FAQ
What's the advantage of this shock.
There are 3 main advantages: Performance, Adjustability, and Maintenance.
Performance: Our shocks offer multi-position and velocity sensitive bypass technology. Furthermore, the final compression zone is a VERY effective Bump Stop. Depending on configuration, our shocks can be built with anywhere from 3-8 valves. It doesn't get any better than that!
Adjustability: You can adjust every single aspect of the shock yourself, on your car, with a 1/4" ratchet wrench. You do not need to take the shock apart to make adjustments. If you know what you want to adjust, simply turn the proper screw. Don't like it, turn it back.
Maintenance: Test and tune's require nothing more than the proper springs and a willingness to turn a wrench. Absolutely no need for expensive re-tunes, re-valves, and lengthy test days. Furthermore, there are no valve shims to bend, break, fade, and fatigue since we do not use them.
How is this shock an External Bypass Coilover?
First, a bit about External Bypass Shocks. They have tubes with adjustable valves on the OUTSIDE of the shock body/piston cylinder that control the amount of oil that can bypass (go around) the piston. These are widely known as the best shocks for off-road vehicles since you can adjust multiple compression and rebound zones without removing them from your car (unless making a piston valving change). The main downside of this shock is that it does not fit a coil spring, so another Coil Over Shock (or leaf spring) needs to be mounted next to it.
Our shock has bypass tubes on the OUTSIDE of the inner shock body as well, but our proprietary design packages them to fit inside a Coilover Shock. You will not SEE tubes on the outside like a typical External Bypass Shock, but we’ve got them. In fact, our shocks have anywhere from 3-8 zones with adjusters conveniently located on the TOP CAP. Furthermore, our shock is ONLY bypass, meaning the only path for oil to move from one side of the piston to the other is via those Adjustable Bypass Zones. There is no need to take the shock apart for any reason other than periodic maintenance/service. Since there are no piston valve shims, tuning your car is VERY easy.
What about low speed valving?
Our shocks have several adjustable bypass zones that open during high shaft speeds and stay closed at low shaft speeds. This mimics the performance of a traditional "shimmed" piston but it's EXTERNALLY adjustable and you do not need to take the shock apart to make any changes.
How are these any different? My shocks have adjusters too.
A lot of shocks have Reservoir Adjusters which allow the user to meter/adjust oil flow in and out of the reservoir. This is simply controlling the entire stroke of the shock via shaft volume displacement to the reservoir. Although this very simple method does have its place, the best way to control a shock absorber is at the piston, not the reservoir. Moreover, our adjusters are located in specific positions in shock travel so you can alter performance as the shock moves through its travel in specific zones, just like any other EXTERNAL bypass shock.
Why don't you use valve shims on the piston?
We designed every aspect of our shock absorber to be adjustable without costly and time consuming disassembly/reassembly of the shock. Valve shims are problematic and often break, crack, and fatigue during use. In order to make an adjustment, you need to open up the shock, change shims, and rebuild the shock. This will be done many times, over and over, until your car works how you want (or you're simply tired of the painstaking process). With a solid piston and Externally Adjustable bypass zones, we don't worry about any of that.
A built in bump stop?
Our shocks utilize a solid piston and a bottom-fed reservoir. If the bump zone were to be closed, the shock can be brought to a hydraulic stop. You don't necessarily want the shock to stop at this zone, so simply turn the adjuster and allow oil to bypass and perform as needed. The idea is to use this travel to slow and stop your car just before bottoming out. With this said, the final compression zone can and will perform as a bump stop, although significantly more effective as it's hydraulic, not pneumatic.
What springs work with your shocks?
Our 2.5" shock uses any traditional 3" ID spring which is pretty standard on most SxS's. This means you can keep your stock springs...although you really should upgrade to better quality than OEM.
Our 3.25" shock utilizes a standard 3.75" ID spring which is industry standard for 3" Coil-Over shocks. All springs are readily available from Eibach, Hyperco, etc.
Will these fit my car?
Our shocks are designed to fit specific vehicles as OEM replacements as well as full custom builds. To find out if our shocks will fit your car, you'll need to measure the overall length of your shock (from upper mount to lower mount) as well as the shaft travel. If you don't know that, you'll need to look up OEM dimensions. We've got a bunch of combinations of shocks and Shaft Rod ends to get the dimensions to fit most UTV's and custom vehicles. With any further questions, contact us and we'll be glad to help.
Why a 3.25 over a 2.5?
Simply put, size matters. A 3.25" shock has much more oil volume and damping capability than a 2.5". Another advantage for a 3.25" shock would be bypass zones. Our 3.25" can have up to 8 individual bypass adjustments.