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BRITISH AUTOMOTIVE |
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www.mgbmga.com MGTD Articles |
Technical Information (MGB 4)
Composite Leaf Springs
Last Modified - 5/20/00
Rear Telescopic Shock Absorber Choices
With the rapid response of the composite springs to road conditions, the fitting of gas charged telescopic shock absorbers should be considered.
The old OEM type lever shock absorbers just wont cut it with this type of monoleaf spring.
If you are happy with your archaic OEM steel springs & OEM shock absorbers then "God Bless You". Please, if you want to start driving a sports car, like a sports car should be driven, you should really be updating to modern day products, otherwise, take out plenty of life insurance for the Wife & Kids.
British Automotive's specially valved KYB (non-adjustable) shock absorbers are specifically design for the MGA & MGB models. These can be a complement to the composite springs or simply installed with your OEM springs.
The valving is a compromise between the Koni and Spax units. Since, there is no bump stop incorporated in the KYB design installation is extremely important. See technical article MGB13.
We have provided you with a reasonably priced product that I am sure you will more than happy with.
Below you will find information on a series of tests that we did with various shock absorbers. These tests were conducted quite some time ago on British Automotive's modified 1979 MGB' Limited Edition".
1. OEM (front and rear) - Gave an all around nice smooth ride, especially at freeway speeds.
2. OEM (uprated front and rear)- Gave a much harsher ride on slow uneven surfaces with the ride smoothing out at freeway speeds. The vehicle was then refitted with the OEM regular shock absorbers with the following rear shock absorbers:
3. KYB (this was our first revalved test shock absorber set) - Gave a harsh ride on slow uneven surfaces, which appeared to be harsher than in 2. Ride smoothed out a freeway speeds.
4. Monroe Sensatrac - Gave a very harsh ride on slow uneven surfaces as well as at freeway speeds. This was an interim shock absorber, therefore, no longer recommended.
5. Bilstein - Appeared to have similar characteristics as in 3 & 4. above
6. Koni - These were set on the softest setting (straight out of the box). Nice smooth ride all around and comparable to 1. No other rebound adjustments were made due to the fact that these later designed units needed to be completely removed from the vehicle for adjustment purposes. Incorporated in this latest design was a bump stop, a worthwhile addition.
7. Spax - These were set on the lowest screwdriver slot adjustment and were comparable with 1 and 6 above.
8. Spax - Adjusted to the maximum by way of the screwdriver slot. Almost undriveable.
9. Spax - Readjusted as in 7. Extensively tested on Highway 1 (Coast Highway) and the hills in Marin County. Very hard to fault at all.
10. British Automotive's KYB custom valved shock absorber. Performed similar to 6 & 9 above. A rear suspension fitted with composite springs and gas charged telescopic shock absorbers is about as good as it gets without going to an independent suspension set-up.
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