by dingo » Fri Aug 08, 2008 4:48 pm
Damping is also increasing in both compression and rebound as the rate \ velocity increases (not linear, but you would not expect that).
Low speed damping is less (considerably) vs high speed.
If you hit a small bump, the damper will translate \ compress reasonably easily, whereas, you hit a hard, significant bump at high speed the damping rate is quite a lot higher.
So your observation of the car feeling more "planted" is exactly what one would expect with a well damped solution (also assuming appropriate spring rates).
I made the mistake of putting rear springs of too high a rate on recently.
Only over 80 mph, with some serious bump, would the suspension at rear compress. I thought I'd set it up "Full Race" mode. ballsey.
Anything slower than 80 mph with big bumps, the rear end felt as though it was simply really locked up and "suspension" was being delivered mostly from tyre
side wall flex.
So now I went to variable rate single piece springs with a fair preload on them but with dampers set at one off max for both compression and rebound.
Seems really compliant but also "planted" I don't think this is the best track set up, but it sure feels 'civilized' on the public roads.
Damping is also increasing in both compression and rebound as the rate \ velocity increases (not linear, but you would not expect that).
Low speed damping is less (considerably) vs high speed.
If you hit a small bump, the damper will translate \ compress reasonably easily, whereas, you hit a hard, significant bump at high speed the damping rate is quite a lot higher.
So your observation of the car feeling more "planted" is exactly what one would expect with a well damped solution (also assuming appropriate spring rates).
I made the mistake of putting rear springs of too high a rate on recently.
Only over 80 mph, with some serious bump, would the suspension at rear compress. I thought I'd set it up "Full Race" mode. ballsey.
Anything slower than 80 mph with big bumps, the rear end felt as though it was simply really locked up and "suspension" was being delivered mostly from tyre
side wall flex.
So now I went to variable rate single piece springs with a fair preload on them but with dampers set at one off max for both compression and rebound.
Seems really compliant but also "planted" I don't think this is the best track set up, but it sure feels 'civilized' on the public roads.