Blackfoot CVA shocks - questions

[Frog Jumper 3659]

OK, so I've been using some "yeah racing" aluminum oil dampers on my Bushy D (vintage Bush Devil/Super Blackfoot) with standard Blackfoot front-end suspension...  Here's an example pix: http://jpegbay.com/gallery/005068524-1.html#1

I haven't been too happy with the dampers, although they look really shiny...  They just don't have the same "mushy-ness" as my neighbors Tra**as big bore dampered truck...  So I bought some Tamiya 50520 CVAs for the Bushy D...

I'm waiting still for them to arrive, but I wanted to start a discussion about these for my own sake...  Mine the Tamiya Club database for nuggets of knowledge...

Topic 1:  I noticed (from reading instruction manuals online) that the re-re MB CVAs (I assume the BF too) use the solid piston with the solid flat-head (BC8), while the 50520 uses pistons with attachable e-ringed flat-heads with holes (1, 2, or 3)...  Anyone have any first hand knowledge on a comparison between the different set-ups???  I'm thinking of using the 3-hole flat-head...

Topic 2:  I also want to jazz up my car.  Are there any other colors that I can get the plastic pieces, other than black, yellow, and white???  Do other color CVA shock plastic pieces exist???  I see there are clear blue 50519 parts (???), are there blue or red pieces???  Are these plastic pieces from other cars that I can use to replace the typical 50520/50519 plastic pieces???

Topic 3:  Does anyone have any experience with the 50519s on a Frog???  I think I'll need those for my front-end...   AFAIK the piston and reservoir lengths are shorter???  These have a clear blue option, as mentioned above???

Topic 4:  Hi-Cap Dampers.  How cool are they???  

Thanks,

Terry

 

 

 

 

[Munchbox 100]

I have the 2016 Blackfoot shocks on my Lunchbox. While the spring rates are a little stiff for Lunchbox, the price was right and I got all of the shock parts included with the BF 2016. It does include the e ring flatheads with holes but the shafts come with the flat heads on them. I couldn't see any way to use the holes flat head however. The great thing was that I was able to use parts included with the shocks to adjust size to fit Lunchbox (had to go shorter)

The flat head combined with the yellow shock oil made for a nice even mush even though the spring rates are high. If the springs weren't already preloaded from being shortened I'll bet they would have a perfect squish for all around off road. I'll probably trim them down to relieve the preload and soften everything up a little. Let me know if you don't like the softer springs from the CVA kit and want to offload them. 

As for colors I just painted my wheels a nice bright aluminum color and they look great. I was thinking of doing the shock bodies similar to this. A little paint is an easy (and cheap) alternative to buying new shock parts just to change the color. 

[Frog Jumper 3659]

Thanks Munchy!  Anybody else want to add anything???

The CVAs arrived today in the mail...  Hopefully I'll get some time tonight to play with them...

Terry

 

[Munchbox 100]

My Pop just picked up a Pumpkin kit and went with 2x CVA damper kit for shocks. I'll have to see how they perform vs. Blackfoot shox on my LB but so far I am very happy with BF shocks. I plan to raid his CVA kits first chance I get to see what is included and will check back with a comparison to the BF kit I bought. I suspect that they are the same with the exception of the springs...