Suspension question

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Feb 26, 2004 | 04:01 PM

silverA4TQM

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Suspension question

I had H&R race with bilstein adjustables on my 99.5, I am thinking about putting them on my 97. Now the thing is that the 97 is stripped and weighs 900 pounds less than the 99.5. Will this affect the ride height with the bilsteins on the lowest pirch? Thanks

Feb 26, 2004 | 04:12 PM

Digit@lex

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Wow. 900 lbs is a lot. I'd have to say yes.

I think it will rise a bit but not drastically.

Feb 26, 2004 | 04:14 PM

silverA4TQM

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What not drastically?

Can I get more groves on my bilsteins?

Feb 26, 2004 | 04:21 PM

SilverA4Fun

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yes weight plus or minus will have impact on compression, ride height and dampening...

most springs are designed based on a range of weights, since you start off with static weight both car full and empty and then you add dynamic forces to the equation. Then you factor in spring rates and how the change in weight is distributed around the car. You'll honestly not notice too much of a difference in the front height since other than A/c there isn;t too much heavy stuff that would be removed other than the battery which you can relocated more towards the rear of the car. Clearing the trunk and back seat of stuff will yield a slight increase of height do to less unsprung mass on the springs. Also if you add a cage that will add some weight, this is typically neutral since it ends up being between both axles. You should try to balance the weight not just front to rear but also side to side, since adding a driver and seat is easily 200lbs to the left side of the car, its called corner balancing. Hope this helps.

Feb 26, 2004 | 04:24 PM

Digit@lex

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I'm sure you can get more grooves but I have no idea what kind of a raise a 900lb lighter car

will yield.

Feb 26, 2004 | 04:28 PM

SilverA4Fun

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A stock A4 1.8t is about 3100lbs, so shaving almost a 3rd off changes the dynamics

of all forces not just ride, but braking, acceleration and even lift or lack of downforce. A lighter vehicle is more apt to not hydroplane than a heavier one, especially with wider tires. Downforce creates downward pressure with out the need for static/physical weight, plus its variable more dowan force with speed and better traction.