TC4 shock assembly, piston numbers

[JimC]

Hey all. Started putting together the TC4 kit. Once I finished the shocks, I realized there were different piston #s that go in to the shocks to adjust them. Fortunately I put all #1s in. However, the kit recommends starting with all #2s. Any ideas on what this will do? Seems like the different numbers allow different amounts of shock oil through. Did the TC3 have this same option? The directions could have made this more clear.

Thanks for your help.

[Lapster]

The numbers tell you how big the holes in the piston are. The #1 piston has the biggest hole and the #3 has the smallest hole. And obviously the #2 is in the middle.

[JimC]

But what does that mean at the track? Softer shock? Seems then the larger the hole the more fluid you let through, the softer it will be. I plan on running outside asphalt track. Should I complete the build, run it at the track and then worry about changing to the #2 piston? If you haven't found out yet, I'm a noob.

Thanks.

[gizmoguy303]

If you use a large hole piston with heavy oil, it will provide the same low-speed damping as a small hole piston and light oil. The key phrase there is "low-speed". At higher speeds, like when you're actually running your car, turbulence is created by the shock fluid being forced through the holes when you hit a bump. Therefore, when you use smaller holes combined with lighter oil, more turbulence is produced, providing more "pack". With larger holes and heavier oil, less turbulence is produced, so the shock has less "pack".

So, if your track isn't very smooth and may have small bumps, less pack is needed so your chassis doesn't get upset when you hit a bump. If you're track is very smooth, than smaller holes can be used to provide more "pack".

Since you're running on an outdoor track (might not be perfectly smooth), you might as well stick with the large hole, #1 pistons unless you feel the need to put in the #2's. Good luck!

[RH Customs]

Here the setup I used on my TC3 and will also use on my TC4.

Use the #2 piston and 60wt oil perfect combo for the track I run at. The track is 200ft by 75ft and is paved asphalt. www.**************.com for more info.

[gizmoguy303]

JimC, your best bet is to use the stock TC4 setup right now. Don't try to put a new setup on it right off the bat. Many people are trying to put there TC3 setups on their TC4's and a lot of the times it doesn't work very well. The stock setup is the best place to start.