Air Ride Suspension?

[210jose]

I have heard goog and bad comments on this suspension. I am caught in the middle and don't really know if I should go ahead and use this suspention. Has anybody had problems with this type of suspension. Don't get me wrong, the end result looks great when you can cruise low and slow but how is the performance of it?

[Russell@NerdRods]

Are you asking about Air Ride Technology full kit, Corvettes suspension with air ride shockwaves (air bag over shock) or are you asking about just putting air bags on a stock rear end?

-Russell

[MyMotovation]

I love my air ride system...I have bags with the stock a arms in the front and a triangulated three link in the rear...Im running two pumps and an eight gallon tank...The ride quality is much better than the lowering springs that were on the car prior...My car is more of a cruiser than a performance machine but it will carve a corner without any extreme body roll and it will hook up pretty well when accelerating...

[carls 56]

hi jose and welcome! what you got ;) :D

[Russell@NerdRods]

Here’s what I’ve learned on the performance end of things on our chassis (Hot Rod Jim Frame for, C4 Corvette suspension). The Air ride is nice since you can fine tune the air pressure on the fly, the same thing as being able to pretention the spring directly but on all 4 shocks at the push of a button or whenever you key on the car. Good for fine tuning with different loads of people and cargo. The only down side id that you end up pushing the car up higher under the spring rates you would need to really throw the car around and make it grip properly. The solution is BIG sway bars. Stuff you would see on most road race cars. Cross that with a the double adjustable shock so you can fine tune the chassis rebound and compression and you’ll be off to a good start.

But that’s on one of our Corvette Suspensions I don’t know the real weak points of the stock suspension other than your working with 50 year old technology, bad geometry and a weak frame old.

-Russell

[Chevy57Ray]

Hi, Hello, Bienvenue, Welcome to trifive, Jose. I got Air Ride ShockWave at the front on stock arm suspension & still on leaves at the rear and I like it more then stock ride. It is stiffer & the handling is great. If you got some fear questions, just ask for it.

[210jose]

I have 1957 bel air 210 model. No pics yet, but I just got it from my grandpa. It was sitting in his ranch for probly over twenty years or more. It is deffinatly going to be a restoration project.

[Russell@NerdRods]

When you get it you need to start a project page to keep us all up to date on your 210. What do you want out of the car? drag car, cheap street car, street machine, street fighter?

I'm selling my 150 57 to build a Delray 55 Street fighter class car to compete in some serious time attack and road racing events with the Pro-Touring Crowds but I want it street legal too so I'm going with coil overs, custom shocks and huge swaybars. The car will be a little stiffer than a Z06 corvette but I like it like that.

Jim, my father is building a 57 Hardtop, Project MeTTeor if you search for it. He wants something more cursing oriented but with some power too. So we’re going with a twin turbo LS1. We also want the car to do a 200MPH run at the Texas Mile when it’s done. So for his car we're going with Air Ride Shockwaves on our chassis and our sport kit. A nice soft ride and the turbos will only give you power when you get up to 2400 RPM’s so it will be tame beast too.

Same TriFive bodies same frame with similar chassis components 2 different ends of the stick. So that’s why I ask what you want to with the car. If its not comfortable you won't drive it and after all that work (and money) that’s the last thing any of us want. You wouldn’t use a 5 year old cell phone why would you think a 50 chassis would work like a new car unless you work it over with the right combination of new technology to do what you want.

Good Luck and feel free to ask us any questions you might have, A dumb question is better than a dumb mistake anyday and we’re not all born into the car world either.

-Russell

[Godzilla4995]

I finally have the time, but limited funds to begin working on my 55 bel air (married and our first child is due soon). My first job is to update the suspension with some sort of air ride to get a smoother and lower ride. The first issue is that the front clip was removed and I believe a camaro clip was welded. My father had the vehicle for many years and did most of the work, however, he passed away and I am finally ready to work on it.
Would any of you have any options on determining the type of front clip that was installed. I tried locating the person responsible for putting the clip on, but cannot locate him.
In addition, would you all have any suggestions on the brand and type of air ride suspension I should look at?

Thanks!

[Chevy57Ray]

In addition, would you all have any suggestions on the brand and type of air ride suspension I should look at?

Air Ride Technology at the below site is among the best with a stock, Corvette or Camaro front Clip. A bit price, but the best of the industry.

http://www.ridetech.com/index2.html

[NickP]

I finally have the time, but limited funds to begin working on my 55 bel air (married and our first child is due soon). My first job is to update the suspension with some sort of air ride to get a smoother and lower ride. The first issue is that the front clip was removed and I believe a camaro clip was welded. My father had the vehicle for many years and did most of the work, however, he passed away and I am finally ready to work on it.
Would any of you have any options on determining the type of front clip that was installed. I tried locating the person responsible for putting the clip on, but cannot locate him.
In addition, would you all have any suggestions on the brand and type of air ride suspension I should look at?

Thanks!

Do you have pictures of the clip? Someone here will be able to determine what it is.

[mike@heidts]

I finally have the time, but limited funds to begin working on my 55 bel air (married and our first child is due soon). My first job is to update the suspension with some sort of air ride to get a smoother and lower ride. The first issue is that the front clip was removed and I believe a camaro clip was welded. My father had the vehicle for many years and did most of the work, however, he passed away and I am finally ready to work on it.
Would any of you have any options on determining the type of front clip that was installed. I tried locating the person responsible for putting the clip on, but cannot locate him.
In addition, would you all have any suggestions on the brand and type of air ride suspension I should look at?

Thanks!
If the steering arm is bolted to the spindle 67 to 69 Camaro. If the arm is cast into the spindle (one piece) it's a 70 to 81 Camaro.

[yurotech]

I have heard goog and bad comments on this suspension. I am caught in the middle and don't really know if I should go ahead and use this suspention. Has anybody had problems with this type of suspension. Don't get me wrong, the end result looks great when you can cruise low and slow but how is the performance of it?


Hello,

Have you made any progess on your project? I can give advice on what is need, please check my attachment of the front end kit. Let me know where you are at with your project.

Cheers!

[yurotech]

I have heard goog and bad comments on this suspension. I am caught in the middle and don't really know if I should go ahead and use this suspention. Has anybody had problems with this type of suspension. Don't get me wrong, the end result looks great when you can cruise low and slow but how is the performance of it?


Here are some pix of the rear kit>>you can go with a tri-link or parallel link kit. The air management is fairly simple to install, it will be pre-assembled and all you need to do is wire power to it and plumb the air hose. Check it out and let me know if you have any questions.

[gconnsr]

I'm wondering how fast you guys with air ride in the front are eating up front tires? It seems to me that you would have to keep the car at the exact same level all the time to hold a proper alignment. Has anyone had hydro-plaining problems on water?

[yurotech]

I'm wondering how fast you guys with air ride in the front are eating up front tires? It seems to me that you would have to keep the car at the exact same level all the time to hold a proper alignment. Has anyone had hydroplaning problems on water?

That's correct you would align the vehicle at ride height and if you drive below or above the alignment will change.

[Jim '57]

That's correct you would align the vehicle at ride height and if you drive below or above the alignment will change.

I assume from this responce that it is designed to drive in a straight line.
As I have stated before air baggs were developed for busses and trucks where the load varries.
It was adapted by the Pachucos of So Cal to raise and lower their 'Low Riders', it is not for the guy that wants to challenge the curves of a mountain road. IMHO
Jim

[yurotech]

I assume from this responce that it is designed to drive in a straight line.
As I have stated before air baggs were developed for busses and trucks where the load varries.
It was adapted by the Pachucos of So Cal to raise and lower their 'Low Riders', it is not for the guy that wants to challenge the curves of a mountain road. IMHO
Jim

The concept of air ride was developed for show and improvement of ride quality under normal cruising conditions. Even with the ability to control independent corner pressure, it was not meant for agggresive driving but that does not mean it has not been used in this manner on high-performance machine. Here's an example of a Front strut kit on a Porsche Cayenne.

[yurotech]

The concept of air ride was developed for show and improvement of ride quality under normal cruising conditions. Even with the ability to control independent corner pressure, it was not meant for agggresive driving but that does not mean it has not been used in this manner on high-performance machine. Here's an example of a Front strut kit on a Porsche Cayenne.

This is for the front actually

[gconnsr]

That's correct you would align the vehicle at ride height and if you drive below or above the alignment will change.

Is there an easy way to bring it back to an exact ride height? This seems impossible to me, close isn't good enough when it comes to your alignment.

[Jim '57]

I am not talking about 'normal cruising conditions'. I seldom drive under normal driving conditions.
I am a mature male American, I have owned Porsche and Mercedes and do not base my idea of performance on an SUV, Porsche or Mercedes.
I want my 57 to hold it's own in real world driving conditions.
Jim

[gconnsr]

I assume from this responce that it is designed to drive in a straight line.
As I have stated before air baggs were developed for busses and trucks where the load varries.
It was adapted by the Pachucos of So Cal to raise and lower their 'Low Riders', it is not for the guy that wants to challenge the curves of a mountain road. IMHO
Jim

Jim, you left out the fact that the busses and trucks with front bags where straight axles, no alignment change.:tu

[yurotech]

Is there an easy way to bring it back to an exact ride height? This seems impossible to me, close isn't good enough.

Yes, this is possible with a controller that will have preset height options and will be intergrated with an electric valve system. Do you have electric valves? If not this would be a good upgrade.

[Topjafo]

"low riders" have always used hydralics their never adapted air for them.

Why would you be more prone to hydro plane with air? that is strictly a tire issue.

Air or not, every car is aligned at ride hieght, every car hits bumps and holes that change the "static ride hieght" thus causing tire wear. Even you just sitting in the car changes the alignment.

Mig

[gconnsr]

"low riders" have always used hydralics their never adapted air for them.

Why would you be more prone to hydro plane with air? that is strictly a tire issue.

Air or not, every car is aligned at ride height, every car hits bumps and holes that change the "static ride height" thus causing tire wear. Even you just sitting in the car changes the alignment.

Mig

A bad alignment will cause a car to hydro-plain also, if your car is not at the exact ride height where you had it aligned at, it's off. Air and hydraulics will make it drastically off at the touch of a button. Low riders don't car about their alignment or ride quality, the idea is to look cool. Have you ever driven in a car with hydraulics? They drive like tanks.

[Jim '57]

Jim, you left out the fact that the busses and trucks with front bags where straight axles, no alignment change.:tu

I'm not sure that your statement about straight axels is correct. Are you saying that all trucks and busses have straight axels?
Jim

[Topjafo]

Yes a bad alignment will cause hydro-planing, but the same is true for underinflated tires, dead shocks, broken springs etc...And no car is at exact alignment if its moving. All alignments have mins and maxs to fall into. All the systems I have installed will take a miss hit to the button, and if it evens activate the soleniod only a minute psi change will ensue.
I have use air since their inception (when they were two circuits F/R) and have not had a client complain that they needed an alignment shop follow them around. And yes, my clients are given the ride hieght measurements (and the pressures) and where to measure at, to take to the alignment shop.

BTW-yes i have ridden in low riders and yes they drive like car with no suspension, because I have ridden in tanks that feel like a caddy, oh yeah those tanks had air suspension.

Mig

they now have a laser leveling system to kept the system at the hieghts that the car was designed to ride at. or anywhere in between.

[yurotech]

I am not talking about 'normal cruising conditions'. I seldom drive under normal driving conditions.
I am a mature male American, I have owned Porsche and Mercedes and do not base my idea of performance on an SUV, Porsche or Mercedes.
I want my 57 to hold it's own in real world driving conditions.
Jim

With your style of driving I would suggest maintaining a static sport suspension kit. Regarding the Porsche, I was giving you example of the progression of air ride and the wide range of vehicles that air suspension is available for. The cayenne is at the top of its class for performance and handling and very well could keep up with your chevy on those moutainous roads or..

[gconnsr]

I'm not sure that your statement about straight axels is correct. Are you saying that all trucks and busses have straight axels?
Jim

No thats not what I'm saying, I should have said the trucks and busses that I have seen with front air bags, had straight axles.

[gconnsr]

Yes, this is possible with a controller that will have preset height options and will be intergrated with an electric valve system. Do you have electric valves? If not this would be a good upgrade.

Kind of like a Lincoln car that has auto leveling air ride? It seems to me that this would be the only smart way to go. Do you have any pictures or a link where I can read up on this?

[Chevy57Ray]

I would like to see a picture of what you guys are using to control your ride height.

I usually calibrate my ride at 69 PSI and it stay. Of course during the ride, the pressure will varie up & down. My ride is 3 1/2" lower then stock and the alignement is crusial. The tech who makes alignement must knows his business. I did tried 3 different guys before finding the good one. Once the pressure is set to 69, you must ride at that spec's almost all the time.

[gconnsr]

Yes a bad alignment will cause hydro-planing, but the same is true for underinflated tires, dead shocks, broken springs etc...And no car is at exact alignment if its moving. All alignments have mins and maxs to fall into. All the systems I have installed will take a miss hit to the button, and if it evens activate the soleniod only a minute psi change will ensue.
I have use air since their inception (when they were two circuits F/R) and have not had a client complain that they needed an alignment shop follow them around. And yes, my clients are given the ride hieght measurements (and the pressures) and where to measure at, to take to the alignment shop.

BTW-yes i have ridden in low riders and yes they drive like car with no suspension, because I have ridden in tanks that feel like a caddy, oh yeah those tanks had air suspension.

Mig

they now have a laser leveling system to kept the system at the hieghts that the car was designed to ride at. or anywhere in between.

I just caught the part about the laser leveling system, that sounds like the hot ticket:tu

[gconnsr]

I usually calibrate my ride at 69 PSI and it stay. Of course during the ride, the pressure will varie up & down. My ride is 3 1/2" lower then stock and the alignement is crusial. The tech who makes alignement must knows his business. I did tried 3 different guys before finding the good one. Once the pressure is set to 69, you must ride at that spec's almost all the time.

I guess a gage would work also. Sorry for all the questions, but I think guys that are thinking about it should know there is a little more involved than just tossing some air bags in. Having a way to keep the alignment in spec is critical, you can't just take a guess with the pull of a lever or the push of a button. I had a guy come in to my shop for an alignment one time that had just put hydraulics on his front wheel drive car himself, (hydraulic struts) he was shocked when I asked him to set the height of the car to what he normally cruises at before I set the alignment. He had no clue that every time he raised or lowered his car he was drastically changing his alignment.

[yurotech]

Kind of like a Lincoln car that has auto leveling air ride? It seems to me that this would be the only smart way to go. Do you have any pictures or a link where I can read up on this?

This kit will be different than the lincoln system in regards to the auto levelling aspect. This kit will allow you to set your pre-set heights/pressure and you would push a button to bring it back to that particular setting/height. You have the ability to set 8 different settings.

[Ron Holz]

I love my air ride system...I have bags with the stock a arms in the front and a triangulated three link in the rear...Im running two pumps and an eight gallon tank...The ride quality is much better than the lowering springs that were on the car prior...My car is more of a cruiser than a performance machine but it will carve a corner without any extreme body roll and it will hook up pretty well when accelerating...

HI, I WENT WITH AIR RIDE TECH.AND THE SAME REAR AS YOU DID,AND SHOCK WAVES AND TUPED A-ARMS AND DROPPED SPINDALS, IT RIDES
JUST GREAT,HANDLES GREAT,AND HAVE FUN WITH IT, I HAVE HAD SOME
PROBLEMS WITH THE ECU TAKING IT BACK TO THE CORRECT RIDE HEIGHT
BUT I'AM INSTALL THE LEVEL PRO KIT THIS WEEK,WILL SEE THEN WHAT HAPPENS.
RON HOLZ
AUBURN,WA.