So the typical stock jbody rides decently, although I've found it can be bouncy at times, and larger bumps cause the rear to loose composure. There is also way too much body roll The typical lowered jbody (even when done correctly) rides significantly harsher, however the handling/grip is improved.
So what would happen to the ride and handling characteristics if you paired stock springs with something like KYB AGX's or D-specs or Koni's. Would an adjustment to the more firm settings result in sharper handling without the harsh ride, or is it a waste of time?
With responses, please keep in mind that for the purpose of this question I do not care about the look or stance of the car, just the handling and ride (although I'm aware that a lower center of gravity can help handling to an extent).
it wont result in sharper handling as your not getting rid of body roll by lowering the car. all it will do is make the car ride smoother.
A double adjustable strut would help handling just a bit. You could slow down compression, but you'd still have weak spring rates, so it really wouldn't be worth it.
AWD GS wrote:it wont result in sharper handling as your not getting rid of body roll by lowering the car. all it will do is make the car ride smoother.
So the tighter struts will not stop the car from tucking to the side around corners?
Pardon my ignorance, but I'm just trying to find a balance of ride and handling.
My current sportline/koni (front full soft, rear 1/4 from full soft), soaks up sharp bumps nicely, but transitions are rough, such as smooth dips or hills. It doesn't bounce repeatedly, its just too hard on the kidneys. When I had B&G's which i suspect are a higher spring rate than the sportlines, I felt every bump, but transitions were smooth and the car always felt planted, its just my CD player was forever skipping
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I'm looking for reduced body roll from stock (already have addco front and rear, poly bushings all around, and TTR Kbrace), but I'm starting to lean more toward the ride quality aspect. I know that ride quality is subjective, and that its usualy inversely proportional to handling/cornering, but suggestions? Firm strut settings? Lower spring rate? More strut travel?
change the setting on your struts to a softer one.
01' Z24 5 speed
422whp/400wtq
T4 Turbocharged
Built LD9
HP Tuners
AWD GS wrote:it wont result in sharper handling as your not getting rid of body roll by lowering the car. all it will do is make the car ride smoother.
First, by changing your struts, it WILL make your handling "sharper."
Second, the stiffer shocks will help get rid some of the body roll, but that is not their intended purpose. Lowering a car WILL NOT rid your car's body roll. That job is solely done by the stabilizer bar or sway bar what ever you want to call it. And if anything, by having AGX shock, the ride will be stiffer and more compliant with less dive on heavy braking. Think of a European car's ride if you will.
Before I went to Tein, I had the AGXs on the factory's springs and the ride was the best ever. When I lowered, it suffered on the ride. Personally the BIGGEST weakness on the J-body suspension tuning is indeed the shocks. It feels as if it was made for a car weighing in 700lbs less.
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-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----
Mr.Goodwrench-G.T. wrote: And if anything, by having AGX shock, the ride will be stiffer and more compliant with less dive on heavy braking. Think of a European car's ride if you will.
Before I went to Tein, I had the AGXs on the factory's springs and the ride was the best ever. When I lowered, it suffered on the ride. Personally the BIGGEST weakness on the J-body suspension tuning is indeed the shocks. It feels as if it was made for a car weighing in 700lbs less.
I'm trying to understand this, is it because there is still full range of sping/strut travel? European ride quality/handling is kind of what I'm looking for
. Its a shame we have the 4x4 stance with stock springs. Lowing only goes so far, and then you run out of travel and no matter how good your damping is, it will ride like a 4x4 too.
It may be that the koni reds on my car, with ~150k miles of total service, are no longer up to the task and just need to be replaced.
oldskool wrote:Mr.Goodwrench-G.T. wrote: And if anything, by having AGX shock, the ride will be stiffer and more compliant with less dive on heavy braking. Think of a European car's ride if you will.
Before I went to Tein, I had the AGXs on the factory's springs and the ride was the best ever. When I lowered, it suffered on the ride. Personally the BIGGEST weakness on the J-body suspension tuning is indeed the shocks. It feels as if it was made for a car weighing in 700lbs less.
I'm trying to understand this, is it because there is still full range of sping/strut travel? European ride quality/handling is kind of what I'm looking for . Its a shame we have the 4x4 stance with stock springs. Lowing only goes so far, and then you run out of travel and no matter how good your damping is, it will ride like a 4x4 too.
It may be that the koni reds on my car, with ~150k miles of total service, are no longer up to the task and just need to be replaced.
Correct on the full travel. When I lowered I gained on the looks/stance, aerodynamics and center of gravity. But lost in ride quality (upfront) and I'm only at 1.1/0.9.
>>>For Sale? Clicky!<<<
-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----
