Noob's Guide to Modding Suspension!

Summary

In this comprehensive noob's guide to suspension, the video explores various types of car suspension systems, from non-adjustable options like lowering springs and drop spindles to adjustable ones, including coilovers, hydraulics, air suspension, and magnetic suspension. It highlights the benefits and drawbacks of each, providing insights on cost, performance, ride comfort, and ease of adjustment. The guide emphasizes the importance of research and compatibility with aftermarket setups, especially for performance-driven drivers.

Takeaways

• 🔧 Lowering springs are primarily for aesthetics but also improve handling by reducing the car's center of gravity, though they often result in a harsher ride.
• 📏 When choosing springs, 'linear' and 'progressive' are key terms; linear springs offer consistent performance, while progressive springs adjust their stiffness in response to driving conditions.
• 💰 Lowering springs are the most cost-effective option for lowering a car's height, but they can degrade the ride quality and wear out the factory struts faster.
• 🔨 Drop spindles offer a fixed drop in ride height and are best suited for vehicles with leaf springs or older suspension systems, but they are expensive and not adjustable.
• 🔄 Coilovers are a versatile and adjustable suspension option that can change both ride height and stiffness, offering a balance between cost and performance.
• 🛠 Hydraulic suspension systems use fluid to lift and lower the car, offering a wide range of travel and fast reaction times, but require significant supporting modifications and are costly to install.
• 🎈 Air suspension provides on-the-go adjustability of ride height and can offer a smooth ride, but it requires additional accessories for installation and may not be as firm as other systems.
• 🔧 Lowering bolts are a simple and cost-effective way to lower a car's height, especially on sports cars or trucks with leaf springs, but aftermarket options can be expensive and may not offer significant height reduction.
• 🧲 Magnetic suspension, or MagneRide, offers superior ride quality and adjustability, reacting in real-time to road conditions for the best performance, but it is very expensive and primarily a performance upgrade.
• 🛒 MagneRide can be an add-on to other suspension types like coilovers or lowering bolts, allowing for a combination of desired aesthetics and performance.
• 👍 The video emphasizes the importance of research and understanding the specific needs and compatibility of suspension modifications with one's vehicle.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of lowering springs in a car's suspension system?

Lowering springs are mostly for aesthetics, but they also reduce the car's center of gravity, which can improve performance by reducing squat, bogging, and body roll.

How does the ride quality differ between linear and progressive springs in non-adjustable suspension?

Linear springs provide a fixed and predictable ride, while progressive springs are more reactive, stiffening during sudden movements like acceleration or braking, and providing a softer ride under normal driving conditions.

What are the main advantages of using lowering springs for a car?

Lowering springs are extremely affordable and the cheapest way to lower a car besides cutting stock springs. However, they can result in a harsher ride than stock and may wear out factory struts faster.

What is the purpose of drop spindles in a car's suspension system?

Drop spindles provide a fixed drop in the car's ride height and are used mainly in cars with leaf springs or old truck technology, helping to preserve OEM ride quality.

Why might someone choose coilovers over lowering springs or drop spindles?

Coilovers offer the best budget option for adjustable ride height and stiffness, providing a balance between cost and performance, and are compatible with most aftermarket setups.

What is the main advantage of hydraulic suspension systems?

Hydraulic suspension systems offer the fastest reaction time for adjusting ride heights and the longest length of travel, making them suitable for applications requiring quick lifting and lowering of the vehicle.

What are some of the disadvantages of using hydraulic suspension systems?

Hydraulic systems are expensive to install, require a lot of supporting mods, have many points of failure, and often result in giving up trunk space for the necessary components.

How does air suspension differ from coilovers in terms of adjustability and convenience?

Air suspension allows for adjustable ride height on the go, providing a smooth and comfortable ride, and can be adjusted without having to exit the vehicle, unlike coilovers which require manual adjustment with a spanner.

What are the main disadvantages of using air suspension systems?

Air suspension systems may not be as stiff as other systems, require regular maintenance, and necessitate aftermarket accessories and supporting mods for installation, including giving up trunk space.

What is the main advantage of magnetic suspension (Magneride) systems?

Magnetic suspension systems offer superior ride quality, being able to adjust stiffness on the fly and react to road conditions in real-time, providing a smooth and responsive driving experience.

Why might someone consider magnetic suspension (Magneride) over other types of suspension systems?

Magneride systems are extremely advanced, offering the best ride quality and the ability to scan and adjust to road conditions instantly, making them ideal for performance driving and aggressive street use.