355 Motion Control Suspension (MCS) feedback

Super interested in some reply’s here. I’m considering all suspension options right now.


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https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/coilovers-for-f355.615672/page-5


There’s probably only 3-5 people who have this setup. I would reach out to the previous owner of the verde spider as he appears to have extensive track experience.

 

I can't say much about the application but I can say something about MCS. MCS was started by the head Moton buy Lex Carson. He is a suspension guru. I have old Moton doubles on my maranello and have run the MCS 2 ways on my mustang GT racear, the JRZ triples on my past Corvette racecar , and the Spec Corvette Penske shocks on my current Spec Corvette racecar. All the high quality shocks like MCS do what they say. These are all great shocks!

Also realize that 95% of people just buy the shock and spring package recommended by MCS or penske etc. Realize that someone developed that package often a past guy who raced the car keyed into the guys at penske and that's where that driver thought the car was fast. We have no idea how that car was set-up or driver style. We have no idea how much development and is this shock and spring package really the hot ticket?

One of the complaints of the maranello stock suspension was complaints about "proposing." I also just don't like the way a maranello drives. So when I designed my suspension I weighed everything including the corner weights and did the math to come up with spring rates that might be good at a desired "racy" chassis frequency with 10% less in the front to kill any proposing. I had to give my data to the shock guy so he could valve the shocks to the spring rates. These shocks are not only adjustable on the bodies but internally too so as to get whatever dyno graph you want to achieve.

The point of all this is to say the MCS is a great shock like the others. If you have a good manufacturer like MCS that you can talk to you can build just about anything you want. Then once done, you have adjustability for different tracks or situations on a track like dealing with bumps at Sebring. MCS is a real racer's shock. You certainly just buy the package and 90% will be super happy just learning to drive to that package.

 

Not to high jack this but…I’m interested in the Penske double adjustable dampers also. Does anybody have any real life experience with any different setups? Seems like most high end suspension companies have 355 setups, totally would work on 345s correct?


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I say yes. Both chassis near identical. 355 has rudimentary Aero that can change things but not much. I think the under tray made like 150lb of down force. That was a big deal in 1995.

 

Last year I put my F355 Challenge shocks and actuators into storage along with my 2200 lb/in front and 900 lb/in rear Challenge springs. They've been replaced with Penske 8300 Series Double Adjustable Racing Shocks and Hypercoil springs with Eibach helpers...


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After two seasons with this setup, I've noticed a big improvement in handling. It's nice to be able to adjust the shocks to the tracks I go to eg. Watkins Glen, Lime Rock Park, Pocono, Daytona and Sebring. Other adjustments I do are alignment and tire pressures for the specific tracks.

 

What kind of spring rates are you running? Same challenge rates 2200 lb/in front and 900 lb/in rear?

 

The Hyperco coilovers for the front have spring rates of 1750 lbs/in and the rear are 950 lbs/in

The Eibach helpers are 250 lbs/in all around....


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Probably worth noting, MCS system ditches external reservoirs which simplifies the install for a street car. I like their package for a street car IF I were considering after-market dampers. MCS and Quantum would be my choices due to reservoir. But of course, I’m all in with the factory Fiorano Handling Pack.

 

I have MCS shocks on my GT3 and Cayman S. I have a low-mileage 360, so I haven't tried it yet on that car. I am nothing but satisfied with MCS and highly recommend them. My Cayman S is a dual-purpose car built by Peter Dawe, who builds the best track cars.

 

external res is optional on mcs. You use it to increase reproducible valving for on track endurance. You don’t need it on a street car but it is cool. You can also up the res canister pressure adding or subtracting some rate.

 

the res also makes it easy to adjust rebound. Where canisters are usually mounted in easier to reach locations. Compression you usually need to access the top of the shock. Some shocks have compression and rebound on the shock rod easy to access. Some are real inconvenient

 

For the rears, I’ve seen people mount the reservoirs in locations where it’s either too close to exhaust or engine and heats up. If you can find a way to keep them away from heat, that is ideal. Of course, chances are you won’t see them on a 355 if kept away from heat… losing cool factor points.

 

Ken,

My reservoirs are mounted in such a way as to take advantage of heat shielding already in place...


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Lots of good info in this thread so far


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I have Kline Inconel straight pipes and muffler on the Scud. My opinion is with the Inconel, you don’t need to coat or even heat shielded. Heat retention is very good as is.