ride like a caddy

[BullShifter]

Originally Posted by n8zdogg

I had heard a high end air suspension might give a better ride. I have experience with it myself other than trucks--- which brings back the whole sheer weight of a caddy issue.
Cadillac and Lincoln have spent a lot of R&D time getting that marshmallow ride that some peolple love. It'd be tough just to bolt on such a light car.

Like a I said soft struts on high spring rates make a car bounce.

[Gohan Ryu]

Originally Posted by BullShifter

Like a I said soft struts on high spring rates make a car bounce.

No, high spring rates mean stiffer springs, which means less bounce.
Low spring rates = softer springs = more bounce.

Same goes for the adjustable struts/shocks.
Stiffer setting = less bounce
Softer setting = more bounce

[BullShifter]

eeeemmkay, stiffer springs bounce more than softer springs. Does a stock spring bounce with stock struts? NO. Does a stiff spring bounce with stock struts? YES. But anyway I don't need to argue with people on AF, not worth it.

[Gohan Ryu]

Originally Posted by BullShifter

Does a stiff spring bounce with stock struts? YES.

...uh...NO, a stiff spring on stock struts will bounce less than a stock spring on stock struts. At least until the stock struts blow out from being compressed all the time.


Not arguing...just trying to correct your error. Stiff springs have a higher compression rating, meaning it takes more effort to compress them. Stiff springs also have a higher rebound rating, meaning they immediately expand once compressed. Hard to compress and immediate rebound means no bouncing - just a hard, jolting ride.

[BullShifter]

I don't think so. Whats your suspension back round?

[n8zdogg]

Unless its a progressive rate spring - Listen to BullShifter. I know enough about off-road suspension to see his advice makes sense. A spring "rebounds" with whatever force the spring rate is. The shock/strut controls the compression and rebound.

[Gohan Ryu]

To be honest I don't have any formal automotive training - all my knowledge comes from what I have picked up over my years of being an automotive enthusiast - so some of my "theories" are probably flawed...

But this is my explanation of a "bouncy" suspension (copied from another webpage, but it describes my thoughts):
"Loosely sprung cars, such as luxury cars (think Lincoln Town Car), can swallow bumps and provide a super-smooth ride;however, such a car is prone to dive and squat during braking and acceleration and tends to experience body sway or roll during cornering."

And my definition of a "harsh ride":
"Tightly sprung cars, such as sports cars (think Mazda Miata), are less forgiving on bumpy roads, but they minimize body motion well, which means they can be driven aggressively, even around corners."

[n8zdogg]

Think you've got the right idea there. In my off-road experience with trucks buggies and bikes, suspension set-up and tuning is really important. Its also complicated and frustrating, and ultimately some goals just aren't gonna happen no matter how much time and money you spend.
Will a civic ever ride like caddy? - Very unlikely.