Air suspensions Vs traditional? | FerrariChat

Air suspensions Vs traditional?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by jelpspeed, Jul 1, 2008.

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  1. jelpspeed

    jelpspeed Formula Junior

    Nov 29, 2007
    546
    Guadalajara, Mexico
    Full Name:
    Ever Lopez
    Hi Guys,

    I´ll be starting a new project in the next weeks, and I´m looking for all kind of possibilities about the parts to be installed. I want this concept car to be really sporty, and a friend told me about the air suspensions. does anyone have this kind of suspension in any vehicle?

    are air suspensions the ones used in low rider cars?
    does the car handle better? worst? compared with traditional coil susp.
    any tips about this?

    thanks in advance.

    Ever Lopez
     
  2. t024484

    t024484 Karting

    Nov 9, 2006
    171
    Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Hans A. Polak
    Look here
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_suspension
    The new Audi R8 has it as the first sports car on air.

    Hans
     
  3. duskybird

    duskybird F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 20, 2007
    12,616
    29 Electoral Votes
    Full Name:
    Bill B.
    I'm in the process of putting a air suspension in a 1969 Plymouth Satellite. The suspension needed an upgrade to support what I'm doing to the car http://moparnuts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12749 this will allow me to run a 4-link in the rear and a-arms up front. I went with the air setup after riding in a 68 Camaro with and without the the air ride. he difference was very noticeable. This isn't the same setup as the hop hop low riders this is a performance suspension. http://www.ridetech.com/
     
  4. hotrod406

    hotrod406 Formula Junior

    Sep 18, 2007
    540
    Grand rapids area,MI
    Full Name:
    Tim
    +1 here. I had an S10 on air and it rode and handled great. I think the main advantages for a sports car would be 1. ability to raise car for jack clearance 2. optional taller ride heights for rough roads. I wish I could put air on my 71 corvette but the rear suspension does not lend itself to conversion.
     
  5. jelpspeed

    jelpspeed Formula Junior

    Nov 29, 2007
    546
    Guadalajara, Mexico
    Full Name:
    Ever Lopez
    Amazing!, I just read about them in the website, but can´t find any prices, is it too expensive? price ranges?

    Best regards

    Ever
     
  6. duskybird

    duskybird F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 20, 2007
    12,616
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    Bill B.
    Depends on how far you want to go. The pricing on their site click on "find a system for your ride".
     
  7. ducowti

    ducowti Formula 3

    Jan 27, 2008
    1,557
    NY/SC
    Full Name:
    David
    My father's 71 Merc 300SEL has it and (while I realize it's great when working properly) it's kind of a pain in the balls if not working right. I.E it leaks overnight and sits quite literally on the ground when the bladders empty and takes 10-15' to recompress and get the car up for driving. I'm sure these days A.S. is much improved however. I will say it is a very nice feature for reasons noted above, particularly for less than friendly road surfaces.
     
  8. hotrod406

    hotrod406 Formula Junior

    Sep 18, 2007
    540
    Grand rapids area,MI
    Full Name:
    Tim
    That does happen on a lot of factory systems with air shocks. I'm not sure if the 300SEL has air shocks or bags, but I'd guess it does. Properly installed bags are less likely to leak since there is no shaft seal. the common weak point in the air shocks.

    Air Rids (ridetech.com) is definitely the best place to get bags and accessories. They even have a kind of "coilover" bag now with adjustable shocks. I'd use those if possible. Post up some pictures of the project too.
     
  9. smg2

    smg2 F1 World Champ
    Sponsor

    Apr 1, 2004
    16,332
    Dumpster Fire #31
    Full Name:
    SMG
    both our A8L and Q7 have the adaptive air ride suspension, it great as you control the ride hight and firmness. downside is cost if something goes wrong and bulk, the things take up alot more room then conventional struts. if your starting from scratch you could make it work.
     
  10. bowbells

    bowbells Formula Junior

    Jan 14, 2008
    353
    Guernsey
    Full Name:
    Arthur Dent
    Ask any Audi or Range Rover owner what they think of the maintenance cost of air suspension. When it is working, it's a good principle, certainly would fit into a low production concept type project.
     
  11. jelpspeed

    jelpspeed Formula Junior

    Nov 29, 2007
    546
    Guadalajara, Mexico
    Full Name:
    Ever Lopez
    #11 jelpspeed, Jul 5, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    "Sorry, our web site is not showing any matches for your application.
    This most likely means we don't currently offer a "pre-engineered" system for your ride.
    In nearly all cases we can still provide a perfect set-up using our wide range of products. "

    I was thinking about using a peugeot 406 coupe as the donor car, but I want to lower it down, and make it 3" lower, but here in mexico we have really hughe bumps and in some cases the worst streets with lot of holes and really damaged, so I want to make a useful car, that can sort out this kind of problems. but reading the website gives me a better knowledge on "universal" systems, that can fit the car I will make.
    thanks

    I´m afraid it will be very expensive for the project, I need to spend less than $20K USD in the whole project, I wish I could buy a used jaguar for $7,500 like in the US, and then use it as the donor car. but I have to improvise all the car with whatever comes in my way. =)

    I think I´m going to make kind of a space frame, I just need to read the regulations, to get some license plates, because they are not accepting any more sandbuggies or offroad frames.


    thanks to everyone, and if you think of something that could work, please let me know.

    Best regards

    Ever Lopez
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