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The Worlds First Bagged GT500

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I am starting to like being the smallest fish in a big pond.
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The ability to move with freedom and change direction when needed. Recognizing when an opportunity needs special attention and direct involvement. It can be harder being a one man show, but also allows for better control over what you put out.
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When the chance to build wheels for the first ever bagged 2020 GT500 came to be I knew this was one of those situations I could not trust to eye balling. Too many variables with the setup and I also wanted to see how everything worked with the system. Luckily the owner @Alex.Envy was only 8 hours north of me in Portland. With a few wheels on hand that fit the GT500 I decided what the hell. Loaded up 6 wheels/tires into my F150 Lightning and hit the road.
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The bagged system operates interestingly. Dancing around the fender liners takes some care. Sidewall profiles matter with only millimeters of clearance. Playing with the wheels and spacers allowed us to dial in the fitment needed, make adjustments to the ride height, and identify potential camber changes for the final form.
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Signature Wheel Precision Series SV705 in Sahara Brushed Sand are up front and Track Series SV502 in Racing Red out back. Tomorrow I will have some more pictures of the complete setup we used for testing. Soon we should have the final wheel design and color decided, but trip out on these for now.

SV502 & SV705 Bagged GT500 Alex (1 of 15).JPG
SV502 & SV705 Bagged GT500 Alex (2 of 15).JPG
SV502 & SV705 Bagged GT500 Alex (3 of 15).JPG
SV502 & SV705 Bagged GT500 Alex (4 of 15).JPG
SV502 & SV705 Bagged GT500 Alex (5 of 15).JPG
SV502 & SV705 Bagged GT500 Alex (6 of 15).JPG
SV502 & SV705 Bagged GT500 Alex (7 of 15).JPG
SV502 & SV705 Bagged GT500 Alex (8 of 15).JPG
SV502 & SV705 Bagged GT500 Alex (9 of 15).JPG
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SV502 & SV705 Bagged GT500 Alex (11 of 15).JPG
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SV502 & SV705 Bagged GT500 Alex (13 of 15).JPG
SV502 & SV705 Bagged GT500 Alex (14 of 15).JPG
SV502 & SV705 Bagged GT500 Alex (15 of 15).JPG
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Tomster

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Alex.Envy

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I always see a lot of comments saying that air suspension is only for looks and not for any performance. Truth is that a majority of those people have never had a car with air suspension or have looked into it.

It's essentially the same thing as a coil over, but instead of a spring its a bag. The suspension still has all the adjustments for dampening, compression and rebound. Yes it's more complicated than a strut and spring and there can be more maintenance - but that's the game of modded cars in general.

For more information there's an article and video I think that's very well put together to give information on it from someone who was a timeattack champion while using airlift.



http://www.speedhunters.com/2016/12/life-on-air-cody-miles-championship-winning-sti/

For drag racing I don't have any well written sources I can link but there's a white GTR in the UAE that has a big wing, widebody and air suspension that runs mid 8's in the 1/4 mile.
 

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wingnutt

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not my bag baby (pun intended) but I can appreciate the work/time/money put into it!

For drag racing I don't have any well written sources I can link but there's a white GTR in the UAE that has a big wing, widebody and air suspension that runs mid 8's in the 1/4 mile.
and that don’t mean much if you have been around for awhile...the UAE boys are known to buy the big boy toys from all over the world, ship them back home, and claim them as their own :wink:
 

bluebeastsrt

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Not bad. I recommend just tilting the wheels at a 45 degree angle like the kids are doing on their Honda’s.
 

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I really like the wheels but I can't imagine why anyone would spend so much on a performance car just to put it on bags, lol. But, not my money, so my opinion is irrelevant.
I was going to say the same thing, then I stopped myself. The whole concept accomplishes what?
 

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I bagged my last car and absolutely loved it. Air bags allow you to have complete control of ride height, 100% of the time. Most don't realize, but air suspension is very good for performance handling as well.

Before bags, I tried 3 sets of springs, and even KW coil-overs. I was never satisfied with the one and done shot of a preloaded spring. The coil-overs were marginally better due to height adjustability, however the process to adjust the height made them a pain in the ass in a different way. Airlift suspension was my absolute favorite, hands down. Best ride of all versions, best handling & infinite ride height adjustability.

Most install air ride for stance.

That said, I would not choose to do this to my GT500.
 

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I bagged my last car and absolutely loved it. Air bags allow you to have complete control of ride height, 100% of the time. Most don't realize, but air suspension is very good for performance handling as well.

Before bags, I tried 3 sets of springs, and even KW coil-overs. I was never satisfied with the one and done shot of a preloaded spring. The coil-overs were marginally better due to height adjustability, however the process to adjust the height made them a pain in the ass in a different way. Airlift suspension was my absolute favorite, hands down. Best ride of all versions, best handling & infinite ride height adjustability.

Most install air ride for stance.

That said, I would not choose to do this to my GT500.
What does it do to the cars weight?

100#?

Isn't the car heavy enough?
 
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Why do I feel the need to watch F&F Tokyo drift.... Freedom of choice and expression. All for it.
 

Jmeo

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What does it do to the cars weight?

100#?

Isn't the car heavy enough?
I would say the bag assembly at each corner will weigh less than the stock suspension taken out, albeit not by a ton. Adding an aluminum air tank and the controller is probably less than 10lbs. If only using (1) compressor, I would say another 10lbs. All air lines are plastic, so nothing there. My undocumented guess is ~20 lbs more than stock.

Again, most do bags for stance, so weight does not factor.
 

Tomster

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I would say the bag assembly at each corner will weigh less than the stock suspension taken out, albeit not by a ton. Adding an aluminum air tank and the controller is probably less than 10lbs. If only using (1) compressor, I would say another 10lbs. All air lines are plastic, so nothing there. My undocumented guess is ~20 lbs more than stock.

Again, most do bags for stance, so weight does not factor.
So its just a cars and coffee thing, I get it now.
 

16Kobra

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I like the bagged suspension. It rides lower on the highway, but when you need a car wash, pull up, air up and drive thru the car wash.

No more hand washing for me!!!
 

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