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| AST Shocks at Vorshlag Motorsports |
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 Vorshlag Motorsports is a dealer for AST Suspension (of The Netherlands). We sell these shocks to our retail customers across North America and the world.
While not yet as familiar to the Americas, AST Suspension has been winning races around the globe since its beginning. AST has built applications for rally, European circle track (dirt), circuit/road racing, time attack, autocross, drifting, on and off road motorcycles and even non-race related applications. Cars running AST dampers can be seen running sprint and endurance races including the 24 Hours of Nurburgring (numerous fastest laps), 25 Hours of Thunderhill (BMW), 24 Hours of Dubai (Audi R8) and more. AST sponsors several "spec" series in Europe that require AST competition dampers for every participant. AST's own Ronnie Kreeft runs AST suspension on his Buell 1125R race bike. AST Suspension is rolling out into the Americas already with strong showings in BMWCCA, SCCA, NASA (GTS3 Championship), SCCA Solo, World Challenge, and various Time Attack series. While focusing on circuit based racing, AST can provide applications for any vehicle, on or off road.
AST dampers are designed for the track, but are still very capable of being street driven. We put thousands of road going test miles on any application from our single adjustable 4100s to our triple adjustable 5300s. AST provides a high quality, monotube adjustable shock comparable to the performance of other monotube dampers costing considerably more. This is possible due to the combination of extensive design experience and the production capabilities of AST's parent company, Smits Machinefabriek. While most high end dampers have to out source their production, AST builds everything in-house at Smits in The Netherlands, with no machine work done at an overseas factory thousands of miles away. This both decreases costs and aides in-house quality control at every stage of manufacture; something most competitors cannot perform. In house manufacturing also means AST can build custom "one off" applications quickly and schedule design updates immediately. There is never a long production run that requires months to schedule design changes while inventory is depleted. AST products are some of the highest quality products on the market, bar none.
With AST's production capabilities we can produce shock shafts that meet the design criteria of the shock. Some manufacturers will produce one shaft and use it for struts and shocks in all applications. They will often tout a larger shaft profile as a feature, when in reality they are substituting their "one size fits all" shaft design in all models - because that is all they have to work with. AST makes a wide variety of shock and strut shafts in 14mm, 22mm, 44mm, 44.5mm, 50mm, and 60mm (for "jumbo" rally struts), just to name a few. Each shaft diameter then has many different combinations of length and mounting styles to match the OEM requirements of the vehicle. No "compliance" spacers are required to mix and match generic shafts to fit the vehicle. We specify the right shaft profile and diameters to do the job. Choosing the correct shaft means we can provide the lightest, best performing shock every time without compromising performance for costs.
The 4000 Series line is the original design from AST employing the most up to date designs for street and track applications. The 4000 Series provides an affordable solution for customers looking for something more than a street coilover kit but not ready to jump into a full-time track setup. 4000 Series shocks can be ordered through select dealers. 4000 Series kits come with specified springs rates to provide you with the best dual purpose daily driver/track day setup.
Taking the knowledge and experience learned with the 4000 Series of dampers, AST is now building the new 5000 Series dampers. One key design feature of the 5000 Series are inverted strut design, which makes for a very stiff strut assembly. Another feature is that the 5000 series shocks and struts are all modular and upgradeable. This provides an upgrade path for customers on a tight budget that want an adjustable, high performance, race-ready shock, but can't quite afford the triple adjustable 5300. Simply purchase 5100s and when you're ready, send your ASTs to an authorized rebuild center to upgrade them to 5200s or 5300s with remote reservoirs. Rest knowing that your shock absorber investment will perform today and in the future, as your budget and needs grow.
Since it not always possible to adjust camber of a racing car perfectly, AST adjustable top mounts change the rules. With four simple bolts, you can adjust the camber of the car in a very short time. AST mounts are made from aviation grade materials like those used in their other products. AST spherical upper shock mounts are also built along the same lines. The quality and care put into AST's manufacturing process means that their top mounts are almost maintenance free. AST air jacks are made from the same material used in our shock absorbers. They are available in 2 different diameters, so they can be used for different weight competition cars. Complete kits including plumbing are available. During a pit-stop every second counts, the time taken to jack up your car could mean the difference between first and second place.
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AST Shock Models
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These are the standard shock series that AST builds for North America, some of which are custom built to order (AST 5300, for example). There are other variations made for some custom applications, but most will fall into these basic categories. Please drop us a line if you don't see something you need among these models.
AST 5100
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» High end, track ready suspension that is totally streetable
» Modular design - Fully upgradeable to 5200 or 5300 spec
» Rebound Adjustable ("Singles"), without reservoir
» Certain models will have remote reservoirs, for adequate travel
» 44.5mm diameter shaft struts, Inverted
» Aluminum cylinder, threaded body shocks, factory mounting style
» Shock may also be inverted, depending on model. Example: Corvette, Mini Cooper, VW GTI
» Spherical lower "eye" shock mounts
» Spherical upper shock mount assemblies
» Synthetic hydraulic fluid
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AST 5200
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» High end, race ready suspension that is totally streetable
» Modular design - Fully upgradeable to 5300 spec
» Rebound and Compression Adjustable ("Doubles"), with a remote reservoir
» Remote reservoirs allow additional travel and heat dissipation
» 44.5mm diameter shaft struts, Inverted
» Aluminum cylinder, threaded body shocks, factory mounting style
» Shock may also be inverted, depending on model (example: Corvette, Mini Cooper, VW GTI)
» Spherical lower "eye" shock mounts
» Reservoir with hose or piggyback (piggyback examples: '08 STI & BMW E36 rears)
» Spherical upper shock mount assemblies
» Synthetic hydraulic fluid
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AST 5300
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» High end, track ready suspension that is totally streetable
» Rebound, Low & Hi Speed Compression Adjustable ("Triples"), with a remote reservoir
» Remote reservoirs allow additional travel and heat dissipation
» 44.5mm diameter shaft struts, Inverted
» Available with 50 and 60mm diameter Inverted shaft struts (special order)
» Aluminum cylinder, threaded body shocks, factory mounting style
» Shock may also be inverted, depending on model (example: Corvette, Mini Cooper, VW GTI)
» Spherical lower "eye" shock mounts
» Reservoir with hose or piggyback (piggyback examples: '08 STI & BMW E36 rears)
» Spherical upper shock mount assemblies
» Synthetic hydraulic fluid
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AST 4100
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» Rebound Adjustable ("Singles")
» 22mm diameter shaft struts, non-inverted
» Steel cylinder body shocks, non-inverted
» Rubber bushings for "eye" shock mounts
» Optional spherical upper shock mount assemblies
» Non-synthetic hydraulic fluid
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AST 4200
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» Rebound and Compression Adjustable, without reservoirs ("Internal Doubles")
» 22mm diameter shaft struts, non-inverted
» Aluminum threaded cylinder shocks, non-inverted
» Spherical lower "eye" shock mounts
» Optional spherical upper shock mount assemblies
» Synthetic hydraulic fluid
» Designed for racing classes that require any adjustment be internal ("no reservoirs")
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