Shock options

[ChrisP]

I will be purchasing new front shocks for my 87 CRX within the next month and really need to get some informed opinion's.
I currently have off the self koni yellows which have recently blown. If i get these shocks rebuilt i will be having the shafts shortened to hopefully get some more shaft travel as to prevent damaging the velving again.
I was quoted at $400usd for shortned shafts and a rebuild(velved for 27mm bars), $600usd for rebuild(velved for 27mm bars);shortened shafts; & double adjustible. Are these prices inline?


Since i am going to spend that kind of money on shocks i would like to know what some other options are. Purhaps going with a Penske, single adjustible and non RR. Assemble and charge the shock myslef?Would i basically have to design the shock telling them what velving/ shaft lenght etc. is needed for this car?

Thanks for your time, i appriciate any comments.

[jsgprod]

Talk to Blake @ OPM. I just had some done for my '87 CRX. The prices are as good as you're going to get anywhere else.
As far as the Penske's go, I don't believe they make a Macpherson strut shock. I wouldn't put a standard shock absorber(damper) there. They aren't designed to handle those stresses.

Jay

[ChrisP]

I'll send him a e-mail.....


any other options? This can't be all can it?

[ChrisP]

BUMP!

[Jon Nelson]

I would assume that you hang out at honda-tech too, but if you don't, you should.

Lee Grimes (who has multiple CRX's AND works for Koni) is on that board. He might offer some advice.

Popular opinion is that Koni's are the best way to go. Suprised that yours blew. Get to the bottom of that before you go further.

Also, don't waste money on shortened rods, if it costs very much. I think you can make some "hardware" changes at the strut top to give you a bit more travel AND prevent bottoming.

J

[Richy Gonzalez]

J,
I run a 89 crx in ITA with street konis. I haven't sent them out to get rebuilt/shorten. You mention "hardware changes". Can you elaborate on that? I would like to run my car .5 to .75 lower if at all possible. Thanks!

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Richy Gonzalez
GB Racing - #24 ITA CRX
Racecar Sponsor: LAMIN-X Protective Films

[Jon Nelson]

http://www.ground-control.com/gchoncatnew.htm

I hate to give away all my secrets, but here's one. Basically you can "lengthen" your top strut mount by cutting it, adding 3/4" of 1-3/4" tubing (I think, this from memory), and welding it back up.

The end result is something that functionally works the same as this ground control part. Otherwise, spend the $75.00 and get the trick anodized aluminum bits....Mmmmm.

Jon

[Richy Gonzalez]

Jon,
Thanks for the info. I don't know what I'm going to do. I'm definately going to have to have my shocks revalved do to the high spring rates I'm running, 500lbs in the front and 700lbs in the rear. I guess I need to call Lee Grimes and find out the cost of revalved only versus revalved and shorten. Again, thanks for the info.

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Richy Gonzalez
GB Racing - #24 ITA CRX
Racecar Sponsor: LAMIN-X Protective Films

[HiRcc#21]

Richy-
I looked at your car pics! How much was your cage? Nice job by the constructor.
Truck looks great lowered.
BTW- Lee did my Koni's for my crx, no problems, I think I paid like 220 to get them done, but it was a while ago.


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Chris Stiffler
Medina, Ohio
Street-N-Track Autosports
(866)438-3966
#21 ITA Crx Si
Cen Div
H4 Competitor in the 2003 NASA Midwest Honda Challenge

[Richy Gonzalez]

HiRcc#21,
Thanks for the compliments. The cage was roughly $1500. The only problem is that Racecar Eng's fabrication shop is no longer open. Just the parts department.

The truck was the family vehicle until recently. The wife complained about how hard it was to get in and out with a skirt so instead of spending $400 on running boards, I bought the 3 front and 4 rear (inch) lowering kit. Also, I put the load assist air bags in the rear. Man, the truck rides better and towes so much nicer!

I need to contact Lee to see how much rebuilds are these days. I want to say that I've heard figures of around $400 or more to do them. That's why I haven't done them yet.

Again, thanks!

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Richy Gonzalez
GB Racing - #24 ITA CRX
Racecar Sponsor: LAMIN-X Protective Films