Why do I need a suspension tuning guide?
This suspension tuning guide will help you identify possible handling issues and apply proper resolutions. Follow the guidance closely and make one change at a time for best results. Be sure to take note of the base line alignment specs listed below.
Should you modify your Volkswagen Golf GTI suspension?
While the debate between those that prefer coilovers or air suspension can get pretty heated, the unmatched height adjustability of air makes it a strong Volkswagen Golf GTI suspension option in our opinion. Another thing to consider when modifying your Volkswagen Golf GTI are sway bars.
How does a suspension system work?
Everything in the suspension system moves and reacts in relation to the whole system and the whole goal of the system is to keep your tires maintaining constant even maximum contact with the road. As we know the whole job of suspension is to keep the wheels and tires in contact with the ground at all times, for total performance.
What makes a good suspension setup for a car?
Having a car that acts predictably past the limit of traction is a sign of an ideal suspension setup. The benefit of having independent front and rear suspension components comes with the ability to adjust front and rear roll centers on your axles respectively.
What is the purpose of springs in a suspension?
Springs are an integral part of your suspension set up. They control the vehicle’s ability to bounce, absorb bumps and create low body roll when loaded. Higher spring rates require more force to compress the spring, which reduces the amount of suspension travel.
What is the engine in a Volkswagen Golf GTI?
Volkswagen Golf GTI. The Golf GTI features a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder petrol engine with Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) direct-injection technology, which produces 200PS (147 kW/197 bhp). It is available in both 3-door and 5-door hatchback body shapes and comes with a choice of either 6-speed manual or a 6-speed Direct-Shift ...
Why do you need coilovers on a GTI?
Coilovers help to set up your Volkswagen Golf GTI height and damping, which allows you to lower your center of gravity and stiffen up your chassis for better cornering and control. Not only does your car look sportier (and better in our opinion), but it’s also a key step in allowing you to transform your car into a true performance machine, transferring your modifications into tangible wheel horsepower.
Why do brake pads slip?
This also helps stop brake fade, which is a buildup of energy and heat from the brakes that causes them to start slipping after an extended amount of time being used.
Why do OEM struts use rubber bushings?
As you might expect, OE manufacturers use rubber bushings because it deflects more and is a primary cause for the failure of suspension precision. The rubber you’ll find on most OEM struts is soft and allows a lot of energy deflection. A stiffer rubber mount improves longevity and reduces energy deflection.
What size sway bar does a Mitsubishi EVO 8 have?
For example, a stock Mitsubishi EVO 8 (AWD Turbo) comes factory with a 24mm front sway bar, and a 22mm rear. While there are many upgrades the EVO might need out of the box, the point is upgrading the rear bar should be one of the first mods you do to bring the car to a neutral state.
How does a piston work?
Here’s how it works; when the suspension is compressed, the piston forces oil out of the inner tube by its valve and into the outer tube. When the piston moves back into position, the oil is sucked from the outer tube back to the inner.
Suspension Tuning Goals
Here is a list of things you need to identify before you can adjust the suspension to aid in achieving improved suspension tuning objectives:
Anti-Roll Bar (Sway Bar) Tuning
Anti-Roll (Sway Bars) as discussed in the Suspension Upgrades page, can provide adjustable settings in the suspension set up. Especially useful in dialling out oversteer, or understeer handling characteristics and getting a better balanced car.
Camber Angle
The Camber angle settings of the suspension can come in three different variations (vertically viewed from the front of the car), positive, neutral and negative camber. It is normally represented in degrees.
Caster Angle
The Caster angle is the ability of the front suspension system to self centre under cornering loads.
Centre of Gravity and Roll Centre
The centre of gravity (CG) can be seen as the balancing point of the car, if you hung a car from a cable above the ground it would be balanced perfectly.
Corner Weights and Weight Distribution
Once a car is in motion, the vehicles static weight will move around in a dynamic nature to all four wheels through either one or a combination of acceleration, braking and cornering forces. It interacts through the unsprung weight proportion (as this is what is actually sprung) and the centre of gravity, roll centres of the suspension system.
Damping: Bump and Rebound
Dampers work in conjunction with springs to form the basis for the car´s suspension system, they are sometimes incorrectly referred to as shock absorbers.
What is the Goal Of Suspension Tuning?
The true goal of suspension tuning is to improve how the car handles; in other words, its ability to maintain a course through turns, braking, different surfaces, and weather conditions. To keep the right course, you’ll start by Increasing ground contact or tire grip as you travel through a corner.
The Right Components
A suspension comprises tires, tire air, springs, and shocks that connect your vehicle to its wheels. It serves two purposes:
Get the Right Tools
You’ll need to test and retest, so it’s essential to record the changes you make - what works and what doesn’t. Knowing the baseline values of suspension means you’ll have a reference to work off of as you go. You’ll need:
Figure Out What you NEED to Adjust
You know your car the best, and the most critical metric is how it drives and feels on the road or track.
Think Smart, Not Fast
You need to find a balance between handling, braking, and power. Setting up for speed doesn’t make your car the fastest if it’s at the expense of acceleration and handling or grip in corners. Find a sweet spot.
Suspension Setup
Here’s a brief overview of your suspension setup and the adjustments you could make.
Rough or Smooth?
Consider whether you’ll be on a rough or smooth track. Find out pre-race and make adjustments.
What is peak grip on tires?
What’s interesting about tire grip is peak grip is achieved while at slip angles of around 6 to 10 degrees (this range can be lower or higher depending on the compound), meaning you’re actually able to go fastest in the corners while sliding just a bit.
Can you use tire temperature to camber?
What this means, of course, is that you can use tire temperature to dial in your camber settings, aiming for that ideal temperature spread across the contact patch where you’ve got a bit more temp on the inner third but otherwise a nice even temp distribution that’s in the ideal temp range for the compound.
Definition: What is car tuning?
When we talk about “tuning”, we generally mean improving the appearance, performance or handling of cars and other vehicles. There are four basic categories of tuning and customizing vehicles: Engine tuning, suspension tuning, body tuning and interior tuning.
What is important when tuning a car?
Caution! Anyone who tunes without restraint is living dangerously. Because in the tuning sector, many regulations for a wide range of components cause uncertainty. Every part that you retrofit to your car can lead to the expiry of the operating licence and thus to hefty fines. You may also no longer be allowed to drive the vehicle on public roads.
Which vehicles are best suited for car tuning?
A very difficult question! It certainly can’t be answered with a simple ranking list. The tastes of tuners are too varied. Professionals specialize in all kinds of models. And of course, the language you speak and the people you talk to always play a role.
Where to buy tuning parts and accessories? This is what you should consider before buying
To find the right accessories for your own tuning car, it is advisable to look in a shop that spezialises in tuning. Of course, you can also hunt for bargains on Ebay Classifieds, but as soon as it comes to your own safety, you should know exactly which dealer you can trust. In addition, the variety of products is large and sometimes complex.
Tuning professionals: What does a tuning workshop do?
Clearly, you can do a lot of tuning work yourself. This includes, for example, minor paintwork, wrapping with foils or tinting windscreens. But when it comes to engine tuning or changes to the suspension and bodywork, you need specialist knowledge.
This is where tuners meet: Important tuning fairs and events
A trackday is a free driving event on a track that has been closed off for this purpose. This can be a racetrack like the Nürburgring or a converted airfield tarmac. In any case, public traffic is kept out, and for once the road traffic regulations do not play a role. Not all trackdays require a tracktool, i.e.
Frequently asked questions about car tuning
Clearly, the sky’s the limit when it comes to tuning costs. Last year, a Pagani Zonda HP Barchetta was considered the most expensive car in the world. Bargain price: 20 million euros. There have also been gold-plated and gem-studded cars.
