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Originally Posted by Jim's 72
Ok, I'm kinda new to this, but I know I want the best of...all worlds..lol. I'm thinking some kind of air suspension is the way to go. Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong, but I want to be able to cruise the local strip, corner like crazy and drag race with the boys. I'm guessing the adjustability of an air ride system would be the best of all worlds.
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Hi Jim. An air ride is nice, for some folks. I have one. But there isnt any more adjustability with them. I think some folks think there is because the air springs do allow for the body to be raised or lowered. But thats only good for static needs. Like say a car show where its parked and you want to put it in the weeds cause it looks better.
But for dynamic purposes (driving) the air ride suspension still only has one sweet spot. Just like any other types of springs.
You mount the air springs so they are at a pre-determined height that corresponds to the suspension arms, front or rear arms.
The suspension arms need to be at the designed angle for a proper ride (performance). When you raise or lower the body with the air springs you are putting the control arms at an angle that is not ideal. The control arms should be at the proper angle during driving.
And as far as some good info and prices. Talk to Frank at Prodigy. I enjoy talking with Frank and he wont even try to sell you something you dont need. Rare breed of dealer that man. JR
Ok, I thought I was done but maybe not. One more item. Coilovers have the advantage of the driver being able to change spring rates and pressures. Air springs dont. You are stuck with the rate that the container (the air bag) holds. A smaller container (smaller bag) will have a faster rate. A larger bag will have a slower rate. And the spring pressure is fixed. The pressure needed to hold the body up at a certain distance is the pressure you are stuck with. With coilovers you can over spring the car if thats your desire. Cant under spring it for obvious reasons.
So my point is with coilovers you can swap around settings to work with a high rate roll bar and loose springs or vice versa. Loose bar and tight springs. You cant do that with an air spring. The way I see it is you have MORE adjustablity with coilovers than you do with air springs.