Air Bag Suspension

**GULLETT17** · 03-10-2008, 11:47 AM

I was checkin out WS6store.com and saw they carry air bags for our cars. I believe its just for the rear. That reminded me of a guy i know that said he installed bags on his 99 TA on the rear to improve launching??
Any opinions about air bag suspension on our cars? compaired to traditional upgraded springs and shocks? Better ride quality or launching? I know bags are nice for ride height adjustment and I've heard its a better ride. But wondered about our cars specific (fbodys).

**Eugenio_SS** · 03-10-2008, 11:37 PM

ride quality and handling... i wouldn't go w. them.

**GULLETT17** · 03-11-2008, 04:02 AM

really . . . what about launcing/take off? the guy i know that did it said they keep your rear axle level when launchin, creating equal downforce to both wheels. he could be full of crap, but sayin the passenger side rear is the most important and sometimes guys just put one there.

**Eugenio_SS** · 03-12-2008, 06:59 PM

shouldn't make a differnce.... in the end, both sides have same spring rates and damping properties.

**GULLETT17** · 03-13-2008, 04:13 AM

well thats the theory i guess. . .that the torque of the motor and turning driveshaft put more downforce on the passenger side wheel so the rear springs need to have different properties at launch. sounds good in theory but i dont know if its necessarily true

**Eugenio_SS** · 03-13-2008, 05:11 AM

that'w where the differential plays a roll... what kind of diff ?

**GULLETT17** · 03-13-2008, 05:20 AM

just stiffer on the passenger side i guess . . . i dont really know that much about it. im just goin by what he told me that bag allowed him to hook better. then I saw a couple fbody specific performance websites (ws6store and texas speed i believe) carry em so i wondered if there was any truth to it.

**RacerBob** · 03-13-2008, 02:04 PM

I have not seen pics of the airbags for an f-body, but I had air bags in my 80 Malibu. I only put air into the right rear. It really helped launch the car! 60' times dropped. I also need to mention I ran a trans brake.

**SS SLP2** · 03-14-2008, 08:28 PM

some run only on right rear, I run on both rear, but run more on right very little on left (2-4 # left, 8-10 # right ) play with pressure to get it rite
just my .02'
Johnny

**Eugenio_SS** · 03-15-2008, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by GULLETT17

just stiffer on the passenger side i guess . . . i dont really know that much about it. im just goin by what he told me that bag allowed him to hook better. then I saw a couple fbody specific performance websites (ws6store and texas speed i believe) carry em so i wondered if there was any truth to it.

not recommended unless it's strictly used @ the strip.
you want both sides to have similar behaviour, so you can keep the car under control... especially on the street, racing or any other driving (except 1/4 mile drag)

**GULLETT17** · 04-02-2008, 09:32 AM

saw an episode of horsepower tv a week or two ago. . . they put air ride all around on a ls1 z28. they kept goin on and on how much better the car handled and performed on a road course. is this comparable in performance at all to any traditional aftermarket suspension(springs and shocks)? if i remember right the kit they installed was pretty salty (around 2 grand i believe). this kit had a digital in car air pressure remote and everything, but wouldn't you just be better off goin with some strano springs and adjustable koni's?

**SS SLP2** · 04-02-2008, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by GULLETT17

saw an episode of horsepower tv a week or two ago. . . they put air ride all around on a ls1 z28. they kept goin on and on how much better the car handled and performed on a road course. is this comparable in performance at all to any traditional aftermarket suspension(springs and shocks)? if i remember right the kit they installed was pretty salty (around 2 grand i believe). this kit had a digital in car air pressure remote and everything, but wouldn't you just be better off goin with some strano springs and adjustable koni's?

I think this is a different type air system, not the air bags for the rear which I think GULLETT17 is asking about

ps: I saw the episode also
just my $.02 Johnny

**GULLETT17** · 04-03-2008, 03:57 AM

Originally Posted by SS SLP2

I think this is a different type air system, not the air bags for the rear which I think GULLETT17 is asking about

ps: I saw the episode also
just my $.02 Johnny

well i was really askin about both . . . the performance, if any, added by either and/or the differences in the two.

**squee** · 04-12-2008, 04:01 PM

There is some truth to the airbags in the back helping launching. You have to take into account the motor torquing to one side, the additional weight of the driver on the left, etc. If dialed just right, I'm sure the bags would help alot. Of course I think going with adjustable lower control arms, torque arm, panhard bar, etc would also help.

I to was wondering about the airride technologies kit as apposed to something like QA1s and some good springs and such...on HP they seemed to like it alot, but they didn't compare it to anything other than stock...