Is lower really better? Most first handling improvements are lowering springs on any type of car. They lower the car by aprox 25 – 40mm, but is more better? Is Hella Flush awesome or is it just another pointless JDM trend?
This is all theory and yes all these fancy racecars are super low. We know that, but Martin A. will tell you a little story later this monthy why cars are super slamed on track and why suspension has to be stiffer for racing purpose. But here we talk about drifting and gripracing in amateur – semi pro level. Most racer in this class don’t use big underbody aerodynamics and diffusor setups. But what we care about is a lot of traction on corner exits and a predictable ride. So let’s have a look on a real world example
Matt Powers 2009 – Lower than low
Matt Powers 2010 – Big difference!
„Car style is not what I want to be known for. I would like my car to look as cool as possible granted, but this is a competition, not a car show. When that is a critique someone levels against me I want to say I don’t take them very seriously in their opinion of or understanding of professional drifting.“ (Matt Powers)
Let’s have a look at both pics. We see the 2009 car was lower and harder compared to the 2010 setup. The rear dives under full throttle much more – which means the wheels are a bit coverd behind the arches – but this kind of diving is good. It gives tones of traction. Softer settings in the rear are good to gain speed out of the corner! On the other hand you can see the front is higher as well, which reduces bump steer. Most S13/14 drivers are not familiar with bump steer. But as soon as you remove powersteering – or drive an AE86 – the steeringwheel will give you feedback about the roadsurface. In this case you have bumpsteer because you lowered to much the car and you messed with the natural design of the front suspension!
Which points should be considered when lowering and optimizing the cars suspension?
- Lowering the car is one part, but if you buy springs consider Dampers as well! (Koni / Billstein)
- If you like to run super low – do it with a pair of highend coilovers to be able to adjust height without changing preload!
- The car should never bottom out or run on bumpstops during corners or on bumpy roads!
- MacPherson frontsetups (S13/S14/Bimmers/Ae86) are just efficient in a short range. If you lower to much – you mess with a lot of things. (Bumposteer!)
Sorry folks – Hella Flush is over, the new trend is Hella Functional!Is lower really better? Most first handling improvements are lowering springs on any type of car. They lower the car by aprox 25 – 40mm, but is more better? Is Hella Flush awesome or is it just another pointless JDM trend?
This is all theory and yes all these fancy racecars are super low. We know that, but Martin A. will tell you a little story later this monthy why cars are super slamed on track and why suspension has to be stiffer for racing purpose. But here we talk about drifting and gripracing in amateur – semi pro level. Most racer in this class don’t use big underbody aerodynamics and diffusor setups. But what we care about is a lot of traction on corner exits and a predictable ride. So let’s have a look on a real world example
Matt Powers 2009 – Lower than low
Matt Powers 2010 – Big difference!
„Car style is not what I want to be known for. I would like my car to look as cool as possible granted, but this is a competition, not a car show. When that is a critique someone levels against me I want to say I don’t take them very seriously in their opinion of or understanding of professional drifting.“ (Matt Powers)
Let’s have a look at both pics. We see the 2009 car was lower and harder compared to the 2010 setup. The rear dives under full throttle much more – which means the wheels are a bit coverd behind the arches – but this kind of diving is good. It gives tones of traction. Softer settings in the rear are good to gain speed out of the corner! On the other hand you can see the front is higher as well, which reduces bump steer. Most S13/14 drivers are not familiar with bump steer. But as soon as you remove powersteering – or drive an AE86 – the steeringwheel will give you feedback about the roadsurface. In this case you have bumpsteer because you lowered to much the car and you messed with the natural design of the front suspension!
Which points should be considered when lowering and optimizing the cars suspension?
- Lowering the car is one part, but if you buy springs consider Dampers as well! (Koni / Billstein)
- If you like to run super low – do it with a pair of highend coilovers to be able to adjust height without changing preload!
- The car should never bottom out or run on bumpstops during corners or on bumpy roads!
- MacPherson frontsetups (S13/S14/Bimmers/Ae86) are just efficient in a short range. If you lower to much – you mess with a lot of things. (Bumposteer!)
Sorry folks – Hella Flush is over, the new trend is Hella Functional!