Dialing in suspension

[arichmond1003]

Hey guys, I have a 19 a10 that I regularly drag race. I’m putting on Viking crusaders and bmr drag springs, and I’m in search of some tips on settings for the crusaders for both street and strip.
Thanks for the help

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[Brian@BMVK]

Hey guys, I have a 19 a10 that I regularly drag race. I’m putting on Viking crusaders and bmr drag springs, and I’m in search of some tips on settings for the crusaders for both street and strip.
Thanks for the help

Talk to @KellTrac

 

[SteveW]

I'll take a stab at settings for the street.

Couple quick definitions:
Compression - absorbing bumps, shock shaft moving inwards, how quickly weight transfers into the tire from driver inputs

Rebound - recovery from a bump, shock shaft extending, how quickly weight transfers off a tire or, is held onto the tire after being compressed

Start with compression and rebound at zero or full soft. First setting will focus on compression with changes made in two-click increments.

1. Compression
Assuming we are just talking about the rear shocks what you are looking for with compression is just the right amount of shove in the back under accel instead of squat and go, combined with nice compliance in the rear suspension in reaction to bumps.

Too soft, which is where you are starting from at zero, and the car will feel like it is really soft in the rear and squats too much under acceleration. The suspension will have no resistance to bumps and may hit the bump stops way too often

Just the right amount of compression damping will have the sensation of a nice shove in the back of the seat upon getting on the throttle without the risk of instant wheelspin along with a controlled response to impacting a bump.

Too firm will feel like it is too easy to light up the rear tires with throttle and the car doesn't soak up bumps but rather springs off them. Not exactly a harsh ride but a springy one.

Once you work out a comfortable compression setting time to work on rebound control.

2. Rebound - starting from zero only go up in a max of two-click increments

Good rebound control will gently hold the suspension firmly in response to bumps while allowing it to recover comfortably. The car should ride nicely on a smooth road with little bounce or pogo feeling. It won't be loose if you have to lift off the throttle mid-corner but may respond to that with rotation or tightening of your line.

Too soft feels like a constant sort of jiggle or bounce as you drive along on a smooth road or the rear suspension will shoot back up after a bump in an uncontrolled manner (not to be confused with a harsh ride because of too much rebound control as described below). I'm talking about the suspension coming back up too quickly. Car will feel numb going into corners and not hook up after the initial throttle application.

Just right feels like a controlled ride without excess jiggling or bounce on a smooth road, when you impact a bump the car will soak it up, feel like it holds the car on line over the bump without any excess movement. Response to throttle inputs is a better hookup after initial take off and if balanced in a turn with steering and the throttle, a moderate to heavy throttle lift will induce rotation or give the sensation of rotation. Be very careful with this last part because too much rebound or too much lift can cause a spinout.

Too firm will cause a harsh ride in recovery from bumps. Rather than the suspension being allowed to recover from one impact before the next, the suspension continues to jack down on each compression and the tires start losing traction. The shocks are starting to hold the car down excessively. The car will become very loose on corner entry and difficult to control especially if you lift off the gas mid-corner. Dangerous!

 

[arichmond1003]

I appreciate the info!

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