Performance air suspension opinions wanted

[SVT_N8]

the 2015 kits will be out in about 4 weeks. I'll be one of the first to get it. As far as weight goes, it will weigh less than the stock suspension. Also, the air lift kits are made for performance. They are track tested and proven to be as good as if not better than a coilover setup. People tend to not know any better and are still basing their view of air ride on the hydraulic setups people ran on lowriders 10+ years ago. This is not hydraulics, it's air ride. The versatility is awesome and they perform great on and off the track.

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[alexx205]

@SVT_N8 do you have any news about air lift suspension? You said you would be one of the first to get a kit. Would be nice to see the S550 equipped with air suspension

 

[jayman33]

@SVT_N8 do you have any news about air lift suspension? You said you would be one of the first to get a kit. Would be nice to see the S550 equipped with air suspension

This will be going on our car and will be displayed for Mustang Week. Right now its looking like the end of May these will start shipping, we're going to do pre orders on these but we wont take orders until we know all the facts and eta.

Be on the lookout for our car

 

[alexx205]

Thats good news. Thanks jayman!

 

[bluestang50]

I'm an active member on s197forum in the corner carving section and there isn't one single solitary member in that subforum that uses air suspension and tracks or autocrosses their car. Air is for hard parkers, any evidence to the contrary is pure propaganda generated by the companies that want to sell you said air ride system. Biggest drawback besides the added weight of the compressor is the fact that you cannot adjust spring rate. with a coil over system (or stock) you can just change springs if you need more or less spring rate. with air your stuck with what you got.

+1

 

[jayman33]

We are now going to be taking pre orders. Those interested give us a shout!

These will be shipping approx. the end of May/ early June.

 

[Autocratic]

you cannot adjust spring rate. with a coil over system (or stock) you can just change springs if you need more or less spring rate. with air your stuck with what you got.

Sorry but this is false. The air inside the bag is your spring, which has the ability to be adjusted for rate just like a regular spring. Another advantage is being able to adjust the rate on the fly without removing components in order to change the rate.

Performance oriented air systems do exist and they do work. I've seen a few cars going around MSR Cresson with air systems doing very well. If the shocks are matched to the vehicle, and you're adjusting and monitoring your pressures correctly, there shouldn't be any reason an air-sprung suspension can't be considered.

You also don't have to have a tank mounted in the car if weight is an issue, like at the road course or 1/4 mile. If the lines are setup properly with quick disconnects it wouldn't be any issue to use an outside compressor and gauge to set the bags to the necessary rate.

BTW, mountain bikes have been using air-sprung forks and shocks for decades now. Your statement is just nonsense.

 

[bluestang50]

Sorry but this is false. The air inside the bag is your spring If the air inside the bag is the spring then your ride height and spring rate directly affect one another, coilovers allow you to adjust your ride height and spring rate independent of each other, from what you are saying that is not the case with air, which has the ability to be adjusted for rate just like a regular spring. Another advantage is being able to adjust the rate on the fly without removing components in order to change the rate.

Performance oriented air systems do exist and they do work. I've seen a few cars going around MSR Cresson with air systems doing very well. If the shocks are matched to the vehicle, and you're adjusting and monitoring your pressures correctly, there shouldn't be any reason an air-sprung suspension can't be considered. If you do what you have just said to dial in the air suspension for the optimal spring rate, by adjusting bag pressure, you will have no control over your ride height so what is the point?

You also don't have to have a tank mounted in the car if weight is an issue, like at the road course or 1/4 mile. If the lines are setup properly with quick disconnects it wouldn't be any issue to use an outside compressor and gauge to set the bags to the necessary rate. So you can no longer adjust on the fly which you noted ad a benefit of air suspension.

BTW, mountain bikes have been using air-sprung forks and shocks for decades now. Your statement is just nonsense. cool story, what is your point? is ride height a consideration with those shocks?

No one is saying you can't buy a decent "performance oriented" air suspension, but when handling performance is the main concern they are inferior to coil overs.

 

[Autocratic]

Not necessarily. Yes ride height is directly affected by the air in the bag, but volume of air in the bag is also a factor. Smaller or larger bag will require different pressures to maintain the same ride height, all else being equal. Also, most systems have a threaded perch for the bag that allows you to set the necessary static height so the car doesn't drop too low with no pressure. If someone had their ideal pressures at the track but wanted to change ride height it would be the same procedure for any other coilover threaded shock.

Adjusting on the fly like most air systems wouldn't be something that would normally take place in the car while on the track. In most cases you would be turning a few laps at whatever pressure, then coming back into the hot pit or going back to the pits to make quick adjustments and go test again.

I referenced mountain bikes because it shows that air sprung shocks aren't anything new and they can be made to work well. I also have a good amount of experience with mountain bike shocks and making adjustments via air pressure. Ride height is key to performance just like any car. Setting the proper sag for the shock is how you set ride height. Sag is the amount of travel taken up at a set pressure with the rider off and on the bike. Sag is also important to ride height and performance, as you want to be able to use as much travel as possible without under-dampening the suspension.

I think the argument can be made for air suspension that they provide the performance on track that someone would be looking for, but I don't think saying they are inferior is correct. Ideal for you? Obviously not, but others, maybe so.

 

[jayman33]

Uh oh, Airlift kits are starting to ship out to our customers Let us know if we can help you out!!

http://www.hypermotive.com/airlift-performance-coilover-digital-15-gt-ecoboost-v6/

Of course, don't forget about our discount code!

 

[alexx205]

@jayman33 on your site is stated "for pre-order only". Do you know when kits will start to ship?
Thanks!

 

[jayman33]

@jayman33 on your site is stated "for pre-order only". Do you know when kits will start to ship?
Thanks!

We have kits shipping now. We were just notified by Airlift today

 

[rvshehata]

Ok.... who's going to be the first to install

 

[jayman33]

Ok.... who's going to be the first to install

lol, install isn't very hard just time consuming. We take our time with these kits, regardless of the year.

 

[Grim_Reaper]

How's everyone liking their kit? Any videos or feedback? let's see these bad boys drop! haha

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