Shock travel sensors are very useful. The data isn't something that is as obvious as for example DSRPM. With a math channel, taking the derivitive of shock travel, shock velocity can be calculated. This data is very important if you are working with a shock manufacturer.

Simpler uses are noticing changes in ride height from start to finish line, calculating downforce, learning the effects of tire shake on a shock, and squat at the hit.

I have spent ten years working with many top PS teams as their data acq guy. You couldn't pay a team enough money to go without shock data. Its money well spent.

 

.

Heads up big money or professional class', yes all 4. There's also a hell of a lot of guys going fast without it.

.

 

Yes
Yes
No.

Yes, I have been able to walk up to a customers car and realize the 4-link was less than ideal without ever crawling under a car. I have been able to make minute shock adjustments and see the difference in comparing the shock graph from run to run.

I have used them to diagnose problems with front struts which picked up one car about .05 in 60'.

It will ultimately depend on your combo as well. Backhalf cars will benefit much more than a stock suspension type car, but either way they truly are valuable. Anyone that tells you any different either hasnt used them or doesnt know what they are looking at.

If you are on a budget the best ones to get are the right rear and the left front. I like all 4 because then you can determine how stiff your anti-roll bar is or if the 2 shocks really are valved the same.

Now if you are really trying to fine tune a chassis, shock travels combined with laser ride heights are a killer combo.

 

Thanks for the reply's

Joe,
Can you expand on why they are not as valuable on a stock suspension car? If it's too much typing I can call.

 

Thanks for the reply's

Joe,
Can you expand on why they are not as valuable on a stock suspension car? If it's too much typing I can call.

I wouldnt say that there are less valuable on a stock suspension car. The biggest difference is on a 4-link type car you have much more adjustments which means you can gather data from all of these different adjustment points and see how they affect shock movement.

On a stock suspension car you still have ride height adjustments and small changes in bar locations. On a stock Mustang like your avatar they will undeniably allow you to see what a small change in ride height does to the shock which is a direct relation to body seperation/squat. You are just a bit limited on what adjustments you can make to correct/change the situation.

Either way more information is always a good thing. Interpreting it properly is sometimes the hard part. Then again, thats what I am here for!