Decarbon shocks: 1LE and regular?
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Decarbon shocks: 1LE and regular?
Is there a difference between the Decarbon gas shocks that GM put on the 1LE cars in 93 & 94 and the Decarbons that came stock on later years (after they started putting Koni's on the 1LE cars)?
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Re: Decarbon shocks: 1LE and regular?
Originally posted by 96LT1Fan
Is there a difference between the Decarbon gas shocks that GM put on the 1LE cars in 93 & 94 and the Decarbons that came stock on later years (after they started putting Koni's on the 1LE cars)?
Is there a difference between the Decarbon gas shocks that GM put on the 1LE cars in 93 & 94 and the Decarbons that came stock on later years (after they started putting Koni's on the 1LE cars)?
I’ve been using the 1LE deCarbons for 3 years, and I like them for both street and road course. The car is much better damped than with the Z28 deCarbons. I decided to try them after GM High Tech Performance used them on their Thunderchicken project car to upgrade it for road racing. By the way, deCarbon invented and patented the high pressure single piston gas/hydraulic shock, and Bilstein builds their own version under license from deCarbon.
The appropriate shock should be determined by the spring rate it is required to damp. GM chose the valving for the shocks based on the 1LE spring rates. If you are going to run VERY stiff springs, you will need more shock than the 1LE deCarbons (or Bilstein HD). The later 1LE shocks (Koni) were fully adjustable so that they could match a fairly wide range of springs.
That said, I would not recommend that anyone buy deCarbons. They are made by the Frunch in Franse. If you do decide to buy them, be careful to get the original part #’s and verify with your dealer that the # does not cross over to a new #. Many of the 1LE parts are discontinued and if you order one, you can receive the standard F-body part instead. I have experienced that with the 1LE bushings.
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Re: Re: Decarbon shocks: 1LE and regular?
Originally posted by lateapex
Yes, the 1LE deCarbons are different. They have stiffer valving for the 1LE springs, and the rear 1LE shock is increased to the diameter of the fronts.
I’ve been using the 1LE deCarbons for 3 years, and I like them for both street and road course. The car is much better damped than with the Z28 deCarbons. I decided to try them after GM High Tech Performance used them on their Thunderchicken project car to upgrade it for road racing. By the way, deCarbon invented and patented the high pressure single piston gas/hydraulic shock, and Bilstein builds their own version under license from deCarbon.
The appropriate shock should be determined by the spring rate it is required to damp. GM chose the valving for the shocks based on the 1LE spring rates. If you are going to run VERY stiff springs, you will need more shock than the 1LE deCarbons (or Bilstein HD). The later 1LE shocks (Koni) were fully adjustable so that they could match a fairly wide range of springs.
That said, I would not recommend that anyone buy deCarbons. They are made by the Frunch in Franse. If you do decide to buy them, be careful to get the original part #’s and verify with your dealer that the # does not cross over to a new #. Many of the 1LE parts are discontinued and if you order one, you can receive the standard F-body part instead. I have experienced that with the 1LE bushings.
Yes, the 1LE deCarbons are different. They have stiffer valving for the 1LE springs, and the rear 1LE shock is increased to the diameter of the fronts.
I’ve been using the 1LE deCarbons for 3 years, and I like them for both street and road course. The car is much better damped than with the Z28 deCarbons. I decided to try them after GM High Tech Performance used them on their Thunderchicken project car to upgrade it for road racing. By the way, deCarbon invented and patented the high pressure single piston gas/hydraulic shock, and Bilstein builds their own version under license from deCarbon.
The appropriate shock should be determined by the spring rate it is required to damp. GM chose the valving for the shocks based on the 1LE spring rates. If you are going to run VERY stiff springs, you will need more shock than the 1LE deCarbons (or Bilstein HD). The later 1LE shocks (Koni) were fully adjustable so that they could match a fairly wide range of springs.
That said, I would not recommend that anyone buy deCarbons. They are made by the Frunch in Franse. If you do decide to buy them, be careful to get the original part #’s and verify with your dealer that the # does not cross over to a new #. Many of the 1LE parts are discontinued and if you order one, you can receive the standard F-body part instead. I have experienced that with the 1LE bushings.
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