Air vs Coil overs...The Video

Sharad

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I think you guys are kind of missing the point. The Air Lift shocks/struts/bags are not a GR40 type setup. Air Lift's car is not an AIX type of car. What Air Lift did with this test was prove that not only does their kit offer competent handling, but it does so on par with (or even better than) a commonly chosen ~$2500 coilover set. This is huge.

Air Lift has demonstrated that air bags are no longer just for "stance".

Note- Air Lift doesn't sell k-members, a-arms, control arms, WATTS links, etc... what we're talking about here are dampers and (air) springs. If you want a drag setup, you can talk to UPR or BMR... if you want a handling setup, you can talk to Griggs or Cortex... but when it comes time to choose your dampers and springs, Air Lift is offering a unique alternative. If you don't need $4400 MCS coilovers, but you want a more versatile setup than the typical drag strut/shock/spring combo, then this is it.

I test drove Air Lift's 2005 Mustang GT last week for around 30 minutes. Jeremy gave me the freedom to drive the car as hard as I wanted. I'm too respectful to drive someone else's car 10/10ths, but I pushed it hard enough to get a feel for it. The car worked just as well as my car in a straight line and in the corners. My car has Koni Yellows and UPR/Eibach Pro lowering springs. Both cars are on 20x10s so it was a good comparison I thought. I was impressed that the Air Lift car seemed to corner as well as mine- most likely thanks to the adjustable monotube dampers. But the biggest surprise to me was that the ride quality was MUCH nicer on air! I took one sweeper on the highway at over 100mph... it was actually an overpass which exited off the right side of the highway, then swung left to go over the highway. You know the type- concrete, asphalt, concrete, expansion joint, asphalt, concrete... :D Anyway, I know I could've run through there at over 100mph in my car, but it would've been hopping and banging over the rough stuff. The Air Lift car ran through there plenty fast, but smooth as silk. I was blown away!

So my take away was this- the Air Lift kit seems to offer as much grip in a straight line and in the corners as my fairly common Koni/Eibach setup, but it has a BETTER ride quality, and gives you the ability to choose whatever height you'd like. I would certainly recommend Air Lift for all but the most hardcore race cars out there.
 

Dubstep Shep

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The Griggs comment wasn't to say the two systems are on par with each other, I was simply musing that it would be an interesting comparison, but I realize it would not be a fair one.

I still would like to see more data on this comparison. The make/model of coilovers, the EXACT setup, including alignment numbers, compression, damping, spring rate, cost of the systems, etc. I'm an engineer; I like data hehe.
 

Sharad

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Well, we'll see what data Jeremy can share. In his defense, if I A-B tested my products against a competitor, I wouldn't want to drag their name through the mud. It's bad etiquette.

Also, you can't compare a TA/WL/SLA car to any stock style suspension as it pertains to handling. I mean, you can, but it's not a good comparison.
 

luillo

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You guys should really test the air suspension in drag racing. The reason is because I love drag racing like many others but I am very interested in road race too. I hear the air suspension is good for drag too but a nice video or some numbers in the 1/4 mile for comparison would be very nice.
 
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You guys should really test the air suspension in drag racing. The reason is because I love drag racing like many others but I am very interested in road race too. I hear the air suspension is good for drag too but a nice video or some numbers in the 1/4 mile for comparison would be very nice.

We are working on it!
 

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