Books on Suspension Set Up

[RR-Eng]

I am interested in learning a bit more about suspension set up, does anyone have any recomendations for a good book on the subject?

I am looking for something at about the "excel engineering" level, ie something with formulas in it.

[Frik]

You could do a lot worse than try some of the books by Carroll Smith.

I have Tune to Win that has some good stuff in it. I gather that is Prepare to Win, his first book, is even better on this particular topic.

[saxo-stew]

competition car suspension- Allan Staniforth
How to Make Your Car Handle- Fred Pchn


two books ive just bought on amazon recently.

[Frik]

saxo-stew said:

competition car suspension- Allan Staniforth

I've got that as well but didn't mention it because whilst it's brilliant at explaining the basic concepts I didn't think it carried many formulas. I've just had a quick look though and it does have some good stuff in it.

The bible is Race Car Vehicle Dynamics by Milliken and Milliken but this is probably overkill (read very expensive) for what you need.

[saxo-stew]

Frik said:

The bible is Race Car Vehicle Dynamics by Milliken and Milliken but this is probably overkill (read very expensive) for what you need.

expensive? you can say that again...

[Frik]

That's not the funny part - I tried reading it from cover to cover last summer.

Got halfway throught the first chapter...

[saxo-stew]

boring? or sore brain?

[Frik]

Tyre kinematics aren't exactly the most thrilling of topics. Nothing's too hard if you have the patience to think it through.

I'm not very patient...

[love machine]

It's a bit of a difficult one. I've looked around and most of it seems to be elaboration of A Level Physics. The stuff is either super simple or someones PhD treatise.

For the principles and linkage details, The Book of the Car (AA) (charity shop 50p job) is brilliant reading for anyone.

From my experience, I'm pretty genned up on my suspension physics, all it can really give you is a starting point for the ideal. For instance cornering style and how hard your arse likes it! Get yourself fully adjustable and then bugger about with it until it's good. If you drove my car, you'd probably hate it, it's as good as it gets for me.

I'm a real enthusiast about this, if you're interested in running your logic/choices past me, I would be up for giving them a critical eye!

Stu

[350matt]

definitly go for the 'how to make your car handle' book its a bit american but well written and very down to earth

Matt

[NormanButcher]

I can recommend:
How to make your car handle
HP Books
By Fred Puhn.

No O or A levels required, as it assumes litle knowledge of theory or practice.
However, it does go into great detail on many aspects.

[theexcession]

saxo-stew said:

competition car suspension- Allan Staniforth How to Make Your Car Handle- Fred Pchn two books ive just bought on amazon recently.

Likewise, only I've had them both on my coffee table for a couple of years now.

I found Competition Car Suspension a bit dry, but the trouble shooting charts at the end of the book are great for getting you going in the right direction.

Unfortunately my skills with this section of the book really only go as far as playing Gran Tourismo on the Play Station but by god are they good for setting up your cars properly.

How To Make Your Car Handle is a wonderful book, and I really enjoyed reading it the tenth time. Good down to earth, easy to understand, clear concise information. Presented in a light hearted manner which still gets the points through. There is enough detail in this book to get you thinking and really understanding what your suspension is doing as you drive a car.

I was reading this book on an aeroplane coming back from the Swedish round of the WRC in 2003 when a french chap sat next to me sparked up and commented what an excellent book it was. Turned out he was the chief engine designer for the Subaru team.

I can thouroughly recommend both of these books, perhaps if you are a bit short of cash then go for the Fred Pchn book first.

best
Ex



>> Edited by theexcession on Tuesday 5th July 18:15

[saxo-stew]

true about the staniforth book. it has helped my general knowledge a bit, but its was mostly stuff i knew.

ive had to restart the fred pchn book again, got a bit sidetracked and lost the plot with it. but the start gives some idea as to the quality of the book