Author |
Message |
Gregg Holden
Trader WA Soarer GT-TL & Supercharged 31
Posts: 577 Reg: 08-2005
| I've had the opportunity to experience TT Tems, HKS Hipermax II's (in the TT), Teins (in a v8)and now airbags on the v8. By far the best experience was the HKS Hipermax II's. They were simply mint in all respects. Now that I'm on the bags in the V8 I'm wondering how good the sport mode is with brand new air struts specifically compared to top end coilovers like the Hipermax II's. I've been loving flicking across to sport for fanging around round abouts and city driving and then back to normal for cruising on the freeway. Ah the little luxuries of the v8 limited!... However I can immediately tell that the old Bags that I have when on sport are probably only half as good as my experience with HKS Hipermax (Although I need to take into account of the Vlamos bushes that were on the TT and currently not on the V8). So the question is - with brand new air bags does the sport mode firm up and handle as well as a decent set of coily's? Anyone had the privilege of comparing both? |
Dan McColl
Goo Roo Victoria Active V8 and a Factory Manual XF.
Posts: 2149 Reg: 07-2005
| I would doubt that bags would ever handle as good as decent coilovers, but some people here have given very good reports on new ones over old ones. Benny has new bags on his and gave a good write up somewhere here about them. |
Peter Nitschke
JunkFilterer South Australia GT4.0 V8
Posts: 7545 Reg: 11-2004
| Juzza was able to get around Phillip Island pretty fast on air bags. He still holds the Soarer track record I think. |
David Vaughan
Goo Roo ACT V8 Ltd manual
Posts: 3227 Reg: 07-2005
| I can not make a direct comparison with coilovers on the Soarer but I can compare new for old air bags, and either of those with Eibachs and Konis on another car. The new airbags were far better than the old (which were clapped out), well worthwhile in my view, but will never actually feel sharp. Rather, they feel firm or stable. Bushes will also affect that. I am never going to recommend the air struts over good coilovers for optimum track or hairpin handling but say rather that that the air struts do a damn good job of combining the options of cruising luxury with stable high speed travel on back roads and roundabouts. |
Adam Smith
TryHard Queensland 97 UZZ31GT-L
Posts: 167 Reg: 07-2005
| Hey Gregg, mate I stepped out of a tidy UZZ30 into a tidy UZZ31 so I had a pretty good comparison. I found that the UZZ30 took corners slightly better (read flatter/faster) than the 31, although of course both have more body-roll than Perry's "I can take corners flat at 250KPH wank... wank" UZZ32 In addition to the cornering, I found the 30's springs to be more compliant on the smaller road obsticals. The 31 feels ever so slightly 'harsh' on the little stuff. As soon as the hits get bigger, they both handle very similar. I have said it before.... I wouldn't change the car I have as it's a lovely car and I am happy but... If I could buy one fully spec'd any way I wanted it, I'd take the coils anyday :-) |
Gregg Holden
Trader WA Soarer GT-TL & Supercharged 31
Posts: 578 Reg: 08-2005
| Cheers for your feedback guys. David I can relate to what you are saying here especially about the firm vs sharp... That's the sensation I feel now in comparison to the Hipermax II's. The car seems firm (but given the bags are old I'm thinking could feel firmer) but I would doubt they would ever be as "sharp" as you mentioned as the HKS Hipermax... Nice words to use dude as they seem to sum up well the sensations... Adam - Do you think that the harshness on the little stuff may be more bushes related than the suspension? I certainly know the difference between shot bushes and new vlamous bushes and the harsh ride is accented on the little bumps with shot bushes. (Although not too shot otherwise everything is real bad!)... Interesting anyway to hear your experiences so thanks for sharing.... (ps: Bloody UZZ32 owners...grrrr....) |
Dan McColl
Goo Roo Victoria Active V8 and a Factory Manual XF.
Posts: 2156 Reg: 07-2005
| Have you tried the 'track day' jumper trick?? |
Gregg Holden
Trader WA Soarer GT-TL & Supercharged 31
Posts: 579 Reg: 08-2005
| Actually no - Does it make a big difference on the bags? |
Dan McColl
Goo Roo Victoria Active V8 and a Factory Manual XF.
Posts: 2157 Reg: 07-2005
| Apparently so. |
Neil Griffiths
Trader NSW I have a Cadillac, and I am allowed on here
Posts: 3825 Reg: 07-2005
| I'm liking my Tien HA's But air bags are great for non track work.And PIMPIN |
Adam Smith
TryHard Queensland 97 UZZ31GT-L
Posts: 171 Reg: 07-2005
| Hey GGGregggg, mate the tidy UZZ31 I refer to was Andrew Vlams black car I bought recently, so if any car should be an example of good bushes, it'll be his :-) In addition, Andrew also fitted brand new genuine struts, so I think at the moment the car is handling about as good as it gets |
Adam Smith
TryHard Queensland 97 UZZ31GT-L
Posts: 172 Reg: 07-2005
| Neil you will need some BLING on that big hairy chest before you're truely pimpin... At the moment you're just PLUMPIN
|
Perry Morgan
Goo Roo Qld UZZ32 ( V8 )
Posts: 1593 Reg: 07-2005
|
Adam Smith wrote on Friday, April 13, 2007 - 06:00 pm:more body-roll than Perry's
Well lose a few kilos then tubby!!! |
Adam Smith
TryHard Queensland 97 UZZ31GT-L
Posts: 174 Reg: 07-2005
| I wouldn't call him tubby mate... it's just his fluffy winter coat ;) |
Neil Griffiths
Trader NSW I have a Cadillac and a Supercharged Manual V8
Posts: 3829 Reg: 07-2005
| Adam..Overweight can be fixed. But UGLY is forever...hahahahaahahahaahahahaah |
Perry Morgan
Goo Roo Qld UZZ32 ( V8 )
Posts: 1594 Reg: 07-2005
| So.........what you're saying is that he's pretty much stuffed then Neil??? |
Neil Griffiths
Trader NSW I have a Cadillac and a Supercharged Manual V8
Posts: 3831 Reg: 07-2005
| Yeah Pezz, I'm afraid so I may even tell the Preacher that bought his BEAUTIFULL / FANTASTIC Wine Coloured UZZ30 that he is a bit on the * strange * side...hehehehehehe |
Benny Gammelmark
Goo Roo NSW V8 UZZ31
Posts: 1960 Reg: 07-2005
| I found my new bags were a vast improvement but it will never be as good as really good coilovers. They will always remain a bit "skittich" is probably the best word for it, although that becomes much less in sports mode. |
Adam Smith
TryHard Queensland 97 UZZ31GT-L
Posts: 175 Reg: 07-2005
| You guys are just jealous... I have a great head for radio.... And no picking on choices of car either Neil, I am showing my Black one as much love as my Red one got.... Even bought AV's recommended polish... although I can't seem to stop the bleeding now, think I might need stitches... |
Damian Ware
DieHard Victoria UZZ32
Posts: 533 Reg: 10-2005
| Greg, when I bought my 32 I drove a couple of 31's one of which had brand new struts and bushes. It was not as good as a 32 but the car was firm and stable in comparison to the other cars running old bags. I have also drive quite a few 31's with good condition but not new bags. I think they are lovely for a gental cruise and great over bumps on the FWY but coils will still handel better for hooning. |