Whether you’re navigating twisty backroads, tackling the racetrack, or just looking to improve the comfort and control of your daily commute, the suspension and handling of your vehicle play a crucial role. Upgrading your car’s suspension system not only enhances its performance but also provides better safety and driving pleasure. In this blog post, we’ll explore the importance of suspension and handling, discuss various upgrade options, and explain how these modifications can transform your driving experience.

What is Suspension and Why is it Important?

The suspension system is a network of springs, shocks, struts, and other components that connect the vehicle to its wheels. It serves several essential functions:

1. Comfort: Suspension absorbs bumps and road imperfections, ensuring a smooth ride for passengers. A well-tuned suspension isolates the vehicle’s cabin from harsh impacts, providing a more comfortable driving experience.
2. Control: Suspension maintains tire contact with the road, which is crucial for steering, braking, and overall vehicle control. Good suspension helps the driver keep the vehicle stable and responsive during acceleration, braking, and cornering.
3. Handling: Handling refers to how the vehicle responds to driver inputs, such as steering and braking. A well-designed suspension system enhances handling by minimizing body roll, improving grip, and providing better feedback from the road.
4. Safety: Proper suspension ensures that the vehicle remains stable and predictable, reducing the risk of accidents. It plays a vital role in maintaining control during emergency maneuvers and adverse driving conditions.

Common Suspension and Handling Upgrades

1. Performance Springs:
   • What They Are: Performance springs are designed to lower the vehicle’s ride height and provide a stiffer spring rate. Lowering springs reduce the gap between the tire and fender, giving the car a more aggressive stance.
   • Benefits: Improved handling due to a lower center of gravity, reduced body roll during cornering, and enhanced steering response. Performance springs also give the vehicle a sportier appearance.
   • Considerations: Lowering the ride height may result in a stiffer ride, which could reduce comfort. It’s important to choose springs that are compatible with the vehicle’s shocks and struts to avoid mismatched handling characteristics.
2. Coilover Suspension:
   • What It Is: Coilovers are adjustable suspension components that combine a shock absorber and a coil spring into a single unit. They allow for adjustments in ride height, damping, and stiffness.
   • Benefits: Customizable ride height and damping settings, providing the ability to fine-tune the suspension for different driving conditions. Coilovers improve handling, cornering stability, and vehicle control.
   • Considerations: Coilovers can be more expensive than traditional shocks and springs. They require proper installation and adjustment to ensure optimal performance and safety.
3. Performance Shocks and Struts:
   • What They Are: Performance shocks and struts are designed to provide better damping control, reducing body movement and improving road feedback. They are a direct replacement for factory shocks and struts.
   • Benefits: Enhanced handling, improved ride quality, and increased stability. Performance shocks and struts help maintain tire contact with the road, providing better traction and control.
   • Considerations: Performance shocks and struts may provide a firmer ride compared to stock components. It’s important to choose shocks and struts that are compatible with the vehicle’s springs and suspension setup.
4. Sway Bars (Anti-Roll Bars):
   • What They Are: Sway bars, also known as anti-roll bars, are installed between the suspension on either side of the vehicle to reduce body roll during cornering. They work by transferring forces from one side of the vehicle to the other.
   • Benefits: Reduced body roll, improved handling, and better cornering stability. Sway bars provide a more planted feel, making the vehicle more responsive to steering inputs.
   • Considerations: Sway bars can increase ride stiffness, which may affect comfort. It’s important to choose the right thickness and stiffness for the sway bars to match the vehicle’s handling characteristics.
5. Strut Braces:
   • What They Are: Strut braces are metal bars that connect the tops of the strut towers in the engine bay. They are designed to increase chassis rigidity and reduce flexing during cornering.
   • Benefits: Improved steering response, reduced chassis flex, and enhanced handling. Strut braces provide better feedback from the road, making the vehicle feel more solid and connected.
   • Considerations: Strut braces may require modifications to the engine bay for installation. They are most effective when used in conjunction with other suspension upgrades.
6. Camber Kits:
   • What They Are: Camber kits allow for adjustment of the wheel camber angle, which is the angle of the wheels relative to the ground. Proper camber settings ensure optimal tire contact with the road.
   • Benefits: Improved tire wear, better traction, and enhanced handling. Camber kits allow for fine-tuning of the suspension to achieve the desired balance between grip and stability.
   • Considerations: Incorrect camber settings can lead to uneven tire wear and reduced handling performance. Camber adjustments should be made carefully to ensure that the vehicle’s handling characteristics are optimized.
7. Bushings:
   • What They Are: Bushings are rubber or polyurethane components that isolate and cushion the suspension components. Upgrading to performance bushings reduces flex and improves suspension response.
   • Benefits: Increased steering precision, improved road feedback, and enhanced handling. Performance bushings provide a more connected feel between the driver and the road.
   • Considerations: Performance bushings may result in a firmer ride, as they reduce the cushioning effect of rubber bushings. They should be chosen based on the desired balance between comfort and performance.

Benefits of Suspension and Handling Upgrades

1. Improved Cornering and Stability: Upgrading the suspension enhances the vehicle’s ability to handle corners and maintain stability. Reduced body roll and better weight distribution result in more confident and controlled cornering.
2. Enhanced Steering Response: Suspension upgrades improve the vehicle’s steering response, making it more precise and responsive to driver inputs. This provides a more engaging driving experience, especially on twisty roads and during spirited driving.
3. Increased Traction and Grip: Performance suspension components help maintain tire contact with the road, improving traction and grip. This is crucial for acceleration, braking, and cornering, ensuring that the vehicle remains planted and predictable.
4. Reduced Understeer and Oversteer: Suspension tuning can address understeer (front-wheel slide) and oversteer (rear-wheel slide), providing a more balanced handling experience. This makes the vehicle easier to control during aggressive driving.
5. Better Ride Quality: While performance suspension components are often associated with firmer rides, they can also improve ride quality by better absorbing road imperfections. Properly tuned suspension provides a comfortable yet controlled ride.
6. Enhanced Safety: A well-tuned suspension system improves overall vehicle control, reducing the risk of accidents. By maintaining stability and predictability, suspension upgrades contribute to safer driving.
7. Customization: Suspension upgrades offer a high level of customization, allowing drivers to tailor the handling characteristics to their preferences. Whether it’s for daily driving, track use, or off-road adventures, suspension upgrades provide the flexibility to achieve the desired performance.

Considerations Before Upgrading Suspension and Handling

1. Driving Style and Needs: Consider your driving style and the primary use of the vehicle. Suspension upgrades should match your driving preferences, whether it’s for comfort, performance, or a balance of both.
2. Compatibility: Ensure that the suspension components you choose are compatible with your vehicle’s make and model. Mismatched components can lead to handling issues and compromised safety.
3. Cost: Suspension upgrades can vary in cost, depending on the type and quality of components. Set a budget that aligns with your performance goals and prioritize upgrades that provide the most benefit for your driving needs.
4. Installation: Suspension upgrades often require professional installation, especially for complex components like coilovers and sway bars. Choose a reputable installer with experience in suspension modifications to ensure safety and optimal performance.
5. Alignment: After installing suspension upgrades, a wheel alignment is essential to ensure that the suspension settings are optimized. Proper alignment prevents uneven tire wear and maintains handling characteristics.
6. Maintenance: Performance suspension components may require more frequent maintenance and inspection. Regularly check for wear, leaks, and proper operation to ensure that the suspension system remains in top condition.
7. Ride Comfort: Be aware that some suspension upgrades may result in a firmer ride, which could affect comfort. Consider the trade-off between performance and comfort when choosing suspension components.

Steps to Upgrade Suspension and Handling

1. Assess Your Needs: Start by assessing your driving needs and goals. Determine what aspects of your vehicle’s handling and ride quality you want to improve. Consider factors such as cornering performance, ride comfort, and stability.
2. Research Suspension Options: Research the available suspension upgrades that are compatible with your vehicle. Consider components such as springs, shocks, coilovers, sway bars, and bushings. Consult with suspension specialists to determine the best options for your needs.
3. Consult with Professionals: Before proceeding with upgrades, consult with professionals who specialize in suspension modifications. They can provide expert advice, perform a compatibility check, and help you understand the installation process.
4. Plan for Installation: Schedule the installation with a qualified service center. Ensure that the installation team has experience with your specific vehicle model and the chosen suspension components. Discuss the installation timeline, costs, and any additional modifications needed.
5. Perform Wheel Alignment: After installing suspension upgrades, perform a wheel alignment to ensure that the suspension settings are optimized. Proper alignment is crucial for maintaining handling characteristics and preventing uneven tire wear.
6. Test Drive and Adjust: After the installation, take the vehicle for a test drive to evaluate the handling and ride quality. Make adjustments to the suspension settings as needed to achieve the desired performance. Fine-tuning may be required to balance comfort and performance.
7. Monitor and Maintain: Regularly monitor the performance of the suspension components. Check for wear, leaks, and proper operation. Perform maintenance as needed to keep the suspension system in top condition.

Conclusion

Upgrading your vehicle’s suspension and handling is a powerful way to enhance its performance, safety, and driving pleasure. Whether you’re looking to improve cornering ability, increase stability, or simply make your daily commute more comfortable, suspension upgrades provide a practical and impactful solution. By understanding the benefits, considerations, and steps involved in suspension and handling upgrades, you can make informed decisions that transform your driving experience.

At MGMT Autoworks, we specialize in suspension and handling upgrades for a wide range of vehicles. Our team of experts can help you choose the right suspension components, perform professional installations, and ensure that your vehicle delivers the performance, comfort, and control you desire. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you master the road with high-performance suspension and handling upgrades!