[tjyak50]

SLS Adjustable Shock Damping - Reveal (Now with Video)

I have been working on my SLS Enhancement ever since I installed the H&R Springs. I love the damping and spring rate in the front, but the rear spring rate and damping is downright Limpdikk.

Push on the front of your H&R / HD car and notice it barely moves at all.
Push on the back of your H&R / SLS car and you can move it a lot.

So after studying the old Citroen manuals and working with several engineers I have spec'd and designed the solution.

Today I am picking up the last of the parts I will need for this weekends install.
More Pics to follow.

This is the basics:

 

[mramay]

Good luck with this!!

Any input from the guys that track these big cars if this is expected to be a significant improvement to the handling??

 

[tjyak50]

Racers would have ripped out the SLS among the very first changes...

Minor fail today... I need to make new Hoses from the Ram to the Valve and I thought the hydraulic shop had Metric Banjos but they don't so I need to find one more hose, or another Banjo.

 

[mramay]

I believe I have a couple old (spare) ram-to-accumulator hoses that have good brass fittings. Need them?? A $5 USPS priority box should get them there tomorrow (Vegas to Phx).

 

[tjyak50]

Yes. Sending PM.

 

[tjyak50]

This is the setup.
From the Ram via a new hose into the adjustable restrictor, an adapter and into the sphere.

The dial can be wide open and this restrictor does nothing.
Or you can close it down and slow the hydraulic flow as desired. The valve has a calibrated dial and locking screw.

This is very similar to what Citroen did years ago, but they used a fixed restrictor. Not knowing what value is needed, this variable solution is my 1st attempt. In the future, it could even be setup for variable compression and different rebound.

That stupid hose has been kicking myAss. It is the only holdup.

 

[tjyak50]

No luck finding any other Banjos so I will await MRamay's salvation parts.
The Banjo is 11mm ID x 11mm thick.

If the concept works we can source these commercially.

 

[tjyak50]

Click~
11mm is 7/16" Forgot about that. Might be readily available for cars too.

 

[tjyak50]

They are all over ebay.
This is what I need. May be able to pick up 2 at NAPA...
Fitting on Ebay

Searching.

PS: "Moon" is a cool movie.

 

[tjyak50]

MRAMAY sending parts tomorrow. Thank you.

I got lucky at a hotrod shop and I think I have enough fittings to test run the setup tomorrow.

 

[tjyak50]

Almost done.
Everything installed except the banjo. It turned out to be 12mm so "we" are honing out the fitting right now.
Should test drive in 1 hour and report back tonite with pics.
If I do not report back, you can guess why.

 

[tjyak50]

 

[mramay]

Uh oh. I think I sent the wrong parts!! I completely forgot that the accumulator to ram connection was a banjo at the ram and sent two hoses that are flare fittings on both ends. Those just might be the two flexible lines that connect the transmission lines to the radiator. :-((

 

[tjyak50]

Is ok. The parts I got worked.
One of the fittings leaks a little but I am tired of wrenching. Wll fix it tomorrow.

I am 3 turns in on each dial right now.
Accel squat is reduced and the car generally feels tighter.
I may turn one more revolution tonight.

Happy, but tired camper.

 

[tjyak50]

Just drove home. Wow, it really is a big improvement.
I went hunting for those big long road bumps that used to make the back end swing.

Now they pass tightly without any squat.
I went to 4 turns in just now and haven't driven yet.

GOing to look at an SLK that intrigues me and I know there is a big gnarly bump on I-51 Southbound that used to just piss me off...

 

[tjyak50]

Oh!
I just drove with 4 turns in on the restrictor and it is badazz. I would take an all SLS car now!
It drives like a German car should. Balanced and crisp.

4 in is probably close to the max. The back is starting to feel firmer than the front.
With the new sway bar.... dewd!

Any spirited SLS equipped 126 fanatic would LOVE this.

 

[pdtech]

Could you post with pics step by step of what you have done..

Sounds like you have made some great steps forward in the refinement of the SLS suspension.

Thanks,

Peter

 

[tjyak50]

Parts list, starting from the ram:
You need 2 Banjos, for 12mm ID, with 12mm thickness and a -4 AN male hose end, like this:
TurboFittings: Banjo 12mm -4AN Male

You need 2 hoses, 12" minimum, -4 AN flare on both ends like this:
Allstar Performance ALL46402-12 - Allstar Performance Braided Steel Brake Lines - Overview - SummitRacing.com

You need 2 -4 AN male 90 to male 1/4 pipe
Fragola Performance Systems 482244 - Fragola Performance Systems AN to Pipe Thread Fittings - Overview - SummitRacing.com
But steel would be better... This goes from the hose, into the restrictor valve.

2 Parker hydraulic restrictors. Guess I should have written down the number. They are 2 way valves, restrict the same in both direction, 5000psi, 14gpm or something. I will get this.

Then you need 2 @ 1/4 pipe male to 1/8 pipe male adapters in steel:
Soemthing like this: Viair Corporation - - VIAIR Reducer Fittings - Overview - SummitRacing.com
This goes into the valve and gets you heading towards the sphere.

THis fitting goes from the valve reducer above into the sphere.
Auto Meter 2266 - Auto Meter Metric Adapters - Overview - SummitRacing.com

I am sure there are better ways to do all this, but I needed off-the shelf parts for this proof of concept.

 

[tjyak50]

Could you post with pics step by step of what you have done..

Sounds like you have made some great steps forward in the refinement of the SLS suspension.

Thanks,

Peter

Thank you, the puddle of SLS fluid on the floor of my garage not withstanding, this is a big improvement.

I will fix the one leaky fitting tomorrow. Its just a minor seep from the aluminum 90 coming out of the valve and connecting to the hose.
I needed to go around one more revolution on the pipe threads.

 

[rozminiblack]

I am very interested in this. Fantastic work tiyak50!