Keep in mind also that dampening pack can "feel" similar by jockeying piston hole size and oil weight.
For example... an Associated #1 piston with 50wt oil might "feel" the same as an Associated #3 with 20wt oil. By "feel" i mean when the shock shaft is moved in and out of the shock body by hand.
The difference on the track is a larger holed piston (less piston surface area) with heavier oil will always feel more planted and seem to provide more overall traction... and works great on medium bite asphalt and carpet tracks (even off-road).