Just wondering what I should do for a no holds barred highway suspension(handling). Comfort is of no concern to me. Just wondering what route some of you would take. Springs? Shocks? etc.

Thanks in advance - Max

 

How much handling do you need on the highway unless you're trying to run from the fuz?

If you want ultimate mountain/autocross handling, how much $$ are you willing to spend for the "ultimate."

 

Look at the Mallett/Penske 8100 series (fully adjustable). I have it on my car and it is unbelievable. Retails for around $3,300 I believe. http://www.mallettcars.com

 

Full T1 setup if you want to retain factory configuration (springs/swaybars and shocks). Or double adjustable Penske coilovers and some big swaybars (T1 again I'd say).

Dope

 

Lets pretend money is not a problem for now. And factory style suspension is not a must either. Coil over's are they any better than standard leaf springs?

 

If thats the case, can I borrow some :lol: :lol: :lol: :seeya

 

Coil-overs with external resevoirs. I'd also take a look at the solid spherical bushings that LG is coming out with later this month, it eliminates nearly all the play in the suspension.

 

Talk to Randy Rippie at DRM 763-477-9272. He knows his stuff better than most and he'll take the time to talk to you. They do cost a bit but Coilovers are definitely better and you have literally no more "crosstalk". And be careful about going with too harsh of a setup--I thought that it wasn't a problem too until you actually feel something too harsh. Pay attention to the quality of the roads you have in NJ. California roads vary but there's definitely a setup that's too harsh. Plus going with a suspension that's too tight doesn't make sense on the street. At a certain point, you're creating a car better suited for a track. A suspension that's too tight might actually handle worse on the street than something with more compliance. That's my 2 cents.


[Modified by Paras, 4:14 PM 3/8/2004]

 

here's another angle.....don't forget to lower it...if comfort is no issue. it'll drop your center of gravity by about 2"....that's enough to feel some suspension-performance type gain...and it's cheap!!! WOT.....make sure you got something on there other than the runflats too. no matter how good your suspension is....tires are a HUGE factor....good luck

 

Exactly what I was getting at, that's why I was asking around for street setups. I am afraid of going to harsh and ending up with worse handling or unpredictable handling.

 

There car is lowered over 2 inches now and is mini-tubbed for wider tires. I haven't come to a final decision on tires yet. I'm pretty sure I'm going to run ccw's.

 

Any time...... :lol:

 

I'm glad that you guys are talking about suspensions. It is something that I feel we are the best at. There are many varibles that come with setting up suspensions. Type of driving, tires, driver, and so on. DRM has worked closely with Bilstein for at least 13 years that I can think of. The Hyperco springs are used with all of our coilover packages! The "Harsh" suspensions can be a problem and there is a very fine line between harsh and perfect. Paras is a good example (sorry for putting you in front of the classroom) He purchanced a C-5 coilover setup from us, and found it to be ruff in the rear of the car over big bumps in the road. He then raised the back of the car about a half inch because the shock was bottoming out on bigger bumps. There was a improvement! The ride still isn't perfect, for him. So I sent him a softer spring for the rear and this should cure the rear of the car. The front of the car is rock soild so there is not a reason for any change. Thanks Paras for being the example. Let me know.
Now for a new example Steve. He has had the exact same setup on his car for about 3 or 4 years. He's only problem is the car handles great, fast time of the day at major Corvette auto crosses, fun all day at many open track days a year. He still drives the car on the street with no major complaints.
So what I'm trying to get at is no two cars or owners are alike.

Thank you everyone again for the nice things you are saying about DRM

Randy Rippie

 

Wide Open Throttle--just keep the spring rates in mind. Keep it touch and I'll let you know how 450 front and 550 back works (I still have to get non-runflats too). How are the roads in Jersey?

No problem Randy. I will let you know soon!

-Paras (~The pre-school student of driving around corners...)


[Modified by Paras, 10:44 AM 3/11/2004]

 

Dont forget me Randy... Morons who love their cars so low that we have to get out and pick the car up to go over man holes. Tell them about the new set up your working with the shorter/shock body and spring. :cheers:

 

I haven't forgotton about you guys that want a slammed ride. I was curious about how the front shocks ended up with the new springs. I called out there to ask if they got the shocks on your car yet. I didn't get a answer. Can you please tell me? For some reason I'm the last guy to find out anything good and the first to find out the bad. I hope everything is well. Let me know!!

Randy

 

No to hijack a thread but wow... Vettethret--how can you drive your car so low? Doesn't the car scrape on every single bump?

 

I forgot to talk about the new suspension that we are working on with vettethret. It has a shorter shock combined with a shorter spring. This ables a car to run lower than a standard shock lengh. As you can tell by vettethret's pics he is down low. We have been having some problems with the handling but we are on the right track. Thank you Vettethret for being patient and for the feedback.

 

Randy,

I stopped by West Coast on lunch and the Bilsteins will be in tomorrow. I noticed how soft the spring rate is in the front and I was told because of the shorter spring it will increase stiffness ie. my 7" 375lb spring is equal to the 450lb standard 9" spring. Does that sound right to you? I can wait to get them on. I have had the proshocks on the front the last week and the car is bouncing around like a pogo stick. I wish I had a mullett because it would fit the ride :crazy: As soon as I get em installed I let you know. Thanks for sending the springs out so fast.

Mike :cheers:

 

The roads in Jersey are horrible. I just have to keep one eye on the road surface and the other eye on traffic. LOL.