Volvo RWD 140-160 Forum

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Shock Treatment 140-160 1970

I installed a full set of Bilstein HD shocks about a year ago on my '70 164(less than 3k miles). After a recent bone-stock 240 purchase, I am finding the more I drive the 164, the more I feel the Bilsteins are too stiff for my completely stock suspension setup. I would like to try stock shocks, but where can I find them? Monroe and Boge both no longer carry full sets for my 164. Konis are appealing for their adjustability, but would they be soft enough for what I am looking for?
On the other hand, I have already ground the lower control arms to get the Bilsteins to fit, so should I try re-valving the shocks? If I go this route, how do I establish what to ask for in the re-valve?
Thanks,
Nick








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    Shock Treatment 140-160 1970

    How hard are you inflating your tires? Maybe a little lower pressure would help.
    --
    George Downs, Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!








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      Shock Treatment 140-160 1970

      Current wheels on the car are Virgos with 195/65/15 tires, inflated by the 80% rule (80% of max pressure). Before, I had stock steels with 165 radials, same 80% pressures and I still felt the shocks were too stiff. The wider Virgos actually feel softer and better than the stock wheels...








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        Shock Treatment 140-160 1970

        "...inflated by the 80% rule (80% of max pressure)."

        Okay, you've definitely piqued my interest. :-)

        Can you point at an origin for this "rule"? I gotta say, it sounds a bit shakey to me, especially if used without a great deal of discretion.
        --

        Gary L - 1971 142E ITB racer, 73 1800ES, 02 S60 T5
        BlueBrick Racing








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          Shock Treatment 140-160 1970

          i watched gary l's 142 video. engine sounds strong and handles great the shock sway bar combo appears well balanced.also what type of cam are you using and if you read the sway bar post in the 122 section do anyone at your track bolt two stock bars togetherfor any reason?








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            Shock Treatment 140-160 1970

            Hope you enjoyed the clips. The two that are currently on YouTube were pieces of the only two on-track sessions I've done with the camera up and running. We're making some mount changes to stop the 3-4 cps "shaking" that occurs at higher speeds (wind buffeting). We are also going to mount the camera slightly higher, mostly to allow a view of corner apexes, currently out of sight. And we hope to see some sunshine!!! The day those clips were taken, it was low overcast and very dark.

            About the engine - stock blueprinted and balanced B20E ("D" camshaft) with the following 3 modifications:

            - Tuned exhaust header
            - 0.5 compression boost (11:1)
            - Higher fuel pressure (37-41 psi at the rail under full throttle)

            Absolutely no other performance mods have been made to the engine. That's because there are essentially no other mods allowed by the ruleset (SCCA Improved Touring).

            The swaybars are both adjustable, allowing you to tune the balance to your liking, which can obviously be track-dependent.

            I know of no one running "double" anti-roll bars at the track. That's not to say they don't exist, but I would think most racers would opt for a single adjustable bar. The cost of fabricating a good one just isn't much, relative the total cost of the race car.
            --

            Gary L - 1971 142E ITB racer, 73 1800ES, 02 S60 T5
            BlueBrick Racing








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          Shock Treatment 140-160 1970

          I remember reading this in one of my college textbooks for chassis and suspension. It is meant for cars with other-than-stock wheel and tire packages where the manufacturers recommended pressure may not apply. The theory is the tire is designed to run at maximum pressure for best fuel economy and treadlife, however with thermal expansion, some pressure must be relieved (Note: this is what I remember, but I do not have the book in front of me. I will get an exact quote, if needed.). This true for me as I am running 195 series radial on a Virgo wheel where the recommended pressures are for a 165 series bias-ply tire.
          Thoughts?
          Nick








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            Shock Treatment 140-160 1970

            I just think there are way too many variables here (especially when you're talking non-standard wheels and tires) for this 80% thing to apply in any sort of universal fashion, unless you're talking a minimum operating pressure guideline only. And even then, it could be somewhat questionable. For instance, depending on the aspect ratio and other factors, your 195's may actually have less load capacity than the original 165's.
            --

            Gary L - 1971 142E ITB racer, 73 1800ES, 02 S60 T5
            BlueBrick Racing








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              Shock Treatment 140-160 1970

              tire pressure affects whether a car understeers or oversteers and front to rear preasure differences affects steering characteristics.







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