F-Type Stiff Suspension Cure
#21
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
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My 2c worth.
I had VAP springs fitted some 2.5 years ago now.
I went with VAP because although the Eibachs and H&Rs were cheaper and promised a better (lower) drop/look, my garage entrance has a big dip and the parking stops around here are front splitter killers at the best of times, so I didn't want to go too low.
I also liked the idea of the advertised progressive spring rates.
I've been fairly happy with the look although a bit lower would be nice, and the handling was improved (flatter and less body roll through the twisties).
BUT - it pogoes (bounces) a LOT when encountering dips and yumps in the road at anything over "normal" speed, way more than with the stock springs and Dynamic setting doesn't help, so much so that it feels like I am almost losing control and I need to slow right down.
I had VAP springs fitted some 2.5 years ago now.
I went with VAP because although the Eibachs and H&Rs were cheaper and promised a better (lower) drop/look, my garage entrance has a big dip and the parking stops around here are front splitter killers at the best of times, so I didn't want to go too low.
I also liked the idea of the advertised progressive spring rates.
I've been fairly happy with the look although a bit lower would be nice, and the handling was improved (flatter and less body roll through the twisties).
BUT - it pogoes (bounces) a LOT when encountering dips and yumps in the road at anything over "normal" speed, way more than with the stock springs and Dynamic setting doesn't help, so much so that it feels like I am almost losing control and I need to slow right down.
#23
My 2c worth.
I had VAP springs fitted some 2.5 years ago now.
I went with VAP because although the Eibachs and H&Rs were cheaper and promised a better (lower) drop/look, my garage entrance has a big dip and the parking stops around here are front splitter killers at the best of times, so I didn't want to go too low.
I also liked the idea of the advertised progressive spring rates.
I've been fairly happy with the look although a bit lower would be nice, and the handling was improved (flatter and less body roll through the twisties).
BUT - it pogoes (bounces) a LOT when encountering dips and yumps in the road at anything over "normal" speed, way more than with the stock springs and Dynamic setting doesn't help, so much so that it feels like I am almost losing control and I need to slow right down.
I had VAP springs fitted some 2.5 years ago now.
I went with VAP because although the Eibachs and H&Rs were cheaper and promised a better (lower) drop/look, my garage entrance has a big dip and the parking stops around here are front splitter killers at the best of times, so I didn't want to go too low.
I also liked the idea of the advertised progressive spring rates.
I've been fairly happy with the look although a bit lower would be nice, and the handling was improved (flatter and less body roll through the twisties).
BUT - it pogoes (bounces) a LOT when encountering dips and yumps in the road at anything over "normal" speed, way more than with the stock springs and Dynamic setting doesn't help, so much so that it feels like I am almost losing control and I need to slow right down.
#24
Progressive springs in the past, were less than ideal for performance/track driving. Since the tension in the spring isn't constant, it would make the behavior of the weight of the vehicle which is less than ideal. However, for street driving, they can provide a more comfortable ride while not under load. I'm sure the technology has gotten better but these are some things to consider when picking a spring upgrade (i.e. think about your primary use).
#25
Progressive springs in the past, were less than ideal for performance/track driving. Since the tension in the spring isn't constant, it would make the behavior of the weight of the vehicle which is less than ideal. However, for street driving, they can provide a more comfortable ride while not under load. I'm sure the technology has gotten better but these are some things to consider when picking a spring upgrade (i.e. think about your primary use).
#26
For you folks with Dynamic Suspensions on your F-Types,
Could some 'tweak' to the shock settings help? (I haven't ever seen this mentioned, so I don't know if it is possible)
#27
Given the fact that F1 technology has spearheaded active variable suspension technology, I don’t see why a variable-rate spring should be a problem in a sports or racing context...
#28
It really depends on an owners goals. I've raced and tracked cars with linear springs and with progressive springs. Unfortunately, not the same cars and/or dampers to do back to back comparisons so it's not directly apples to apples. Racers still prefer linear springs and that's what the majority use today for dedicated racing/track cars. Granted, no one here uses an F-Type as a dedicated racing/track car so progressive springs won't be a concern. Some people who are more sensitive to 'suspension feel' may notice scenarios like OzXFR mentioned above. Those who are not overly sensitive may never notice. For me, I notice when one tire is .5 psi less than others so it does matter to me. But I also understand that I'm not the typical F-Type owner.
#29
Price.. You can't serious believe that you are going to get F1 performance at consumer prices? Equating F1 technology to what we have at our disposal is a serious stretch.
It really depends on an owners goals. I've raced and tracked cars with linear springs and with progressive springs. Unfortunately, not the same cars and/or dampers to do back to back comparisons so it's not directly apples to apples. Racers still prefer linear springs and that's what the majority use today for dedicated racing/track cars. Granted, no one here uses an F-Type as a dedicated racing/track car so progressive springs won't be a concern. Some people who are more sensitive to 'suspension feel' may notice scenarios like OzXFR mentioned above. Those who are not overly sensitive may never notice. For me, I notice when one tire is .5 psi less than others so it does matter to me. But I also understand that I'm not the typical F-Type owner.
It really depends on an owners goals. I've raced and tracked cars with linear springs and with progressive springs. Unfortunately, not the same cars and/or dampers to do back to back comparisons so it's not directly apples to apples. Racers still prefer linear springs and that's what the majority use today for dedicated racing/track cars. Granted, no one here uses an F-Type as a dedicated racing/track car so progressive springs won't be a concern. Some people who are more sensitive to 'suspension feel' may notice scenarios like OzXFR mentioned above. Those who are not overly sensitive may never notice. For me, I notice when one tire is .5 psi less than others so it does matter to me. But I also understand that I'm not the typical F-Type owner.
My main point has always been that sports cars don’t need hard suspensions, as Porsche and Lotus demonstrate. And the handling of the F-Type is improved (I think) by a lower stance and better springs. Implicit in this is the shallower caster angle caused by the slightly lowered rear end.
#30
I suppose that JLR could have licensed the magnetorheological damper technology, but instead went for a two position valve. Having rebuilt motorcycle shocks and forks before, I gave a passing thought to an oil change in the F-type's dampers. It really was just a passing thought though, as they're not the weak link at present. Once I get to installing my springs I may change my mind. As a side note, I need to measure current clearance as they've just added a new speed bump between home and the rest of the world.
Anyway, there is an abundance of "weights" of oil available in the motorcycling world, so it would be possible to tune the shocks to the spring. If it were a dedicated track car and I had the resources, I'd consider it.
My previous car had a slight deficiency in rebound damping that gave an extra half oscillation on rolling freeway bumps, so I went with Bilsteins. I think I was only at 5K miles on a new car when I did that. I got a little harshness on expansion joints, but anything bigger they absorbed far better than the stock dampers did. I'm sure the stockers would have gotten bouncier with age.
Anyway, there is an abundance of "weights" of oil available in the motorcycling world, so it would be possible to tune the shocks to the spring. If it were a dedicated track car and I had the resources, I'd consider it.
My previous car had a slight deficiency in rebound damping that gave an extra half oscillation on rolling freeway bumps, so I went with Bilsteins. I think I was only at 5K miles on a new car when I did that. I got a little harshness on expansion joints, but anything bigger they absorbed far better than the stock dampers did. I'm sure the stockers would have gotten bouncier with age.
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MichaelBrazier (03-22-2020)
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