RE: Suspension Question

[Tim Irwin <timi@Interlinq.com>]

The tires could probably help the road noise (assuming "quieter" tires), but
they definitely won't help the body roll, in fact the car will likely roll
even more due to the higher limits of a better tire. Also, without a better
suspension, you could end up with most of that larger contact patch off of
the road. 

See http://www.grmotorsports.com/delsol.html for a very interesting article
on how they took a basic Honda Del Sol over 1g on the skidpad with tires and
suspension.

I'm not saying the tires are great (they aren't), but my plans currently are
(in order, and when I have the money):
- Bilstein struts
- Neuspeed sofsports (if I decide not to play in the stock autocross
division, or just get tired of the springs)
- Toyo Proxes Z1's (maybe - I just saw Patrick's email on their price -
urp!)

Of course all of that depends on spousal approval and bank balance.

Has anyone tried running a strut like the Bilstein with the stock springs?
Its not the extra cost of the springs (really not that much when it comes
down to it), but I might try autocrossing with the car (yeah I know its not
terribly competitive) and would like to stay in the stock division for now.

Tim Irwin
'98 Porcelain Blue GLX

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Cris [SMTP:ccl8370@osfmail.isc.rit.edu]
> Sent:	Friday, November 06, 1998 1:43 PM
> To:	jettaglx@igtc.com
> Subject:	Re: Suspension Question
> 
> Well, different people have their own way of tuning their cars. The
> original poster (sorry, forgot your name) wanted more road feel/
> sensitivity,... so I suggested wheels/shocks. Is VW stocking
> the GLXs with high performance Z-rated tires now? I know they used to 
> come with GY all seasons, please correct me if I am wrong. 
> 
> IMHO, when you start tuning the suspension, naturally, you would want
> to start from the point of contact with the road, right? Now, say you
> do the shocks and springs first. Your car is lowered, ride is stiffer...
> but
> when you start taking turns/sweeps at speed, you will lose contact at 
> the tires first, before you get full use of the stiffer shocks and
> springs.
> That is the reason why one would want to go with a wheels/tires pk, or
> a nice set of high performance tires. Car tuning is all about form follow
> function... hey, I think Porsche lives by that philosophy! :)
> 
> BTW, to the original poster, if you have a nice set of performance tires
> on your GLX already... then, by all means, go with the shocks and springs.
> 
> Cris
> A4 1.8TQ
> 
> 
> 
> 
> > 
> > > As far as suspension tuning goes... start off with wheels/tires.
> > > If you go with a set of Plus One setup from your stock wheels/tires,
> > > the road feel should get better (or more sensitive). Then, if you want
> > > to firm up the ride, then go with a new shocks and springs setup.
> > > 
> > 
> > Is this the general concensus around here?  Get a different tire/wheel
> > set-up and then change the suspension?  I've always felt that those
> > "High shine" performance wheels and tires look pretty stupid, especially
> > if the rest of the car is stock.  I'd rather change the suspension and
> > get better handling that way, then to fool around with bigger rims
> > and fatter tires.  Agree/Disagree?  
> > 
> > Also, before I put much thought into this, how much would a new set of
> > shocks and springs be?  I'm not looking for specifics, just a typical 
> > set of sport springs and shocks.  Thanks in advance.
> > 
> > -- 
> > Benjamin M. Piecuch
> > Hamilton Standard 
> > Space Systems International
> >