shocks position

[German]

Hello people, any of you have some information about the difference between putting the shocks horizontally or vertically (pros and cons)?

[German]

Hello people, any of you have some information about the difference between putting the shocks horizontally or vertically (pros and cons)?

[Matt Gignac]

There'll be changes in CG (depending if the horizontally mounted shocks are pushrod/pullrod), packaging considerations (probably the most important factor, especially near the driver).

With placing the shocks vertically, you'll probably have an easier time getting the motion ratios nice and constant (compared to shocks horizontal and in the longitudinal axis of the car).

Matt Gignac
McGill Racing Team

[RonBurgundy01]

Depending on what shocks you are using some can not be mounted horizontally.

Most shocks used in SAE have an external reserve that is filled with Nitrogen (i think) and i am pretty sure this is to keep the pressure on the damping fluid so the shocks can be mounted horizontally and still work properly without the damping fluid all falling to the lowest point in the cylinder.

This is not really my area so please correct me if i'm way off track http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Cheers

Matt

[Kirk Feldkamp]

It's to resist cavitation in the fluid (oil) as it passes through the small passages in the shock. There is a piston with a seal that keeps the oil and nitrogen from mixing. You can also use the nitrogen can pressure to make small, precise changes to static ride height.

-Kirk