Less unsprung weight equals less weight that the shock has to control.....THAT IS the performance advantage. Not all shocks as far as I know can be mounted upsidedown so better check with Viking. Only downside I can see is getting at the knobs.

 

Less unsprung weight equals less weight that the shock has to control.....THAT IS the performance advantage. Not all shocks as far as I know can be mounted upsidedown so better check with Viking. Only downside I can see is getting at the knobs.

^^^^^This

I use AFCO shocks and they are designed to be mounted upside down so the knobs are positioned for easy access.

 

I can't see the little weight an advantage. I would think it's more of a sales pitch. I mean its a fraction of a percent of the weight.

 

I can't see the little weight an advantage. I would think it's more of a sales pitch. I mean its a fraction of a percent of the weight.

In the "stock section" it makes less sense, if this was a pro car with a 4-link etc, the weight all adds up.

 

I would think the steel shaft and piston would be heavier than the aluminum tube and fluid.

 

Every little thing that "doesn't matter" adds up to something that does. It costs nothing to mount them upside down and does reduce unsprung weight. I think the question is why wouldn't you do it?

 

WHY MOUNT A SHOCK UPSIDE DOWN?
AFCO shocks can be mounted upside down to reduce unsprung weight which is anything not bolted solid to the chassis. If the race car were lifted by the main rollcage, anything that would hang down would constitute unsprung weight. Examples would be the wheels and tires, the axle housing, struts, and shocks. Reduction in unsprung weight can promote quicker ET's and extend the life of the race car's components. Also, the reduction of unsprung weight should reduce the chance of wheel hop or tire shake. The momentum of the axle housing (less is good here) will determine whether the tire becomes disturbed and loses traction. Decreasing the mass will give the shock a better chance to control the axle housing during separation, will allow the use of softer shock settings, and will produce quicker runs.

 

I'm looking for every free ounce of performance I can get! Ident everyone?

 

Word from viking is, they CAN be mounted upside down. Just gtta order the t-bars and I can mount em up!

 

i'll take every small performance advantage i can get!