Adjustable Dampers..
Discussion
I've just got some Spax Adjustable Dampers for my car, its also got a new set of uprated springs too so is abit lower..
The person I bought them from said he had them stiffer at the front than the back as when he had them set the same it was inducing front understeer, does this sound correct? Or is it different to all cars?
Its a FWD car, and other than the springs, the suspension is standard at the moment.
They've got 28 settings of soft-hard so just wondering where abouts to set them, I want it quite stiff though
The person I bought them from said he had them stiffer at the front than the back as when he had them set the same it was inducing front understeer, does this sound correct? Or is it different to all cars?
Its a FWD car, and other than the springs, the suspension is standard at the moment.
They've got 28 settings of soft-hard so just wondering where abouts to set them, I want it quite stiff though
It's all down to feel and preference. The fact the rear is set stiffer may not mean much overall, since the front and rear not only weigh different amounts, but often have different suspension leverages too. So to make the rear as stiff as the front might take 10 more clicks than the fronts for example.
Also, the front and rear dampers might be valved quite differently, so again, 10 clicks at the rear, and 10 at the front might do different things in terms of damping.
Just go with what you like the feel of, but definitely experiment.
Also, the front and rear dampers might be valved quite differently, so again, 10 clicks at the rear, and 10 at the front might do different things in terms of damping.
Just go with what you like the feel of, but definitely experiment.
LaurenceFrost said:
It's all down to feel and preference. The fact the rear is set stiffer may not mean much overall, since the front and rear not only weigh different amounts, but often have different suspension leverages too. So to make the rear as stiff as the front might take 10 more clicks than the fronts for example.
Also, the front and rear dampers might be valved quite differently, so again, 10 clicks at the rear, and 10 at the front might do different things in terms of damping.
Just go with what you like the feel of, but definitely experiment.
Thanks Also, the front and rear dampers might be valved quite differently, so again, 10 clicks at the rear, and 10 at the front might do different things in terms of damping.
Just go with what you like the feel of, but definitely experiment.
So I should set them all to hardest and work backwards from there I guess?
I think I'll set them to that and try driving some roads, come down some clicks and drive the same roads again and so on until it feels right.
p.s. Have you picked the GTR up? Hope your enjoying it
Jonny671 said:
I've just got some Spax Adjustable Dampers for my car, its also got a new set of uprated springs too so is abit lower..
The person I bought them from said he had them stiffer at the front than the back as when he had them set the same it was inducing front understeer, does this sound correct? Or is it different to all cars?
Its a FWD car, and other than the springs, the suspension is standard at the moment.
They've got 28 settings of soft-hard so just wondering where abouts to set them, I want it quite stiff though
Are you sure that it's the dampers that you want quite stiff?The person I bought them from said he had them stiffer at the front than the back as when he had them set the same it was inducing front understeer, does this sound correct? Or is it different to all cars?
Its a FWD car, and other than the springs, the suspension is standard at the moment.
They've got 28 settings of soft-hard so just wondering where abouts to set them, I want it quite stiff though
flemke said:
Jonny671 said:
I've just got some Spax Adjustable Dampers for my car, its also got a new set of uprated springs too so is abit lower..
The person I bought them from said he had them stiffer at the front than the back as when he had them set the same it was inducing front understeer, does this sound correct? Or is it different to all cars?
Its a FWD car, and other than the springs, the suspension is standard at the moment.
They've got 28 settings of soft-hard so just wondering where abouts to set them, I want it quite stiff though
Are you sure that it's the dampers that you want quite stiff?The person I bought them from said he had them stiffer at the front than the back as when he had them set the same it was inducing front understeer, does this sound correct? Or is it different to all cars?
Its a FWD car, and other than the springs, the suspension is standard at the moment.
They've got 28 settings of soft-hard so just wondering where abouts to set them, I want it quite stiff though
I know nothing about suspension, and just want the car to feel stiffer and firmer.. Its the right height I want it now, and its not got lots of power, but is nice at handling so just want to improve that really.
Jonny671 said:
LaurenceFrost said:
It's all down to feel and preference. The fact the rear is set stiffer may not mean much overall, since the front and rear not only weigh different amounts, but often have different suspension leverages too. So to make the rear as stiff as the front might take 10 more clicks than the fronts for example.
Also, the front and rear dampers might be valved quite differently, so again, 10 clicks at the rear, and 10 at the front might do different things in terms of damping.
Just go with what you like the feel of, but definitely experiment.
Thanks Also, the front and rear dampers might be valved quite differently, so again, 10 clicks at the rear, and 10 at the front might do different things in terms of damping.
Just go with what you like the feel of, but definitely experiment.
So I should set them all to hardest and work backwards from there I guess?
I think I'll set them to that and try driving some roads, come down some clicks and drive the same roads again and so on until it feels right.
p.s. Have you picked the GTR up? Hope your enjoying it
It it were me I would start with a relatively soft setting front and rear, and then you should feel the body start to roll around a bit as you drive.
Now increase the clicks all round and go a bit firmer. You should feel the body firm up a bit and feel nicer through corners without leaning away from you quite so much. Keep going until you feel that the car is too firm and the wheels are not adjusting themselves to small bumps. When the car feels like it's skipping through corners then you have gone too far.
You're finding the balance between a nice level of feedback from the chassis, and something that still absorbs the bumps nicely. Most of this feel will be tuned at the front end on a road car.
Then you can tune the rear to balance the car. If you set the rear really firm, it could feel loose and possibly oversteer a bit. Soften it back from an oversteer situation and you should be left with a nice feel to the car.
As I say though, it's down to preference more than anything. If you get really stuck and can't find a setting which works give me a shout and I can help you out.
The GT-R is absolutely awesome thanks for asking. Nothing really to add. It's just awesome!
LaurenceFrost said:
Hey Jonny (just realised who you are) - I thought the name looked familiar but wasn't sure.
It it were me I would start with a relatively soft setting front and rear, and then you should feel the body start to roll around a bit as you drive.
Now increase the clicks all round and go a bit firmer. You should feel the body firm up a bit and feel nicer through corners without leaning away from you quite so much. Keep going until you feel that the car is too firm and the wheels are not adjusting themselves to small bumps. When the car feels like it's skipping through corners then you have gone too far.
You're finding the balance between a nice level of feedback from the chassis, and something that still absorbs the bumps nicely. Most of this feel will be tuned at the front end on a road car.
Then you can tune the rear to balance the car. If you set the rear really firm, it could feel loose and possibly oversteer a bit. Soften it back from an oversteer situation and you should be left with a nice feel to the car.
As I say though, it's down to preference more than anything. If you get really stuck and can't find a setting which works give me a shout and I can help you out.
The GT-R is absolutely awesome thanks for asking. Nothing really to add. It's just awesome!
Okay, thanks very much.It it were me I would start with a relatively soft setting front and rear, and then you should feel the body start to roll around a bit as you drive.
Now increase the clicks all round and go a bit firmer. You should feel the body firm up a bit and feel nicer through corners without leaning away from you quite so much. Keep going until you feel that the car is too firm and the wheels are not adjusting themselves to small bumps. When the car feels like it's skipping through corners then you have gone too far.
You're finding the balance between a nice level of feedback from the chassis, and something that still absorbs the bumps nicely. Most of this feel will be tuned at the front end on a road car.
Then you can tune the rear to balance the car. If you set the rear really firm, it could feel loose and possibly oversteer a bit. Soften it back from an oversteer situation and you should be left with a nice feel to the car.
As I say though, it's down to preference more than anything. If you get really stuck and can't find a setting which works give me a shout and I can help you out.
The GT-R is absolutely awesome thanks for asking. Nothing really to add. It's just awesome!
Will try that. Theres a big round-a-bout quite close by thats usually quiet, can try it on that and see what the body roll is like, its quite alot at the moment on the standard dampers.
I guess also tyres will make quite a difference, their not the best on it at the moment so I shouldn't expect miracles but I'm hoping for abit of improvement. The previous owner of the shocks had them on for 5 months and says it also helps in braking as the car doesn't dip its front like it usually does when standard.
Many thanks for the offer, will update this post with progress.
Glad its fun! Beautiful cars!
Gassing Station | Suspension, Brakes & Tyres | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff