Stasis Tracksport 500/600, now 500/500... review
03-30-2003, 10:35 PM
#1
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Stasis Tracksport 500/600, now 500/500... review
I've enjoyed the way my S4Avant handles with the 5/600 spring rates, when I'm in a corner, but it's honestly been driving me a bit nutty in "normal driving". The front end pogos more than I'm comfortable with. Honestly, it feels a bit like a 911 (from the perspective of hopping a bit in the front).
This makes sense, in a way. Our F/R weight bias is about 60/40 (IIRC), and I went from a spring rate ratio of 350/290'ish? stock (55%/45% f/r) to 500/600 (45%/55% f&r). It makes sense that the rear is going to be very limited in its compression compared to the front.
Also note that the 500/600 setup is the most "hardcore" in this respect. the 700/800 setup is 47%/53% f&r by comparison. My guess is that the people buying the 500/600 setup, like me, are the least likely to track their cars, so this may not be the ideal f&r ratio for them.
Note: upping the rear damping (from 4.5 to 7 turns) helped a lot, but didn't solve the problem.
I talked w/Ryan last week, telling him it was too stiff for regular driving. He sent me the 450/500 rates to try. Again, Stasis' customer service is the best I've ever experienced.
My first step was to install the 500lb springs in the rear, leaving the front alone because I just didn't have the energy to do the install. After driving on this setup a couple days, I can tell you this is a *much* better set of spring ratios for me than the 500/600. The front & rear suspensions now feel much better matched -- I can actually feel the rear suspension "working", whereas I could only feel the fronts previously.
It still handles very, very well. It may understeer a hair more than before, but for me the tradeoff in better behavior 99% of the time is more than worth the loss here.
Net: I'm probably going to send the 450lb front springs back & leave it at 500/500. If the impact harshness is still too bad when driving in the city, I *may* go down to 450/450 (if I can), but this setup looks like the hot ticket for me.
My final tweak may be to increase the front rebound damping just slightly, as I still have a hair too much vertical travel off of bumps than I'd like, but this is now a nitpick rather than an annoyance.
Final note: I drove my wife's bone stock S4 sedan tonight. The damping in that car is *perfect*. Yes, the car is too soft, but Audi nailed the damping. I hope to get close to this level of perfection with the final tweak to front damping.
Scott.
This makes sense, in a way. Our F/R weight bias is about 60/40 (IIRC), and I went from a spring rate ratio of 350/290'ish? stock (55%/45% f/r) to 500/600 (45%/55% f&r). It makes sense that the rear is going to be very limited in its compression compared to the front.
Also note that the 500/600 setup is the most "hardcore" in this respect. the 700/800 setup is 47%/53% f&r by comparison. My guess is that the people buying the 500/600 setup, like me, are the least likely to track their cars, so this may not be the ideal f&r ratio for them.
Note: upping the rear damping (from 4.5 to 7 turns) helped a lot, but didn't solve the problem.
I talked w/Ryan last week, telling him it was too stiff for regular driving. He sent me the 450/500 rates to try. Again, Stasis' customer service is the best I've ever experienced.
My first step was to install the 500lb springs in the rear, leaving the front alone because I just didn't have the energy to do the install. After driving on this setup a couple days, I can tell you this is a *much* better set of spring ratios for me than the 500/600. The front & rear suspensions now feel much better matched -- I can actually feel the rear suspension "working", whereas I could only feel the fronts previously.
It still handles very, very well. It may understeer a hair more than before, but for me the tradeoff in better behavior 99% of the time is more than worth the loss here.
Net: I'm probably going to send the 450lb front springs back & leave it at 500/500. If the impact harshness is still too bad when driving in the city, I *may* go down to 450/450 (if I can), but this setup looks like the hot ticket for me.
My final tweak may be to increase the front rebound damping just slightly, as I still have a hair too much vertical travel off of bumps than I'd like, but this is now a nitpick rather than an annoyance.
Final note: I drove my wife's bone stock S4 sedan tonight. The damping in that car is *perfect*. Yes, the car is too soft, but Audi nailed the damping. I hope to get close to this level of perfection with the final tweak to front damping.
Scott.
03-30-2003, 10:49 PM
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question
i've never been in any stasis setup s4's but always had the impression that the 500/600 spring rates were very smooth... but you say that the front end pogos.=(
i'm going to purchase a new suspension set up soon and i'm thinking of going stasis 500/600 with touring valving... based on everyone's post, i trust that performance will be excellent. but ride quality is important to me- especially since i will upgrade to 19's by next year hopefully... for someone whose priority is in ride quality then performance, would you still recommend stasis?
i'm going to purchase a new suspension set up soon and i'm thinking of going stasis 500/600 with touring valving... based on everyone's post, i trust that performance will be excellent. but ride quality is important to me- especially since i will upgrade to 19's by next year hopefully... for someone whose priority is in ride quality then performance, would you still recommend stasis?
03-30-2003, 10:58 PM
#3
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answers
I have touring valving as well.
For sport oriented road driving, with an occasional track day, I think the 500/600 setup has too much rear rate bias, just IMHO of course. "RKA" should jump in here too. He's had similar issues w/the 500/600 setup.
I'd suggest going 500/500.
The ride over most pavement is pretty supple. It's a bit harsh over sharp bumps, though. Also, keep in mind, I'm running 17s.
If ride is a high priority for you, you might want to look at Stasis' street-sport coilovers.
I have nothing but positive things to say about the quality of the products they sell, and the service they provide. it's just taking me a while to get my suspension tuned perfectly for me.
Scott.
For sport oriented road driving, with an occasional track day, I think the 500/600 setup has too much rear rate bias, just IMHO of course. "RKA" should jump in here too. He's had similar issues w/the 500/600 setup.
I'd suggest going 500/500.
The ride over most pavement is pretty supple. It's a bit harsh over sharp bumps, though. Also, keep in mind, I'm running 17s.
If ride is a high priority for you, you might want to look at Stasis' street-sport coilovers.
I have nothing but positive things to say about the quality of the products they sell, and the service they provide. it's just taking me a while to get my suspension tuned perfectly for me.
Scott.
03-30-2003, 11:07 PM
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yah, RKA was the one actually who's been very helpful...
i live in irvine, CA and the roads here are quite well-maintained. for the most part, road conditions are great. occasional sharp bumps won't be too much of a problem, i think.
for the street-sport coilovers, do you still recommend 500-500? do you have any other specifics you could tell me?
for the street-sport coilovers, do you still recommend 500-500? do you have any other specifics you could tell me?
03-30-2003, 11:12 PM
#5
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I believe the street sports are 400/400 progressive
My comment was regarding the trackports. I prefer the way mine drives with 500/500 vs 500/600. We have some *really* nasty roads up here in Seattle. 500/600 was pretty bad on the worst roads, especially with a full load of passengers. 500/500 is much more supple and still handles great.
That said, some of the worst expansion joints in the freeway still make me pucker.
I think it really comes down to what you're going to do with the car. If you just want to lower it, have it handle "well", and preserve a nice ride, you might want to save $1k and consider the street sports.
That said, some of the worst expansion joints in the freeway still make me pucker.
I think it really comes down to what you're going to do with the car. If you just want to lower it, have it handle "well", and preserve a nice ride, you might want to save $1k and consider the street sports.
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03-30-2003, 11:24 PM
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hmm, i've been in a clk55 and if the C43 was anything like that car, then ride quality is too harsh.
would you mind giving me a ride? i know gas has been costing quite a lot lately..