Suspension plays a key role in car performance. Just take a look at the new Gordon Murray T33 supercar: it`s impressive new suspension set-up features “lightweight double wishbones front and rear with coil springs over aluminum dampers, along with a toe control link at the rear and forged aluminum alloy uprights”. But, if you`re not in the market for a brand spanking new car, fear not. By implementing some simple yet smart suspension upgrades, you can boost performance with minimal hassle and expense.
Anti-roll bars (or sway bars)
A simple yet effective suspension upgrade, an anti-roll bar (or sway bar) is basically a lever that joins the two opposing front wheels or the two opposing back wheels. The exterior wheel and suspension is typically placed under much greater pressure than the inside wheel while driving, which often results in a roll.
To solve this problem, the anti-roll bar works to take the brunt of the tension and lifts the inside wheel to minimize roll to improve performance, particularly when cornering. If you have a front-wheel drive, for example, installing a rear stiff anti-roll bar will effectively minimize understeer.
On the other hand, by installing a front stiff anti-roll bar, you can better decrease oversteer on a rear-wheel drive. If, however, your rear-wheel drive also understeers, a rear stiff anti-roll bar will help your vehicle handle more smoothly.
Fully-threaded coilovers
Although a more expensive option, coilovers offer numerous benefits over traditional spring-and-shocks suspension. But, what are coilovers? Well, they work similarly to traditional suspension, except the shock and spring are housed in one unit (aka strut). Coilovers are essentially shock absorbers encased in a coil spring.
When installed correctly, coilovers help improve handling and ride quality. So, when you`re making twists and turns at high speeds, coilovers can help you do so smoothly. They`re also easily adjustable to suit your needs and can be raised or lowered quickly.
In contrast to partially-threaded coilovers, fully-threaded coilovers offer three different adjustment collars. These help prevent you from lowering your car too far while also maintaining beneficial dampening qualities.
High-performance tires
If your tire`s are poor quality and not inflated adequately, your car won`t be able to navigate tougher road conditions, which therefore makes you feel less in control as a driver. Fortunately, installing high-performance tires is a surefire way to improve your car suspension and overall performance.
High-quality tires from big names like Michelin, Pirelli, or Continental will provide you with far more grip and stability, improved straight-line performance, and enhanced braking ability, along with a significant drop in hydroplaning. The right high-performance tires will also help minimize the pesky problem of rotational inertia and maximize power transfer to the road.
Upgrading your car suspension is an easy yet effective way of improving overall performance. Anti-roll bars, coilovers, and high-performance tires are just some simple ways to improve suspension and get the most out of your car.
