AFCO Racing’s new Accelerator Series coilover shocks bridge the long-standing gap between entry-level performance and competition design, answering a problem that’s quietly existed in the street rod and street/strip suspension market for years. At their core, these shocks bring a level of technical foresight to hobbyists who want something that looks good, works well, and can evolve as their project does, all without forcing a significant chassis overhaul.
Eric Saffell, AFCO’s National Account Manager, says the Accelerator line was built “for the guy who wants a high-quality, great-looking coilover setup without doing the same work twice.” As he explains, “There are a lot of lower-cost coilovers out there that mount with a post or bayonet up top and an eyelet on the bottom. When that guy later wants to step up to a true performance shock, he has to cut the upper mounts off and re-weld new ones. We solved that by making the Accelerator an eyelet-to-eyelet shock, so if you ever upgrade to something like our rebuildable Eliminator or Big Gun shock, the mounts are already correct. You only do the job once.” The Accelerator series shocks are built for a 12-1/2-inch center-to-center ride height (the shock is 9.75 inches compressed and 14.63 inches extended).
That mounting geometry choice makes the Accelerator a direct path to AFCO’s higher-end shocks, giving enthusiasts a platform that can stay with them through the car’s evolution. The chrome body and spring finish offer the kind of long-term durability and appearance that street and show car owners want, while the internal valving and coilover adjustability deliver ride quality that’s surprisingly refined for the price point. “It’s a medium valving, which means the shock operates smoothly without excessive resistance. You get a comfortable ride with enough control to keep body roll in check. Pair that with the right spring rate for the car’s weight and it’s a complete package that feels right from the start,” Saffell explains.
AFCO has already tested the Accelerator line under a range of vehicles, from lightweight T-buckets to all-steel muscle cars, confirming its versatility. Saffell notes that “these aren’t limited to lightweight cars. We’ve had them under a ’57 Chevrolet with a small-block and mini-tubs, and it rode and handled great.” Multiple spring rates are available (ranging from 125 to 350 lbs.), allowing builders to dial in the desired ride height and accommodate the overall weight of anything from a classic roadster to a full-bodied cruiser or drag-and-drive car hauling gear.
Although the Accelerator isn’t a valve-adjustable shock, its ride-height adjustability and overall balance make it more than capable for entry-level drag racing or street/strip builds. Saffell sees it filling a gap for builders looking for an all-in-one solution: “This could easily be a permanent solution for a street rod or show car that’s one-and-done. But for someone chasing performance, it’s also a great first step—put these on, learn the car, and later move up to a billet, adjustable AFCO piece without re-engineering the suspension.”
And beyond the street scene, Saffell sees a practical use in the growing drag-and-drive community. “You could run your race shocks on the track and bolt on Accelerators with stiffer springs for towing or highway miles between events. It’s a turnkey setup once the spring rate’s selected. There’s no cobbled-together sleeves or compromises.”
With their versatile mounting design, smooth mid-range valving, and show-worthy chromed 10-inch coilover assembly, AFCO’s Accelerator Series shocks deliver the company’s hallmark engineering in a product that’s both attainable and adaptable, creating an ideal starting point that still carries the DNA of a serious performance racing part.
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