Fimer suspension - how can it actually be better?

[Jinster]

What does it mean when all the sports suspension kits come with firmer suspension - in particular the shorter/stiffer springs and firmer dampers?

Does damper mean shock absorber?

If a shock absorber is firmer, does it mean it doesn't absorb shock as well as a softer one?

So if I hit a bump, instead of the wheels move up and the car body stay level, the whole car moves up and jumps to air, this is meant to be good for roadholding/handling?

Alternatively, what happens when I hit a ditch? Stiffer spring would push the wheels down faster and therefore allow better roadholding? Is that it?

Or is it all about cornering? Stiffer everything so the car doesn't roll sideways? I have found sideways roll to be a good indication of how far the car is being pushed, with the roll eliminated, doesn't it mean that there will no longer be an indication between flat cornering and when the car starts to loose grip when cornering hard so the car becomes unpredicatable?

[mrmickeymouse]

What does it mean when all the sports suspension kits come with firmer suspension - in particular the shorter/stiffer springs and firmer dampers?

Does damper mean shock absorber? Affect of the absorber to the vehicle.

If a shock absorber is firmer, does it mean it doesn't absorb shock as well as a softer one? The absorber is meant to handle the shock differently - it will telegraph the road to you. [otherwords you will feel more bumps] It does not soften your ride as much.

So if I hit a bump, instead of the wheels move up and the car body stay level, the whole car moves up and jumps to air, this is meant to be good for roadholding/handling?  No... that is a total race suspension, which would not work well for you [believe me I tried]. It will beat you on  uneven roads or bumps. "Yes" to the handling, you will handle the best with a firm suspension, but will your wife or signifcant other survive.

Alternatively, what happens when I hit a ditch? Stiffer spring would push the wheels down faster and therefore allow better roadholding? The stiffer spring tries not to allow wasted energy to the car. It attempts to provide a stiffer ride which applies more down force during the compression of the spring. [it would be like you bending your knee and jumping compared to stiffening your legging and jumping.] The time you waste as you try to straighten compared to being straight all the time. How would that feel on your body though...  Is that it?

Or is it all about cornering? Stiffer everything so the car doesn't roll sideways? I have found sideways roll to be a good indication of how far the car is being pushed, with the roll eliminated, doesn't it mean that there will no longer be an indication between flat cornering and when the car starts to loose grip when cornering hard so the car becomes unpredicatable? True less give makes it wonderful under controlled conditions, but when you hit that overload of compression goodbye. :drive:

There again I may be all wrong  :eek: this is the all boating forum - right

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Scott

Edited November 8, 2004 by mrmickeymouse

[KevinC]

What does it mean when all the sports suspension kits come with firmer suspension - in particular the shorter/stiffer springs and firmer dampers?

Does damper mean shock absorber?

Yes, but damper is a better description of the part. It doesn't absorb shocks (the springs do that). It absorbs (or dampens) oscillations (bouncing). The shocks provide some resistance to the motion of the suspension. The result is that they *transmit* shocks to the chassis.

If a shock absorber is firmer, does it mean it doesn't absorb shock as well as a softer one?

See above.

So if I hit a bump, instead of the wheels move up and the car body stay level, the whole car moves up and jumps to air, this is meant to be good for roadholding/handling?

It's a tradeoff. If the shocks were softer, the car would continue bouncing after you hit a bump. The stiffness of the shock must be matched to the stiffness of the springs and the weight of the car to properly dampen the bouncing of the chassis.

Alternatively, what happens when I hit a ditch? Stiffer spring would push the wheels down faster and therefore allow better roadholding? Is that it?

Only partially. (See below.)

Or is it all about cornering? Stiffer everything so the car doesn't roll sideways? I have found sideways roll to be a good indication of how far the car is being pushed, with the roll eliminated, doesn't it mean that there will no longer be an indication between flat cornering and when the car starts to loose grip when cornering hard so the car becomes unpredicatable?

Up to a point, stiffer springs do improve the handling of a car by reducing lean in a turn, diving under braking and squatting under acceleration. You can get your cues from the sensation of cornering G's and feedback from the tires, not just the leaning of the car. A car with stiffer springs still leans, just not as much. You need to recalibrate yourself.