I've been meaning to get around to writing a FAQ for the chassis and suspension tech fourm for a while. After finals I should be able to get it posted. Give me an idea of what you'd like to see.

Part choices? Product review? Theory (basic suspension dynamics)? Obviously having an impartial viewpoint would be necessary as people tend to get passionate about their way of doing things.

My main goal here is just to cut down on the same old questions as we continue grow and get new members.

I'm guessing we should cover the basics and a "generic" setup (35mm, koni's, 500/150 springs etc as a guideline) with some explanation of the reasons for that setup. It may grow/evolve as time goes on.

Nope, you can't do a "generic" setup and call it impartial - it WILL be biased. I also wouldn't try to divide it into OT vs AX; I've personally always found the OT stuff to be relevant to AX even if some don't feel it works the other way.

I simply try to disclose all sides or "schools of thought" when I'm aware of rational arguments for them.

You could divide it into a minimal setup (shocks and swaybar), a typical softer setup (550/150 or whatever), a typical firmer setup, and a benchmark ("typical" probably doesn't apply) heavily modified streetable setup (such as Jon's).

Of course, there are also some bad ideas that everyone can agree on

It'll also need to be broken up by generation, or at least pointing out the differences.

Agreed!

I like the idea of some basic theory. I'm a non-technical person by trade but I absorb info anywhere I can.

How about something pointing out the general weak points in the stock set up (shocks) and a reasonable modification order or priority to support the basic set up parts listing?

Seems a lot of posts asking for advice start something like I already have a long list of parts bought and installed (LCA's, relocation brackets, STB, rod end PHB, subframes) - what shocks and springs should I buy?

Maybe that's more what I meant to say (but absouletly didn't).

Rob check your PMs too.

As sgarnett noted, I don't think you can really offer a setup without imposing some degree of subjectiveness that's going to rile someone. But if the FAQ were setup to explain why something works, and why something doesn't (deCarbon v. Koni; Lg front sway v. smaller sway; rubber v. poly v. rod-end) etc. then you may be on to something. At best, you could give a range of specs to use per application... and per generation of course.

i'd post more on certain guidelines on how to setup your suspension right... like:
1. chose spring rate that will suit needs.
2. select shocks that will dampen those spring rates.
3. select sway-bars for balance and desired taste

How about a simple to the point listing of all the different parts, what they do, how they work and what effect it has on the car. From there then go into suspension alignment points and the effects those have on the car. Its hard to give a setup to someone and have that work for everyone. Since most of us are not all in the same class you have no idea what weight the car is at, what aero work is done if any at all, what wheels/tire sizes, and how the driver likes the car. Some people like really huge springs and bars, others do not. Doesn't mean one is right and the other is wrong.

To me it would be much more helpful to for someone to fix his/her own car if they said..well it came back off the track and it had a low speed push..from that they could look at the FAQ and go thru the different things that effect that on the car then they could make the choice as to what part they are able to change to fix or help the problem.

As Sam said...if you start putting up general starting points based off of someone it is going to be baised and then your going to run into fighting. If they had a basic layout for someone to say yeah...it did X and 1, 2, 3, or 4 effect that on the car and I can make changes to anyone of those to help the problem.

That make sence?

I would read the supension FAQ once a week till I could recite it in my sleep.

Makes perfect sense to me.


List all the things we do, and why.

Lowering isn't for bling. It's for reduced weight transfer, etc....Maybe some basic weight transfer stuff too...

Explanation of the roles of parts is vital. For example, what handling characteristics are improved by going to aftermarket LCA's, versus, say an aftermarket torque arm. Understanding the individual components, then how they work together, will help newbies a lot.

i'd like to see common symptoms/solutions, ie. understeer at corner entry--slow down! oversteer at exit--rear sway bar is too big. i know this could only be a very rough guide, but this is an FAQ, a 'catch-all' guide, not a specific advice. that's what the rest of the board is for

It might be nice to add what's allowed by class, normal setups for FS, ESP, SM, road race, etc.

This is about to become the "mother of all FAQ's" at this rate. We may be better to break it down to cover springs, their job, (avoid bottoming out and some contribution to roll stiffness, etc), sway bars (limit roll, etc), shocks (damp springs, rebound affects roll rate, not total roll, etc), LCA's/poly bushings (bind, etc), and do a series. Otherwise, we'll wind up with a line by line of the Solo rule book and a 500 page document. And, the HPDE/road race guys could mostly care less (ok, extreme point) about the Solo II rules, we may want to consider something like that for the autocross forum, a specific rundown with more detailed information. We could possibly write up "works in progress" and (sticky them for discussion) discuss and make changes (hopefully without any serious arguements) and then finalize some stickies.

Good idea?

If anyone wants to take a category (if this seems like a good approach), I'm sure we can use some help. I'm trying to decide which one I can speak intellegently about.

I wouldn't make it a suspension primer. We need to be more specific and related to F-Body's.

I was thinking that it should be related to fbodies. Not exactly generic. Just that running down the rule book may make for a long document. But, I'm just bouncing ideas out there..... I'm not saying I'm correct or that is how it needs done.

Discuss....

I'm about 50% done with it right now. It's more of a guide/intro than an FAQ. It also covers available products. I will need a couple 3rd gen'ers to go through it once I finish. I don't want to be another 4th gen jerk that forgets all about third gens.

I can't wait to see this! Thanks!

A while back I mentioned a chassis/suspension faq. It's been done for a while I've just been sitting on it. I had planned to write about vehicle dynamics and tuning, however, there are books out there that cover this better than I ever could. Anyone serious enough will go buy a book. Perhaps I'll add a basic primer in the future. In the mean time I've focused on f-body specific products-particularly 4th gen.

I'd like for someone knowledgeable with 3rd gens to go through and add in (preferably in bold so I can distinguish) 3rd gen parts/products. Non-4th gen parts like front suspension, sfc's, stb's, caster/camber plates etc. I'll go back through and intergrate everything afterwards.

http://bellsouthpwp.net/4/5/454ss/suspchassisintro.doc

I went ahead and merged the topics. Any input from the 3rd gen guys is most welcome.

I'll try to work on in tonight.

I have pulled it down and am working on it as time allows. I have added changes in red text. Where do I send changes?

robmeadway@gmail.com

BTW if anyone has any issues with what I wrote or sees any problems let me know as well.

Most typos and spelling corrections will be in red, too. :-)

I'm sure I have plenty. I can't type worth a damn.