Calibrated Dampers?
Posted: Mon Mar 18, 2019 5:07 am
Hi,
In another Miata forum there is a developing post on DIY high-end dampers. Specifically, the creator of the post has been talking about that many brands of dampers are often out of spec and that they should be dyno tested to determine if they are and how far out of spec each one is in order to get them corrected and matched appropriately. This applies mainly to budget dampers/coilovers, but is also seen on higher end brands. To that end, he is building his own high-end damper (but budget priced) and will be providing instruction for the DIY. There are other Miata websites that sell/install custom made dampers based on the Bilstein dampers so I tend to believe he may have a valid point, besides the logic behind it.
While I understand the nature and desire of having calibrated dampers, does it make a difference for those driving street cars, even if it is aggressive/spirited/mountain driving? I am talking about buying off the shelf Koni or Bilstein which they could potentially be mismatched or out of calibration to spec tolerance (and to what degree out of spec is tolerated) and or to each other?
Or should dampers have some assurance and or be dyno tested prior to purchase? As I am writing this question, I can think about buying a set of tire, having them installed and upon checking you find that the tire pressure is off by more than 3 PSI on each tire: one is at 26, 29, 32 and 35. Would this make a difference in handling? Most (if not all of us) of us would correct the tire pressure immediately.
I don't have the driving experience to judge the dampers, but with tires, I can easily tell and feel the difference when the tires have different pressures particularly with the front tires.
So I am interested in your thoughts and opinions.
Andrew
In another Miata forum there is a developing post on DIY high-end dampers. Specifically, the creator of the post has been talking about that many brands of dampers are often out of spec and that they should be dyno tested to determine if they are and how far out of spec each one is in order to get them corrected and matched appropriately. This applies mainly to budget dampers/coilovers, but is also seen on higher end brands. To that end, he is building his own high-end damper (but budget priced) and will be providing instruction for the DIY. There are other Miata websites that sell/install custom made dampers based on the Bilstein dampers so I tend to believe he may have a valid point, besides the logic behind it.
While I understand the nature and desire of having calibrated dampers, does it make a difference for those driving street cars, even if it is aggressive/spirited/mountain driving? I am talking about buying off the shelf Koni or Bilstein which they could potentially be mismatched or out of calibration to spec tolerance (and to what degree out of spec is tolerated) and or to each other?
Or should dampers have some assurance and or be dyno tested prior to purchase? As I am writing this question, I can think about buying a set of tire, having them installed and upon checking you find that the tire pressure is off by more than 3 PSI on each tire: one is at 26, 29, 32 and 35. Would this make a difference in handling? Most (if not all of us) of us would correct the tire pressure immediately.
I don't have the driving experience to judge the dampers, but with tires, I can easily tell and feel the difference when the tires have different pressures particularly with the front tires.
So I am interested in your thoughts and opinions.
Andrew