questions regarding suspension/handling
 

hi all, I'm looking for explanations why a car like a mazdaspeed will handle better than my car and why.my car(03 lx) and a mazdaspeed, the only difference in suspension is the springs/shocks and roll bar,and the tires. Obviously if i could put the same tires on my car it wouldn't handle as well as the speed. that just leaves the suspension. Seems to me the geometry should be the same so how can just shocks/springs rollbars make a car handle so much better? does all of the above just keep the car flater when turning? is that all it takes? any thoughts will be appreciated cause I'm just one of those people wjere if i think of something and can't find the answer i go nuts

are you serious ? you know another name for a roll bar is ANTI-SWAY BAR...as in it reduces body roll under hard cornering. A stiffer spring also helps this, since it gives less, and helps keep that tire glued to the pavement too. Ever get wheel hop when spinning the tires?? You will get MUCH less of it with a stiffer spring. A higher valve rate on your struts helps too as this increases dampening of the springs. A wider tire should be obvious as more rubber = more traction, so you're less likely to slide sideways under a hard turn. This is a pretty simplified explanation, but mostly the idea is keeping the rubber glued to the road

the mazdaspeed does not come equipped with the all out superior suspension and handling parts. As like any commercial vehicle, they still need to maintain a level of comfort.

All you need are some aftermarket components and then you can take corners alot more confidently than mazdaspeed cars.
Yes, and tires would help significantly too.

thanks,
chris

Re: questions regarding suspension/handling
 

Pretty much. :)
Dampening is a big part of the equation, too, but more flat= more rubber on the ground=more traction.

good reading

p.s. If you increase your handling too much you'll be purchasing a set of racing buckets after your first hot turn.....I wound up on my shifter one day after installing my Racing Beat springs on the P5.....not fun!!

Ouch! Maybe time for a good 5-point harness. Don't tell your girlfriend, she'll be telling you "lets go for a drive, and make sure you go around some really fast right-handers"

on the test drive of our MSP the night I bought it I went through a wicked chicane about 60mph and cracked her head against the window so hard she fainted!!

I knew any car that could kick my wife's ass on the test drive HAD to be mine..

LOL , it's even better when the wife/girlfriend "can't drive a stick." Gee sorry, Hon, I guess I'll have to do all the driving then.

Don't forget, you can definitely go too stiff with the springs. A properly matched spring and strut will ride and handle much better than a mismatched set that are too hard. They have to be able to adjust to the road surface, and that includes absorbing bumps, not bouncing off of them. If you bounce off, you have ZERO grip!

So right-o 03ESpro, and ditto that if you are riding around on your bumpstops. It might feel "really responsive," as you instantly load the weight of the entire car onto the outside wheel(s), but don't expect any podium finishes at the local auto-x or road course. I like it when everyone riding in the lowrider in front of me has their heads all bounce up and down over the bumps in perfect snyc.

hehe, that's me with my coilovers. :D

The MAzda Speed/Racing beat set up is great, lots 'o' fun. I just dialed in -1.5 in camber all around and .25 toe out in the front...combined with azenis sports the car is a beaut in the corners...Im off to drive, its a beautiful day for a Protege

speaking of seats, i drove a friend's Volkswagen Golf GTI the other day and found that the seats in this thing were the best ive ever sat in. They cradled my rather large behind through some wicked turns. It's a 95 model, and the kid's got it lowered on 15's, sport supension, short shift, the works. I drove it and the thing handles like a champion. Believe me when i tell you that it can weave and turn nicely. I'm going to look for these seats and MAKE them fit in my Pro.

find 92 GTi Recaros or VR6 Recaro's...awesome seats!

will those VW seats fit in my 99 Pro LX? Does anyone know?