Replacement shocks?

[Richard Cobra]

I have a BRA Cobra built in England in 1988, that currently has Spax coil-over shocks that need to be replaced. The Cobra has a Jaguar independent rear end and frame. Any suggestions for new shocks? -- Richard

[decooney]

I had good luck replacing my Spax shocks in my ERA Cobra (Jag rear diff, ERA subframe) with IBOC springs and QA1 shocks. It took mild custom modification to make it work at the shock mounting points, and it was definitely worth it . I like the QA1s much better than my Spax; The car rides smoother, handles better, more controlled feeling going in/out of turns. One of the best upgrades I've made to the car in the past 10 years.

[Bernica]

Do the corner-weighting while you are at it. Already many threads about it. Just do a search.

[Richard Cobra]

Thanks

[juneracer]

Originally Posted by decooney

I had good luck replacing my Spax shocks in my ERA Cobra (Jag rear diff, ERA subframe) with IBOC springs and QA1 shocks. It took mild custom modification to make it work at the shock mounting points, and it was definitely worth it . I like the QA1s much better than my Spax; The car rides smoother, handles better, more controlled feeling going in/out of turns. One of the best upgrades I've made to the car in the past 10 years.

i'm starting the shock spring process with my ERA. what spec QA1 shocks did you buy and what spring rates (or resulting wheel rates) are you using?

[Bobcat]

What are you planning to do with the car ? Strictly street or street/HPDE and track usage ? That affects your spring choice .... do you have the ERA IRS rear of the Jag rear ? I have the ERA rear and do street and track the car . For street/track with the IRS , I like in the 700 to 720 lb/in range and for the front , 300 to 400 lb/in .... but it will ride stiffer on the street .
Or you could do what I did and learn about motion ratios , wheel frequencies etc. and then calculate what your car wants .
Spring rates are very subjective for each individual/car and what one person likes , another will hate . I went through many spring changes before I got what I wanted .

[decooney]

Originally Posted by juneracer

i'm starting the shock spring process with my ERA. what spec QA1 shocks did you buy and what spring rates (or resulting wheel rates) are you using?

These were a custom built shock, not an off-the-shelf unit from QA1. I had to measure center to center mount points at the preferred ride height for the correct length and stroke. If you PM me, I can put you in touch with the regional shock distributor and he will have you fill out a spec sheet before he'll provide them. As for springs, I re-used my IBOC 300lb springs x 4 springs. We did 400lbs in my buddies car. I'd probably go with 350s if I had to do it again in my car for 95% street use. As others mentioned, track use is a different spec. What shock and spring to use partly depends on where your mount points are in the ERA subframe, and the lower control arm mounting points depending on how you shorterned them. The shock ratio and spring rate to use changes based on the angle proportional to the mounting points. I went with a little shorter shock with my QA1s vs. the stock SPAX ERA sells. If you can provide the planned use details, mounting point measurements, sway bar details, and estimated weight of your car completed with driver and fuel tank filled to 1/2 full, my shock distributor can get you really close right out of the gate.

[redmt]

Originally Posted by Richard Cobra

I have a BRA Cobra built in England in 1988, that currently has Spax coil-over shocks that need to be replaced. The Cobra has a Jaguar independent rear end and frame. Any suggestions for new shocks? -- Richard

Nick Acton has some pretty nice shocks on his website. I just picked up a set.

[juneracer]

Originally Posted by Bobcat

What are you planning to do with the car ? Strictly street or street/HPDE and track usage ? That affects your spring choice .... do you have the ERA IRS rear of the Jag rear ? I have the ERA rear and do street and track the car . For street/track with the IRS , I like in the 700 to 720 lb/in range and for the front , 300 to 400 lb/in .... but it will ride stiffer on the street .
Or you could do what I did and learn about motion ratios , wheel frequencies etc. and then calculate what your car wants .
Spring rates are very subjective for each individual/car and what one person likes , another will hate . I went through many spring changes before I got what I wanted .

likely a lot of street running. FL is pretty flat where i'm at. might get some track days once i get acclimated. it has the Jag rear; 4 damper and spring. then with spring and damper comes tire choice. the BFGs on the car look original (just got the car) and aren't very nice currently. seems the forums point to avon or BBs. i know it needs tires.

any suggestions are appreciated.

thanks
Rick