Shock oil weight for my Arrma Notorious

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Snowman

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Arrma RC's
  1. Notorious
Hi guys looking for some input for my Notorious. I’ve got new shocks coming and I’m wondering what weight oil to fill them with?
 
For stock spring rates the stock weight is good. For heavier springs, go with heavier fluid. For the 50# +/- rate of the Saga springs I like 60wt to 70wt. That’s about my favorite setup for our fairly heavy Arrma street bashers, btw. For the much heavier Redondo Beach titanium springs (70#+!!!) I use 80-90wt. Outstanding for speed runs.
Shock setup should be determined by the vehicle. If you need to upgrade because a rigs current setup can’t cope with the extra 20# of billet M2C stuff, then heavier springs with heavier fluids are in order. They must go hand in hand.
Remember that shock fluid is only there to properly dampen the springs in use. So many people think that heavier fluid with stock springs is an “upgrade” or will stiffen the suspension. What it does is make the shock simply not work effectively, resulting in high stiction and shocks that freeze at various points of compression because the spring rate is too light to overcome the action of the fluid passing through the holes in the valving disks. In contrast, if you upgrade the springs and use the lighter stock oil weights the shocks will bounce, or “pogo” because the springs are overpowering the damping action of the shocks at that point and your handling goes out the window.
 
I'd stick with stock weight unless your truck is much heavier than stock, and then I'd do heavier weight.
There’s pretty much nothing left stock on my rig except the motor,ESC , tires and suspension arms . Everything else is aluminum … check out my build thread

80wt / 1000cst
That’s what I was thinking

For stock spring rates the stock weight is good. For heavier springs, go with heavier fluid. For the 50# +/- rate of the Saga springs I like 60wt to 70wt. That’s about my favorite setup for our fairly heavy Arrma street bashers, btw. For the much heavier Redondo Beach titanium springs (70#+!!!) I use 80-90wt. Outstanding for speed runs.
Shock setup should be determined by the vehicle. If you need to upgrade because a rigs current setup can’t cope with the extra 20# of billet M2C stuff, then heavier springs with heavier fluids are in order. They must go hand in hand.
Remember that shock fluid is only there to properly dampen the springs in use. So many people think that heavier fluid with stock springs is an “upgrade” or will stiffen the suspension. What it does is make the shock simply not work effectively, resulting in high stiction and shocks that freeze at various points of compression because the spring rate is too light to overcome the action of the fluid passing through the holes in the valving disks. In contrast, if you upgrade the springs and use the lighter stock oil weights the shocks will bounce, or “pogo” because the springs are overpowering the damping action of the shocks at that point and your handling goes out the window.
You are a knowledgeable guy . I’ve got GPM Shocks coming and I believe they have a much heavier spring …. Let me know what you think and check out my build thread

Gpm
 

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There’s pretty much nothing left stock on my rig except the motor,ESC , tires and suspension arms . Everything else is aluminum … check out my build thread


That’s what I was thinking


You are a knowledgeable guy . I’ve got GPM Shocks coming and I believe they have a much heavier spring …. Let me know what you think and check out my build thread

Gpm
The GPM’s are surprisingly good shocks, and the 6mm shaft is a big plus. They’re the best aftermarket shocks I’ve bought, with great construction, good O-rings and no leaks, and valve discs that are easily drilled if you want. The most disappointing shock purchase I ever made was for the ProLines, which were very highly recommended and had great reviews, were very expensive, and ended up leaking after a couple runs, crappy O-rings, and as good as I could do rebuilding them they never lasted more than a couple packs without leaking. I sold them to a ProLine fanboy on another forum.
The last GPM ones I got were Lim/Infraction units and the springs felt slightly stiffer than stock. I think I put 60w in them and they’re pretty good. The ones I got before that have the Redondo Beach Ti springs and I ended up with 100w in those. That setup is on a speed runner and they’re so stiff it’s almost like running struts.
You'll like the GPM’s, but if your truck is all aluminum everything I think you’ll end up wanting a bit more spring than what comes on them. But maybe their off-road shocks do have stiffer springs than their on-road stuff, I don’t know. I’ll check out your build thread.

Edit: You should link your build thread and get your banner, it would make it much easier to find.
I remember seeing it now that I found it. You used the Arrma EXB chassis, so that’s good where weight is concerned, as it’s not one of those massively thick and heavy M2C or JBI ones. The springs you got on those GPM’s might be fine, although your NOTO is definitely a bit heavier than stock. The off-road springs you got have the dual spring configuration, so that’s a plus. If you get the ID/OD and length of the springs you can find replacements in a number of rates pretty easily. You’ll also have the benefit of a true progressive rate setup. Have fun with it!
You have a great looking build going there!
 
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The GPM’s are surprisingly good shocks, and the 6mm shaft is a big plus. They’re the best aftermarket shocks I’ve bought, with great construction, good O-rings and no leaks, and valve discs that are easily drilled if you want. The most disappointing shock purchase I ever made was for the ProLines, which were very highly recommended and had great reviews, were very expensive, and ended up leaking after a couple runs, crappy O-rings, and as good as I could do rebuilding them they never lasted more than a couple packs without leaking. I sold them to a ProLine fanboy on another forum.
The last GPM ones I got were Lim/Infraction units and the springs felt slightly stiffer than stock. I think I put 60w in them and they’re pretty good. The ones I got before that have the Redondo Beach Ti springs and I ended up with 100w in those. That setup is on a speed runner and they’re so stiff it’s almost like running struts.
You'll like the GPM’s, but if your truck is all aluminum everything I think you’ll end up wanting a bit more spring than what comes on them. But maybe their off-road shocks do have stiffer springs than their on-road stuff, I don’t know. I’ll check out your build thread.

Edit: You should link your build thread and get your banner, it would make it much easier to find.
I remember seeing it now that I found it. You used the Arrma EXB chassis, so that’s good where weight is concerned, as it’s not one of those massively thick and heavy M2C or JBI ones. The springs you got on those GPM’s might be fine, although your NOTO is definitely a bit heavier than stock. The off-road springs you got have the dual spring configuration, so that’s a plus. If you get the ID/OD and length of the springs you can find replacements in a number of rates pretty easily. You’ll also have the benefit of a true progressive rate setup. Have fun with it!
You have a great looking build going there!
Thanks Dan , I appreciate you man. This is all trial and error for me , I haven’t been on the hobby very long . I need to learn how to drive on my first run I blew the centre diff and I went crazy and stripped the entire truck. I thought what better way to learn the hobby than an entire tare down and rebuild . I’m learning a lot as I go with the help of guys like you . I’ve got some cheapie badgers and built a ramp and I’m learning how to jump , it’s harder than it looks, I’m not great , but I’m having fun trying. I probably have double what the truck cost in parts, I’m a bit of an extremist.
 
Thanks Dan , I appreciate you man. This is all trial and error for me , I haven’t been on the hobby very long . I need to learn how to drive on my first run I blew the centre diff and I went crazy and stripped the entire truck. I thought what better way to learn the hobby than an entire tare down and rebuild . I’m learning a lot as I go with the help of guys like you . I’ve got some cheapie badgers and built a ramp and I’m learning how to jump , it’s harder than it looks, I’m not great , but I’m having fun trying. I probably have double what the truck cost in parts, I’m a bit of an extremist.
This forum is a great place to learn, with probably the best members here than anywhere. It’s a fantastic resource for those ready to absorb a huge amount of information. What thing one member doesn’t know, another is an expert on. I was a suspension guy for a long time in the 1:1 track world, so I love the shock setup conversations!
Dude, you did it all the right way IMO. I agree that there is no better way to learn than doing a nut and bolt teardown and rebuild, including diff rebuild/shimming. And the cool thing is, now you basically know everything there is to know concerning a build with any 6s Arrma. Everything else is just very specific details. And those are the things that sometimes frustrate us the most, keep us wrenching relentlessly, and spark endless debates on LiPo’s, droop settings, tire/wheel combos, the best differential fluid and grease, and even what shock oil to run! 😊
You’re gonna have a ball with that NOTO, man.
 
This forum is a great place to learn, with probably the best members here than anywhere. It’s a fantastic resource for those ready to absorb a huge amount of information. What thing one member doesn’t know, another is an expert on. I was a suspension guy for a long time in the 1:1 track world, so I love the shock setup conversations!
Dude, you did it all the right way IMO. I agree that there is no better way to learn than doing a nut and bolt teardown and rebuild, including diff rebuild/shimming. And the cool thing is, now you basically know everything there is to know concerning a build with any 6s Arrma. Everything else is just very specific details. And those are the things that sometimes frustrate us the most, keep us wrenching relentlessly, and spark endless debates on LiPo’s, droop settings, tire/wheel combos, the best differential fluid and grease, and even what shock oil to run! 😊
You’re gonna have a ball with that NOTO, man.
Thanks brother , I can’t wait !☃️

This forum is a great place to learn, with probably the best members here than anywhere. It’s a fantastic resource for those ready to absorb a huge amount of information. What thing one member doesn’t know, another is an expert on. I was a suspension guy for a long time in the 1:1 track world, so I love the shock setup conversations!
Dude, you did it all the right way IMO. I agree that there is no better way to learn than doing a nut and bolt teardown and rebuild, including diff rebuild/shimming. And the cool thing is, now you basically know everything there is to know concerning a build with any 6s Arrma. Everything else is just very specific details. And those are the things that sometimes frustrate us the most, keep us wrenching relentlessly, and spark endless debates on LiPo’s, droop settings, tire/wheel combos, the best differential fluid and grease, and even what shock oil to run! 😊
You’re gonna have a ball with that NOTO, man.
Here are the specs on the Gpm’s

The GPM’s are surprisingly good shocks, and the 6mm shaft is a big plus. They’re the best aftermarket shocks I’ve bought, with great construction, good O-rings and no leaks, and valve discs that are easily drilled if you want. The most disappointing shock purchase I ever made was for the ProLines, which were very highly recommended and had great reviews, were very expensive, and ended up leaking after a couple runs, crappy O-rings, and as good as I could do rebuilding them they never lasted more than a couple packs without leaking. I sold them to a ProLine fanboy on another forum.
The last GPM ones I got were Lim/Infraction units and the springs felt slightly stiffer than stock. I think I put 60w in them and they’re pretty good. The ones I got before that have the Redondo Beach Ti springs and I ended up with 100w in those. That setup is on a speed runner and they’re so stiff it’s almost like running struts.
You'll like the GPM’s, but if your truck is all aluminum everything I think you’ll end up wanting a bit more spring than what comes on them. But maybe their off-road shocks do have stiffer springs than their on-road stuff, I don’t know. I’ll check out your build thread.

Edit: You should link your build thread and get your banner, it would make it much easier to find.
I remember seeing it now that I found it. You used the Arrma EXB chassis, so that’s good where weight is concerned, as it’s not one of those massively thick and heavy M2C or JBI ones. The springs you got on those GPM’s might be fine, although your NOTO is definitely a bit heavier than stock. The off-road springs you got have the dual spring configuration, so that’s a plus. If you get the ID/OD and length of the springs you can find replacements in a number of rates pretty easily. You’ll also have the benefit of a true progressive rate setup. Have fun with it!
You have a great looking build going there!
You’re awesome man , how do I link my build thread to my banner?
 

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