242 replies to this topic

[ChrisA]

This a slam dunk.. Great job by all involved! Unfortunate for those of us that have recently bought shocks, but no doubt this was the right decision. 

 

 

I agree, but it would have been nice if Mazda or the SCCA would have given a heads up/warning that they were working on a new set up for 2019, so unless you really needed parts for this season than hold off until a direction was set.

[Jamz14]

is anybody really going to be running the bilstien next season? 

 

this is awesome!  the contingencies are amazing as well.  way better than anything except the tire contingencies. 

Yes.

[Jim Drago]

I agree, but it would have been nice if Mazda or the SCCA would have given a heads up/warning that they were working on a new set up for 2019, so unless you really needed parts for this season than hold off until a direction was set.

You mean like the we are working on a solution memos sent out by Mazda and SMAC the last 4-6 months   I feel your pain, but I couldn't have waited, so it really dont make any difference I suppose. 

[Jamz14]

Not me , but yes.

[Cnj]

Very good work by Mazda and sanctioning bodies.  Look forward to driving on them.

 

CNJ

[RWP80000]

I wonder how different the shock top and bump stop is. Think there is any chance that the cars will have to be raised up?

Not much discussion on the call on the design of the new Penske bump stop but I don't think you will want to be going much into this new stop.  From the meeting Penske is going to be providing "Shaker/Pull Test" data for all three SM chassis variants providing recommended ride height recommendations.  This information should provide everyone good information to start out on and hopefully the risks to the "downside".

[davew]

My 2 cents worth:

 

I went into today with a negative attitude on this program. After seeing the drawings and hearing the statements from Mazda, Penske and drivers I trust (Todd lamb and Randy Pobst) I feel this is a positive step forward. Is it perfect? Probably not, but I won't let forward progress be stopped by the search for perfection.

 

Info I think is 100%:

 

Cost on a new build will only increase around $300.

Cost to upgrade $1050 for parts, about $300 for labor plus a full scale/allignment. You actual costs may vary

Uses the same springs, sway bars and coil over sleeves. This is not a threaded body shock. I assume part of this is to keep costs down.

Uses a standard NB shock hat with a slight modification.

Eliminates the Fat Cat style bump stop we are currently using. The Penske kit is cheaper than the Fat Cat version.

Uses spherical balls for both upper and lower mounts

Shocks will be servicable by Penske only. Rebuild cost $100 (labor, seals small parts) if not damaged. That is about the same as buying a new Bilstein.

Tech will be easy. The shock is crimped together, so opening the shock will be very noticable.

The gain from modifying will be much smaller. If our current shocks are "this far from perfect" (hold your hands 3 feet apart) The new ones will be only "this far from perfect" (hold hand 3 inches apart). The improvement from Penske spec to "perfect" will be so small it will not be worth the effort. In theory, reducing the desire the cheat.

Penske shocks are high quality, they know what they are doing.

 

I currently own 8 SM's. So eventually I will spend $8k to convert. I feel this will be a positive step in the long run for the class as a whole. And that is where we need to concentrate.

 

Dave

[Danica Davison]

you do for 2019 runoffs

 

And if you are spending big money to qualify for and attend the runoffs ... $1,000 upgrade in shocks is nothing.

[BNaumann]

Sucks when you're trying to sell a car and you have to in good faith tell the buyer that he is going to have to spend another $1k and all previous setup development is worthless.

On a side note if you plan to throw your SM Bilsteins in the dumpster let me know.

[BNaumann]

And LOL at all the NIB SM Bilsteins for sale on Facebook within minutes of the release.

[BNaumann]

Not much discussion on the call on the design of the new Penske bump stop but I don't think you will want to be going much into this new stop. From the meeting Penske is going to be providing "Shaker/Pull Test" data for all three SM chassis variants providing recommended ride height recommendations. This information should provide everyone good information to start out on and hopefully the risks to the "downside".

I'm sure that info will be as valuable as the decade old "SM Setup Guide"

[BNaumann]

No one HAS to replace their current setup. Just like no one has to sticker up for every session.

If half the hype is true you would be stupid not to make that your next dollar spent.

[ChrisA]

You mean like the we are working on a solution memos sent out by Mazda and SMAC the last 4-6 months   I feel your pain, but I couldn't have waited, so it really dont make any difference I suppose. 

 

Maybe it was just me, but I took those memos to be about finding a solution to the Bilstein back order, especially after they emailed about finding an alternate distributor to speed the resupply of them.

 

I am happy about the news of a better shock. It is long overdue. I'm assuming these are threaded steel bodies and a little shorter in length & travel than the Bils. Anybody know any of the technical?

[Bench Racer]

Will the upper spherical ball have a vertical or horizontal axis? Presume lower axis will be horizontal.

[William Keeling]

 

Uses a standard NB shock hat with a slight modification.

 

 

what is the hat mod?

[Todd Lamb]

You won't want any part of riding on the new bump stops. The ride height problem solves itself.

This a slam dunk.. Great job by all involved! Unfortunate for those of us that have recently bought shocks, but no doubt this was the right decision. 

 

 

Just make sure they spec a ride height or we will be doing the same thing all while looking like hover crafts and 8 degrees camber We will soon be checking compliance on inner fenders as that will be the next thing people manipulate to get the cars lower. let's not go down that road

[William Keeling]

And if you are spending big money to qualify for and attend the runoffs ... $1,000 upgrade in shocks is nothing.

you are correct I will still be replacing my shocks for sonoma this year -- so if anybody needs some lightly used bilstiens in early 2019 let me know

[William Keeling]

You won't want any part of riding on the new bump stops. The ride height problem solves itself.

I would think folks will want to go as low as possible without touching the rock hard bump stops.  Some will go too low. So without minimum ride height the problems are not solved.  Just saying we all want the lowest CG.

[BNaumann]

I would think folks will want to go as low as possible without touching the rock hard bump stops. Some will go too low. So without minimum ride height the problems are not solved. Just saying we all want the lowest CG.

And this is exactly why people who actually know what they are doing and can afford the testing will have a huge advantage in the near future. The race is on...

[Jim Drago]

I would think folks will want to go as low as possible without touching the rock hard bump stops.  Some will go too low. So without minimum ride height the problems are not solved.  Just saying we all want the lowest CG.

 

IMO, it is 100% needed.  Keeps everyone in the operating range of the shocks.  Keeps the cars looking like Miatas, not Hovercrafts, Keeps people from finding ways to manipulate the inner fenders. Polices the the stupid from screwing themselves up.  There is NO reason to run lower than we are now, at 4 3/8 at pinch weld you will hit the inner fender with a VERY rigid bump stup binding. With proper shocks and compliant stops, you will slam the inner fenders at the same heights.