[DeTomaso] Gas shocks and spring rate

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

Guys,

I was surprised by Jack's assertion where he wrote:

"Remember that high pressure gas-Konis add 45 lbs.in spring strength just 
from the gas pressure. Low pressure or no-pressure shocks do not add 
anything."

 I'd never heard that before and was naturally skeptical, so since I have 
Konis on my car, I wrote to them asking for confirmation, and here's their 
reply:

====

The gas pressure in the shock does add some to the preload of the 
suspension but does not add spring rate like changing from a 400# to 450# spring 
would.  In other words, if you did not adjust the spring seat distance but 
switched from a low pressure shock to a high pressure shock, the car will sit 
higher due to the gas pressure (as some of the vehicle weight now is needed to 
initially compress the shock).  However, if you reset the cross weights and 
ride heights on the car after switching over, the vehicle will largely 
behave as before (minus any changes to the suspension tuning from the shock 
change itself).

Gordon Benson
KONI – North America
1961A International Way
Phone: 859-488-0343
Gordon.Benson at itt.com
====

Mike (always learning...)
-------------- next part --------------
   Guys,
   I was surprised by Jack's assertion where he wrote:
   "Remember that high pressure gas-Konis add 45 lbs.in spring strength
   just from the gas pressure. Low pressure or no-pressure shocks do not
   add anything."
   I'd never heard that before and was naturally skeptical, so since I
   have Konis on my car, I wrote to them asking for confirmation, and
   here's their reply:
   ====
   The gas pressure in the shock does add some to the preload of the
   suspension but does not add spring rate like changing from a 400# to
   450# spring would.A  In other words, if you did not adjust the spring
   seat distance but switched from a low pressure shock to a high pressure
   shock, the car will sit higher due to the gas pressure (as some of the
   vehicle weight now is needed to initially compress the shock).A
   However, if you reset the cross weights and ride heights on the car
   after switching over, the vehicle will largely behave as before (minus
   any changes to the suspension tuning from the shock change itself).
   Gordon Benson
   KONI a North America
   1961A International Way
   Phone: 859-488-0343
   Gordon.Benson at itt.com
   ====
   Mike (always learning...)