Offical eH squad list.
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,334
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From: MA
Re: Offical eH squad list.
well what you basically said was im super dropped and it hugs corners very well.
now you just said they can be used to slam it but wont handle that well unless it is at a "functional" ride height.
which brings me to something else. what exactly is "functional ride height"? i mean a super slammed car can drive down the road and a super lifted chevy can drive down the road. is one more "functional" than the other?
and to gabes point..hugging corners on the street is nothing like tracking or being on course at autox. i too used to "spirited drive" and thought i was pushing my car to the limit. ummm not even close. my first track event my instructor signs me off and says "without me in he car it will handle differently." i thought to myself..ive driven hard with people in the car and by myself without a difference. so i go out..pit exit is in 2 i used 3 to check the brakes 4 is a kink and 5/6 is a double apex..first lap out i come out of 6 sideways. i was like damn..he was right.
and on that note since i started tracking/autoxing i havent done spirited driving as in bombing the back roads it.s not worth it especially not that i have a family started. on course or on track it is a closed "track". can something happen yes. but you are in a safe enviroment where you dont have to worry about deer or cars coming from the other direction. so in turn you can then push the car even harder.
now you just said they can be used to slam it but wont handle that well unless it is at a "functional" ride height.
which brings me to something else. what exactly is "functional ride height"? i mean a super slammed car can drive down the road and a super lifted chevy can drive down the road. is one more "functional" than the other?
and to gabes point..hugging corners on the street is nothing like tracking or being on course at autox. i too used to "spirited drive" and thought i was pushing my car to the limit. ummm not even close. my first track event my instructor signs me off and says "without me in he car it will handle differently." i thought to myself..ive driven hard with people in the car and by myself without a difference. so i go out..pit exit is in 2 i used 3 to check the brakes 4 is a kink and 5/6 is a double apex..first lap out i come out of 6 sideways. i was like damn..he was right.
and on that note since i started tracking/autoxing i havent done spirited driving as in bombing the back roads it.s not worth it especially not that i have a family started. on course or on track it is a closed "track". can something happen yes. but you are in a safe enviroment where you dont have to worry about deer or cars coming from the other direction. so in turn you can then push the car even harder.
I'm dropped and I can take a full corner and maybe start scrapping mudguards so as far as going to an Autocross event or race track I would be fine for the most part. At this height I'm loosing function. I need to be able to just slow down normally and go over bumps instead of like almost stopping on bumps and still scrape ya know? My biggest problem is going up an entryway/driveway. Sometimes you just have to be quick and other people dont really want to wait for you to slowly get in a driveway
Just by being an inch higher I would be able to enter my driveway no problem, never scrape mudguards and not have to worry about dodging manholes so that my UCAs hit the shock tower.
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Sacrament ho, California, United States
Re: Offical eH squad list.
I'd have to assume a 'functional' ride height is either where the car is still useful, and not so low its impractical. or where the ride height is in a position where the full extent of the suspension geometry isn't being tested.
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: MA
Re: Offical eH squad list.
Taken from another thread:
"Functional ride height has a very simple definition in my book. It is a ride height that is the best compromise of lowered CoG, available bump travel, and roll center height(and thus dynamic camber curve).
If any one of the above is compromised for aesthetics, the ride height is not set to be functional but to "look good"."
"Functional ride height has a very simple definition in my book. It is a ride height that is the best compromise of lowered CoG, available bump travel, and roll center height(and thus dynamic camber curve).
If any one of the above is compromised for aesthetics, the ride height is not set to be functional but to "look good"."
Re: Offical eH squad list.
Been up since 2am, took my mom to Logan Airport in Boston, got home at 5am, had a bowl of cereal watched tv a little,got to work at 5:50am. At work till 2pm. idk if im going to make it im falling asleep at my desk lol. cant wait to get outta here and go to sleep.
Re: Offical eH squad list.
Taken from another thread:
"Functional ride height has a very simple definition in my book. It is a ride height that is the best compromise of lowered CoG, available bump travel, and roll center height(and thus dynamic camber curve).
If any one of the above is compromised for aesthetics, the ride height is not set to be functional but to "look good"."
"Functional ride height has a very simple definition in my book. It is a ride height that is the best compromise of lowered CoG, available bump travel, and roll center height(and thus dynamic camber curve).
If any one of the above is compromised for aesthetics, the ride height is not set to be functional but to "look good"."
ok. so a stock ride height car is not functional? and is the term ride height a given factor or dependant upon the car? f1 cars are 2 inches off the ground with minimal suspension travel..is that functional? scca showroom stock c cars are that for the most part..stock. have body roll for days as well as fender gap for years. does that make it not functional? but yet seeing tom lepper pitch an em1 into a corner makes me say so. so is "functional ride height" an opinion of the beholder? and if you are super dropped is it to "look good" or be "functional"? old btcc cars we super dropped tucking 17s/18s but seemed "functional" or maybe it was just the free suspension pickup points etc. so once again..what is "functional ride height"?
Re: Offical eH squad list.
ewww. red bull it!
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,312
Likes: 1
From: Sacrament ho, California, United States
Re: Offical eH squad list.
ok. so a stock ride height car is not functional? and is the term ride height a given factor or dependant upon the car? f1 cars are 2 inches off the ground with minimal suspension travel..is that functional? scca showroom stock c cars are that for the most part..stock. have body roll for days as well as fender gap for years. does that make it not functional? but yet seeing tom lepper pitch an em1 into a corner makes me say so. so is "functional ride height" an opinion of the beholder? and if you are super dropped is it to "look good" or be "functional"? old btcc cars we super dropped tucking 17s/18s but seemed "functional" or maybe it was just the free suspension pickup points etc. so once again..what is "functional ride height"?
Re: Offical eH squad list.
which one is more "functional"?
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one has oe mounting/pick up point. one has "custom" points. hmmm.
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From: Between my mind and reality.
Re: Offical eH squad list.
Lol. I hate the term "swagger". I think its the dumbest thing since Sarah Palin. But yeah, my wheels see auto x action. No sense in having it and not using it. 
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From: Working in the NRBG, Garage
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,334
Likes: 1
From: MA
Re: Offical eH squad list.
Based on that right there, I would say a functional suspension setup will depend from application to application.
I use my Civic to get around and I do so on public roadways which have all kinds of terrains. I try to enjoy driving it as much as possible and so the better it can overcome the following while maintaining cornering ability, the better.
Mainly smooth asphalt on highways and patched roads for the most part. There are also speed bumps, bumps, dips, manholes, potholes, steep sudden hills, etcc....
Basically if I raise my car a lot and have soft suspension I will overcome all those things 100% and have a comfortable ride. However I would be sacrificing a lot of cornering ability and responsiveness.
I need my car to take a turn well and keep traction. The responsiveness of the suspension makes it really fun to drive. Being able to turn and have the car go there without being anywhere near the limit is really important to me as well. Makes for a safe handling car also.
It comes down to having a stiffer suspension to do that. Ideally it comes down to picking something that will tailor to your application the best overall.
With my FF1s I feel that I am sacrificing a little street comfort for increased handling performance. I like them because they are able to ride on the street comfortably for the most part while being able to make the car very responsive to steering,acceleration and braking input while keeping a neutral feel that makes it a good car to improve your driving skills in.
The nicer the suspension components you pick the better you will be able to tune it to your needs. You can tune the dampening on certain coilovers and that way you can make it softer or stiffer which will be based on what you want the car to feel like. The more money you spend on coilovers usually means you can get something that can have better ride quality and performance at the same time.
ok. so a stock ride height car is not functional? and is the term ride height a given factor or dependant upon the car? f1 cars are 2 inches off the ground with minimal suspension travel..is that functional? scca showroom stock c cars are that for the most part..stock. have body roll for days as well as fender gap for years. does that make it not functional? but yet seeing tom lepper pitch an em1 into a corner makes me say so. so is "functional ride height" an opinion of the beholder? and if you are super dropped is it to "look good" or be "functional"? old btcc cars we super dropped tucking 17s/18s but seemed "functional" or maybe it was just the free suspension pickup points etc. so once again..what is "functional ride height"?
