Suspension & Brakes Theory, alignment, spring rates....

Air Suspension?

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Old Jan 3, 2011 | 05:59 AM
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Default Air Suspension?

Hi.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of this system - ksport Airtech Pro Suspension System?
Is the car more stable with this type of suspension compared to conventional coil spring type?
Thank you!
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Old Jan 6, 2011 | 05:43 AM
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Default Re: Air Suspension?

bump
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Old Jan 6, 2011 | 05:49 AM
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Default Re: Air Suspension?

I wouldn't trust it to guard my peanuts.

What are your goals for the car? Why consider air? If considering air why consider the cheesiest manufacturer?

Looking to track the car? Try something that's been proven.

Looking to be dumped? Might work for you, but I'd recommend getting something with a lifetime warranty. Though I bet being dumped voids almost any warranty of any suspension part. Koni/GC and top hats are extremely popular among even the form>function people mainly for the quality of the product even at dis-functionally low heights.
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Old Jan 6, 2011 | 10:10 AM
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Default Re: Air Suspension?

There are performance-oriented air suspension kits out there. The KSport models cost north of $4,600 for Hondas, so you better be sure that's really what you want. I mean, that's more than what most (if not all) EG Civics are worth.

I remember Sport Compact Car (RIP) doing air suspension on a WRX, and talking about how it has a progressive nature (like progressive-rate springs), but that it gets WAY stiff, WAY fast, like much faster than any progressive rate spring out there. I don't remember too much else about the article unfortunately.

I also don't know if you can set up "presets" for different ride heights or not. Ideally you would want a certain preset height that you use when you align the car, and then you can adjust it lower for a show, or higher for temporary increased ground clearance or something, then go back to the exact same preset height that you were at before.

I'm sure that would wreak havoc on rubber bushings, though.

*edit* I'm also guessing that KSport's air suspension is likely NOT manufactured at the same place where their cheap@$$ coilovers are made. So it's very likely that the quality of the one product has no relation at all to the quality of the other product.
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Old Jan 6, 2011 | 10:30 AM
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Default Re: Air Suspension?

Wow. I didn't know they cost that much. I've seen them on some sponsor ads and such but just thought they were bologna.
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Old Jan 6, 2011 | 10:36 AM
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Default Re: Air Suspension?

wow just noticed the Ksport air system has the airbags mounted on adjustable collars, like the spring coilover systems. So can adjust height both with the bags and with the collars.

Another thing about air suspension: you essentially get a variable spring rate by changing the air pressure in the bags. So you could potentially alter your spring rate by adding or decreasing the air pressure in the bag, and using the collars to keep the ride height the same.
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Old Jan 6, 2011 | 10:47 AM
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Default Re: Air Suspension?

D2 also has a similar air setup for nearly $4K for Honda applications.

I've actually wondered if KSport and D2 had been in the air suspension business for awhile and only got into the spring coilover suspension business in the past few years.
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Old Jan 6, 2011 | 11:00 AM
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Default Re: Air Suspension?

Originally Posted by PatrickGSR94
D2 also has a similar air setup for nearly $4K for Honda applications.

I've actually wondered if KSport and D2 had been in the air suspension business for awhile and only got into the spring coilover suspension business in the past few years.
Pretty safe conclusion if they have the gonads to sell a $4,000 air suspension setup. It's probable.
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Old Jan 6, 2011 | 11:35 AM
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Default Re: Air Suspension?

Originally Posted by PatrickGSR94
wow just noticed the Ksport air system has the airbags mounted on adjustable collars, like the spring coilover systems. So can adjust height both with the bags and with the collars.

Another thing about air suspension: you essentially get a variable spring rate by changing the air pressure in the bags. So you could potentially alter your spring rate by adding or decreasing the air pressure in the bag, and using the collars to keep the ride height the same.
Sounds like the system just needs some position sensors, to allow the user to get the ride height correct with pressure and perch changes to preserve the alignment.
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Old Jan 6, 2011 | 11:51 AM
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Default Re: Air Suspension?

Originally Posted by TunerN00b
Sounds like the system just needs some position sensors, to allow the user to get the ride height correct with pressure and perch changes to preserve the alignment.
That seems so crazy though. You could never drive except for at the height your car was aligned at.

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Old Jan 6, 2011 | 12:17 PM
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Default Re: Air Suspension?

Originally Posted by ek forever guy
That seems so crazy though. You could never drive except for at the height your car was aligned at.

well, that's just how it is with any adjustable-height suspension, including spring coilovers. I bet many people with air/hydro suspension (cars, trucks, lowriders, etc) don't care much about alignment and what it does to tires.
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Old Jan 6, 2011 | 02:12 PM
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Default Re: Air Suspension?

Originally Posted by PatrickGSR94
well, that's just how it is with any adjustable-height suspension, including spring coilovers. I bet many people with air/hydro suspension (cars, trucks, lowriders, etc) don't care much about alignment and what it does to tires.
Nah, dey care, y0! Dat's why dey be usin' dem live axle carz, foo!

Really though, a live axle has no toe or camber curve. It is the perfect suspension design for variable ride height use.

How does the Audi Allroad handle ride height changes (selectable while driving) and toe?
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Old Jan 6, 2011 | 04:14 PM
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Default Re: Air Suspension?

It sounds like that it is not good for a track.
I allready have AST coilovers kit. It cost more than 2 grands and it is laying on the shelf over 2 years
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