Ride Quality Question

[MidwayJ]

What aspects of a car's suspension result in more violent ride motions when going over smooth "dips" and "humps" in the road? I am not referring to sharp bumps or rough sections, but where the road is "wavy" in an up and down fashion. Where I live some of the intersections have dips as you go through them. My Mustang seems to dive more forcefully into the dips and act more like it wants to launch in the air over humps compared to my other vehicles. (Not just because I'm driving it faster, lol.) Lack of damping for the springs? Lack of wheel travel? Natural consequence of cars with firmer suspensions?

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[Nagare]

I'd say the lack of damping. Check out these videos that I have of my car and my buddy's. If you hate V6 exhausts, keep the video on mute, it isn't the point...This is the only comparison video I have to reference for the difference. Mine sticks down while his is more of the wanting to launch in the air that I think is being described here.





in case time stamps don't work, first video around 22 seconds, second video around 42 seconds. My car has the stuff in my sig, buddy's car was stock suspension. Just compare the up and down movement of both across the same piece of road.

 

[MidwayJ]

I'd say the lack of damping. Check out these videos that I have of my car and my buddy's. If you hate V6 exhausts, keep the video on mute, it isn't the point...This is the only comparison video I have to reference for the difference. Mine sticks down while his is more of the wanting to launch in the air that I think is being described here.

Thanks. I think for this purpose I need to look at those on a bigger screen. You know I don't hate V6 exhausts.

 

[BmacIL]

What aspects of a car's suspension result in more violent ride motions when going over smooth "dips" and "humps" in the road? I am not referring to sharp bumps or rough sections, but where the road is "wavy" in an up and down fashion. Where I live some of the intersections have dips as you go through them. My Mustang seems to dive more forcefully into the dips and act more like it wants to launch in the air over humps compared to my other vehicles. (Not just because I'm driving it faster, lol.) Lack of damping for the springs? Lack of wheel travel? Natural consequence of cars with firmer suspensions?

It's lack of damping. The suspensions on the S550 outside of the Shelbys are not firm. Upgraded dampers with stock or close to stock spring rates will improve the overall ride, particularly in the situations you're describing.

 

[MidwayJ]

It's lack of damping. The suspensions on the S550 outside of the Shelbys are not firm. Upgraded dampers with stock or close to stock spring rates will improve the overall ride, particularly in the situations you're describing.

That's what I was hoping to hear. I have some BMR 763 springs on the way and will be going from base to PP dampers.

 

[BmacIL]

That's what I was hoping to hear. I have some BMR 763 springs on the way and will be going from base to PP dampers.

PP are good, but the rear have a bit too tight of compression damping. I think they improved that for 2018+ so if you can grab those you'll probably be better off.

 

[MidwayJ]

PP are good, but the rear have a bit too tight of compression damping. I think they improved that for 2018+ so if you can grab those you'll probably be better off.

The PP dampers I have came off an 18 GT, so that's good to hear, too.

 

[NightmareMoon]

Don’t be shocked if the PP dampers still aren’t stiff enough :(.

Pun intended

 

[BmacIL]

Don’t be shocked if the PP dampers still aren’t stiff enough :(.

Pun intended

What they lack most is rebound damping. For most they're fine and a definite improvement over the non PP mush.

 

[NightmareMoon]

What they lack most is rebound damping. For most they're fine and a definite improvement over the non PP mush.

I didn’t like them at all over high speed highway bumps, regardless of where they graph on a shock dyno. Bouncy and not confidence inspiring IMHO. I hear the non-PP shocks are even floppier, sure. Why not go with one of the better options tho?

 

[BmacIL]

I didn’t like them at all over high speed highway bumps, regardless of where they graph on a shock dyno. Bouncy and not confidence inspiring IMHO. I hear the non-PP shocks are even floppier, sure. Why not go with one of the better options tho?

Oh I completely agree. But if he's already got them....
I have heard anecdotally that the 2018 tuning is better and less bouncy. Most of that on the 2015-2016s was too much rear compression, not enough rebound. Basically you hit a brick that then falls apart once the sprung mass starts moving.

 

[69mach1-395]

I agree with the lack of rebound damping issue on the street. Is there a pair of rear shocks that work better, that don't require new mounts and don't cost several hundred, that is, for stock GT springs?

 

[BmacIL]

I agree with the lack of rebound damping issue on the street. Is there a pair of rear shocks that work better, that don't require new mounts and don't cost several hundred, that is, for stock GT springs?

Two of these.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/222447569684

 

[SteedaTech]

I would recommend the Steeda Pro-Action. lifetime Guarantee!
Use the production Bump stops.
https://www.steeda.com/pro-action-rear-shocks-15-17-non-adjustable.html

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