MCS Suspension on the TA

[Shooter]

Does the system have to be installed at WH or can I order the parts and have them done here.? Could Mark or Bill PM me the cost please. Thanks

[Steve M]

I can't really speak for the Gen 5 since there's a bit more involved with the selectable suspension settings, but I installed the double adjustable MCS setup on my Gen 4 myself in my garage with no lift. The hardest part is figuring out where to put the canisters...everything else is pretty straightforward. If you order the single adjustables, you don't have to worry about the canister part.

[Shooter]

I can't really speak for the Gen 5 since there's a bit more involved with the selectable suspension settings, but I installed the double adjustable MCS setup on my Gen 4 myself in my garage with no lift. The hardest part is figuring out where to put the canisters...everything else is pretty straightforward. If you order the single adjustables, you don't have to worry about the canister part.

Thank you for the info. Depending on pricing, I'll probably go for the 3-way adjustable setup.

[Jack B]

When the canisters are mounted under the hood and under the back glass, it sure makes it nice to adjust the shocks. The rear is the only place where you have to jack the the rear of the car up and that is to change the rebound.

I can't really speak for the Gen 5 since there's a bit more involved with the selectable suspension settings, but I installed the double adjustable MCS setup on my Gen 4 myself in my garage with no lift. The hardest part is figuring out where to put the canisters...everything else is pretty straightforward. If you order the single adjustables, you don't have to worry about the canister part.

[Steve M]

Thank you for the info. Depending on pricing, I'll probably go for the 3-way adjustable setup.

Let me define what I mean by the different levels of adjustability:

Single adjustable: rebound adjustment only (no compression adjustment)
Double adjustable: rebound + compression adjustment (compression adjustment done via remote canister)
Triple adjustable: rebound + high speed compression + low speed compression adjusment (compression adjustment done via remote canister)

All three allow height adjustments (I don't count that as an adjustment per se).

A 3-way adjustable setup would likely be overkill for all but the most hardcore track rats.

[Steve M]

When the canisters are mounted under the hood and under the back glass, it sure makes it nice to adjust the shocks. The rear is the only place where you have to jack the the rear of the car up and that is to change the rebound.

Agreed, although you Gen 5 guys have the benefit of the clamshell hood...I get to jack up both the front AND rear when doing rebound adjustments since my front fenders don't move

Rear canisters:



Front canisters:

[mjorgensen]

Thanks for all the information and feedback, Mark...definitely sounds like the way to go. I know the performance is all in the shock's valving, and the Bilstein Damptronics have their limitations. With the right low and high speed valving you can increase spring rates significantly and improve ride quality and performance, and it sounds like that's what distinguishes the MCS shocks. Do the shocks have a standard valving that is suitable for a wide range of spring rates, or are they valved for specific ranges? Is a shock dyno available? Are they rebuildable, and if so, what is the recommended rebuild interval?

The MCS are valved to work with a range of spring rates we use on the Viper, they have all the range needed to properly control 400-1400# springs. The ACRX suspension we used 1450# rear springs and were still not on the end of the rebound control adjustment. If you were going stiffer then that we could always have the valving changed. You have to remember that the shock should not over power the spring, just control it that's what the stock setup seems to be different in doing. The canister is not just for extra oil capacity, on the MCS the canister pressure an also be used to provide small amounts of "spring support" almost like increasing or decreasing spring rates up to +- 50#. This gives you the ability to test if a slight change in rate would be better or worse. You can also reduce the canister pressure to give even greater rebound control affectively changing the curve. with these benefits you can see how you can fine tune all you want. Shocks that are specifically valved for a specific rate really don't work with every surface or condition.

The shocks are rebuild able, but have rarely needed to be. I have worked with these guys for 11 years and have maybe had 3-4 problems with a hose O-ring or a stuck rebound knob and I've sold close to 200 sets of shocks in that time frame. I have customers with 50K miles and all they have ever done is refill and check canister pressures every year or two.

If you were to need service or want something special done you won't have to wait while your shocks are sent to some far off place to have it done. The top shelf support team and I will get it taken care of with total VIP service, sometimes with as little as a one day turn around (un heard of in this segment). The MCS team loves the Viper and have always given me the absolute best service a vendor could possibly offer (even answering a tech phone call after hours on a Sunday) bar none. I can personally guarantee your satisfaction with the MCS product, I have used them myself and would run nothing else.

[mjorgensen]

Let me define what I mean by the different levels of adjustability:

Single adjustable: rebound adjustment only (no compression adjustment)
Double adjustable: rebound + compression adjustment (compression adjustment done via remote canister)
Triple adjustable: rebound + high speed compression + low speed compression adjusment (compression adjustment done via remote canister)

All three allow height adjustments (I don't count that as an adjustment per se).

A 3-way adjustable setup would likely be overkill for all but the most hardcore track rats.

Thanks for that Steve, you are right that some shock company's trick you by using the height adjustment as an adjustment when the rebound and compression is all done together (cheap way). Don't be fooled, completely discrete adjustments are what you want.

[Bruce H.]

That sounds like a great system all around, Mark. What are the MCS options for a Gen V, and do you have a link for more details?

[mjorgensen]

That sounds like a great system all around, Mark. What are the MCS options for a Gen V, and do you have a link for more details?

We have done single (rebound) adjustables and the doubles on the GenV. eliminating the electronic shocks have no affect on the stability controls, you just forfeit the switch for changing street to track although you won't miss it with the MCS on the car. We have tons of pictures and installs on my FB page if you would like to browse around; https://www.facebook.com/pages/Woodh...n/167968157736

You can also find information about MCS here; http://www.motioncontrolsuspension.com/products.html

[Shooter]

Good info. Thanks. Might be a double then. I'm probably not good enough to worry too much about the slow speed compression settings.

[allans]

Yes. You never go "full stiff" according to Mark. (insert joke here)

That much compression is too much for my set up, put NOT to much for other personal needs. Unforunitly my old body needs a lot more rebound! "Flying Free at 73" Allan

[Bruce H.]

I'll check those out, thank you. I had planned to wait for a factory upgraded model, but this is the particular upgrade that I feel I could most benefit from, and may be an even better solution than what the factory might do. You'll given me lots to consider. Thanks again.

[mjorgensen]

I'll check those out, thank you. I had planned to wait for a factory upgraded model, but this is the particular upgrade that I feel I could most benefit from, and may be an even better solution than what the factory might do. You'll given me lots to consider. Thanks again.

Glad to help Bruce, let me know if you have any other questions, I'm always around.

[mjorgensen]

Incase anyone has not seen JD's TA conversion there are pictures of the process here; https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...8157736&type=3

[mnc2886]

Mark,

Why do you think SRT hasn't explored providing them from the factory? Make every Viper manufactured with these shocks?

[mjorgensen]

Mark,

Why do you think SRT hasn't explored providing them from the factory? Make every Viper manufactured with these shocks?

I have talked to the engineers about it, even offered to send them a free set for testing (they were too busy at that time but the offer is still there), but they have contracts with certain manufacturers and price point is always a consideration. Not to mention most hyper performance shock company's don't crank out the volumes that would be needed in a timeframe that would work, that's what happened with Belanger and the ACRX deal. SRT used Moton's on the Comp Coupe project so they know the value, but for a street car the price point matters I suppose. They (Mopar) also use the KW shocks for other cars in the lineup so they have a deal there already, it would be tough for a small shock company to compete price wise.