LST* - Modified shocks for bashing or other purposes?

[olds97_lss]

Well, I have installed RC Raven dual rate springs along with 60 weight losi oil and I like that it handles 5+ feet of air much better, but the slow rebound makes for weird handling.

I've been toying with the idea of putting a type of baffle/restrictor plate on the top of the shock piston to block 1/4th of the holes on the upstroke but to flex and unblock the holes on down stroke. So, I still get good pressure when it lands, but it rebounds more quickly.

Running lighter oil makes it bottom out really hard. Running the thicker oil I'm running helps avoid that, but gives me the slow reaction I don't care for. But, if I cover up 1/4 of the holes on the disk on the upstroke, I can run lighter oil but get similar results like thicker oil. On the rebound, the cover would flex and allow oil to pass through all the holes.

Any thoughts or confusion as to what I'm talking about? It may be something I try this winter... or if I see I'm going to get a lot of bashing time in yet this fall, I may try it earlier.

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[MrClean]

I think that would work, any ideas on what type of material you'd use? Like you said, it would have to be something flexible to allow the fluid to flow on the down stroke.

 

[NCNitro]

Sounds to me like you are desribing the RPM dual stage pistons. I have them in my Dynamite/Losi shocks on my Maxx and they are awesome!

They are basically two plates that on the down stroke they press together and act like a 2 hole piston, but on the rebound the two plates seperate and act as a 6 hole piston, so they rebound much quicker than with a standard piston. I don't know if they make them for other shocks or not, or if they even still make them for the maxx, but I love the ones I have on my maxx. They made it handle a million times better.

http://www.rpmrcproducts.com/products/assoc/hires/8043.htm

I don't really see them for any other shocks unfortunitely. Too bad, because they work great!

 

[olds97_lss]

Yeah, that's what gave me the idea. I saw those years ago and thought they were a pretty slick idea. IMO, springs are there for rebound. Oil is there for compression. With that two stage setup, you get the best of both. Quick rebound and stiff (but not overly so) compression.

I was thinking maybe just lexan? I don't plan on covering more than 1/4-1/3 of the piston. Creating a rectangular piece of lexan and putting it under the nut that holds the disk on should work. Lexan is pretty flexible and resilient as long as you don't crease it. Since I don't think it will "fold" or create a permanent bend in the lexan, I don't see prolonged stress being a real issue. If it doesn't work... then I'll just find something else. Should be pretty easy to bench test with the caps off.

The real use extension of a shock is much slower/less pressure than the compression of a jump.

Any other thoughts on material to use?

 

[flandersander]

Now maybe i don't understand the concept just right, but wouldn't fuel tubing around it work? Spring it back up? If thats not the how it works, disgaurd this comment, just trying to envision the shock.

 

[jon2]

Now maybe i don't understand the concept just right, but wouldn't fuel tubing around it work? Spring it back up? If thats not the how it works, disgaurd this comment, just trying to envision the shock.

Not a bad suggestion but not for what Olds is wanting.Thefue tubing would just limit the travel of the shock shaft.

 

[flandersander]

Oh IC what you're after. Ok, thats a noodle scratcher. (top noodle)