A car’s performance depends on a number of different factors that aren’t necessarily related to its horsepower and torque. Aerodynamics, performance tires, weight, and suspension setup also significantly affect how well a car will perform in straight lines and tight corners.
Suspension upgrades are a great and effective way to enhance your car’s look and handling. With better handling, overall performance is improved as well. In this article, we’ll go through some of the things you can do regarding suspension to get optimal performance for your driving style. We’ll also cover key suspension components and how fine adjustments can make a difference in performance.
There are a few reasons why upgrading your car’s suspension is worth it, and why tuning suspension components is something worth getting into.
Stock suspension systems are made with the ideal balance between performance, comfort, and ride quality. Performance vehicles have suspension systems that are slightly more focused on the performance aspect, but they’re still comfortable enough for everyday driving.
By adjusting the components in performance suspension systems, drivers can improve performance depending on their needs and requirements. The same performance suspension model can be used for both track racing and drifting, however, it’s necessary to adjust the suspension to provide the best results for each driving style.
Even when it comes to looks, suspension systems can be adjusted to maximize the aesthetic appeal of the car. By adjusting camber, ride height, and caster, car owners can create the ideal setup depending on the wheel and tire size.
Keep in mind that adjustments to the suspension require knowledge, experience, and the right tools. Some suspension systems are designed for easy adjustments, however, it’s still important to have a professional check everything before going back on the road due to its huge effect on handling, ride quality, and overall safety.
The Basics of Suspension Tuning
The most common suspension adjustment in any car is its ride height. There are suspension kits that provide a fixed height, however, there are also adjustable suspension kits that allow for easy height adjustment. Adjustable kits are a great way to have your vehicle at the right height depending on the current driving situation.
Replacing suspension springs affects body roll and ride comfort. There are specific options for each vehicle that offer higher or lower spring rates. A higher spring rate increases the car’s stiffness which results in less body roll but also less comfort. Lower spring rates, on the other hand, allow more body roll but also make the ride quality better. Finding the right type of springs for your car, especially if you choose a setup with a fixed height, depends on your personal preference. Coilovers allow for fine-tuning the spring rate.
If you use the same car for everyday driving or longer trips, springs with a moderate to lower spring rate would be a good choice, only because day-to-day activities require at least a little bit of comfort. Springs with a higher spring rate would make the car too uncomfortable for longer trips.
Camber on a car can be fine-tuned on any suspension system, whether it's stock or a performance one. Camber affects a car’s cornering ability but also results in uneven tire wear. When it comes to style and aesthetics, most people go for negative camber as it gives a car a more aggressive look, but it negatively affects cornering stability. This is why drift cars usually have notably negative camber.
Summing It All Up
Each adjustment on the suspension system affects the car’s performance. Some adjustments have more influence on handling, and some have less, but the suspension system is just one piece of the puzzle that has an effect on a car’s performance and handling.
Even though other components have an equally big impact on a car’s performance, it’s important to choose suspension parts from reputable brands known for adhering to the highest quality standards. This way, you’ll have a durable vehicle with great handling and looks. This applies to other modifications such as wheels, tires, and engine mods.
When it comes to suspension tuning, make sure to think everything through, and consider your driving style as well as your needs. If you don’t have experience in suspension tuning, it’s best to have someone help you with the right set of tools and knowledge to avoid mistakes that can make the car unsafe to drive.
When you’re done with tuning your performance suspension, make sure to align your wheels as well. Poorly aligned wheels after suspension work can lead to uneven tire wear, and have a negative effect on handling and overall performance.
Our offer includes performance suspension kits and components from some of the world’s leading manufacturers, and we’ve made it as easy as possible to find compatible suspension kits for specific vehicles. By including your year, make, and model in the search, you’ll find only components made for your car. Free shipping and fast delivery are also included on all eligible orders.
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