Air Ride Suspension

[Pablobtown]

Alright, so I am wanting to lower my 2g. But I don't want to scrape everywhere I go, or on my driveway. I already have to go at an angle to get in and out, with stock suspension. I've been looking a bit into air ride systems. I'd like a nice air ride for comfort. But I DO NOT want some mexican car that could jump hurdles in a track event. I just want something that smoothly rises to go over things, then back down to look nice and clean. I called a local shop. They mainly do old-school muscle cars and the guy was nice enough to tell me that I most likely could do it myself. Get quality parts and have some common sense and it shouldn't be too difficult. Also the smaller the piping the smoother the drop/rise. Anyone want to chime in, or give me some non smartass comments?

 

[1990dsmkid]

I have also sat and wondered about a air ride set.

 

[6772owner]

I would look at AirLift, they have quite a few kits for Sport Compacts and universal applications. You just need to make sure the air struts have the correct travel and are sized correctly to replace the existing struts. Then its just a matter of what compressor(s), tank(s) and air management you want to run. I would run 1/4" or 3/8" lines personally, my truck lifted/lowered a little slow on 1/4" lines IMHO.

 

[sirbow2]

I was thinking of the same for here in Rapid City. The roads are absolutely HORRENDOUS. They have these huge dips on all four edges of 4 way stops in the residential areas that make my shitty 02 corolla (stock point A to B car) scrape unless i take it from the side or at 5mph (literally!).

I don't know much about air ride... how well do they work with handling? Lets say you throw them on a 500hp DD/autocross, would it cause the suspension to go to shit?

 

[yhype]

I have looked into this before and found a couple companies that make systems for DSMs. The two i had found were from AccuAir Suspension and K-sport. Ksport looked to be easier to install and AccuAir looked like it could be fine tuned more. But both had different levels of system from a basic to one with every option out there. I've heard and read that air suspension can handle pretty well but may not be as good as a quality coilover setup.

 

[Pablobtown]

I was wondering the same about handling in, lets say an autocross environment. But I just want a "ride on rails" suspension that could handle a racing type event if wanted. I'd plan on controlling the system with an arduino. That way i can put a programable button somewhere. Like the mysterious third button spot on the dash. How much should this cost if put together properly?

 

[Blurred Talon]

Air Ride Performance.

It's Air Ride's performance division, as the name employs. The have several test cars that handle great on air from what I've seen/read.
I myself have thought about air suspension lately for various reasons.
Air suspension is not cheap. Budget about $2500 for parts plus your labour if you have no experience with the mechanical and electrical aspects of it.

 

[Eckzavier]

What Blurred Talon said, I recently finished installing an Air Lift Performance V2 Digital setup on my DD (2012 VW CC) and it was not a cheap endeavor, i didnt want to ruin the bumper by being low all the time and I work construction, so some job sites can be pretty hairy to get in and out of.

That being said, a fairly cost effective alternative is a "Cup kit" that can be installed on aftermarket coilovers that will allow a few inches of upward suspension travel when aired up, and doesnt hinder the coilovers performance when aired out and lowered back down. As far as handling on a car with "bags" its smooth and absolutely wonderful. But my VW isnt a racecar, so I havent really pushed it hard. Seemed mostly competent when I was getting into it a little bit on a mountain road last weekend.