anyone run MCS shocks yet?
#1
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anyone run MCS shocks yet?
anyone run MCS on rx8 yet? i'm in the market for double adjustable shocks. was looking at ohlins ttx before but they are quite pricey. mcs 2 ways none remote are $3500. they are very popular in the BMW community. i have ohlins RT custom valved now.
#2
They generally work well but their valving is very wide because they build the same valving into the shocks for multiple different applications. So each click of adjustment is a big change, which is not really what you want.
I'd recommend a set of Penskes instead.
I'd recommend a set of Penskes instead.
#4
Water Foul
I have not run them on an RX-8, but as an instructor for BMW CCA, I drive and ride in a lot of MCS-equipped Bimmers and have been impressed with them. If my budget were that high, they would be on my short list.
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Last edited by Steve Dallas; 04-30-2019 at 07:54 AM.
#6
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#7
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If you happen to have the hookup on valving/rebuilding my suggestion is find a used set of the Penske's from a NC chassis MX5 cup car like I did... I'd say I probably have the cheapest setup of Gucci shocks anyone has on an RX8, and that even includes the consulting/tooling/parts to do the work myself. I found mine with all the mounting already sorted out, spherical front top hats, etc.
#8
If you happen to have the hookup on valving/rebuilding my suggestion is find a used set of the Penske's from a NC chassis MX5 cup car like I did... I'd say I probably have the cheapest setup of Gucci shocks anyone has on an RX8, and that even includes the consulting/tooling/parts to do the work myself. I found mine with all the mounting already sorted out, spherical front top hats, etc.
I made spherical rear upper mounts similar to what Tamra and Drew did on their car.
#10
Because I wanted to retain the shock tower braces, and it's easy to weld stainless steel bearing cups into steel.
#11
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Different size meaning length? All my shocks were the same diameter on the shafts and the rears were shorter iirc but all parts were available through Penske and RESuspension. I need to do the rear hats at some point, actually have a set sitting on the shelf ready for surgery, I am running the MX5 aluminum ones currently and haven't noticed anything, good or bad, about it.
#13
Different size meaning length? All my shocks were the same diameter on the shafts and the rears were shorter iirc but all parts were available through Penske and RESuspension. I need to do the rear hats at some point, actually have a set sitting on the shelf ready for surgery, I am running the MX5 aluminum ones currently and haven't noticed anything, good or bad, about it.
#14
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Interesting... have any numbers by chance? Part numbers or measurements...
The set I picked up do not seem to have any variation from OTS Penskes. I rebuilt them myself, swapped pistons, set valving, etc and ordered all the 'normal' parts for an 8300 in the process, including shaft wipers, ring nuts, etc.
The set I picked up do not seem to have any variation from OTS Penskes. I rebuilt them myself, swapped pistons, set valving, etc and ordered all the 'normal' parts for an 8300 in the process, including shaft wipers, ring nuts, etc.
#15
Interesting... have any numbers by chance? Part numbers or measurements...
The set I picked up do not seem to have any variation from OTS Penskes. I rebuilt them myself, swapped pistons, set valving, etc and ordered all the 'normal' parts for an 8300 in the process, including shaft wipers, ring nuts, etc.
The set I picked up do not seem to have any variation from OTS Penskes. I rebuilt them myself, swapped pistons, set valving, etc and ordered all the 'normal' parts for an 8300 in the process, including shaft wipers, ring nuts, etc.
#16
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are all penske double adjustable for NC or RX8 use external reservoir? i need it to be non external reservoir to avoid taking additional mod points.
#17
No, you can buy DA Penskes that are all internally adjustable. That's the 7500 series. The tradeoff is that the shock body needs to be long enough (really not a problem on the RX-8/NC) to fit the adjusters and get enough shock travel. Penske also recently came out with a double bleed adjuster that contains compression/rebound adjustment on the shock shaft, but the target application for that is for struts.
#18
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Let me rephrase that, I’m fairly certain that they can’t offer a non-remote DA that can be mounted with both adjusters easily accessible at the bottom. All non-remote DA monotube shocks have a potential length issue because the gas chamber and separator piston along with the oil/shaft travel all have to fit within the same body housing.
The Koni 2812 has been the only real option, but maybe MCS can offer something if they’ll make an adjuster end with an 18mm spherical eye needed at the RX8 rear upright end. For some reason the last year or two I raced mine kept having issues blowing out, leaking, etc. and nobody seems to be able to figure out why including Koni. Nothing more frustratng than chasing your own butt in this situation. So I’m just about ready to try something different if the situation continues.
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The Koni 2812 has been the only real option, but maybe MCS can offer something if they’ll make an adjuster end with an 18mm spherical eye needed at the RX8 rear upright end. For some reason the last year or two I raced mine kept having issues blowing out, leaking, etc. and nobody seems to be able to figure out why including Koni. Nothing more frustratng than chasing your own butt in this situation. So I’m just about ready to try something different if the situation continues.
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Last edited by TeamRX8; 04-27-2019 at 11:12 AM.
#19
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Well one thing I would add, if you went with the short NC MX5 rear shock setup, which uses the shorter aluminum rear hats, you could probably have both adjusters at the top and still access them. You just have to weld an aluminum spherical bearing cup into the top of OE aluminum MX5 rear hats.
You also lose the chassis tie-in point, which is also the mounting point for a rear strut tower bar. In theory you can add brackets to retain those, but it’s debatable if they’re really necessary with the shorter hats not having the same leverage arm as the tall RX8 rear hats. The only real issue, or thing I don’t like about doing it that way, is you have to use the delrin spring adapter at the bottom of the hat. All do-able though...
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You also lose the chassis tie-in point, which is also the mounting point for a rear strut tower bar. In theory you can add brackets to retain those, but it’s debatable if they’re really necessary with the shorter hats not having the same leverage arm as the tall RX8 rear hats. The only real issue, or thing I don’t like about doing it that way, is you have to use the delrin spring adapter at the bottom of the hat. All do-able though...
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Last edited by TeamRX8; 04-27-2019 at 11:47 AM.
#20
I'd say you should ask your friendly neighborhood Penske builder to see if they can do an inverted shock with an eyelet at one end (hopefully they can fit one that's big enough) and a pin/stud mount at the other with a double bleed shaft. Otherwise, you're correct in that the Penske setups I've seen thus far for the RX-8 can't be done up like the 2812.
https://www.penskeshocks.com/wp-cont...eed%20tech.pdf
https://www.penskeshocks.com/wp-cont...eed%20tech.pdf
#21
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You’d need that with an 18mm or 19mm spherical end for the upright mount though; can’t recall exactly since it’s been several years since I last messed around with them. It’s fairy easy to do on the 2812 because they offer a blank steel top and you can cut down the proper size heim joint and weld it on easily. When it’s aluminum it’s hard to do that and have it be strong enough. It would need to be machined from billet or forged. Maybe they offer something similar though.
Well I sent a message to MCS asking if they’d be interested in exploring it. Not expecting a positive answer.
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Well I sent a message to MCS asking if they’d be interested in exploring it. Not expecting a positive answer.
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Last edited by TeamRX8; 04-27-2019 at 10:21 PM.
#22
Just remembered that Guy Ankeny has an inverted Penske for the rear of his and Steve's car, so Penske probably makes something that can fit the upright mount in the RX-8. It doesn't seem like much of a step from there to do a stud at the other end, if Penske makes such a thing.
PC: Guy Ankeny
PC: Guy Ankeny
#23
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Yeah, except the red **** there is rebound and the compression is probably on the other end up inside the shock tower.
The DB eyelet with that size heim might be an issue, but I’m no Penske expert. A lot of this stuff is kind of newish since the last time I gave then a serious look. I might ask if they can whip up some blank steel tops like the Koni.
The DB eyelet with that size heim might be an issue, but I’m no Penske expert. A lot of this stuff is kind of newish since the last time I gave then a serious look. I might ask if they can whip up some blank steel tops like the Koni.
#24
Just remembered that Guy Ankeny has an inverted Penske for the rear of his and Steve's car, so Penske probably makes something that can fit the upright mount in the RX-8. It doesn't seem like much of a step from there to do a stud at the other end, if Penske makes such a thing.
PC: Guy Ankeny
PC: Guy Ankeny
It's a very neat arrangement and Guy can put a setup together for you. Doesn't solve the OP's problem as it's still a shock with a remote reservoir. It's also, um, not cheap.