V - 2 Now

[/tobys]

How'd the Ghea pistons work out for you Ellis? I'm planning on getting an X6 kit soon and want to use the included V2 shocks...

[Big E]

I was happy with them.

Just playing with the springs a little at the moment to find the ones I like the feel off...just need a dry day!!

E.

[Pops]

Got the EC kit half built now We have a brand new set of losi shocks and the v2 ae ones fron the kit

[/tobys]

Sounds cool E!

You still running #2's Front & Rear with 35/30 oils?

[Jamie B4]

Ellis, Paul etc,

Are you running the bog standard B4.1 V2 shocks or have they got any different parts to them from the T4.1, losi shafts etc or anything

Would like to give them a go!

Have you still got the same amount of droop as the losi shocks - and same positions on tower and wishbone

Could you put on a standard set up please

[Paul_Sinclair]

I am running the straight, regular, standard V2 shocks. I've ended up with very similar lengths to what I was running my Losi shocks: right around 3.00" long up front (76.2mm) and around 3.52" in the rear (89.4mm). To get those lengths, I've actually built both front and rear shocks with .120" (3mm) of internal limiting, then unscrewed the shock ends to suit. That allows me to make small droop adjustments by further messing with the shock end rather than having to take the whole thing apart.

As for set-up, I'm running the kit springs: brown up front and silver in the rear. Works great on my dirt tracks; I know E has been messing with springs quite a bit so I'd probably follow what he's been running for UK racing. Inside I'm running #2's with 30wt up front and #3's with 20wt in the rear; I'll go to #2's and 25wt if the track is bumpy/rough.

So far I haven't messed with tapered pistons or anything; going to give those a go at some point.

[ApexSpeed]

Just a question in all seriousness, but for everyone that has been using Losi and Kyosho shocks on their cars (IMO, both MUCH better shocks than any Associated shock ever made), why would you take something that works off of your car and go to an unproven and untested shock like the new V2—just because it has an Associated tag on it?

In any form of racing, you use what works, not because the brand name on it. If you have years of data and information on Losi or Kyosho shocks, springs, pistons and setups, why would you suddenly throw that all away in favor of something different? IMO, there is nothing about the Associated V2 design that would make them better than what you are using currently, only potentially up to the equal standards that you already have.

Just seems like a lot of extra work, testing and expense for no possible gain.

This isn't snarky or sarcastic in any way, I am seriously wondering why you would make such a drastic and seemingly unnecessary change to a crucial component of the car for very little (if any, and maybe a loss) potential improvement?


Just wondering,

doug

[mark christopher]

Because the team will be running it as its sold as as buyers get it. On your claim you muat have tried the new shocks?
Nope so if they are as good as what's coming of the whole family benefit from the team guys passing info on what the none team drivers have bought.

[ApexSpeed]

No, as far as I know, very few people have the new V2 yet. And they are just bottom cartridge shocks, like the Tamiya, Kyosho, Losi, etc. There is no new technology that could possibly make them any better than what the "Team" has been using for years now.

Kinwald uses Kyosho shocks, why would he make a change from a known quantity at this point?


I'm not saying the new Associated shocks are bad (the OLD ones were), I'm just asking why the Team would make changes to something that they know already works well?

[markwilliamson2001]

Have to say the team running v2 shocks has made me comsider buying a conversion kit to get an x6, surely this is a good thing?

Whilst I agree with you about proven shocks and setups, this is how both a conversion from a b4.1 and the EC kit will come, the team need to put the doubters out there to shame, and start running assoc. shocks and getting a setup on them sorted :-)

[Paul_Sinclair]

Hey Doug,
There's always been pressure to run AE shocks - it's what family members naturally have after converting over, and obviously what comes in the K021 entire car. The new V2 shocks, in my opinion, have addressed the two major issues the older AE shocks had - inconsistent seals and a difficult bleeding process. I agree with you that they're not inherently better than Losi or Kyosho shocks. They're about equal though, and combined with the "pressure" I mention in my first point it was enough me to try out the V2's.

As team manager, I haven't told anyone what shocks they need to run. Once we had the V2's in stock though both BK and Ellis approached me separately about giving them a shot. Neither has said they'll run them next season for sure, but due to the reasons I mention above they both want to try them out. The fall is kind of the off-season for electric off-road - very few important meetings - so it's a opportune time to try something like this.

I see at least one definite gain, even if we do go back to running our Losi and Kyosho shocks: In the end we'll have much better information for our kit set-up sheets and for those Family members who are running AE shocks. And it's not like we're 'throwing away' the old data; I would say it's more that we're adding to it.

[ApexSpeed]

That's a reasonable response, Paul. I appreciate it.

I just realized that Associated shocks are probably the ONLY shocks that are available as a "kit" form, as opposed to Losi and Kyosho which all have to source parts individually to build a full set. By nature, this makes it "easier" for a company such as X-Factory to supply shocks with a complete car kit. While not necessarily "better" on the track, it does offer the opportunity to sell a complete car.

Realistically, it's more of a better business move for X-factory to have their Team guys using V2 shocks for the sake of offering information to the customers than a competitive decision at this point. All things performing equal, it's a smart decision.



For the racer, though, if your car didn't come with them, I can't see making a change just for the sake of a brand name. I still think a Kyosho or Tamiya shock will offer better quality, though parts supply chain is a little tougher to deal with.



Cheers,

doug