View Full Version : Optimal ride height


Imprezer
12-18-2005, 06:24 PM
So I was thinking... If "looks" and "scraping on curbs" is not taken into consideration, how does one setup his car's height for optimal ride height for best performance.

Of course, I am talking about coilovers that have double adjustable height (shock body and spring preload).

Discuss...

meilers
12-18-2005, 08:10 PM
From what I've been told about McPherson strut setups, the optimal ride height is gauged by the roll center of the car; wheels even with the center of gravity. Sport Compact Car had an excellent series on suspension over the summer, I think the July-Aug issues, which went deep into suspension geometry and how to avoid bump steer and control-arm flex from over-lowering the car. Basically the tie rods should be dead level and the control arms should point up towards the center of gravity in the car, which is typically at the floor of the trunk in the rear and the crankshaft in the front.

The issue is Vol. 17, #08; it has 1,000 HP Supras on the cover -- who would read about that kind of trash! 8)