M16 calipers used on the Westfield. The 4-pots shaved off nearly 4.5lb per corner!

-John

[bclong]

was shocks now Birkin brakes

snip

The front brakes on my car (VW GTI single pot on pretty large vented disks) need serious foot pressure to lock up but maybe a smaller master cylinder would do the trick?

Gert

Hi Gert,

What brake pads are you using? I switched to EBC Green a while back and I am very pleased with them. They don't require as much pedal pressure as the factory Ferodos and work well on street and track. AFAIK, the only advantage to the 4 pots is weight and looks.

Bernie