Rear Suspension

[Veryfine69]

I see a lot of people use the DSE 4 link suspension, has anyone used the airbar system? what do you think of it? I want to put a 4-link into my 69 Camaro, your input would be very much appreciated.


Morley

[steve spencer]

i put a air bar on my 69 camaro. it was easy to put on. it works great but the downside is it is very expensive plus you need to put air bags up front also. the car rides great down the hiway and the suspention is very tunable. thats my 2 cents this is my third air ride car and the only way to go in my book.

[mazspeed]

I'm not a airbag kind of guy, but it depends on what you are going to do with your car. If you are racing then no, there are much better ways to go. I know they have been touting it as almost as good for racing, but it's not even close. If you are going to show and drive the car around, then it's ok, but just not as a all out performance option.

[customcam]

SS how much did the whole Air system cost?
Did you do a comparison with other set ups?

[steve spencer]

the cost is about 5 grand for the hole shootin match i didnt know how i would like it but man after you drive one i was sold. the race car think is cool but if you are going to drive i can tell you how much better the ride is but im old and i like a/c now also

[Steve1968LS2]

I'm not a airbag kind of guy, but it depends on what you are going to do with your car. If you are racing then no, there are much better ways to go. I know they have been touting it as almost as good for racing, but it's not even close. If you are going to show and drive the car around, then it's ok, but just not as a all out performance option.

Well, I agree partly.. the RIGHT air-spring suspension can do fine on a track. I wouldn't put it in my racecar but putting it in doesn't kill performance.

Several air ride cars will be at the Pigeon Forge autocross in Sept.. guess we will see then :)

I think it's fine for the car that sees occasional track days or auto-x's

[Steve1968LS2]

SS how much did the whole Air system cost?
Did you do a comparison with other set ups?

Some of the answers you see are in here:

http://popularhotrodding.com/tech/0603phr_chevrolet_camaro_air_ride_shockwave_instal l/

[mazspeed]

Well, I agree partly.. the RIGHT air-spring suspension can do fine on a track. I wouldn't put it in my racecar but putting it in doesn't kill performance.

Several air ride cars will be at the Pigeon Forge autocross in Sept.. guess we will see then :)

I think it's fine for the car that sees occasional track days or auto-x's

Well It sort of does kill performance. If you took track times in say your car, then put that suspension system in with everything else being the same, it would come up vastly short. I have driven a few air ride cars and was impressed at the ride, but not the handling. It doesn't rebound and progress at the right speeds for tuning your handling, so you never can get it just right for optimum race car handling, plus it's heavier and you have to run that large air can. Give me a 5 way shock anyday. Plus the fact that "What if it blew a line or bag in a corner" type of worry. I already blow off wheels, not a bag too. :unibrow:

[steve spencer]

i just read the artical listed above and i agree with it . i think air ride tec has got this system nailed .

[Steve1968LS2]

Well It sort of does kill performance. If you took track times in say your car, then put that suspension system in with everything else being the same, it would come up vastly short. I have driven a few air ride cars and was impressed at the ride, but not the handling. It doesn't rebound and progress at the right speeds for tuning your handling, so you never can get it just right for optimum race car handling, plus it's heavier and you have to run that large air can. Give me a 5 way shock anyday. Plus the fact that "What if it blew a line or bag in a corner" type of worry. I already blow off wheels, not a bag too. :unibrow:

I don't know.. we ran g/28 with upgraded leafs and some suspension stuff. I handled well in our tests through the cones and skidpad.

We installed the Shockwave and it didn't hurt performance at all AND made the ride on the street much better.

Shocks can blow just like bags and todays bags really only blow due to abbrasion damage (and that's a bad install)

Also, driving an Air Ride car is a lot different than driving an Air Ride Shockwave car.

Read the story above and you can get the performance numbers. It's not as good as some more race inspired suspensions but it certainly is far from sucking in regards to performance :)

[darren@ridetech]

Obviously I am in favor of using the Shockwaves on the AirBar system, but they can be replaced with coil overs. The complete rear system with Shockwaves retails for $1995. Without the Shockwaves is $1495.

Mazspeed,
You should stop by of the Auto X events that will be held at the Goodguys events or the Grand Run. I'm sure we can get you in a car. :D

[Mean 69]

Of course, you could always consider stepping up to a 3-Link too.

Mark

[MarkM66]

Obviously I am in favor of using the Shockwaves on the AirBar system, but they can be replaced with coil overs. The complete rear system with Shockwaves retails for $1995. Without the Shockwaves is $1495.

Mazspeed,
You should stop by of the Auto X events that will be held at the Goodguys events or the Grand Run. I'm sure we can get you in a car. :D

So it's not $5k as steve spencer posted?

[steve spencer]

well its 2 grand for air bar plus another grand for front plus about a grand ofor system to make it work (tank compressor ) plus about 800 for the strong arms and sway bar if you are going to do it go all the way.

[MarkM66]

well its 2 grand for air bar plus another grand for front plus about a grand ofor system to make it work (tank compressor ) plus about 800 for the strong arms and sway bar if you are going to do it go all the way.

I see. Thanks

[Veryfine69]

I see. Thanks


Thanks to everyone who replied, your knowledge is an asset to all!


Morley