Simple Air Ride question that I have not seen the answer to - Lateral-g Forums

**camcojb** · #1 02-23-2007, 07:47 AM

I'm considering an airride system in the future, possibly on Malitude. Thing is I like the adjustability of being softer for cruising and normal street driving (I'm old!

) and then being able to step up for a track day. But doesn't any air pressure change also give you a ride height change? So if you get the car setup for the track at a particular pressure wouldn't the height and alignment be off when you adjusted it for the street setting?

I'm not looking for a ride height change as much as a handling and ride comfort change. I like the ride height Mark did with this car. It's plenty low for me and nothing bottoms out or rubs. Ideally for me the height would not change (or very little) but you could soften the car up for cruising and still set it up for track use on the same alignment. Do they have a system that does this?

Jody

PRRC · #2 02-23-2007, 08:02 AM

Yes, The ride height will change with increase or decrease in pressure.
Tim

HRBS · #3 02-23-2007, 08:07 AM

Good question Jody... I would like to know the same as it looks that I will be doing more of this type of set-up. Here is a pic of our Impala project. I can speak from experience on the ride quality. This car was built a) on a rigid full frame "race car" type chassis and b) is a heavy beast especially with the BB in front and it rides like nothing I have had before. Its very responsive and corners like no BIG car I've seen. I am accustomed to the "old skool" pro-street type chassis with a stiff ride quality and this was a treat to drive.
But in the same light as you, this car will see track time and I (coming from a racing background) would like to know how it will relate to weight transfer and reaction from preloading the rear.

**camcojb** · #4 02-23-2007, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRRC

Yes, The ride height will change with increase or decrease in pressure.
Tim

Thanks Tim. When someone comes up with an in-car adjustable suspension that can noticeably firm up or soften the ride without changing the ride height I'm in. The factory stuff has similar deals with shocks, etc., but limited adjustability.

Jody

**camcojb** · #5 02-23-2007, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HRBS

Good question Jody... I would like to know the same as it looks that I will be doing more of this type of set-up. Here is a pic of our Impala project. I can speak from experience on the ride quality. This car was built a) on a rigid full frame "race car" type chassis and b) is a heavy beast especially with the BB in front and it rides like nothing I have had before. Its very responsive and corners like no BIG car I've seen. I am accustomed to the "old skool" pro-street type chassis with a stiff ride quality and this was a treat to drive.
But in the same light as you, this car will see track time and I (coming from a racing background) would like to know how it will relate to weight transfer and reaction from preloading the rear.

super car Steve. I guess a guy could install the system, get the best compromise of ride and handling with the air pressure (to his individual taste), then align it there and call it good. I live out in the country, and roads aren't nice and flat like yours in that pic. So ride quality has an effect on me as a stiff car isn't real fun to drive.

Jr · #6 02-23-2007, 08:37 AM

Jody,
I am NOT an expert when it comes to air ride products, but I have spent a lot of time looking into these systems.

Air ride has the double adjustable shockwaves. I think, I am NOT sure, that with this setup you can set the ride height to your liking and adjust the shockwaves firmness with the little knob.

http://www.ridetech.com/productinfo/shockwave.asp

**camcojb** · #7 02-23-2007, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJW32

Jody,
I am NOT an expert when it comes to air ride products, but I have spent a lot of time looking into these systems.

Air ride has the double adjustable shockwaves. I think, I am NOT sure, that with this setup you can set the ride height to your liking and adjust the shockwaves firmness with the little knob.

http://www.ridetech.com/productinfo/shockwave.asp

Thanks for the info. You know I've looked at their website several times and if true they sure don't talk about it!

I hope you're correct, it would be a huge selling feature to the G-machine crowd.

Jody

HRBS · #8 02-23-2007, 08:50 AM

The new "Level Pro" system I believe is supposed to sense a drop or increse in pressure and adjust accordingly. The question I guess would be how quick can it sense and adjust.......by the time you launch and it adjusts, you'll be half way down the track.... perhaps its a great system for a cruiser or handling application, but I think we "racers" who "launch" need more proof.

Silver69Camaro · #9 02-23-2007, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camcojb

Thanks Tim. When someone comes up with an in-car adjustable suspension that can noticeably firm up or soften the ride without changing the ride height I'm in. The factory stuff has similar deals with shocks, etc., but limited adjustability.

Jody

I'd like a system that lowers the vehicle with an increase in air pressure. That'd be the way to go.

ccracin · #10 02-23-2007, 09:49 AM

I've done a bit of research myself as well. Tim is correct if you change the pressure you change the ride height. That is not company specific, that is a function of physics. The only way to adjust stiffnes or ride quality and hold the same ride height is with adjustable shocks. If you want to maintain the same ride height all the time Jody, I would suggest investing in in car adjustable shocks/coil overs. I have seen them somewhere. I believe they use oil that responds to an electric field to change it's viscosity. Therefore it changes the dampning rate with the same valving. I think there is also a product that changes the valving electronically. The least expensive option would probably be to do what we did when we were racing. Have a set of coil overs you run on the street. Then have another set with the shock valving, springs, etc. you want for the track. Put them on the car, adjust your ride height and pull them off. When you go to the track swap them and you are in bussiness. It really ends up being easier than it sounds. We did it when we went from one track to another. The double adjustable AFCO's are nice, you could have them setup with your track springs and be able to tune pretty precisely. JM2Cents.

Good Look, let us know how it goes.