Upgraded to the new Air Ride Shockwave Titaniums !!

[pitstain]

I can never leave well enough alone, and Air Ride does not help that problem one little bit........they just keep making cooler and better stuff, and I nor any of you can resist something when it is "cooler or better".....

Last year I pulled the trigger on a full set of Shockwaves and the Air Ride levelpro/ridepro e2 control system, I took it to the road course at Watkins Glen International, and as you guys know that damn air suspension layed the smack down on the track, much to the surprise of alot of people.

The parts: https://lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=14889

The build: https://lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=15816

The track: https://lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=16472


Before purchasing the shockwaves I was chatting with one of the engineers there about how I would love if someday they made shockwaves based on a high pressure gas monotube shock, as that is a proper road race shock.

Seems the guys at Airride were thinking the same thing and built these bad boys. The Shockwaves are based on a Chris Alston Vari-Shock, which is a great high quality twin tube shock.

The new Shockwave Titanium units are based on an AFCO M2 "Traction" shock, which is a very pimp racing item, and even tougher than the already stout standard shockwave. They also have the new Infrared internal ride height sensors by default, whereas they are an option on the standard shockwaves.



Double adjustable, just like the previous twin-tube Varishock based shockwaves, but now monotube, with external resevoir and 100psi of Nitrogen gas

Compression rebound adjuster:



Rebound adjuster:



No more urethane bushings for me, I went with a 5/8" upper bearing and a spherical lower with the t-bar mount for our lower control arms, which is a perfect fit. This picture also shows the swivel banjo connection for the hose that feeds oil to and from the external canister.



Even the Nitrogen pressure is adjustable if needed, mine were charged to 100psi, but they can be charged up to 200psi or as low as, well nothing, so there is a standard tire stem style valve for charging.



Now the standard shockwaves are nothing to laugh at, they handle and ride amazingly well, but I have been dreaming of something like this.


Last night I pulled out my spiffy original shockwaves and dropped in the new Titanium units.

before:



After: (not very dramatic since they are the same size....)



My TEMPORARY mounting of the external canisters, I needed to do mockup first, I ordered some tidy clamps today....don't bust my balls. :bolt





Now my impression on these new and improved shockwaves.

Ride quality is just as smooth, but the control over dips is improved quite a bit, I am still playing with the compression and rebound settings, but initial results are great.

Brake dive is controlled even better, a nice gas monotube excels in this respect over conventional twin tube shocks without having to crank the valving up to the point of discomfort.

With the sperical breaings as opposed to the urethane I found the steering response to be improved as well, with NO increase in perceived road noise or harshness whatsoever.

I only put these on the front so I can quantify the changes, and it is easily noticeable now when the front and rear tires hit the same bump, due to the nitrogen bladder in the Titaniums, they soak up small road imperfections much better, I only know I drove over something small when the rear tires hit it now, and when I hit something big the difference is readily apparent. These is a reason road race cars AND baja trucks run external resevoir shocks, THEY WORK !! and keep the tires smoothly and firmly in contact with the road.

Well that is all for now, I will get more seat time with these bad boys, and add in the Titaniums in the rear of the truck as well soon, but I am very pleased so far.

Great job Air Ride !!

[syborg tt]

Ian, they look great.

I am really considering these on the Camaro project so any impressions you have please post them up.

[JRouche]

You sick bastard!!! LOL Im jealous!!! I am just now putting in the regular shockwaves and went to their site for a looksee at something else and saw the titanium shockwaves. Crap!!! They seem to be developing stuff quicker than I can keep up with. Ummm, not too fast for you though. SWEET!! Thanks for the kick in the nutts Looking good. JR

[GMracer]

Im still waiting for mine, they had to make them to fit my application I guess. Can't wait to get them in, looks good!

[Vegas69]

I'd use at least one more zip tie......

[pitstain]

Originally Posted by syborg tt

Ian, they look great.

I am really considering these on the Camaro project so any impressions you have please post them up.

One of the many impressions that stood out was how much easier my front end lifts when I give them pressure, between the new shock and the the spherical ends they have much less friction, the truck just pops up to the correct height with much less effort.

I still need seat time to play with the adjustments more, but I forsee these being the hot Air Ride item for those of us who opentrack, drag race, or auto-x alot, or those who just need the best possible everything.

Originally Posted by JRouche

You sick bastard!!! LOL Im jealous!!! I am just now putting in the regular shockwaves and went to their site for a looksee at something else and saw the titanium shockwaves. Crap!!! They seem to be developing stuff quicker than I can keep up with. Ummm, not too fast for you though. SWEET!! Thanks for the kick in the nutts Looking good. JR

I have gotten that response from a couple of people so far

[nut kick]
Wait till you see the rear titaniums once they are built....yeah I am putting them in the rear as well.....[/nut kick]

Originally Posted by GMracer

Im still waiting for mine, they had to make them to fit my application I guess. Can't wait to get them in, looks good!

Yeah the build time too a little longer since I use a rather custom size on my truck, same for the rear, I want them a certain length with certain mounts, so it take a little time.

Originally Posted by Vegas69

I'd use at least one more zip tie......

They ARE Ferrari spec zip ties though.....my stainless steel clamp came in today from McMaster-Carr for fitting, so the zip ties wont be there long, it was mainly to see if the tire would rub on them at full lock.

Finding a place to mount the external canisters is a bit challenging on a production vehicle.

[pitstain]

Figured I would update the thread, at least to prove I do not love zip-ties as much as some may think.

I picked up some stainless steel 2" clamps from McMaster, and lined them with mastic. The guys at Air Ride are working on Billet clamps, which I may go for, but these are fine for now, or the next 5 years.....

Pardon the craptastic pictures, I forgot the Nikon at home, so the iPhone had to do the job.





I must add, after 3 hours on the road yesterday, I have determined I love these new Shockwaves, they literally float over road imperfections, but stick in the corners like nothing I have ever experienced. The standard Shockwaves were great, but really, the Titanium series are well worth the small additional cost.

[ProdigyCustoms]

We used them on the Bull Run Racer and LOVE them. Really a awesome ride and tun-ability

We mounted our reservoirs on the inner fenders

[GMracer]

I got mine in, check my build thread.

[pitstain]

To quote you Nick, "FedEx can not come fast enough"

My rear titaniums should be here tomorrow, Damn FedEx.......