Air Ride vs Coil Overs vs Nice Conventional

[CTX-SLPR]

Howdy,

This isn't exactly for a G-body so I guess I'm looking for a bit more general of an answer but how do each of these setups work for all around handling? I know bags look killer being able to slam the car and still drive it at a height to clear speed bumps but I try to take a fuctional approach to my automotive escapades. Comments appreciated for all of them.

Thanks,

 

[bruce]

Comments appreciated for all of them.

Coil-overs, are the way to go, IMO. Having the shock run in exactly the same planes as the springs, makes all the difference in shock being able to precisely dampen the spring. Well, unless, you're talking about a car with a *pushrod* suspension, and Riley/Miller doing the design (<G>). I have the QA1 setup on the back of my car, and one of the *todo* items in a front conversion to them.

Air Bags are fine for tractor trailers, and cute looks, IMO. While there have been a few articles about air bag cars, and handling, I hardly find much in common between Road Atlanta, and driving thur Dayton.

 

[turbofish38]

Here is copy and paste of a thread I found about handling and bags. Scroll down to what Tony has to say about air springs: http://pro-touring.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-1793.html
It makes sense to me. And I see where AirRide Technoligies offers adjustable shocks in the Shock Wave springs. I tell you if I had the time and money I wouldn't mind putting this system on one of my cars just to see.

 

[bruce]

Here is copy and paste of a thread I found about handling and bags. Scroll down to what Tony has to say about air springs: http://pro-touring.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-1793.html
It makes sense to me. And I see where AirRide Technoligies offers adjustable shocks in the Shock Wave springs. I tell you if I had the time and money I wouldn't mind putting this system on one of my cars just to see.

Disreguard..

 

[FBSideoiler427]

OK - I'll post "Tony's" comment here so you wont have to click on the thread.

I've cut out all the chatter and kept the real technical stuff, which we all yearn, for all of us to read. My comments in bold. He sums it up in the end anyway. He says......

Like any suspension system, for it to work properly for you application the system needs to be built to do so...........a wonderfully handling piece (we want specs, facts, figures, real world tests).....to prove that vehicles with a properly built airsuspension will handle as well as a true built performance suspension (we want specs, facts, figures, real world tests). I am sure you guys will be reading alot about ................ Autoweek TV had a segment ..... and gave it very favorable results (we want specs, facts, figures, real world tests. Horsepower TV did a segment ...........performed absolutely awesome (we want specs, facts, figures, real world tests. If you stop and think about an airsuspension in the purest sense it will be alot easier for you to see what I am talking about. An airbag is a spring. (Well, if its a spring, how do you adjust its K constant? How do you make it a progressive rate spring?) It exhibits a spring rate.Just like a performance oriented coil spring it has a progressive spring rate (Please state the ranges). It is completely adjustable. Meaning that you can literally change the spring rate of the car by simply making changes in pressure. You can vary the pressure a few pounds either directly from your target ride height pressure, not effecting aesthetic ride height but changing the way the car performs. Airsprings also do not transmit frequency so they will help absorb some of the punishment your chassis is seeing from those low profile big barreled rollers we all like to run.
I am trying to post this with some good information for you guys without sounding like this is a blatant self promotional post....(this is exactly what I was thinking)