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Shock Damping - Shock Oil
Shock oil is rated with a “viscosity” number that
indicates the thickness of the oil, which determines
how much the oil resists flowing and how much it
resists the shock piston moving through it. Shock
oil with a higher viscosity (for example, 40W oil)
is thicker than shock oil with a lower viscosity (for
example, 20W oil).
We recommend using only highest-grade Serpent
Silicone Shock Oil, which is available in numerous
viscosities. Serpent Silicone Shock Oil is specially
formulated to be temperature-resistant and low-
foaming for use in Serpent shocks. To be able to compare your setup with
other Serpent drivers, we advise using only Serpent Silicone Shock Oil.
Shock Damping - Shock Pistons
Shock pistons affect shock damping by affecting how easily the piston travels
through the shock oil when the shock is compressing or decompressing
(rebounding). The piston has holes through which shock oil flows as the
piston travels up and down inside the shock body. The number of holes helps
control how quickly the shock compresses or decompresses.
A piston with fewer holes moves more slowly
through shock oil compared to a piston with
more holes (which moves faster). Therefore a
piston with fewer holes gives harder damping,
and a shock piston with more holes gives
softer damping. The shocks in the Serpent
720 have non-adjustable pistons, however
you may disassemble the shock to change the
piston to another with fewer or more holes.
Effects of Shock Damping
The effects of damping are often difficult to distinguish since there is an
adjustment where grip is optimum. When you get away from the optimum
damping setting, either softer or harder, the car will always lose grip.
The table below describes the handling effects by changing damping on one
end of the car; the starting point is always the ideal “optimum.”
Softer Damping
Thinner
More holes
• Slower steering response
• Decreases rear grip at corner exit/under acceleration
• Increases rear grip under braking
Rear Shocks
Harder Damping
Thicker
Fewer holes
• Faster steering response
• Increases rear grip under acceleration
• Decreases rear grip under braking
Softer Damping
Thinner
Shock Oil
# Piston Holes
More holes
• Slower steering response
• Decreases initial steering at corner entry
• Increases oversteer at corner exit/under acceleration
Front Shocks
Adjusting with...
Effect
Harder Damping
Thicker
Fewer holes
• Faster steering response
• Increases initial steering at corner entry
• Increases understeer at corner exit/under acceleration
Thinnest
Thickest
(#1670)
(#1674)
(#1671)
(#1675)
(#1672)
(#1676)
(#1673)
30W
25W
35W
40W
45W
50W
20W
1
2
3
4