Here's my most recent setup for indoor clay at West Coast RC. For now I am running our 2+2 1.5 and 1.1 pistons with AE 30wt, although at times I'll run 27.5 wt rear oil.

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I saw a bunch of people talking about 1.7 pistons which I liked when I was running the stock AE pistons. I think that our 4 hole piston has gone step further in improving the damping. The basic effect I noticed was that the 2 x 1.7 have less low-speed damping and less pack effect since the larger hole won't close up at higher speed. It definitely makes the rear end feel more planted and plush. I ended up running 32.5wt oil with 1.7 rear but I thought it blew through the stroke a little too much and there was a sacrifice on jumping and landing.

Thus we came up with our 4 hole 2+2 piston idea to run 2 x 1.5 or 1.6 hole and 2 x 1.1 hole. The small 1.1 holes give the feel of better grip and less low-speed damping, but on bigger jumps, you get the advantage of running the smaller hole pistons as the 1.1 holes pack out and the piston behaves more like a 2-hole piston. The general rule of thumb is that if you like 1.6, try the 1.5/1.1 versions, and for 1.7, try the 1.6/1.1 and use the same oil to start.

Product Overview

The 1031 pistons represent AVIDs latest development concept which helps tune high speed and low speed damping separately. This simple solution is a 4 hole piston with 2 large 1.6mm holes and 2 small 1.1mm holes (we call it the 2+2 piston), and AVID's test drivers found that these pistons help provide the traction and bump handling of running lighter shock oil or larger piston holes, while still maintaining the control of running heavier oil or smaller hole piston when taking on jumps.

The 1030 series pistons have all holes of the same drill size for those who prefer a more conventional setup but with a tight-fitting piston that has little blow-by. AVID offers popular 2 hole 1.6mm and 4 hole 1.3mm (#55) flat pistons.

Piston Tips

• Use 1.5+1.1 piston in replacement of the 2 x 1.6. In buggy, typically start with 30 wt oil front and 27.5 or 30wt rear.
• Use 1.6+1.1 piston in replacement of the 2 x 1.7. In buggy or truck, typically start with 30 or 32.5 wt oil in rear shocks.
• For a 4wd buggy, we recommend 1.5+1.1 front with 35 wt and 1.6+1.1 rear with 30 wt.

Piston Features

• Fits 12mm shocks for Team Associated, TLR 22, and Kyosho (12mm bore, 3mm hole, 2.5mm thick).
• Machined round with a tighter fit to bore of the shock body for less blow-by.
• AV1031 pistons with 2+2 valving offer increased traction without sacrificing jump handling or driveability.
• Each package includes 4 pistons inside of a Doodad container printed with AVID logo.