Intrax ARC update

[reg]

So the dampers have landed in Uden. Vaguely trying to fill the void with the car sat on axle stands, forlorn, looking like a Nomad reject, is already wearing thin.

[reg]

So I had an email from them today, they want some money, the shocks are going to be ready this week! Slightly annoyed in that I didn't factor in VAT on the purchase, it's an expensive rebuild 

[reg]

All paid up..probably looking at the back end of next week now to receive them. Dyno charts are great, if you know what you are looking at, I know enough to make sweeping assumptions

The top is compression bottom is rebound. Blue trace is the ARC setup. black is the previous. I have asked for Niek to explain the major differences etc and how they translate to on the road, not knowing the scales involved it's hard to guess...

Front


Rear


Plus, the canisters are now black and red....

Well, I'm convinced 

[PhillipM]

Tbfh those types of dyno sweeps are only good for comparing valving across the exact same damper setup and/or for matching 4 identical dampers, they don't tell you much otherwise.

[reg]

Yes, I know, I'm just really, really bored of not having a car in one piece 

Is there any secret to re-fitting the fronts without winding off the pre-load? Anyone?

[reg]

Spring rates confirmed today, some surprises.

As stock they were 60Nmm front and 70Nmm rear. With the ARC system the springs can be lighter, er, much lighter. 17Nmm front and 45Nmm rear, ladies and gents I present to you the Atom 3.5 Arnage

Having had the springs rates given to me for all the other variants (seriously, what other factory would tell you all this stuff, can you imagine Caterham, Porsche?) by the oracle of all things Atom it appears that on the original setup there was a shitload of damping, because the spring rates alone don't show a massive step up. Certainly nothing like how the chassis actually feels under load like for like. Intrax said these were more of a race shock for use with the 'shticky tyresh' 

They ship tomorrow hopefully, on by the evening ready for the school run.

[Monza]

Incredible springs loads ! Citroen 2Cv like 

[reg]

[quote="Monza"]
Incredible springs loads ! Citroen 2Cv like 
[/quote]

[reg]

Bring them on home 


In Transit: On Time
Out for Delivery

Last Location:
Eindhoven, Netherlands, Tuesday, 06/12/2016

Shipment Progress

Location Date Local Time Activity
Eindhoven, Netherlands 06/12/2016 18:19 Origin Scan
06/12/2016 17:14 Collection Scan
Netherlands 06/12/2016 10:58 Order Processed: Ready for UPS

[reg]

Before:
[img width=576 height=768]https://c8.staticflickr.com/6/5752/31118156135_7876076b03_k.jpg[/img]

After:
[img width=1024 height=768]https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/724/31358631062_ef50d44aa4_k.jpg[/img]

Very different. I couldn't move the previous dampers much at all off of the car, the fronts especially now are 'normal'. It will be very interesting to get them on the car and see what they're like, I can't see this happening until the New Year due to work but over the weekend there might be some first impressions. Either way it's probably sensible to have the factory check the alignment and ride heights at service time.

[911tom]

Very nice Creighton. It's not exactly atom weather so you've got plenty of time. Keep us posted on progress.

[reg]

The dampers found their way onto the car the other weekend. Rears very straightforward, fronts needed a bit of help as they require a bit of compression before they will locate in the top mount, they have to go in this way due to the bell cranks on the bottom. A quick call to the factory sorted out my concerns!

With the ride heights set to factory it's difficult to explain just how much more compliant the car feels. Before, leaning on the chassis with some decent amount of force it was difficult to move it, now it's 'normal', I hope it's not too soft!! They sent me the old springs and hardware back, what I'll do with them I have no idea as the damper bodies are larger now, it's all redundant kit.

I ran out of time to sort the rear ride heights, it's a bit odd as I only put 50mm of preload on them and need 70mm back off to get to where I need to be. I'm sure it'll be fine...

[img width=576 height=768]https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5584/30895684193_af35facf2a_k.jpg[/img]

[img width=768 height=768]https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/469/31668666766_e70b26e5b9_k.jpg[/img]

Out in Ireland for the holidays so nothing doing.....It'll be a long wait for the New Year!

[Alex Brandon-Smith]

Reg, can you put this into a blog article once you've given them a proper test?

[reg]

[quote="Alex BS"]
Reg, can you put this into a blog article once you've given them a proper test?
[/quote]
Yes, I can wrap it all up, np. BTW where are the blogs going to sit, what format are they..

[Alex Brandon-Smith]

[quote="reg"]

Yes, I can wrap it all up, np. BTW where are the blogs going to sit, what format are they..
[/quote]

They are Wordpress blogs and will be part of the main body of the ariel.club website via a submenu and a live homepage feed. They won't have everything from the forum or or 'owt but will be kept live by members in an attempt to show the world we are an active club.